The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-01-30
IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD

that other multitude Of pilgrims at
this moment In mot1On-*hc P~ersians
on the way to kerbela. Meshed Ali,
and Samarra; the MOslems Of many
nations with their faces turned to-
ward Mecca; the Armenian. Greek
and Roman Catholics preparing for
the Eastern pilgrimage to Jerusalem;
the other pilgrims to Rome. Benares,
the heart Of man is ever seeking,
seeking. seeking the highest good.
When Zeal Meets Cunning.
We may never know what first
prompted the Wise Men to their
quest. 1t may nave been the spirit
ual ferment Of the time; it may have
been some prophecy in their astrologi-
cal lore; it may have been that from
the Hebrew exiles in the neighbour
hood they had learned of the Jews
nope. We only know that as astrol-
ogers, forerunners Of the modern
astronomers. they saw In a new star
the portent Of q Coming One.
Nor need we expect to know all
about the star. There have been end
less conjectures, and science has Of
fered various solutions. although most
Christians are content to accept the
guiding star as only one more Of the
attendant miracles upon the birth of
Jesus. Certainly the light in the
heavens led these philosophers to
Judea.
There they met that nnin Old
ION, 11erod, who pricked up his Sues
plclous ears at mention Of another
KING whom these strange travellers
sought. At once he shrcwdly tried
70 fesuile them into aiding his own
plots. Tor he knew how to employ
religious zeal for his own vile ends
AS 1t turned out, the Wise Men used
MN and his subservient Jewish schol-
ars, instead OF being used themselves.
n Little Towns Great Treasure.
so much is said and written about
the Christmas star, that we need to he
reminded OF the simple and unuues-
tioned TACT that no star appeared at
betnlehem at Christmas time. The
did not see the guiding
star. II was SIX weeks after the birth
OF Jesus, and shortly after his pre-
sentatlon in the temple, that the Per
san of the star appeared
IN bethlehem.
ihe many lectures which show the
wise Men offering their gifts to q
Dapc In a are clearly wronr
Mary and Joseph and the CHINA wax
no longer in the inn. The wonderful
story OF the shepherds had attracted
a''ehtlon to theln,Dand the universal
noSpl'ality of the poor had made for
mem q nome IN some Bethlehem resi-
uTnce. The narrative clearly reads.
1hey came into the house and saw
me young enid with Mary his
mother" "@
HOW the leading citizens Of Beth,e-
neIn pale into insignifcance in the
presence of this Babe. PERTAINS # Voc
SOAnc SfTllffln0 c~o
had pre-empted the best rooms in the
hhah: 10 the people of Bethlehem
MARY s son was only q babe. desnite
.He strange stories about him. The
ignorant knew not his majesty: II
needed the coming Of the Wise Men
rom a1ar to reveal the royalty of
,neir infant guest. That Babe has
INV aH oethieheIn's name into immcr-
AMY and assured. a Continued life
ana greatness to the little town that
Hats outlasted many world CAPITALS.
HE Best for the Babe.
Art n literature and music have
o'eu 10 contemplate this scene. The
suHlptuOus sages in their best robes
sro"ded into the small room of q LITTLE
o' ne 10 90 obeisance to the great
GSeo' beautiful Babe in Mary's arms.
fsoya! onerings they brought-gold,
1ranElncense and myrrh: hnt rnoro
royal was their hearts devotion
On the surface lies the lesson that
The best belongs to the Beloved on
sreatest gifts should be for him who
is GODS greatest Gift to us. The hfeh-
est use OF life is to pour it out as on
offering to the Christ,
say snali we yield Him, in costly
devotion,
odors Of EdOm and offerings
Divine,
OeIns OF the mountain and pearls of
the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest. or gold
from the mine?
'alniy we offer each ample ob~|ation.
Valnly with gifts would His favor
secure:
Hicher by far Is the hearts adora-
ton;
bearer to God are the prayers ~
the poor"
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS |