The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-19
International SundaySchoOI
 Lesson
Fourth Quarter. Lesson XII. Luke a. 8-2O. December 20 1908.
Al Chrfatmns LessOn.

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 Augustus. first Of the Caesars, was most dillgent of all of them in obtain ing statistics of his vast dominion. His passion for cenEus-taking served Provt- dence well, though he was all uncon- scious of inc contribution he was ma king toward that most stupendous event of human history The king g heart was in this instance in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water; ae turned as he wished. The imperial de- cree issued on the Ttber caused two oh- scure peasants to take. a Journey along the Jordan--a journey all unnotteod by earth, but every step of which was viewed by heaven with breathless in~ terest.
 If the Roman method of enrolment had been followed. Joseph and Mary would have taken no journey at all. They would have reported at the place of their residence. But the emperor made a concession to Hebrew prejudice. and allowed the report to be made at their ancestral cities and villages. This brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem But it brought others also on tho same errand, and tn such numbers as 10 ta1 all places of entertainment to thei: ut- termost; 50 that the weary travellers were glad enough to avail themselves of a stall, from which some beast vas turned to make room for them.
 Midway between Jerusalem and Beth Ieheno was the 'sWatch-tow of the Flock," where the sheep intended for temple altars were pastured. The keep ers of this sacred flock had q constant object lesson before them of the Lamb of God, and 1t was exceedingly appro- prIate that the angelic annunciation of F|ia advent should have been made to them. The prepared message came tV prepared minds.
 Everv syllable of this seraphic proc Iannation is weighted with superja- five meaning. Fear not" The Gospel iE calculated to disarm our native dread of the supernatural, to make us familiar with angels. and ht Co asso- cIate with them. Bringing guod tid- ings'' and "evangelIzing'' are ons and the same That angel was first of a long line of evangelists. To repeat his atorv is the mission of every believer. aSro all oeople" signifies the universal adantation of the Gospel: "a Savior" because He redeems; Christ" the Anointed one, solemniy set apart by HIS Father to this holy and redsmpttvs work; "Lord," because ell things were created by Him and for Him.
 But this newborn Prince will not be found in golden crib or under silken canopy-"Cold on His cradle the dew irons are shining; low lies His bed mid the beasts of the stall &
 Humiliation. however. Is the very zeal to His Messiahship. Manager and swaddle are the double indorsement up- on His holy commission. The sign that he is King Is the fact that He is born in a stable.
 Now. upon the vision of the already anraptured shepherds there bursts a hrjliiant spectacle. The arch of night Ia peopled by 6 multitude of the heav- NnIv host. Wave on wave of seraphic music rolls o'er all those wide-extend- cd plains. Grander oratorio never greeted human ears.
 But the shepherds were not satisfied with the aesthetical enjoyment afforded | bcE niEhx and aaSnG ThaR dld not fau