The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-26
THE SUNBAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Dec. 27. 1sos-Christmas Lesson.

1t will be remembered that large part Of
Israel never returned from the Babylonian cap
tivity. Though they remained in the far East,
they were never assimilated to the native popsi-
Iations. They stood apart. They abstained from
their ritual, it is true; but they preserved their
sacred books with scrupulous and read
them with diligence.
The wise men of sacred story were not merely
prompted to follow the star by the vague ex-
pectation of a Savior, expectation which
several ancient historians describe as being
abroad In the heather world at that time nor
from the faint hints which found in their
own sacred books. Conquering the strongest Of
antipathies-a racial prejudice-they showed that
moral earnestness which is willing to learn from
any source. They turned aside from their own
venerated and exalted sacred books, the Zend
Avesta and all; they got down right on the
ground alongside OF some Jewish scribes. They
forgot all about look noses and oily skins and
trafficking dispositions. They scanned the old,
yellow rnusty scroll. and learned of Him
of whom Moses and the prophets spoke.
God always honors such moral earnestness and
humility. And He meets such men on the plane
of their thought. Thus as Dean Trench
suggests God met the devout and expectant
Jewish shepherds with a choir of angels. That
was the plane of their thought Their scriptures
were fairly peopled with angels But these far
off Eastern NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. star-gazers-God
met them the plane of their thought. too
He sent them a glorious burning meteor, and
they not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
They gathered up their richest and rarest treas
ures and started Immediately across zoo miles
of Bedouin-infested desert.
At length they reached Jerusalem. They might
well expect to find this and center of the
Hebrew faith in a transport of Joy over the ad-
whole city sunk in densest ignorance and deepest
indifference They went to the glorious. golden
Herodian temple. But none OF the time-serving
priests knew aught of the advent Of Him who
was to be priest forever after the Order Of
Melchisedec. They went to the palace. think
ing they should certainly find the tiny King Of
kings there in a golden cradle under a siIken
canopy and surrounded with the insignia OF
royalty. But they found there only a cunning
and bloody old hypocrite and tyrant who could
scarcely disguise his fixed purpose of putting the
young Messiah death IL he could only once
lay his already many-times-ensanguined hands
upon Him.
Judean hamlet as the possible birthplace Of the
Messiah. And straightwey they turn their backs
upon the Holy City. where they might better
have expected to find Him. God encourages
them. The star moves. 1t stands over the
humble birthplace OF the Redeemcr. When they
see the star stand still their hearts are almost
bursting with transport OF Joy. The goal Is
reached The object OF their quest is found.
They enter. How ignoble the parentagei A
rusty old Galilean mechanic, poor peasant
girl! No golden crib with silken canopy!
cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining
Low lies His bed mid the beasts OF the stall %
Down they go upon the stone floor to
adore Him, in slumber reclining
Maker and Monarch and Savior Of ALL"
After this act of worship they open their
treasure-chests, and first present TO Him the
gold. the rsghtful tribute of a King: then frank
incense that which indispensable TO the
priesty Office: and myrrh All. my Savior Even
In His cradle He must needs receive this token
of His suffering and death.
And so the holy wise men OF the East are
dismissed from the sacred narrative but not
until record is made OF their last act OF obedi-
ence to God. They return TO their homes. not
through Jerusalem. but by another way. and
for these startled wizards grows, Wise men.
indeed. Look at their characteristics.
Thoughtfuiness. They belonged not TO the gay
and giddy votaries OF pleasure and fashion: nor
to the sensuous. crying. Let eat. drink and
be merry" They were no servants OF Mann
mon bent on the acquisition OF wealth. They
were not consumed by ambition and greed OF
power With pure. exalted minds. they though,
OF God and destiny. They sought for Him who