Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-06

A similar visitation was granted to Saul o.
the way TO Damascus (Acts. ix:3).
TIDINGS oversees 1o~19.--What will
the angel say to the shepherds? Fear not
were his first words The supernatural ex-
hbition had overpowered them Their Wis
ION may have been disturbed by the sight
aAcas, N:sl strong men though they were.
aScustomed to danger. they tremhled with
aiarm Besides, IL had been long UNDER
stood that any who saw celestial be-
ihes must die Judges xiii:22). The angel
therefore assured his hearers that no harm
would come to them. Instead he brought
them good tidings. "a Savior is born r,
you, he said. fulfilling the promises made
10 Joseph. Matt, i:21l declaring tho ma
ture and mission OF the child, human be-
cause BORN, divine because a Savior The
anger went on to associate the child with
lsraei hopes, locating Him in the city
OF David calling Him Christ the Lord the
nrst name the Greek equivalent of Mes
siah, king, the latter the same as Jehovah,
the commissioning God Gen, iii:I5).
ANTHEM oversees 13-14.-What is the
Importance of the event Just announced?
me shepherds might have known in part,
Tor the synagogue schools had taught the
scriptures to all. The doctors might have
oApIainea more fully had not veil been
over their eyes CT Cor, HID II is de-
slrapie that the shepherds and that after
centuries should know what the coming Of
Chrlst sgnifed. Immediately there ives
with the angel a multitude Of the heavenly
most most whose voices rang out full and clear
Hiory 10 God was the first strain in thei1.
song. The mercy wisdom and righteous.
ness or God We're to be unfolded in the
SohSuHnatlon OF the plan of the ages
tGen, ih:15). "On earth peace" to mon OF
good will they continued Christ's coming
meant lrrepress'ble conflict with the powers
OF earkness Matt, X:5B but 10 those
whose hearts are changed 1t meant Joy and
satisfaction 'N| ""N
VISIT oversees 15-16>.-How win the
shepherds receive this wonderful messenger
VIII it fall dull ears or hard hearts,
VIII they be Indifferent to the fulhllment
OF prophecy and the realization of national
hopes? tGal., i:16b. Scarcely had the angel
Impaired When they conferred concerning
what they had heard. and resolved to visit
the newborn child lisa. ix6 fastening
over the plain, up "the terraced hill
through the moonlit gardens" they entered
the town. Iheir search was not long Hav-
ing been told that Jesus would be found in
mangeT. they proceeded to the public
Inn, where strangers found accommodate
uons, and were directed TO the place where
the beasts were kept, because there was no
room elsewhere. The fancy of painters and
poets have reveled in the scene as the shep-
nerds entered and behold Joseph Mary and
the enid But the inspired penman with
honest simplicity did not attempt 10 de-
scribe the interview.
sUMMARY.-The earthly life of Jesus
of Nazareth began at a time when the
Roman emperor determined to exttnpuisb
the last vesttge of civil authority exercised
by the Jews and absorb all power himself
The decree by which this purpose. was ex-
ecuted carried the virgin mother TO the
place OF nativity, as foretold by the nronb-
cts. The birth was announced by an angel
to shepherds, and a host of heavenly mes
sengerS sang their glad anthems explain-
ing The significance of the event TO the
world; and these same shepherds, moved by
the recital, were first to visit the IowIy
place where the infant lay. If the external
circumstances were evidences OF hu,nilia-
tlon, the supernatural demonstrations lifted
the occasion into one of surprising dignity
the splendor of palaces and retinues was
echGed by the heavenly attendance prom
Use OF a brilliant career ending In eternal
glory.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Any person may send any question sug-
gested by the lessons to DR.. Gilbert 1893 r
street this city, and receive an answer in
The Star. =,
81. Why were four gospels written?
answer TO give four different views of
Christ. Matthew was for the Hebrew
Christians; Mark for the Latin Christians.
Luxe Tor the Greek Christians; John for
worldwide believers.
8s. Why did the four evangelists begin
their narratives so differently?
Answer. They selected the method which
best suited their purpose. The first sec
ond ana third gospels are quite similar in
their general structure and are called syn-
optics The fourth gospel, confessedly the
most perfect piece of literature extant is
unlike the other three.
80. What is the meaning OF Mat, iv:1?
Answer. 1t is generally thought that this
refers to- the siege and destruction of Jeru-
salem and the temple. The unspeakal,le
mfseries of the Jews and the unparalleled
slaughter of them by The Romans, with all
the suferings OF the. scattered remnant
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