The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-22
BY
j. E. Gilbert, DID,
Secretary of American
Society of Religious
Education.

| ii h. ome stationary, the magi. knowing that
| their searcn vas successful, were filled will
| great Joy
WOKslIlP--Je WAS born in stable and
| laid IN q mungcr U-uke ii: ICY. Our lesson say
| lie was in 4 house when the wise men cam,
| Oersc 1D. 1t has been supposed that Joseph
was able to secure for mother and child more
comfortable quarters than those at first obtained
| and tradition represents that the women OF tho
tnwn, OH hearing OF the advent, offered theil
| HOUSES to the Little Stranger 1t must have
! been an exciting occasion when these visitors
| from far country gained admission to the
dwelins--hono,abe men seeking child! The
| intelligence must have been RAPIDLY carried into
| all 'arts OF the village. drawing the people to-
eethcr, doubtless, in great numbers. Falling
| down PROSTATE, their faces to the floor. in
| Oriental custom, the wise men worship the boy,
| the future King. Then opening their treasures,
| brought probably on the backs OF camels, they
presented their gifts, custom in eastern coun.
tries from time immemorial (Gen. XNxiii: s.,
when interiors would humble themselves in the
presence of the great. Gold, frankincense ant
murh' were offered, the things usually be-
slowed upon kings u Kings x: 1o)
WARNED, Wicked men are not always sui
fered TO act their pleasure. Sometimes the
upon their minds and hearts (EX. xviii ~. At
other times that spirit prompts other men so
10 act as to thwart their designs psalm lXNvi
lOl. Hcrod will not be permitted Ia destroy
this boy Jesus, whose time for sacrifcal death
is subsequent to long and noble service for
truth CMatt. xvi: I'D. The wise men whom
he would employ against Him, by dream or
vision, method long established (Numb. xii:
o., and frequently used during the evangelical
the kings purpose The communication OF this
intelligence TO their minds caused their return
TO their own country without visiting Jer,sa-
lem again, leaving ierod to devise another
scheme OF more extensive slaughter, by which
he went into history as the most cruel and
heartless OF men Verses 1U-ls1. This act OF
the Magi, under Divine instruction, is further
mark OF their goodness.
REFLECTIoNS-Thc events of this lesson
iorshadow the entire lie OF Christ, and the his
tory OF the centuries that followed His birth.
BY their attitude toward Him men have classi-
fled themselves as enemies or friends. The
wicked have opposed Him. sometimes with re-
lentiosS fury, resortine 10 the bascst measures
for preventing the spread OF His Kingdom.
There can he nothing but an rrepressible con-
aict between Jesus and all the powers of dark
nes q John, iii; -, and in that conflict there
can be no res"lt other imam the confusion OF
the latter. But the good and wise OF all
ages and lands have sought Jesus and honored
Him. They have come from near and from
far, They have brought their treasures and laid
them at His feet They have bowed down
with reverence before Him and owned Him as
Lord. They have gone out from Him into dis
tlnt parts, loyal and devoted 10 Ills cause. In
the midst oi the rejoicing in this festival week
it is important for every student OF these lessons
TO adjust his relations to Christ. 10 all who
will come to Him, led by that spreading soly,
exceeding that OF the star that hung over Beth
iehenl, we are able 10 promise merry Christ
ma.