The Nevada County picayune., 1912-01-12

MEMORY VERSES-sToe. or IS. 77. GOLDEN TEXT-"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed his peopls."--Luks 1:Ss.
 Another fulfilled prophecy added to last weeks lesson. "Eath God said. and shall he not do it!" Heaven and earth shall pass AWAY, bat ono jot or little of lis promises shall never fail. Strange that God should remember his promise to a single individual amidst the infinite multitude of the sons of menl Yet he does. He marks the fall of . sparrow. And SO according to Gods promise, tho child was born. At the proper time, the child was dedicated to God in tho temple. These righteous parents recognized that the child was Gods gift. All Cody parents should Do we7 Have we presented our children In dedication to the Lord in the church. The first place these parents took their child was to church. Is this true of us!
 The naming of the child Is interest ing. John means, gracious gift of God" Zacharias thought of God ir naming the child. What did you think of when you named your child! Did you give it Christian name, or call ed it after some heather, goddess nov elist. Does the name stand for any thing? Is it an inspiration to the chile? 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 it happened in the naming of John. Out of respect for Zacharias. and because of his advanced age, and knowing that he had no other child. his friends proposed naming the child after him, probably to perpetuate the family name. But already God had announced the name. The Angel said that the childs name should be John These godly 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 pdltAlS lI llA4E lIIAiC tS bAiVy h1S0AiCA 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 as you look into it's 1 face? That little life 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? l Just bundle of nerves to be kept quiet, or the possibilities of a great | life?
 Zacharias' song is full of victorious and prophetic hope; 1t is itself full | fllment of prophecy; God hath vis- ited his people. For over 2,000 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 neigh5ors.
 The birth of this child brought forth this hymn of praise to God for his l goodness. Did you ever thank God for your children? Who gave them to 1 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 1 you. There are your children: Can | they sec, when so many have been | born blind, can they hear. when so many have been born deaf; can they romp, when so many have been born | lame; can they speak, when so many l have been born dumb Oh ye par ents who have sweet children on earth and it may bo 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 Zacharas ] was filled with the Spirit Joy and l gladness are always associated with the Spirit: Be filled 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 happy Christian? If no. why not?
 What a description we have in the song of Zacharias of the deliverance which Christ brings to every soul that trusts him: Deliverance from Satan, from death. from sin, from the world, from every enemy; a protection and covering from the righteous vengeance of God freedom from the eonse- quences of sin; the wonderful promise that some day-even now in a measure We shall serve God with true holi ness and righteousness in joy and buesSing for eYermore.
 The song of Zacharias gives us a model for our hymns and spiritual songs
 The most prominent note in this