The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-12-23
SUNDAYS LESSON
International Series, No. KILL,
Fourth Quarter, For Dec. a..
JESUS BORN IN BETHLEHEM.
Senior Bersan Lesson, Matt. II, II.
Golden Text. Unto You 10 Born This
Day In the City Of David q Saviour,
Which 10 Christ the Lord Luke u, ~.

Which 10 Christ the Lord Luke u, ~.
Verses 1-6.-Inquirers.
The birth Of the Messianic King was
Of interest to the whole world and not
merely to q single nation like Israel.
"Wise men," These were scholars
from the mysterious orient who had
been studying the heavens in search Of
interest to the whole world and not
question of curiosity, but Of eager
desire, coming from sense of need.
"Star in the east" "Star at its rising"
is better. They saw 1t as soon as 1t
appeared, and they regarded 1t as a
summons to go In quest Of the expect
ed King and Saviour, who, 1t was ru-
mored, would come from Jerusalem.
After long journey-some say of two
years-these three representatives OF
oriental scholarship and saintliness
reached Jerusalem. "Herod the king"
had been stained by foul deeds Of muir
der. He was troubled" His con-
science smote him. He had been dread
ing a rival, and this inquiry seemed
to confirm his fears. "Chief priests and
scribes"-members of the sanhedrin
who were expert in the Jewish law.
'"Thus it is written" The prophecy of
Micah (chapter V, p pointed to Beth
lehem of Judea" as the place of the
Messiah's birth. 1t also referred to his
Davidic descent, for the family Of the
shepherd king had belonged to this
village. His illustrious descendant was
to "be shepherd Of my people" (Rev)
on worldwide scale and bring the
people of many folds into the one flock.
Verses Z, S.-Conspirators.
Herod at once conceived evil designs
against this Babe, who was destined
to be the Redeemer King. Inquired
diligently" = ''learned exactly" what
the wise men knew Of the star. Search
diligently He was anx-
that he also was religiously interested.
THAT may come and worship him
also" This Inscriptions king was de-
termined to use these men of piety and
purity ms his tools. but he was to learn
the bitterness Of defeat. for God was
in this movement. and his eternal plans
could not he thwarted by mortal man.
even though he was a king.
Verses 12.-Worshipers.
They gratefully received Herods in
formation and were also impressed by
his request. Great was their rejoicing.
when they went forth from the palace.
once more to behold the identical star
which had started them on their quest
"Worshiped him." 1t was an acknowl-
cdgInent that this infant was to be-
come the deliverer from sin. the teacher
Of truth. the guide unto God In u way
| that would be unusual and unique.
| These worthy men next gave practical
proof Of their sincerity and satisfaction
of soul when they presented unto
him gifts" 1t was fitting that these
offerings should be Of their best and
oriental. departed" They had mean-
while learned about the wicked Herod,
and instead Of going back to him they
returned to their native land with Joy
and peace. Meanwhile the evil king.
conscience smitten and burning with
vengeance. undertook to fight against
God in the dark and found himself
bitterly defeated.
The Democratic Christ. There is no
phase of life that has not been mas
tered by Jesus Christ. People Of diff
ferent temperaments.' of various social
| traditions. of both sexes. have found
| In him full satisfaction Of all their
deep desires. He has treated all with
gracious impartiality. Those who Ia
Dor with the hands are no less precious
than those who toll with brain. Work
ress. The artisan as well as the artist
Ia needed. Democracy was not born
at Bunker Hill, as Carlyle declared. 1t
was born ut Bethlehem and reached its
majority ut Calvary. All the noble
achievements Of these twenty centuries
have been inspired by Christ. The
pensive east and the practical west
still need him. We are called to show
him forth as the full Redeemer from
oil sin. Let us do 1t with joy.
II Is an easy thing to level assaults
Mt the church. Some within 1t are
making themselves expert in this un-
enviable and Improbable business. In
spite of all its defects, what institution
can have more good things placed to
its credit as compared with the church
| Of Christ? Take the institution of
slavery. 1t vas countenanced In the
early church, but its sting was drawn
when the slave was unhesitatingly per-
mitted place beside his master in the
spiritual fellowship Of the brotherhood.
The Lords supper has ever been the
symbol of Christ's love and the feast
of fraternity where all social distinc-
lions are set aside. DIR. w. Robertson
Nicoll has strikingly declared that
seven when the spiritual equality pro-
claimed by the eucharist became OBJ
scured In the mass the church was
still for thousand years the one dem.
ocratic society where the son Of a
serf might become bishop and poor
scholar might find his way to st. Pc
ter's chair" The church still opens
its doors to all In the name Of the
democratic Christ. Be loyal to him and
to his church.