The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-21
INTERPRETATION OF PASSAGE.

stood literally. such an Interpretation
would be absurd.
INTERPRETATION OF PASSAGE.
Nothing could be more Inconsistent with
our ideas of proprety To represent the
great God of the universe, after He had
finished the work of creation ana placed
man in dominions as lord of the terrestrial
world and ne, through the lnStrumentaii-
ty of the serpent, had transgressed the dl-
vine law, as declaring, i'm the most solemn
manner and apparently without any wise
or benevolent end in view, that lie would
put enmty between the woman and her
posterity and the serpent and every sue
ceednS brood of serpentS, ana that While
the latter should intiict partial injury on
the former, that the former should nnaily
crush and destroy the latter, would be IN
tintely beneath the dignity of the divine
character and the magnitude and impor-
tance of the subject. We must, then seek
for some other Interpretation of this
passage more suitable to the wisdom and
glory of God, and to the circumstances
under which it was uttered.
BY the serpent here is no doubt primar-
lily intended Satan, or that evil spiritual
agent who manifested his hatred to God
and our first parents through the instru-
mentality Of a literal serpent, or of some
animal or reptile to which that name has
been given. This view is established by
numerous passages in the word of God.
1t had also been predicted. Balaam. un-
der a divine influence and constraint, eX-
claimed, Il shall see Him, but not now;
] snail DehOlt MN, Dut not nlSNt, tneTe
shall come a Star out of Jacob. and a
Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall
smite the corners of Moab, and destroX,
the children of Sheth. And Edom shall
shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall
come He that shall have dominion. and
city Previous to the coming of Christ
this prediction was always applied by the
Jews to the Messiah.
LONG BEEN EXPECTED.
1t had also been long expected. At the
ton generally prevailed He was doubt
less the object of desire to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. and all the pious men of old.
Christ said to the Jews of His time.
abraham rejoiced to see my day. or. as
some read it, "desired' to see my day,
"and he saw it''-not by the eye of sense.
but by the eye of faith "and was glad.
Jacob exclaimed with his dying breath, II
have waited for Thy salvation. O Lord
Good old Simeon and Anna. and many
other pious persons waited for the con-
ISOLATION of Israel.
The birth of Christ ennobles all classes
of people.
The birth of Jesus sanctiiies poverty. 1t
was in a manger, because there was no
room for Him in the inn
The speaker i'm conclusion said:
Sin had entered the world and spread
its whitening blight over all the earth.
The roses of Eden had faded, its streams
had been embittered, and its air had been
loaded Win the ptSlllentldl NdpOrS Oh
DEATH Man was doomed to go forth and
toll in sorrow and sadness until he should
return to the dust from whence he was
taken. deep gloom enshrouded the
world; but the far distant horizon was
crimsoned with light, for God had prom
ised the coming of a bright and glorious
day. Men continued to multiply, and to
spread out upon the mountains and on the
plains and in the valleys by the stream
sides: but wherever they went their
hearts were still oppressed with the
curse. and they longed for deliverance.
Promise was succeeded by prophecy, and
as the coming day approached, prophe-
ces were multiplied and spread abroad in
every land, and preserved as sacred le-
gcnds, inspiring desire and expectation in
every brast
THE ANGELIC ANNOUNCEMENT
At length, upon the stiffness of the mid
night air, the voices of angelic choristers
announced to the watching shepherds,
sentinels of the world, the glorious tid-
ings, Unto you is born this day in the
city of David, IL Savior. which is Christ
the Lord \ Savior born! Promise and
prophecy are now fulfilled, desire and eX-
pectation are now realized
The great event in which has centered
the hopes of the world for ages and gem
erations has now transpired. Who would
not join with the angels and sing, GLORY
to God in the highest, peace on earth and
good will among mem"
Light on thy hills, Jcrusaem.
the Savior now is born!
And bright on l3ethlehem's Joyous plains
Breaks the first Christmas morn.''