The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-21


rusalem.-Matthew 2:1.
And still they come from the east.
Today's continual quest of the
wise men from the east is one Of the
phenomena of the twentieth century.
This sweet old Christmas story of the
Magf with its unfading fragrance was
never SO timely as now. Even the
cabinets and councils of government
are alert to the truth that out of the
east there is coming to the west a
great search for unknown best things
The Orient is definitely asking that its
students may come to the occidental
nations to learn the western civiliza-
tion- Such an opportunity to give
back to the east what the wise men
round In Bethlehem. has never before
been presented to christendom
All over the land there has been an
extra ordinary exhibition of a deter
m1nation to make this Christmas. one
marked by the true spirit of the occa-
sion. Newspapers are urging the pub
lie to show consideration for the
workers in stores by doing their shop
ping early. Sunday schools are agi-
tating for a giving Christmas"
whereby the members of the sch odl
instead Of receiving gifts themselves.
OAiHS OIIeElngS Tor the poor.
This day is characterized by Gods
great sending from above, and by
mans great seeking below.
While they do not figure eonspicu-
ously in the public prints, the truth
seekers are yet the leaven of life. The
honor which history has bestowed
upon the journeying wise men should
be shared with all who, following in
their train, pursue the goal of truth.
From the high-browed savants of
science, who foregather for abstruse
discussions. to the humble companies
Of deep-eyed seekers after spiritual
enlightenment; all who are devoted to
the pursuit of truth should be regard
ed as belonging in the company of |
the three wise men.
Savagery sits still, satisfied with |
itself; civilization is ever seeking the |
highest good. This endless quest is |
the vindication of Christian civiliza-
ton. Its divine discomfort" is the |
proof of its progress. So long as God !
dwells with men, men will pursue the /
IDEAL of a loftier life than they have /
yet known. 1t is the wise who seek; |
the Three demonstrated the wisdom |
they already possessed by their search |
FOR the supreme good. So 1t is the
righteous who constantly covet great
sr holiness. st
A babe is the embodiment of pos /
'ibflity. The infant handled in arms
nay be the future great hero or great
Tillain. An imaginative person is aw-
ID and made reverent in the presence
If little child: so all infancy shares
he royalty of the Babe who was the
md of the wise mems search. Even
IS God freshens all life, keeping it
rom becoming stale, jaded and hope
ess. by sending it babyhood,. so this
Id world is revivified by the advent
# the eternally contemporaneous
<hild of the Manager.
If those three Oriental sages are
low where they can look down on this
present world. beholding the innum-
rab1e company who have followed in
heir train, they assuredly regard as
he most tragic passage in the unfold
ng human drama, the failure of men
md women to live up to their noblest
to obey their highest ideals,
o follow their "gleam," as Tennyson
alls it. There is no other failure to
quail this. Many a man has died
worth millions, knowing his life to
ave missed the mark, because he had
lot dared to be true to the loftiest
ruth he had known.
Herein lies the great temptation
nd danger of the mass of people who ;
1t. week after week. under the teach
ng of great truths. They see a star.
ut fail to follow it. Having a vision, !.
hey do not translate 1T into life Call j
d to grander, worthier life, they sit I
upine in their former smallness. To
II such comes the summons of the :
Use men: !
After it. follow it.
Follow your CLEAN"
The secret of glorious life consists in !
cling steadily true to the best that one