The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-27
LESSONS OF THE EPIPHANY.
Rev. DIR. Bacon's Sermon at Roberts
Park Church.

Rev. DR.. Bacon, pastor of Roberts Park
NJ. E. Church, preached from st. Matthew's
record of the visit of the wise men of the
East, Matt ii, IL. NOW when Jesus was
born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of
Herod, the King, behold there came wise
men from the Fast To Jerusalem, saying,
Where is He that is born king of the Jews
For we have seen His star in the East and
are come to worship Him. In the course
of his remarks, DR.. Bacon said:
This is called the epiphany. or Christ's
manifestations to the genules. This scene is
side, in the holy family and from their rank,
mission and nature of the gifts, Oriental
gorgeousness on the other. The Magi were a
PERSIAN prleStly cult, OF great prominence,
OF probably a very ancient Chaldean origin
Ihey We're light worshlpers, believed in the
God Of the heavens and that the stars re-
yealed His willard that the stars posi-
tons and influence affected nations histo-
ries and individuals, destinies. DR.. Fred
erick Robinson believed that astronomy is
a science in it's origin that arose to answer
mans religious cravings; that while other
sciences answer the intellect this responds to
in Scripture {Jere. xXxix) in the Rab Magi.
or chief Magi sent to Judea at the time of
chief of their order or college by Nebuch-
adnezZar after his successful Interpretation
Of the Kings dream, and to him the: Rab
Mag, the great King bowed himself and
ordered that incense be offered. This pic
lures the Importance of their position. They
became judges. of great matters-rhe SUI
preme bench of the kingdom-but generally
they held faithfully to their priestly duties
OF such a noble order came the wise men
who qu bowed at the feet of les Tesus
answers but they may be condensed in this:
Jewish Interpretation of ther prophecies of
cult, together with the unsatisfactory char
aoter of the worlds PHILOSOPHERS, caused a
general messianic expectancy to perVdde the
eff Inf.l.s hi .1IC n in
illumination was granted directly to aid
.hese Magi in interpreting their astrological
calculations, etc. What are the lessons OF
this epiphany?
First, philosophy per Sc, or knowledge, is
not a barrier in coming to the feet of Jesus:
OF all the foolish conceits is the conceit; Of
ignorance, and especially that conceit that
God is we'll pleased with ignorance. God
says through the prophet: My people per-
sh for lack of knowledge knowledge may
not be a barrier, but may be a help as IN
w sasy to the feef of Jes@ as 1t 'ne
the attitude OF the learned to their
knowledge will help or hurt them. Pride in
earning may be a barrier. Carnal minded
less in the learned has the same effect as
N the ignorant The child mind the Scrip
cures coWmend, but not the empty head.
Again. Knowledge that is utilitarian simply,
l. e.. the disposition like Herod-who wanted
to use the knowledge of the wise men that
he might kill the supposed rival to his
shrone-the knowledge appreciated as a
he feet of Jesus Yet that knowledge that
1egetS a love for truth, that would Use its
Acquaintance to satisfy the deepest longing
/, ladder to climb to higher truth will often
cad to the feet of Jesus.
Character lies deeper than learning. We
zee things largely according to what Is
illustrated by Mozart and the huntsman.
The least privileged often are most ear
most privileged. But these priests who
could tell the exact place for Christ birth
would not go down six six miles to see whether e
1000 miles to learn of Him born king of the
Jews 1t is not the tools men have, but
heir perseverance that make them success
IS One asked a painter what he mixed his
matchless colors with. He said: ,,,,
mix them with my brains. The
great have accomplished wonders with
inferior tools but Richter gave his
rule for writing: Never write on a sub
ject until you have read yourself full of the
subject, and never read a subject until you you
nave thought yourselves hungry on 1t. me
Magi had thought themselves hungry on a
worlds redeemer and they We're willing TO
make this Journey. Such souls find the feet
..Herod LOSE an opportunity through selfish
fear Christ was given for the rise ana tall
Of many in Israel. He brought out the bad
here was in men as well as brought in the
good from heaven. Every man stands self
revealed who stands before CHRIST. Love
must find channels or die
''They bow before IL king. The true sover.
agnty IS not one where rule IS by force OF
VIII or power. Dul WneIS thcAc ~ ,rS JIM
Gion by the ruler to a higher law. Ihls was
shrist's peculiar quality. Would you govern
others your loyalty to the highest law of
Justice and holiness will you give power?
''rhey had exceeding great joy. Have you
rollowed stars that have gone out? Have
tou. indeed followed the swamp lights that
rise from our heshly nature and 1t has gone
nut? But have honestly wanted to know
ruth and have we gone on to the star " hich
hines above us and it stands over the place
where the young child lay, and have we
II Jesus feet found exceeding great reward
Then have we found the King Child our
yuide and the redeemer our Savior?