Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-06
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Senior Berean Lesson, First
Quarter, For Jan. Z.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

The Birth of John the Baptist Fore
toId-GeIden Text, Without Faith IL Is
Impossible to Please Him (Heb.
ri, 81.
Verses 5-7.-People of piety.
The relations between Jesus and John
are more fully brought out by Luke
than by the other evangelists in these
preliminary stories which we are to
study during January. He thus gives
the life of Jesus a more human set
ting. ''Herod the king was an IRE
ligious and infamous man, though his
name is associated with the rebuilding
of the temple. "Zacharias' literally
means Remembered by Jehovah. His
character is well exemplified by his
name. 1.-The course of Abba" There
were twenty-four courses or classes of
priests, each of which served for one
week in the worship of the temple q
Chron. XIV. The order of their serv
ice was determined by lots. ELISA
beth" was, like her husband, Of priest
ly descent; but, unlike many in the
priesthood, they were both devout and
honorable people. righteous before
God" In deed and in truth. They were
walking" as a habitual practice in
all the commandments and ordi-
nances.'' They kept the law of God in
such a way that they were regarded
as 'blameless'' by the people.
Had no child This was considered
a great misfortune where the ideal
was large family ops. cxxviiD and
where, as among the Jews, every fam
lily desired to have the Messiah born
within it. well stricken in years"
Being of advanced age, all hope of a
child had been destroyed.
Verses S-17.-An angelic announce
ment.
There were so many priests in at
tendance that it was not possible for
every one to have the privilege Ito
burn incense within the holy place,
and no one was permitted to do this
twice. 1t was therefore a memorable
day in the life of a priest when he
drew the white stone which announc-
ed that he had been honored to enter
the sanctuary on behalf of the people.
The incense was burned twice a day,
at in the morning and in the after
noon, and lots were cast among the
priests twice every day to decide who
should engage in this important serv-
ice. We cannot say at which hour
able duty. praying without" This
was in the sacred Enclosure, but it was
outside the sanctuary, which was en-
tered only by the priests, while the
holy of holes was entered only by the
high priest on the day of Atonement.
ZachariaS was now alone. His two as
sistantS had performed their part and
retired. AS he was offering the in
cense, which was a symbol of suppl
cation, there appeared an angel of
the Lord" This was a solemn hour in
his life. 1t was fitting that a climax
should be reached that would seal
with divine approval his devotion to
God during these many years. The di-
vine messenger came with happy It'd
ings, which he delivered standing on
the right side of the altar" This was
the place of honor worthy of a repre-
sentative of the Most High God.
Troubled fear'' He was
seized with feelings of agitation and
of fear as a sense of the unseen be-
came vivid to him. But he was soon
set at ease by the glad news, Thy
prayer is heard" This may refer to
his supplications for a son, in which his
wife had joined with him, or to his
supplicationS for the redemption of
Israel through the coming of the Mes
Siah, which all piouS Israelites had al
ways offered. 49,
The birth of a son was the signal for
10y and gladness' with exultation.
More so was it to be in the case of
"John,'' who was to be "the gift of
jehovah to many people. Great in
the sight of the Lord" therefore tru-
ly great in the possession of moral and
religious excellence. He will be man
of abstinence, which was a token of
the intense conservation of his life.
FILLED with the Holy Ghost from his
birth and sustained by spiritual power
for his great mission. -
Verses 1S-23.-A sensational event.
The reality so far exceeded the ex
pectations of Zacharias that he hest
tated on the very threshold of fulfill
ment- Whereby shall I know this p
His want of faith was the less ex-
cusable because he knew of illustra
tions from the life of Abraham and
other Old Testament saints how God
had been true to his promises Il an
Gabriel This is the angel of Gods
presence-the imam of Cod as the
name means-who ministers to mer
from God Thou shalt be dumb
The dumbuess was both n punishment
| and a sign. The penalty was RENTED
as soon as the sign was fulfilled
They marveled." 1t was the custom
| to remain within the sanctuary jus
| long enough to burn incense. Thi:
| long delay, therefore, caused anxiety
.sThey perceived On his return his