The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-01-02


GOLDEN TEXT-My soul doth mag
nifty the Lord, and my spirit hath re-
joiced in God my Savior. Luke LAG, AZ.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Why Mary Sang.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Why Mary Sang.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-What Our Mothers Have Done
for Us.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
.ToPIC-A Mothers Vision and Influ-
ence.
Mary was a Jewish maid of the town
of Nazareth. The first information
we have of her is that she was en-
gagged to be married to Joseph, car
,penter of the same village. 1t seems
that the custom among the Jews was
for betrothal to take place a year
before marriage.
!. The Occasion of Iuke 1 :26, 2T.
1. Gabriels announcement wv. 26-37).
During this interval of betrothal, God
sent the angel Gabriel to announce to
Mary that she was to be the mother Of
Jesus. Isaiah, more than 700 years
before, prophesied that a virgin would
give birth to a son, whose name should
be called Emmanuel, "God with us"
lisa. 7:14). Though at first perplexed,
she accepted the annuncatiOn with re-
markable courage and devotion. To be
told that she was to be mother was
nothing startling, for this was the
normal desire Of every married Jewish
woman. Under the circumstances, she
accepted motherhood at a tremendous
cost. She was conscious Of her virgin
purity. She knew that to become a
mother under such circumstances
would expose her to suspicion and
shame John SAD.
q Mary's response ". 3S). Her
faith was such that she responded
with remarkable courage. She said.
Behold the handmaid Of the Lord; be
lit unto me according to thy word" She
accepted motherhood under these cir
icumstances as Gods command. 1t was
made clear to her that the begetting
was by the Holy Ghost and that the
Most High would embody himself with
humanity divinely begotten and that
the resultant thing born would be
holy and called the Son of God.
8. She visits Elisabeth wv. 39-45).
In her embarrassment she set out on
a visit to an elderly kinswoman called
Elisabeth. Having sought the SYM
pathy and encouragement of her friend,
her triumphant faith carried her be-
yond the misunderstanding, the scorn
land shame which awaited her. and
caused her soul to burst out in the
most wonderful song Of praise. This
is called the "Magnifcat" because Of
the first word in the Latin version,
"My soul doth magnify the Lord" AS
pointed out by another, three features
Iof her character stand out in this
song.
a. Her purity of heart. Only pure
heart rejoices when God has come
near.
b. Her humility. She forgot herself
and gave her heart to Gods praises.
c. Her unselfshness. She did not
primarily think of the undying honor
which through the ages should be at
tached to her, but the blessedness
which would come to others.
II. The Content Of Her Song wv.
1859.
1. For salvation wv. 46-49). 1t
was salvation for herself and others.
There is no suggestion whatever in
this song that she thought of herself as
the mother of God. She praised God
for the high distinction Of being the
channel through which the eternal Son
of God was to make contact with the
race and save it. This high distinc-
ton wrought humility in her soul.
Q. For the divine character wv. 40,
SOY. She praised God that he had
almighty power, that he was absolutely
holy and abundant in mercy.
3. For what the Savior shall &C.
complish wv. 81, SPY.
a. He was to scatter the rebellious,
the unbelieving, and the proud. Enough
he is exceedingly merciful and patient,
the time Is coming when all who reject
him shall be scattered.
b. He was to exalt the lOwly. How
wonderfully this has been accomplished
through the centuries. Those who turn
from sin and exercise faith in Jesus
Christ are lifted up to places of hon
Orable recognition.
c. He filed the hungry. 1t Is
through Jesus Christ that good Is
gained for the hungry. Indeed, all
blessings come through him.
d. He sent the rich away empty.
iBv the rich no doubt is meant those
who have arrogated to themselves I'M
portance because Of the possessions
which he gave them.
A. For Gods faithfulness wv. $500.
His faithfulness is shown In keeping
his promises. That which was about to
be realized was the fulfllment OF the
covenant promise made in Eden and
,perpetuated through Abraham.