Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-27

History is largely written around the
lives OF the leading personalities OF
period. During the quarter our studies
have, without exception, been based
upon the representative men and
women of the New Testament. In our
lessons we have covered the early days
of Christianity and traced the influence
of the two outstanding leaders in the
development of the Apostolic era. We
have seen how the principles and prac-
tice of those days have Influenced sub
seQuent ages. We have noticed the
way in which these individuals have
manifested the power OF the Christ.
We have come to understand the move
ments and factors that have nodded
history 1t is this fact That aids us in
making our own life in accordance with
the pattern of Christian living that our
Lord furnished His followers.
The study of the careers and char
acter of these spirit-led disciples of the
Master has inspired us to make our
lives true refiectors of the Saviour. We
have learned that He has use for all
kinds of individuals, so that the hum
blest followers ought to be encouraged
to give their all to the service of the
Lord Jesus, because under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit every soul Will md
a place Of service and be used in the
best possible way for the advancement
Of the Kingdom Of God and the glory
Of Christ.
Roots Of Christianity.
Every tree conceals beneath the soil
q hidden life that is duplicated in the
trunk. limbs, branches and leaves
which are visible above ground. Proph-
ecy plays a similar part to the life OF
Christ and His Church. Centuries after
the last prediction CONCERNING the COM
ing of the Messiah had been spoken
by the prophets to encourage Israel
with hope, when they were passing
through some national trial, we found
how God spoke again to His people.
the altar within the temple, was given
a revelation that indicated that the
fuIlness Of time had come. Luke linked
UP the events Of his gospel, so that we
saw how God was ruling over the af-
fairs of men and allowing them to turn
the hands on the clock of time for the
Messiah'S birth. ZachariaS and Eliza
beth were worthy descendants of Abijah
and Aaron. They were devoted to one
another, but their home appeared empty
without an heir. The promise given
to these earnest observers OF the cere-
monial law and the commandments
made them prepared to receive and
train the forerunner of the Christ. In
due time the promised son appeared and
their greatest opportunity in home
building started.
Mary, the blessed mother Of our Lord
and Saviour, furnished us an oppor-
tunity to learn something of her noble
character and personality. The worlds
greatest honor was bestowed upon her.
He studied how she received confirma-
ton of the angels prediction and saw
the fine example she has given to the
mothers of all time in connection with
the birth of the Christ. She was His
first teacher. From His mothers lips
Jesus learned the fundamentals of His
religious life. She taught Him to pray.
She opened up to Him the message of
prophecy that both Simeon and Anna
aged but loyal believers in the nations
hope, saw fulfilled in Him. They were
looking for His coming, and discovered
Him In the Babe being carried into
the temple to meet The requirements
of their religious ritual While they
recognized the Child as the Messiah.
they warned Mary of what she would
be called upon to suffer. While we
hear but little of her after Psntecost
in the New Testament, we must not