The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-01-11
LESSON FOR JANUARY
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Another fulfilled prophecy added TO
hst weeks lesson. Hath God said.
and shall he not do it," Heaven and
earth shall pass asa. but one jot or
title OF his promises shall never fail.
Strange that God should remember his
promise to a single individual amidst
the infinite multitude Of the sons of
men! Yet he does. He marks the
fall Of sparrow. And 30 according TO
Gods promise, the child was born.
At the proper time, the child was
dedicated to God In the temple. These
righteous parents recognized that the
child was Gods gift. All Cody parents
should. Do we? Have we presented
our children in dedication TO the Lord
In the church? The first place these
PAL ents took their child was to church.
Is this true Of rs?
The naming of the child is interest
Ing. John means. gracious gift OF
God" Zacharias thought Of God In
naming the child. What did you think
Of when you named your child? Did
you give IL q Christian name, or call.
ed II after some heather, goddess nov.
elist? Does the name stand for any.
thingf Ii IT an inspiration to the child?
Does It express your hope and faith
In God?
There are times when, IN order to
please God. we must differ with our
friends. So II happened in the naming
OF John. Out OF respect for Zacharias.
and because Of his adv anced age, and
knowing that he had no other child.
his friends proposed naming the chile
after him, probably to perpetuate the
family name. But already God had
announced the name. The angel said
that the child's name should be John.
These cody parents stood fast by the
Word OF God. irrespective of the opin-
ion OF even well-meaning friends.
A striking question was asked:
what manner of child shall this be?'
What strange thoughts must have been
passing through the minds Of those
parents at this time as they recalled
the angels message and the predicted
future Of this child! AS Zazharias
looked into the unconscious face OF
his child he saw the prophet Of the
Most High.
Parents, what possibilities do you
see In your child - you look into its
face? That little lie is for you TO
mold. To some extend you can tell
what manner of child he is to be.
Teacher. what do you see in the child?
Just a bundle of nerves to be kept
quiet, or the possibilities OF a great
lifei
Zacharias' song is full of victorious
and prophetic hope; 1t is itself full
fllmert OF a prophecy; God hath Wis,
tied his people. For over 1000 years
the righteous in Israel had looked for.
ward to the fulfillment Of this proph-
ecy.
The advent of this child brought Joy,
not only TO Zacharias and his wife,
but to their neighbors.
The birth of this child brought forth
this hymn Of praise 10 God for his
goodness. Did you ever thank God
for your children? who gave them to
you? Children are the heritage of
the Lord. How much would you take
for them? All the wealth in the world
could not buy them. Nor are you ask
ed to sell them; but you are asked TO
think of the One who gave them to
you. There are your children: Can
they see, when 80 many have been
born blind; can they hear. when SO
many have been bern deaf: can they
romp, when so many have been born
lame; can they speak, when so many
have been born dumb! Oh We par
ents who have sweet children on earth
and ii may be In heaven-does not
their presence cause you to burst out
In praise to God!
Another thing that led to this song
Of praise was the fact that Zacharias
was filled with the Spirit. Joy and
gladness are always associated with
the Sririt: BE filed with the Spirit;
speaking to yourselves in spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord" The Spirit
filled man is the happy man. Are you
a happy Christian? II no, why not?
What a description we have in the
song Of Zacharias OF the delivcrance
which Christ brings to every soul that
trusts him: Deliverance from Satan.
from death, froh sin. from the world,
c.om every enemy; a protection and
covering from the righteous vengeance
Of God; freedom from the conse-
quences Of sin: the wonderful promise
that some day-even now In a measure
we shall serve God with true holi-
moss and righteousness in JOY and
buessing for evermore.
The song OF Zacharias gives us q
model for our hymns and spiritual
songs.
The most prominent note in this
song is salvation; From cur enemies.
that we may be enabled to live In
peace and quietness; from sin. that we
may be able TO be constantly we'll
pleasing to God; from slavish fear in
our service TO God, In order that we
may render service as sons, and not
as servants or slaves: unto holiness.
that our life may be one that is spent,
not merely In overcoming the sins OF
nur nature, but also In the cultivation
Of Christian graceA