The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-20

we STUDY GEARS It's auICOf az
the companion of Paul (Co!. iv: 1D, we
Of Christianity och. /: 81. and he was
in hearty sympathy with the missionary
spirit which carried the gospel west
ward to Rome. Master OF Greek learn
ing he employs his scholarship to give
finish to his writings. Luke begins his
sketch of Jesus by recording what the
other evangelists omft-the arnunciation
to Zacharias, to Elizabeth and to Mary;
the latters visit to Elizabeth and her
inspired song; the birth and infancy of
John the Baptist. He explains also how
Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem. as
the prophet declared he would be (Alicah
V: q. The decree of Caesar had competed
Joseph. the foster father. accompanied
by the prospective mother to go thitner
to be enrolled and taxed. The passage
for the day relates events following the
birth
SHEPHERDS-To whom shall it be first
announced that Christ has come? snail
t be to TIerod at Jerusalem? No. ne is
Jealous OF power, and will seek to de-
strov the babe Matt. ii: ID Shal! 1t
be to the priests and scribes? NO. thes
are naughty and bigoted. esteeming their
prerosatives more than the cause OF
righteousness persucuting. any VINO turn
the people from them Matt. XVI. 81
Besides they interpret the prepneeies
concerning the Messiah as descriptive OF
temporal prince. and they will not re-
ceive as such one of lowly birth. Ihe
dignitaries in church and State VIII one
dav unite to put the son OF Mary To
death duke xxi: 30 Just outside the
city are f,ocks feeding on those sathe
pasture lands which were used centuries
ago. Humble men were there watching
the sheep. possibly those who were the
descendants of Jesse. when Samuel came
to aniont the new king. Il Sam. xvi
r) These shepherds shall first know the
advent. They have not been corrupted
by the scenes and customs OF the court
and they are best prepared to hear the
message. psalm XNxiv: %
ANGEL-Who shall tell the story to
the shepherds? Shall it be the porter
John Y: 81. who keeps the gate who
admitted the travellers from GaliIee? He
cannot leave his post OF duty. and it is
doubted if he knows anything Of the
marSer and its precious occupant. Shall
Joseph go? It is probable that the
Young mother needs his company [Nlatt.
ii: III Shall some one from the village
be sent? The Inhabitants are asleep
and know not the dignity of the little
stranger. An angel shall be employed.
He knows what no mortal then under
stood. for his home is the eternal habi-
IA ton whence Jesus came John xvii: %.
where through countless ages. the in
expresstble glory had been displayed.
On other errands angels had to come TO
nortals. Gen. xxi: 10 Suddenly de-
scendins from the skies. the celestial
visitor stood among; the shepherds The
eff'IIgerce from the world above at
tended him and lighted up all the plain
shedding an unearthly splendor over the
face of ma ture. \ similar visitation was
granted TO Saul of Tarsus on his way
to Dana SOUS CActs tx: 81
TIDINGS-Vhat will the ange! say to
the shepherds? Fear not, were his first
words. The supernatural exhibition had
oIerpoHered tflsm Their vision must
have been disturbed by the sight (Acts.
iy.s). Strong men though they re. &C
custorned to danger. they trsmbled with
alarm Besides. it had been understood
ttat any one who saw celestial being
must die Judges, Xii:22). The angel
therefore assured his hearers that no
harm was intended. Instead he brought
them good tidings. - Saviour is born
unto you this day, ha said fulfilling the
,romise made TO Joseph Matt. i:20. de-
clsring the nature and mission OF the
child. human because born. divine be-
cause a Saviour The angel went on to
associate the child with Israe1's hope5.
locating him in the city of David. calling
hin. Christ and Lord. the first the Greek
equivalent of Messiah. king; the latter
The same as Jehovah. the covenant-nlak
ins and covenant-keeping God Gen,
ia;:15l Saviour. Christ, Lord-this was the
complete message.
ANTEEM-!Ehat is the importance Of
the event just announced? The shep-
herds might have known in part, Tor the
synagogue schools had taught the Scrip
lures to ali. The doctors might have eH-
p!ained more fully had not a veil been
n Il IL
desirable that the shepherds, and that
cfter centuries, should know. even from
the beginning. what the coming of Christ
s:gn:fisd Immediately there was with
the angel multitude OF the heavenly
hest Matt. Xxvi:53) They flied the
air, and their voices ranS out full and
clear in the silence OF tbs early morning.
Glory to God in the highest" was the
Grst strain OF their song. The mercy,
the wisdom and me righteousness OF God
were to be unfolded by the advent. This
was the contamination OF q plan laid in
the ages past. Gen. iii:l5.) ION earth
peg CO. to men of good viii. SO the words
should b. translated. Christs coming
meant irrepressibla conflict with tne
powers Of darkness (AIatt., x:3il. but TO
those whose hearts are changed it meant
JOY and satisfaction. He had a Godward
and a MAYNARD mission Osa., ii:4.)
vIsIT-How will the shepherds receive
this woD6rous message? VIII it fall on
dull: cars and hard hearts? Will they be
Indifferent to the fuItl.nent of propaecy
and the realization Of national hopes"
tGal.. i:16.) Scarce-y had the angels de-
parted when they conferred concerning
what thsy had heard and resolved 70
visit the newborn dlild. Gsa., x:o)
HGsten-rg over the plain, Up the ter
raced hill. through the moonlight gar
dens,'' they entered the town. Tn-lr
search was not long. Having been tod
ti:at Jesus would be found in a uhanset,
the! proceeded to the public inn "hsss
strange-s find accomn1odzti ons, ana were
directed to the place where the beasts
were kept, because there was no room
elsewhere. The fancy OF painters anu
poets has reveled in the scene as tis
shepherds entered and hehetd Joseph
Mary and the child. But the inspired PEI.
man, with honest simplicity, mas not at
tempted to describe the interview.
WONDER-Whlt viii the shepheros
do aft:r their visit? VIII they retire In
silent disappointment Because OF the
surroundings and the hum,iia tion, VII VII
ttey conclude that they failed TO md niui
~ ,1-,,on the angels spoke, or that the