The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-26
ATTRACTIVE POWER OF
THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM
Lesson FROM the io.I, R;rth
o. the Sn,ior.

Tho Reverend l"c'or John I. ErauIt
preached Yesterday morning At the
First Christian Church on tho attractive
,, f"u"r "f III" Rahe Of Bethlehem TAX
ing for his t"xt. Nations shall come to
thv rising" Isa. TX. 2.
thy rising" Is,. IL. 7.
He said. in part:
"Anorher revolution of tho wheel of
tim" and Christian people. the world
ov"r. arc "ommemoratinc the birth of
Jesus. and In so doing they "el"hrat" thc
power of him who from his coming INFO
the world. has drawn all classes to him
touched every human interest. swe"toncd
every relationship nf life aud championcd
every needed reform.
The heavenly messenger that appeared
~ the birth "f Jesus showed that heaven
- well as earth was Interested III the
coming Of Christ Ties" administering
spirits were commIs stoned to iutroHllre
him to man as they sang. Glory to God i'm
m" highest: peace on earth and good
will {" man
The little hahn in the roargor Wa q
ioi"rlinn"r # all children who would aft
'rwHrdS celebrate Christmas and have fcI-
wsh'n with Jesus. His "o,uin:; brought
2 blessing I" them and called the alt"n-
c"nc" and sweetness and taught parents
and teachers to rear them in love Of In"
Lord.
THE MOTHER WAS THERE.
"A tvrc Of gentle maideuhnud tender
motherhood and wifely duty. Women had
been dssroiled # their purity. deprived Of
their educatio'I. cheated out nf their
rights: th"y We're considered as tn" slaves;
"i thel: masters. the objects of lust and
servants Of domestic utility. but Jesus
$mct" the sha1l;l"s that kept them IN
hoadage and -: thc:n free. He visited
h"r IN h"r hofnH. mace her his disciple
enlarged her srhcre of usefulness and
made her life well worth living.
III" shepherds calu". They heard the
news gladly. for IT told OF a heavenly
lamn that was to take away the sins uf
IN" world They represented III" work
Ing people. who shall come to Christ til
tn" end Of time. Is your home Il humble
one? Jesus was born in a mang-r. Is
yc:ir lot one Of poverty? Jesus had ro-
where To Law his head. He brought YOU
Il cargo Of blessings. Before his coming
far as they fought their battles ana per
formed their bidding in toll ard sacri-
flee.
'But Jesus. who came as the poor
mans Savior as well the rich. taught
the world to recognize your rights and
"f6n 10 YOU every avenue to usefulness.
riches and honor. So. bescech you. do
not degrade the holiday season. but go
your fellnw-Inan.
And the wise men carrc from the Gar
East. Tacitus. Seutonius and Joseprus in
form us that conviction prevailed
cient prophecies and association OF the
Jews. that a King would be born In
!udea .,l who you'd come to reign over
world. for IT was said that he would be
a light TO tighten the Gentiles' and that
nations shall come to thy light The
and declare they find In him the treasures
OF al wisdom and knowledge, and like
Paul ar" constrained 10 say: Oh. the
depths both of the wisdom and knowledge
IL f,..,r~ IL.
mcnis and his ways past finding out.
And they brought their gifts of gold
frankincensc and myrrh and so should
the rich of to-day come and bring their
II will cover skiverng limbs and provide
shoes for bare feet. give bread to the
hungry and make widows sing for JOY
and children shout the praise of him
who hath made of one ilood an nations
TO dwell upon all the face OF the earth.
"Herod. the King heard OF the birth Of
Jesus. and he told the wise men to search /!
diligently for the young child: and when |
they had found him t. bring word that he |
might 90 and worship him also. He be-
surred himself to. pay the homage best |
Of rivalry and danger. and broathcd ont |
and murder and gave order /
70 massacre the IN TO- INT babes Of Roth I
lehen- And may it not h. said to have |!
Church?
btt- thanks be to God. the days of per |
sccuuon arc passing away and the Kings |
"t earth are coming to the brightness o. |
his rising
When the Prince of Africa asked the !
queen OF England the secret Of Englania !
,5rtatne:s; she gave him q handsomely |
bound iih'c and said: Herein is the Sc |
rret of the greatness of my people" And !
thEs. a. VIC gather around the cradle Of !
Bethlehem. We soc all classes are at !
iractce. to him. The Joyful and sOrrowfii. !
me ;ich ana Do1r. tn" young and old. the ,
saints and the sinners. tt" Kings ana
'he!r subjects are To-Day coming to him
lS never before. and none are Senl away
'inpty. There Is mercy for the publican.
h"r" IS comfort fur the sorr0wing and
,ho re IL love and service and hope for all
i ~ the glory "f Christ that he is the
Iesir% of all nations. aEd that Christmas.
IN" day on which We celebrate tho birth
Di Christ. is an ever-grawing festival: that
men ot ever" race love him more than
eyer before. and hat the religion he gave
the world is adapted to all people and
with the progress of the
human race and destined to embrace ali
nations In its redemntive power purify
ns influence and heavenly hope