The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-07
The Wise Men.
Selected for The Times-Dlspatch.)

Now, when Jesus was born In Eetllle-
hem OF Judea. in the days of licrod. the
| King: behold there came wise men from
! the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is
/ lie that IL born King OF tic Jews? For
we have seen His star in the east, and
arc come to worship Him. Aud
/ when they were come into the house, they
saw the Young child. with Mary. His
mother, and fell down and worshipped
/ llm.'--St Matt. ii:1-2-1l.
1T is not known who these wise men
were. Their homes and dwelling places
are alike kept from us. We are only
told that they came from the East
Whether they were Chaldeans or Arab
ians we cannot say. Whether they
learned about Christ from the ten trlbes
In captivity, or We're taught to look for
the Messiah by the prophecies of Daniel,
we do not know. 1t matters little who
they were. The only point which
concerns us is the lesson which their
history conveys.
There are many true servants of God
J In places where we should not expect TO
1 find them. The Lord has many hidden
! ones" like these wise men," Their his
tory on earth may he as little known as
that of Melchizedel or Jethro or Jabez.
| But their names are written in the Book
of Life, and they will be found with
/ Christ in the day of His appearing.
The grace OF Cod is not tied to place
or family. The Holy Ghost can lead
men to Christ without visible means.
! There are many travelling to heaven AT
this very moment of whom the church
! and the world are ignorant But Christ
knows them; He loves them, and they
| love Christ.
| Those who have most religious privi-
leges do not always give Christ most
| honor. WE might have thought the
| SERIES and Pharisccs would have been
\ the first to hasten to Bethlehem upon
mere rumor that the Saviour was born.
| But 1t was not so. A few unknown
! strangers, from far distant land. We're
the first Except the shepherds) to re-
.ioice at His birth. Many who, from resi-
| dcnca and convenience ought to be first
| in the worship of God. yet arc always
| last.
/ There may be a knowledge of the Scrip
| ture i'm the head. while there is no grace
in the heart. King Herod sends to in
| quirc of the priests ana elders where
/ Christ should be born" Mark what n
ready answer they give and what an ac-
quaintance with the Scriptures they show.
| Yet they never went 10 Bethlehem to
/ seek for themselves the promised Mes
/ slah. nor would they believe in Him
| either. He mlnstered among them.
| Beware of resting satisfied with head
| knowledge II Is an excellent thing when
| rightly used. But we may have much OF
| 1t and yet perish A little grace is better
than many gifts. Gifts alone save no one,
while grace leads us to glory.
The conduct of these ..wise men is
| splendid example of spiritual diligence.
| What trouble 1t must have cost them TO
travel from their homes to the place
where Jesus was born. How many weary
\ fatigues of an Eastern traveller are far
i greater than we can understand. The
I time that such journey would occupy
must OF necessity have been great. The
danger and discomforts to be encountered
We're neither few nor small.
| But none of these considerations stopped
| them. They had set their hearts on see
\ ing Him that was "born King OF the
! Jews and they never rested until they
found Him. They thus prove to us the
i truth of the old saying: Where there is
Il will, there is n way"
In reading over their history. let us ask
ourselves: Where is our self-denial?
| What pains do we take to find Jesus?
| What diligence do we show about follow
ing Christ? What does our religion cost
us in time and trouble and patience?
Have we ever really found the Christ %
/ These are serious questions, my friends,
and they deserve serious and earnest
j thought.
/ Again, the conduct of these wise men,
is u striking example of faith. They be-
lieved In Christ when they had never
seen Him. But that was not all. They
believed in Hin when the scrlbes and
Pharisees We're unbclieving. But that was
not all. When they saw Him. little,
weak infant, on Mary's knee, and amid
the most humble surroundings, they be-
lieved on Him and worshipped Him as
4 King This was the browning point Of
their faith.
They saw no miracles to Convince them,
They heard no teaching to persuade them,
They bcheld no signs Of dignity ana great