The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-06
THE suNDAY-sCHooL LESSON.
Jan. z, 19OO-Luke III, 1-16-The Birth
of Jesus.


Augustus first OF the Caesars, was most dill
gent OF all of them in obtaining statistics OF his
vast dominion His passion for census taking
served Providence well. though he was all UNI
conscious of the contribution he making
toward that most stupendous event Of human
history The Kings heart was in this instance
in the hand of the Lord the river OF waters;
he turned he wished. The imperial decree
issued on the Tiber caused two obscure peasants
to take journey along the Jordan-a journey
all unnoticed by earth. but every step OF which
was viewed by heaven with breathless interest
II the Roman method of enrolment had been
followed Joseph and Mary would have taken no
journey at all They would have reported at
the place OF their residence. But the Emperor
made a concession to Hebrew prejudice, and
allowed the report TO be made at their ancestral
cities and villages. This brought Joseph and
Mary to Bethlehem. But it brought others also
on the same Grand and in such numbers as TO
tax all places of entertainment to their utter
most; so that the weary travellers were glad
enough to avail themselves of stall. from
which some beast turned to make room for
them.
Midway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem
was the ''Watch-tower of the Flock" where the
sheep intended for temple affairs were pastured.
The keepers of this sacred flock had constant
object lesson before them OF the Lamb OF God,
and it was exceedingly appropriate that the
been made to them. The prepared message came
to prepared minds.
Every syllable of this seraphic proclamation is
weighted with superlative meaning. Fear not"
The gospel is calculated to disarm our native
dread of the supernatural, to make US familiar
with angels and fit TO associate with them
Bringing good tidings' and "evangelizing" are
one and the same That angel was first of long
| line OF evangelists. To repeat His story is the
mission of every believer. ITO all people sig
miles the universal adaptation of the gospel; "a
| Savior" because He redeems; Christ" the
anointed one. soemnly set apart by His Father
| to this holy and redemptive work; Lord" be-
cause all things were created by Him and for
| Him.
But this newborn prince will not be found in
| golden crib under siIken canopy
Gold on His cradle the dewdrops shining.
Low lies His bed mid the beasts OF the stall"
Humiliation, however, is the very seal TO His
Messiahship. Manager and swaddle the
| double Endorsement upon His holy commission.
THE sign that He is King is the fact that He
| is born in stable
| Now upon the vision Of the already enraptured
| shepherds there bursts brilliant spectacle The
arch OF night Is peopled by multitude OF the
heavenly host. Wave on wave of seraphic music
| rolls DER all those wide-extended plains
! Grander oratorio never greeted human ears.
But the shepherds were not satisfied with the
1
! sound. They did not fall to dreaming. debating
| or doubling. Their language was: 1.-The thing
| is come TO pass" 1.-The Lord has made it
! known; Let us go and see itr'
The scattered sheep at will may CLEAN. while
the shepherds'start on run for Bethlehem. Ny
| soul! What a word is that: 'They found the
| babe!' Hellelujahl 1t illusion.
las with joyful steps they sped
| To that lowly manger-bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek the mercy
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
Aside from Scripture, the existence of angels
cannot be proven; but believing in them on tn.
testimony of the word, their appearance In con.
nection with the advent is in the highest degree
probable and appropriate. These spiritual in
telligent and holy beings. companions and mes
sengers of God. would be intensely interested in
| the event. and were the appropriate annuncia-
| tors OF 1t. Highest heaven and lowest
| earth met that advent night. Won Oosterzee
| says: There is something unspeakably great
and glorious in this union Of earthly obscurity
| with heavenly splendor, OF angels with shep-
herds" 1t is noteworthy that this love-
| ly and ennobling appartion came to those who
were engaged in commonplace work The shep-
] herds were in the field, keeping the night
watches. So our clearest visions OF the spiritual
and heavenly will come to US while loyalty and
| for Christs sake attending to petty duties and
| the humdrum of life. And will keep our
| vision only by forsaking IT betimes to obey
the call of duty-a thought which is charmingly
| expressed in Longfellow's Legend Beautiful
- . The shepherds were not dsobedient to
| the heavenly vision. Scarcely had the radiant
forms OF the singers faded, and the echo of