The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-04


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INTRODUCTION-In ancient times when
a king purposed to pass through country
courier was sent before him TO announce
his coming. On hearing the proclamation the
people were expected to make preparation.
The road along which he would pass must
be freed from distractions, the rough places
made smooth, the elevations cut down. the
depressions filled. luke Iii, o. To some ex-
tent the entire population must be ready
to honor their distinguished visitor, and to
promote the purpose for which he came. In
like manner the prophets foretold that
Jesus would come as a king dan. H. 4I.
and that a herald would precede him. Cial.
iv, 3D. That John the Baptist was the fore
runner is evident from several considera-
tons. He himself so declared John /. 23).
and Jesus confirmed his words. Matt XII.
100 Besides, his character and work &C
corded with the character and work OF the
predicted courier. Our lesson for the day
gives incidents before his birth to the same
import, announcing his career as the one
sent Uohn |, g.. to proclaim the Lord.
PARENTS.-John came of good stock The
blood of holy ancestry. traced back fif-
teen centuries, flowed in his veins. Zaeha-
rias. his father, belonged to the seventh
course Of the priesthood, as arranged by
David q Chron. xiv, 10), and readjusted
after the captivity for the temple service
at Jerusalem His wife, also descended from
Aaron, was in full sympathy with the spirit
of this high Office. They were both blame
less, keeping the commandments and ordi-
nances, the moral and ceremonial require
ments OF their religion Job i, u, patterns
or all excellence. But this holy couple was
greatly afflicted in one Respectfully were
childless q Sam. /. % The years of welded
Ire had come and gone. and God had not
granted the desires of their hearts. They
were now advanced in years, having passed
the time OF hope, and they only waited to
be summoned away, Xpacting to leave no
one behind to bear their name, to inherit
their blessing and TO continue the work
INCENSE.-A Jewish priest was conse-
Grated to render three kinds of service-to
burn incense, to minister unto God and to
frst of these services symbolized the Offer
Ing OF praise. thanksgiving and supplica-
ton. Grew. viii. 3D. 1t was performed twice
each day, in the morning and In the even
shittim wood and overlaid with gold called
the altar of incense. (Ex xxx, IL That altar
STOOD before the vail Of the holy place. The
mooe OF burning incense was described in
the statutes OF Moses 0ev. xvi, L. I'D, and
any departure from that mode was severe
~ punished: Oev. X, II The efficacy of this
service is illustrated In the plague that fol-
lowed the destruction of Korah CNumb.
xvi, 1919 Our lesson presents Zacharias
as ne came, clad in priestly garments eek.
xa a' 4g-4S) to execute this function of his
office. We cannot fix tn, ,e precisely, but
1t was in the days Of XII rod Verse s..
and most scholars have in placing it
PRAYER.-While Zacharias was burning
incense at the altar the people were en-
gagged In prayer outside the temple 1t
was the design OF God to combine the cere-
monial and the spiritual, the official and
the popular, the former leading the latter
Forms were vain and worthless unless used
IN the right spirit. Qsa. j, u. 80 When the
seat Qev. xvi, 49, and arose thence and
appeared above the holy place the assembly
the appointed way, their faith was there
by enkindled. and they lifted up their hearts
with the ascending cloud. t2ev. VIII A.
So David worshipped. psalm cxli. %
impressive. 1t shows not only what Judaism
might be in its true state. but what ii
S Sns was 70 at ,d times the channel of d
evening, day after day. the people gathered
and God heard their cries. accepted their
VISTTOR.@While this season Of nraver
was In progress a remarkable supernatural
manifestation was made. An angel of the
Lord, Gabriel Verse 19), suddenly appeared
standing on the right side of the altar
of incense. Zacharias alone was present
and saw him. Under the old covenant
numerous appearances OF this character
(Gen. xix, u were made. whenever any
great event was about to transpre. Josh.
W 49, The angels came always with mes
sage 9Judges II, - The earlier years of
the Christian era were marked in the same
manner. This occasion was most appro>
PIRATE The temple. the hour OF prayer.
the burning incense, the officiating priest,
a mo tf,,1- n
this furnished a favorable opportunity for
heavenly communications. When the insti-
buttons Of religion We're in their best state
1t was well to make known the new day
soon to dawn. 1t is not surprising, how
ever that Zacharias was greatly excited as
ne sa" .ne s.ra thse vlsr.or IN SHINING APP
God impended.
TIDINGS-Gabriel did not long leave
zacharias in suspense and fear. but hast
brought him from the heavenly to the
earthly temple. Thy prayer is heard, thy
Wife shall tba bear , he ,s exclaimed II
asked God for an heir. q Sam. /. % That
prayer may have been prompted by the
earnest longing felt by every pious soul in
those days, felt always, indeed. by every
normal man. Or, the Holy Spirit may have
awakened in his mind some conception that
his family would have important relation
TO give the name II the son. John, derived
from Jehovah and Chen, the favor of the
Lord. (See Doddridge in loco.) Then he de-
clared that the child would bring badness
TO Zacharias and to many. implying that
he would be n person of unusual worth and
influence. Such words, falling from the
lips Of celestial being, would be received
with wonder. After all the patient waiting
until hope had died out OF his heart (verse
Isl, Zacharias was not prepared for such
intelligence. It often occurs that ion4 de-
layed answers find men unprepared for
Gods. gifts.
CHARACTER.-The angel sought TO
strengthen the priests faith. Not every son
brings gladness TO parents. Sometimes the
declining years are filled with trouble be-
cause of hayward children III Sam. xviii
33) But Zacharias was Informed i'm ad-
vance that the prospective son would ''be
great in the sight OF the Lord" richly en-
dowed by nature, approved by the great
searcher of hearts. Moreover, his personal
habits on reaching manhood would accord
with the nobility OF his nature. For he
should drink neither wine nor strong
drink" The spiritual would dominate and
the carnal appetites would be in subsection
Il Cor. TX, 21l In short. he would become
OF the great mass OF humanity who live on
the animal plane Rom. viii. %. made a
leader and an example 10 those who strug-
gle for better things. Gal. vi, II But the
exalted character OF John would not be
due to nature alone-he would be filled
with the Holy Ghost from his infancy
Splendid prospect this. No lapse into way
wardness. followed by reform. From child
hood built symmetrically and filed with
God Oh Tim. iii. 49,
MISSION.-A great man ought to have an
ents The worth OF this promised son, and
The s,orSaouauf rejoicing of Zapharfas will