The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-01-03
FOR JANUARY
BIRTH OF John FoREToLD.

6Ihin Or JO6N fOhElOLO, "a
LESSON TExT-Luke 1925.
& MEMORY vERSES-15, 1S.
GOLDEN TExT-ttWithout faith It -
Impossible to please God.'-Heb. 1:6
The Old Testament closes with .
prophecy; the New Testament opens
with the announcement Of the fulfill
msnt Of that prophecy. Thus both
Testaments are Characterized III this.
lesson: The Testament. prophecyS:
the New Testament, fulfllment II
is clear from our Lords own words
that John the Baptist fulfilled this Old
Testament prediction, (Mat- II: TO-
49,. It may be that a more literal
fuldllment isc still future. proceeding
Christ's second inning.
Our attention is first drawn 70 the
persons through whom God fulflls hisi
promise. zacharias and elizabeth
were both righteous. BY that 10 not
Eeant that they were either sinless
or perfect-no human being is that
but that they were parents whose
whole heart mind. and strength we're
dedicated TO the will and service Of
God. Zachaffas unbelief shows that
he vas not sinless.
This Is the kind Of people through
whom God is willing, and ready even
today to fulfill his promise and bless
the world-nots through perfect peo-,
pie, but through those who are con-
stantly striving after perfection.
There Is no limit to the blessings God
win confer upon the world through
us II only we viii not touch the gloFy3
The glorious vision and message
came to- John when he was perform
ing his duty. And 30 II. is always.
While shepherds watch their docks
the angel comes. We must not for-1
get tina. Elizabeth also In her modest
humble s~eclusion was used TO bless
the world just as much as Zachariass
who was exercising a priestly function
80 high that the opportunity came TO
a priest but ioncetin a lifetime. God
chooses the weak things ais well as
the great things. D. Z. Moody the I'M
educated shoe clerk, 8 8 well as Paul.
the scholar. 80 Isaac Was QUIET
man and dwett in tents.
The next thing to which our atten-
ton is the content Of the prophecy.
First, sc concerns q child. Zachariass
ard Elizabeth were i~chiidless. II iss
no sin to be childless provided that no
law liof natureEis violated. Il issa sad;
thing to be cnildless. tAt least ~ was;
SO considered In Old Testament days.
Would that 1t were considered SO TO-
Jay! A revival fSthe motherinstinct
Is needed.
This child was to be an extraordin-
airy child-wen every mothers child
is wonderful! This child vas TO go
before the Lord and prepare his way
Just as your child may follow after the
Lord and walk In his steps-5a worthy
career for both John and your child,
and every child. Why should We not
hold this ideal constantly before
childhood? Il
upon the promised child was TO rest
the vow Of the Nazarite. That meant
two things: Absolute prohibition
from intoxicants, and entire dedicar
ton to God. Can you think Of any
two things more desirable for YOU
child, for every child? These pal
ents had an ideal before them 4
their. child, and that was a tremen
ous help. Have you? Or do y
bring your child up atrandom? Sta
today with an ideal. Let 1t be higA
let It be the highest, even Christ.
The mission Of John. the Baptii
was to be performed by the aid Oft
Holy Spirit. Is there not a sub
contrast here between the prohibits
of intoxication and the filing
the spirit? Just as the person und
the infnence OF intoxicating LIQUOR
goyverneda and controlled by such 81
its, SO the Christian worker ia to
come so fulfilled with the spirit
every part Oh. him-intellect, sensid
ties, will, feelings, are under
spirits control This spiritual ed
ment is what is needed for Chris
workers today, '::Iot by might. moi
power. but by MY Spirit. saith
Lord" >
Because the Baptist was spi1
ed, he was enabled to turn y
Of the children towaydn1
Doubtless the Jews had 4
ed with the idolatry! Of then
ing nations so that (they had\
extent forsaken the faith Of
triarchs. Spirit-flled men areu
Today to turn the hearts of the
ent generation back towards
faith once delivered unto the
~Eysry CHRISTIAN has the Holy
it, Just as Egypt has the river
but every Christian does not hal
fullness of the Spirit. any NOR
Egypt always has the overflow
Nile; and Just as the overflow
Nile meals a bountiful harv
Egypt, so the milling and o
ing of the spirit in the believer
a bouptiful harvest Of fruit un
nal life. a
It Is strange, is 1t not, that
las should doubt in the pres
this heavenly visitor! Sure
should believe in the presence
a sign as this. There are pd
day who say that they would
II they could hear a voice