The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-13
WISE MEN r1Np JESUS.

WISE MEN FIND JESUS.
First Quarter. Lesson IL. Matt. 2;1-12.
January u. 1906
Uneaaily rested the head that wore the
crown in Judea- for that crown had been
obtained by usurparation; 1t had been
retained by long series OF assnssinat!ons.
No wonder that when news was carried
to the old Idumean OF the arrival of some
eastern astrologists, who were inQuiring
for the native-born king. a troubled look.
mixed with jealous hatred crossed the
tyrant's face. He has enrbelHhed his
capital with a luxurious palace and
superb templei had propped his throne
with consuynate skill, and his greatest
ambition now was that he< should be
counted the founder of an imper!shabe
dynasty Who. then, was this aspirant
for his scepter. whom these strangers
| already dared to style King OF the jews?
Tie ruling passion was strong in death.
Though trembling on tho edge OF eter-
nifty. Hcrod began whetting the poinard
which had stood him in hand through
his long career.
The city shared in the perturbation OF
the palace; though, OF course. for DIFF
ferent reasons It was at once feared that
the suspicion OF the existence OF a rival
would cause fresh ana even more cruel
Of graa Be- sns BY the
full old tisurper. Then. too, odious as
Herod was. the people We're not prepared
Their S sMn a manner ot lfa
would not bear the light OF His counte-
nance. 80 those who ought to have
were only troubled at their coming.
Truth is, Jerusalem had lost It's religion.
1t was thoroughly mnterialtstlc, and no
lpy1er uuf< nuy,iri
have prince, who would break the
Roman yoke than one who would save
froni It's sins and open to It the king
On. the dark background OF Herod's
murderous Jealousy and Jerusalem's cold
Indifference, the moral earnestness Of the
their home Thousand miles In tho east
they came. not prompted merely by the
vague expectation OF a Savior which was
sacred books. No doubt they first learn
the pspsrson IN nro U sc aSi
they read OF Him OF whom Moses and
for e aaa eyes geans fer sss s,ee
to the heavenly vision was instantaneous.
Going to do homage to king. they.
o anu nfses IF EREy and
purpose by the Indifference OF. Jerusalem
denoe Of their through-goIng, seriousness.
To md suoh skeptcism at the very seat
OF the Hebrew faith was enough to dash
TO- :nsan. little. stragEling Judean ham
let as the possible place OF the Nativity.
to actually find the Babe in the meanest
Great ss Was ther 'n fa1h 'As s'a' s''
This thousand-nie tr!umphal progress
of faith reaches its golden climax In an
act OF worship. In attitude OF loving
reverence they presented the hearts
alteration. always richer than oblation
ANALYSIS AND KEY.
I-Herod: Effect of quest of MaEi upon
Ambition 10 found a dynasty which
11,j 4en.aIs Perturbation on account
His LIS r reYaiusH feared feared
o Should nd r rule in righteousness VIZ
III-Magi Their moral earnestness IN
one thousand mile Journey.
k}ngis 'G gfsss So Ss 1 F isp 49, :
Ah daunt them : nor does mean place
AS 81 MiStay'ty'
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
Soaking Jesus Is the highest practical
wisdom. 4 All who, seek him are Magl n =
no difficult task to find him, No thou
snnd-mile Journey confronts US. No going
10 to heaven or down to hades, for ne NJ
Word is nigh But we shall not find
| Mn, Unless We have the Same moral ear
nestnesse the Mag showed. the
| Mapi'Sa are the ideal seekers after Christ.
THEY made 1t their business TO md HIN.
| They might have said: This one thing
Wa 40. J. SThey left home, business, society
and all TO find Him Of whom NJ oses ana e.
4 the nrophets spake. They We're not daunt-
/ al Nv Vel nigh insurmountable obstacles.
| frhey ,erseyered, They did not fall out
! nv the way, though 1t We're g Thousand
niles long, And when they found Jesus
t.t' innrth. they believed In Him, In
i n sense We come to a larger Christ than
| The Ma.rt found. They discovered Babe,
We the fuIl-grown Christ, Whose finished
work and Righteousness is our hope for
| time and eternity. It IS largely
matter Of sentiment, the finding Of :. 9
aniritmal Significance In the various gifts
(. which the Magi brought. They gave just
The best they had. the choicest things
! their rolf country produced. We may
weli initiate their example. - :. The
skulls az the Magi, blazing In gems, are
displayed in the. crypt IN the cathedral
g diaa teEhe ana TIE man name Of the wear e
! Is written in rihles upon II, Such literal
/ Ism la unfortunate, The spirit OF the
i Magt is far more important than their
homes. According to the character
Of each, what 10 good. news. to one is
eyll to another What blessed tidlngs to