The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-09-05


FORTS mistakes and attachments recorded in this history
Their strength and ay goodness and badness wisdom
and folly afford each individual the appropriate and
plicabe example, counsel or aid that continually need
actual living personalitesas surely wee-and
tails In their humanness the lessons living the
Bible holds for us
THE OTHER WISE MAN
From Rome came Caesar Augustus decree that
all the people of the Roman world should be
rolled. In consequence Of this command Joseph
and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem. There, amid the
excitement and multitude. Jesus was born. During
the days while Joseph occupied with the bust
ness attending the enrolment of his family and
while Mary recovering from her very wonder
full adventure into the Valley of the Shadow the in.
FAINT Jesus must have had many visitors. We know
the shepherds came, singing hymns of gladness and
praise and surely many other folks from the throng
ing multitude paused by the happy mothers side.
Then on a day came Wise Men from the East to
offer homage to the King of the Jews and to lay at
his feet rich gifts of frankncense, myrrh and gold.
That must have been proud, happy moment for
Mary and Joseph And startling and awesome
we'll. having these strangers appear sud-
denly such errand, and as suddenly depart.
But the incident not so surprising or mys-
FERROUS 1t may seem. History shows the Hebrews
wandering people. From the day that God
appeared to Abram and directed him towards
Canaan to this very day and moment, the Jews have
been wanderers the earlh First it by
CHOICE later because of economic conditions and cir
cumstances Then followed years of subsection to
stronger nations when the people carried hther
and yon slaves and finally the taking of Jerusalem
in 70 A. D. by the Romans under Titus. which was
the end of the Hebrew people a nation.
We find. then. that the Jews were scattered over
the known world. They were present at all the
courts of the world. Assyria. Babylonla, Egypt
Media, Persia, Rome knew them. Wherever
they gathered together, always found de-
vout persons who attentive to their religious
rites, duties and belief. From these prophets, such
as Daniel, Ezekiel, Nehemiah Isaiah, and many
Others other peoples would hear and learn of their
beliefs. Especially would the Wise Men. the ma
gcians at the various courts eagerly to these
customs and teachings, hoping to find in them
trick-or truth for that matter-that they might
in their scramble for favor and reward. The prophe
ces of the coming of the Messiah the Christ who
would be Heaven-sent. God-gven ruler of the
Hebrew people, would attract and interest them.
The Wise Men of that time were peculiar class
of men. Their wisdom lay not so much in their
learning, though that certainly great, but
in their ability retain favor and acquire rewards
by their knowledge. Nor they famed for their
kindness. First and last their thoughts were of
themselves. So the journey of those three Wise
Men of the East to Jerusalem in search of Him that
was born King of the Jews" and their homage to
Him in the humblest of surroundings at Bethlehem
prove them wise indeed. Their appearance at the
exact date of Christ's birth seems miraculous and
will neither detract from the worth of the incident
nor harm any believe that Gods providentia in
fuence actuated them in some degree. But we
must remember that they would have acquired some
knowledge concerning the coming of Christ. Many
times His birth was foretold and Bethlehem desig-
mated as the place where it would occur. The Wise
Men very possibly could have Appropriated the
time of Jesus birth. So remains only His star they
saw in the East the miracle part Of it. And who
would want to give up that cherished thought? Who
would relinquish such happy, precious vision for
world of proven facts?
So the Wise Men came. Not seeking material
gain or special personal preferment, was their
custom. They came to give to prove their wisdom
by the fact that they had come to worship Him.
and to further emphasize their belief and devoutness
by presenting to him gifts from their treasures.
They were indeed Wise Men. Wise far beyond
their day and peoples yes. infinitely wiser than
multitude of people Of our day.
The Other Wise Man came to Christ also. In
that was his wisdom as it was the wisdom of the
Three. The Pharisees and Jews who feared Christs
influence were at last to have their way with Him.
PLATE, although finding fault in Him, had given
| Him into their hands to be cruclied. He was led
through the streets of holy Jerusalem, Knocked,
beaten staggering under the load of the cross that
| was to torture Him. The nails were driven-and
| He hung between heaven and earth, sacrifice for
IT.