The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-13

tive-born king, a troubled look. mixed with Jealous hatred crossed the tyrants face. He has embellished his capital with Luxurious palace and a superb temple: had propped his throne with conssmmate skill and his greatest am bition now was that he should be counted the founder of ars imperishable dynasty. Who then. was this aspirant for his scepter, whom these strangers already dared to- style King of the Jews7 The ruling passion was strong in death. Though trembling on the edge of eternity. Herod began whetting the poinard which had stood him in hand through his long career
 The city shared in tho perturbation of the palace; though, of course. for different reasons. It was at once feared that the. suspicion of the existence of a. rival would cause fresh and even more cruel reprisals. It would be the excuse for the inflictfon of heavier bur dens by the hateful old usurper. Then too, odious as Herod was, the people were not prepared to receive a prince who should rule in righteousness. Their own manner of life would not bear the light of His countenance. So those who ought to have hailed the "star-led wiz ards" with joy. were only troubled at their coming Truth is, Jerusalem had lost It's religion It was thoroughly materialistie, and no longer Messiah aspiring. It would rather have a prince who would break the Roman yoke than. one who would save 1t from its sins and open to 1t the Kingdom of heaven.
 On the dark background of Herod's murderous jealousy and Jerusa1em's cold indifference, the moral earnest ness of the Magi shines with a pleas ing luster. From their home a thous- and miles in the east they came, not prompted merely by the vague expecta- tion of a Savior which was abroad in the heather world at that time, nor the faint hints found in their own sacred books. No doubt they first learned of the Messiah through some Jews of the Dispersion. In a borrowed scroll they read of Him of whom Moses and the prophets spoke. To minds prepared for it.. and eyes watching for 1t, the star in the east appeared. Their obedience to the heavenly vision was instantaneous Going to do homage to a king. they must needs carry kingly gifts-links of gold and tears of frank incense and myrrh.
 That they were not swerved from their purpose by the indifference of Je- rusalem to the Advent of the Messiah, Is new evidence om their thorough go- ing seriousness. To find such skepti- cism at the very seat of the Hebrew .ialtn was enough to dash their zeal But 1t did not. To be pointed to a mean, little. struggling Judean hamlet as the possible place of the Nativity. to actually find the Babe in the mean est place that mean village afforded none of these things moved the star led Magi. Great was their faith.
 This thousand dmile triumphal pro- gress of faith reaches it's golden cIi- max in an act, of worship. In atti- tude of loving reverence they present. ed the hearts adoration, always rich- CT than oblation or gift.
 Analysts and Key. I--Herod: Effect of quest of Magi
 upon him.
 Ambition to found dynasty which
 should survive him.
 Jealous of a rival.
 II--Jerusalem: Perturbation on ac-
 count of rival to Herod
 His reprisals feared.
 City not ready to receive king
 who should rule in righteous
 ness.
 III--Magi: Their moral earnestness in
 contrast.
 One thousand journey.
 To watching eye star appears.
 Kingly gifts for king.
 Indifference of Jerusalem does not
 daunt them, nor does mean
 place of Nativity
 Alteration