The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-01-24
Sunday School Column
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les
son for Teachers and Pupils.
BY CHAS. K. MEYERS.


January 2S.-The Presentation in
the Temple. Luke 2, 22-39.
We are privileged this week to|
study further as to the early days of
the life of Jesus AS good Jews his
parents carried out in every detail
the commands of the law Of Moses
and the customs of their church. The
lad was given the right of circumcis-
ion on the eighth day and the name
which the angel had foretold, who
announced the birth of the child to
Mary, given him. Later the little one
was taken to the temple, at Jerusa-
lem and there publicly presented be-
fore the Lord and his life consecrated
to the service of Jehovah. We can
well stop at this place to say that
Christian parents should make defin-
lite conservation of the children to
God 1t is a solemn moment in the
Lives of parents when they stand be-
lOIS ll4cll l1C1SHUOAo LII IAS SiAuA SAA'
and promise to bring up their child to
love God, keep his commandments,
and to set before it a proper example.
1t will be remembered that in the Old
Testament times it was commanded
that the parents take their children
in special care to teach them the
history of the Jews, their escape from
Egypt, care in the years of wander
ing, and final entering the promised
land. One of the most touching
things told Of in the Old Testament is
the taking Of the child Sa muel by
Hannah, his mother, to the temple
and there leaving him in care of the
priest for religious instruction. Par
ents who do not make special promise
and determination to bring up their
little ones to love and serve God are
making a great mistake.
We have brought before our atten-
ton in the lesson of this time TWO
beautiful characters-Simeon and An
Ina.
How pleasing it is to know an aged
person who is godly, loving, prayerful,
patient in their declining years. Such
las these, having time to mediate on
the words of God are often given
superior insight into Gods purposes.
Such a blessing was certainly given
the two persons named. 1t is evident
that Simeon had earnestly prayed
for and desired, to see the fultilment
of the promise that the Savior would
be sent, and his longings were to be
satisfied. 1t was told him that before
| his death that he would see the Lord
Jesus. He was at the temple when
the parents OF Jesus brought their
child for the presentation, and he was
made to know that this was indeed
the promised one. 1t is clear that he
doubted not, but took the child in his
arms and poured out a prayer OF
thankfullness and declared prophecy
as to what the career of the coming
man was to be- He was to bring sal.
walton, give light to the Gentiles, and
glory to the Jews. Simeon declared
that now he was ready to die, having
witnessed the fullment of the promise
of redeemer. Anna, the aged woman
likewise gave praises to God on be-
holding the Son of Mary and spoke OF
him to all who looked for redemption
through the promised Messiah.
These people saw by faith what
Jesus would do. We have His pre-
cious words, His blameless life, the
power of His gospel to change and
transform the world. On this show
ing there should be no hesitancy
about our believing on Jesus, and fol
lowing what the bible says. So we
find that two of the leading things
for us to gain from the lesson Of to-
day are theduty of parents to early
dedicate their children to God, and the
further duty of us all to believe the
bible and rejoice that we live in the
times when the benefits of Christ's
gospel are so clear and the promise
of eternal life with Him are definite