The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-11-17

\. delivered at the B. Il. T.. No. 3 Oct. 80,
1887, BY tic Rev. L. ". Jenkins. \. NJ.
Many a man has undertaken the
arduous task OF writing biography
ofhis friend as citizen, statesman, sol
dier, captain, general. Yet none has
been more clear and precise, nor
could be, as those men who were
guided by Inspiration in the prosecu-
ton of the work upon the life OF
Christ.
We have four narratives upon the
life of our Saviour. Of the four Luke
alone relates with any detail The cir
cumstances OF our Lords birth. (Com.
Matt. l:1S-25.) The previous chap
ter has told of the appearance of the
angel Gabriel to Zaciarias in the
temple, rs. 5-23, and to Mary at Naz-
areth, VS.. 24-3S; OF the meeting be-
tween the mothers OF John and
Jesus and their hymns OF inspired
praise, vs.. 1886, and of the birth OF
John, VS.. $3.50.
Our attention is now directed to a
decree of the Roman emperor, bring
ing to pass Gods purpose, that the
Son Of David should be born III Beth
lehem, and to an announcement oi
the fact by an angel TO some shep-
herds on the neighborius plain.
Let US now pass along to His pre-
sentation in the temple.
At eight days old Jesus was cir
camcised and named, V. 81. At forty
days old he was taken by his mother
to Jerusalem,ssvs. 22-24, to make the
offerings required by the law, Lev.
-. She probably chose al hour
when the courts would be empty; but
God had provided two witnesses,
Simon and Anna. The former took
the little one in his arms, blessed
God for the coming salvation, and
foretold keen sorrows. The latter re-
sponded to all this and talked OF
Jesus to all in Jerusalem who were
looking for redemption.
Another important event in the lie
Of Christ was the visit of the wise
men. This visit is recorded only by
Matthew. Some Eastern ma4i and
the consequent flight into Egypt.
The magi, OF wise men, had seen in
their distant eastern a star that be-
tokened the birth of one who should
be king of the Jews, and came to
Jerusalem to do him homage. Their
arrival created a great stir in the
city. Herod feared rival, but put
on the appearances of losing interest,
instituted inquiries about the place
and time, and urged the magi to let
him know as soon as they found the
Child. They, guided again by the
star, found the infant Jesus, offered
him homage and rich gifts, and then
avoiding Herod, went home by an
other way.
We are now come 10 His flight into
Egypt. 1t was preceded by warn
ing to Joseph, upon which he set out
at night to find refuge from tue wrath
of Herod. After venting his posses
sion by Staying the children IN and
around Bethlehem. he died Joseph,
being directed TO return, and, guided
by another vision, fixed his residence
at Nazareth.
The youth OF Jesus. In tbs perio !;
we have His trip, at twelve years Old,
to Jerusalem to attend the passover.
His hearing and questioning the doc
tors, His astonishing all by His intel
ligence, goes back to Nazareth sub
ject to His parents.
His baptism. Mark gives in clear
and rapid style the ministry OF John
ard the baptism of Jesus. Matthew
tells Of His temptation; John tells Of
His first disciples, first miracle cf
Jesus, His cleansing the temple, His
discourse with Nicodemus, His being
at Jacobs well; all of these events are
but rays emitting upon US from the
blessed Son OF Righteousness.