The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-12-31
Essay Read By
w. II. Mann
Christmas Eve, Ct the Christian Church
II 4. It Surrey, North Dakota
Christ, the Saviour


Of the blessed Jesus an opinion pre-
vailed among the pious part Of the
Jews that the great Jehovah
would coniescend to favor them
with a clear revelation OF his divine
will by the mission Of some emf
nent person qualified from above
to instruct them in the same.
I This opinion was founded on the
predictions Of the ancient prophets
who had described with the utmost
beauty and clearness the person
character and glory-of the Mes
siah appointed by God in his own
time to declare his eternal counsel
to mankind relying Il on the fulfill
ment Of these pro2hesies the de-
vout persons among the Jews. I'm
agined the time appointed by God
was near at hand and that the APP
pointed Messiah would shortly
make his appearance and therefore
are. sad to have awaited night and
day for the consolation OF Israel.
The people at times greatly o.
pressed by the Roman Powers and
consequently anxious Of regaining,
their liberty as we'll as revengingt
themselves on their tyranical OPP
pressors, waited the accompl ishment
Of the prophesies with the utmost
solieitious desire but his opinion.
Of the approach OF a general deliver
er extended much farther than the
country OF the Jews for through
their connections with SO many
countries their disputes with the
learned men among the heather
ana the translation Of 4 the old
testament into the various languages
then religion greatly prevailed in
the east and consequently the opin-
ion that a Prince would appear In
the Kingdom of Judea who would
dispel the mists Of ignorance,
deliver the Jews from the Roman
Yoke and spread his Kingdom
from one. end OF the world to the
other. While the eastern world was
fraught with these sanguine hopes.
the angel Gabriel was sent to a
poor virgin called Mary who lived
in obscurity in Nazareth under the
care Of Joseph. This virgin being
ordained by the most high to be
the mother Of the Great Saviour Of
the world, was saluted by the angel
in. the most respectful terms, "hail
thou that are highly favored. Bless
ed art thou among women Such
an address from SO exalted a being
greatly alarmed the meek and
humble virgin to allay whose fears
ana encourage whose heart the
angel related in the most sublime
terms the subject OF his embassy
which was to assure her that she
was chosen OF God to the greatest
honor which could be conferred on
/ a mortal, and which would perpetu.
ate her memory.
| An honor no less than that Of
being the mother q the promised
and long expected Messiah who
upon earth should be called Jesus
because he should save his people
from their sins, be the restorer
Of human nature and the procuring
cause OF eternal bliss to sinners
The manner and place Of our
Lords birth demands our
highest admiration and wonder as
a striking display Of wisdom both
| in the direction and accomplish.
Eent Of the will Of his heavenly
Father.
Considered in his divine nature
heaven Is the habitation OF his seat
and the earth is his foot stool.
Considered in mis- human nature
he is humble beneath all, being con
lined within the limits Of manager
though as the son OF God, he is the
brightness Of his Fathers glory
the express image Of his person and
his throne Is, forever as the son Of
man. oh, wondrous condecension
he Is wrapped in the meanest
swad1fng clothes and as man he
takes up his habitation with the
beasts Of the field.
In hne let US adore his grace and
love IN yelling thoseglories for
a time which he enjoyed Al the
right hand Of his Father.
Assuming our nature and that In
It's humblest state IN order 10 raise
us to that degree Of glory and hap