Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-02

While Mary and Joseph were still at
Bethlehem, there came to Jerusalem some
of the Magi from some Of the eastern
countries, probably Persia on quest
for the new king, Until now Jerusalem
had not become acquainted with the mo-
mentous fact that the shepherds mao
made known throughout all the mn
country of the birth of the Babe OF
RethIehem. No doubt some few hao
learned of the strange way the old saints
simeon and Anna, had acted Wheh
peasant and his wife presented UleiF
little child in the temple a short time
previously; but it had been like pass
ing breeze. When, however, some OF the
NTapi who were evidently very wealthy
had made a long journey from tllelr
home. their very presence and appear
ance in the city made many take no
tice The question they asked was no
less calculated to arouse interest
They had evidently supposed that all
Tereusalem and in fact all the country
would have known the place OF the plrtn
of the new king; but much 10 tnelI
surprise they find utter ignorance on tiie
subject of their long journey al en e
noIace so they go there to inquire Where
- - that is born King of the Jews.
rbeir question created CONSERVATION
+t,ara The peopIe we're all interested,
For Herod the present king in name hao
been cruel in the extreme Ills hahus
were already stained with the plOOu VI
his wife and his sons, besides muir
+udes of others He had stopped at
notbine to attain his own selfish ends'
ond therefore the knowledge that new
king was born aroused the greatest IN
terest To Herod the news was parIlcu-
larlv of moment. He had spared no one
in order to accomplish the estaulisliil men
of his plans; and to learn that sue
lessor had been born was no good news
to him. rrr1o1
EIerod was too smart, however, 10
show his real plan in the maFter' No
sooner had he heard the Magis story
of the appearance of the star which
had guided them in their quest than ne
determined upon the absolute destrucuon
of the new king. He was very adrolt In
the way he worked out his plan' now
ever. Had he noted carefully what
the Magi had said he would have per-
ceived that the new king was not to be
a TEMPORAL ruler like himself, and ne
would have been spared his pains. Ihey
incurred of the birthplace that they
might go and worship Him.
Herod's first step was to learn from
the Sanhedrim where the Messiah should
be born. SO he conversed with them and
made inquiry They had no hesitation ls
answering and in giving their proof. All
the world was in a state of unrest and
expectancy then. This probably accounts
for the way in which the Magi In
their distant home learned of the advent.
All through the world Jews were scat
tered, and wherever they were IN suf-
ficient numbers, they had formed syna-
gogues where the. law and the prophets
were read. Thus they spread their ex-
pectancy throughout the whole known
world. Particularly was this expectant
attitude characteristic of the Jews at
home for they felt most keenly the
yoke of Rome. Their rulers, the Sanhe-
drim had searched the Scriptures there
fore for some hope Of deliverer to
which they might look forward. They
were very ready therefore with their
answer-there could be no doubt of it,
Bethlehem was the place
wicked man to praise Him. This was
See how God made the wrath Of this