The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-12
lesson OF the day covers incidents connect
ed with that event

lesson OF the day covers incidents connect
ed with that event.
VISITORS-Luke records the visit OF the
shepherds on the morning after the birth,
and the presentation In the temple at Je-
turned to Bethlehem, perhaps to complete
the listing orders by Caesar. duke.
II, IL While there other visitors came
from the East. probably from the ancient
were called wise men. Il class Of whom.
like the friends of Job. devoted them
selves to the study Of philosophy and re-
had access to the prophetic writings of
Israel. which, by the captivity. had been
extensively distributed among. the learned.
There was a general expectation through
age was about to appear. These wise men
had seen a star which they had inter-
preted as an omen of the birth Of a King.
ea hsy an bs eon to sa
infant Prince would he known among
praiseworthy. 1t was no idle curiosity,
them. they desired simply to pay their
homage. In this they may have been
moved by the good spirit of God.
ANXIETY-The appearance of these
men in Jerusalem. their statement of what
they had seen before they left home. their
small commotion. Herod was greatly
troubled. An Edomite by descent. IL pro-
selyte to the Jewish religion. he had come
bilious and cruel, he feared a rival. hut
probably knew something OF tho old-time
predictions Of the Messiah. The royal
family. especially the sons who succeeded
this monster, would share his anxiety.
They would naturally. communicate their
thoughts to subordinAtes in the public
service. and the feeling OF insecurity
would naturally pervade all official ciIcl
10 q
the people would be divided. Pious souls
there were. waiting prayerfully for the
promised one. and many were weary or
Roman rule. But. on the other hand. part
ly because of honor and emolu,ncnt. many
desired to retain the existing order. quite
content to be under the rule OF Caesar.
from this diversity of opinion and interest
would add to the general excitement un-
til the theme would be on every lip.
COUNSEL-Wicked thoughts and pur-
poses entered into the heart of fIerod
for the execution Of which he needed full
prospective King? He is not in The palace
nor in Jerusalem. Tho chief priests and
scribes. the high officials of the church
were called together and consulted, They
were not. as n rule, men CT piety VI chr.
xxxvi ~, but they were acquainted with
the Scriptures Seated in the great cou'i-
ell chamber they represented the best
Learning Of the nat ,s, Mat H. - rist
should be BORN For their reply they
searched tho sacred writings. nor needed
they to search long. The custodians OF
the parchments, with more care and pre-
cision than we exercise now. had ~ sys-
tenn Of indexing by which any. subject
might be quickly examined. John v. BID
And every detail concerning the great King sing
was found tMicah V. p. and the answer
was given. in the very Language Of the old
prophet. who had written seven centuries
before Here is the first Jewish testimony
to Jesus, delivered in his infancy. the be-
ginning Of that overwhelming evidence
which afterward was employed In con-
yincing the people that Gods Amounted had
come.
ORDERS-Having obtained the desired
information. Herod called the wise men
and inquired concerning the time when
the star appeared. This was the second
step in working out his fiendish deslsn.
Because afterward he ordered the slaugh,
ter Of all the innocents years ola anu
under. 1t IL thought by some that tnat IN
dictated the time which they gave MN;
They were then sent to Bcthiehem. VAIN
instructions to search for the child and
to return and bring Herod word he would
make these good and wise men 1,,, inc au-
vance agents of his crime. What con-
summate hypocrisy is this? What hell
ish hate? The Lord Of Glory besan
his career with murderous King III
search for him psalm Mar6 II - Jro M @is
worship Jesus, emblematic of that honor
which all Kings must ultima tel? pay MIN.
(Rey. xxi,2D but his concealed purpose was
the earliest expression Of that enmity OF
the unregenerafe heart which pursued him
throughout his career and caused his iSno-
minious death on the cross lMark Nv 32).
JOJiRNEY-The wise men departed from
tho presence OF Herod, having learned.
what they sought. the city of the Redeem
er.s birth. Bethlehem. a little quiet COM
m,inity. perched like q birds nest among
the rocky hills Of Judah. lay five miles
south of Jerusalem. The home CT Jesse
and his great son David Il Sam xvi. A. 1t
was famed. not in. Israel only. but in
other lands as well. As the travellers
moved forward. that same star which they
had seen In their own country. whose
guidance they had followed. went he
fore tI,nm. BY 1t they directed their
footsteps. as the children of Israel
found their way through the wilder
ness to Canaan by tho cloud Of the Divine
This supernatural phenomenon.
whatever it may, have been: shows that
God has not limited his gracious nIanifes-
tafions to chosen portion of mankind.
not even in the olden time 10 the .Dosterity
of Abraham. He has ever had q race
wide purpose. indicated in this instance
by n special escort Of honest seekers for
tile infant Emmanuel. At length the star
stood over the Bethlehem hcme and when
It became stationary. the magi, knowing