The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-01
JESUS CHRIST IS
 HUMANITY'S HOPE
Rev. U. D, Mooney Breaches a
 Stimulating Sermon
THE STAR IN THE EAST
Pastor Points Out That the Magl Who Came to Worship Christ Fur nlshes a Story Applica-
 cable to Today.

The Rev. U. D. Mooney. pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, preached the following sermon yesterday:
 "rhere came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to wor- ship him."-Matt. 2:1-2.
 Ever since childhood we have been at- tracted by the romance and interest clus- tering around this narrative. In our younger days it appeared to us while our hearts were warm and tender and in ma- turer years 1t has never lost it's charm' the meaning has only grown the deeper
 This incident happened over 1900 years ago, but 1t has it's lesson for you and me today. Because one stream Of hu- manity moves at one time and another moves at another is no reason why the latter should not touch the former. We are told by God that the things that were written afore time were written for our learning that we through comfort of the Scripture might have hope.
 Humanlty's Cry for Its Lord.
 These men of this eastern story repre- sent the race in its cry for its Lord. They were seeking for something they had nev- CT experienced, and their first question is "Where is Her" They had lived many years in a land of idolatry. where the sun and moon land stars were worshipped as the supreme force, but these men in | their far seeing wisdom knew that there was a hand behind the star and power beyond the sun, and that hand and that power they had never touched; and so they leave tho land of Persia, continue their Journey across the desert sand that they might find what they sought. When they reached Bethlehem they found not q potentate, not a prince, but helpless babe, and yet they went back to the far off eastern home with a new conception of life, because they had touched the force that gives life. They listened to the still small voice within them, which urged them to seek the righteousness which is alone in God.
 The cry that goes up from humanity's heart today is, the same that it has been during all the ages, 1t Is a cry for the righteousness and the help and the power which God alone can give. There Is 0 voice which is ever urging you and me to loftier living, to deeper reach into the realities of the spiritual world, to nobler manhood, but the pathos of 1t all is that we allow the voice to be hushed and drowned by our procrastination and by our selfishness. and as the years go by there is less chance of our listening to the cry of the heart for it's own betterment. Can't we initiate the wise men and give the voice that speaks for the best that is In us a chance.
 This is the cry; what is Gods answer7 It Is the incarnation. The berth of Jesus Christ answered the call of human ity for its Lord How? By allying Him. self with us to gain knowledge which Is born of sympathy; with the knowledge of this great fact In our souls God can no longer be an intangible far-off being, He is the master force that bears an inti- mate relation to every detail of our daily life.
 Hope for Humanity.
 The Magi saw in Jesus Christ a hope of transformed humanity. The state ment they made to Herod was, i've have seen His star in the east" A star has ever been the emblem of hope. It was such to these wise men Other systems they hoped in, they had failed, and in this new star which was to lead them Into the presence of new power they felt new hope for transformed life.
 The only hope today for a humanity that needs betterment. that needs q deep CT righteousness, that needs clensing and power is in Jesus Christ the only Savior of the world. It is the hope to which we should cling today with a grip of steel In this time when the mind of men are made anxious by uncertainty, when faith here and there is changing its moarlngs. let us hold to this hope, to loose 1t Is to face our doom.
 "Other refuge have I none,
 Hangs my helpless soul on thee"
 On the Path of Common Life.
 God came to these men along the way of their ordinary vocation. They were star-gazers and star led them to Christ In fact God revealed Himself to these men, provided them guidance and salva- tion, while they were about their common duties.
 God is not shut up by one way of ap- proach to men, but reveals Himself by many avenues. The best way to know more of God is to be faithful in the duty to which Providence has called us and we shall find in the place of the ordinary toll pathway leading upward.
 ] ADJUSTMENTS.