The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-01-13
sundays LESSON
No. H., International Series, For
Jan. H..
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Senior eersan Lesson ExpIainsd-ooId.
on Text. Blessed Be the Lord God Of
Israel, For He Hath Visited and Re.
deemed His People.
Verses 57-63.-The gift o. Jehovah.
When Zacharias returned home he
promptly communicated the news to
Elisabeth, his wife, and they awaited
the fulfillment Of the prophecy in the
spirit Of piety, which at once express
ed their faith in God and their Hdeli-
ty to him. The months passed quickly
while the exrectnnt parents were get
ting ready for the great event in fami-
ly life. The news Of the arrival Of a
son cunmoned the 'neighbors" from
around and the cousins" who doubt
less lived at a distance. They re-
joiced with her" The birth of son
was peculiarly gratifying to orientals.
He would be the successor of his ia
Their and the support Of his mother in
This was the customary time to cir
cumcise the children Of Jewish par
ents. They were also named at this
time because when this ordinance
was instituted new name was taken
by Abram Gen. xvii, SIP. The rel
atives took for granted that the son
would be given the name Of his IA
ther. They were surprised when Ellis
abeth firmly declared "he shall be call
ed John" 1t Is evident that the d.
vine secret had not yet been made
known by these favored parents. The
relatives appealed to the family his
tory and to the influence Of custom.
But these arguments made no impress
sion. made signs to his father"
Zacharias had been dumb and deaf
spectator of this domestic discussion
and knew not what had been said.
The anxious and ofilcious relatives
then communicated with him concern
Ing his desire In this matter of a
name. "A writing table" Writing
tablets were made Of thin pieces Of
wood and covered with wax. on which
the writing was done with stylus.
''They marveled all" They could not
understand why this unusual name
had been chosen. But they were to
learn later he wonderful circum-
stances OF Johns birth and that. as
his name sign!fed. he was truly "Je-
hovah's gift" not only to the parents,
but to all people. toward whom he
showed gracious purpose.
Verses 64-66.-The hand of Jehovah.
Tha onDoIt, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES moe ~
complished. and the sign Of dumbness
was speedily removed. praised God"
The first sentences which his released
tongue uttered were to the praise and
glory Of God. His days of enforced
silence had surely been a spiritual
blessing to him. This course of events
produced threefold result. (a) Fear
came on ALL" This was the awe Of
reverence in the presence of the super
natural. ID, these sayings were
noised abroad" All the incidents asso-
ciated with the birth Of John got cir
culated. (c) What manner of child?"
This was not a question Of curiosity.
but Of eager expectancy on the part Of
people who were watching for Mes
slabs coming. These pious folk Of the
hill country may well be wistful. for
''the hand Of the Lord was with him."
The hand Is a symbol of power and
protection. During the days Of prep
aration In desert solitudes (verse S0)
as we'll as in the days of childhood
John experienced the strengthening
| guidance of God.
Verses 6T-15.-The salvation Of Jeho-
| yah.
praise and prophecy. 1t can be divid-
ed into two parts. Our study today
deals with the first part. which is a
psalm Of thanksgiving. The second
part oversees 76-79) Is prophetic strain.
referring to the career Of the Messiah's
herald. Hath visited" with gracious
intent. explained in the next clause.
land redeemed his people" In bringing
them out of spiritual and moral bond
age to their sinful passions. even more
than politicaI bondage to Rome, which
doubtless was also In the mind of this
patriotic priest. Horn of salvation"
The symbol is taken from the horns of
the bull. which signified strength. In
this connection 1t suggested the stay
ing power of God In bringing deliver
ance from our enemies" The history
of Israel was n record of conflict with
foes. The prophets Of the nation had
contemplated the coming Of a strong
deliverer and defender. His presence
In the midst Of his people would be a
token that God was carrying out his
purpose to remember his holy cove
nant." This was the promise which
he had made in the dawn of the ma
tion's life unto Abraham our father
that his seed should multiply and pos.
sess the gate Of his enemies Gen. xii
1918; Gal. iii. 1919. Freedom from
tyranny will bring liberty Of conscience
and Of conduct. Serve him." The
same word that is used of prlestly
service, The implication is that all the
redeemed constitute holy priesthood
Il Pet. II. D.. without fear" 1t Is
not service Of slaves, but Of freed.
men, and perfect love cnsteth out fear
q John Nv, 49,. I'm holiness and right.
eousness" Inward purity toward God
and outward conduct MAYNARD will
give the due balance to service. II