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The Wingham Advance, 1907-12-19, Page 21. ...The Christmas... Evangel. s.s.,...s.s....E.666466.64.66ea4.64.14. fos ' 4 ( LMike's Christmas Gift . . ••••••••••••441.1.00,11444.14.440.11044••••••04/44941, John A, Comae, Oak Lake, Men., In The Presbyterian • - • Has name woe Mike. That is, we all 7 called him Mike, though I believe that, ars motter of fact, he was baptized Miehel, but we, the few langlislospeake lug homesteadere who had settlea on the (ewe of the large Galician eolong, called him Mike. After a time, he \me Mike to hie father, who belt). to Michel fur many weeks, and. tlien he was alike to all, The eialicians were not popular with some of the "white" settlers, as. they called themselves, mainly 1 thought for the reason that the Galicians were in first and had some of the best home- : steade in the district, but Mike was pop- ular with all. He was a cheery chap, always smiling and often laughing. if you met him on the trail, when you were down on your luck or sick of your job, ' his livagiting "Good day,salcietei"" yam a new view of life. 1Ve were all "Meister" to him. He never . tried to learn our names. One was the "Beeg Meister," another the "old Mels - ter," and the "Meleter at the Beever," the other the "store Meister." You had to 1m quick when you met him on. the trail to be first with the salutation. The boy thad•a way of coming on you when you thought you were alone and you never knew where you would hear his laughing "g'day, Meister." The first time I met him was a day when I was tramping through the coun- try on my way to a valley fifty utiles north of the Galicians. I had heard so anueh of the Galicians that I thought fifty miles would he few enough to have between their settlement and my home- stead. It was a day in early srping, one et those clays in May, that seemed to have got out a place and found itself by nm; - take in the end of the first week in April. The snow watt gone exeept dirty drift caught in the bluffs here and there. The knolls on which the sun shone were dry and were starred over with anemones, the little purple heralds of summer, and where the bluffs kept off the northeast winds, the grime was sprouting. The air was heavy with the smell of thawing soil. I had already walked sixty miles and did not Start the third day of the jeur- ney with a particularly light heart. I was only well started when I heard a shot from behind a :bluff I was approach. ing and then the hearty laugh of a healthy boy. "G'day, Meister," he called to me. "Good. day," I replied, my hearth en- larging under the genial warmth of the boy's. sanile. Then 1 saw be was not alone. Another boy was coming from the bluff with -a gun on his shoulder and a rabbit dangling from his band. Be staggered under the weight of it. as if it were too aitach for him, which sur- prised, me, for,a by does not let -a stran- ger see hine stagger under a gun. at avd brudder " explained the boy. shogi very good," he added, unneces- sarily loudly, as I thought, until I saw a faint flush of pleasure come into the younger one's face at the hearty praise. "Rabbits blind in spring," he added for my benefit. We watched the boy struggle toward "Me brudder seek," said Mike, and the smile left his face so quickly that it was plain that to Mike this was a calamity. "Me name—Mike," lie confided. to ane. "Me brudder IMMO ,fitebl. —hall, Me •fua- der cell him." By that time Jack was at our side. When I looked into his face I sAw it was more than the weight of the gun th It matte him etagger. I thought that wheat1 gone letele iu the fail Mike would be alone. alike lifted the gun from his brother's sboulder and put out his banal to take the rabbit, but the hunter would not yieht his sporg, "Jaek ehout bine" laughed. Mike, "Ile want to take him home, lia eagt tired pretty soon, then take bine" "You're a pretty decent sort of a kid, aren't you?' I said. 1 wanted. to tell the boy what 1 thought of him, but did not know just how to do it. "Jack seeck, Meister," be replied. "He get very tirgl. Ile like to shoot. 1 help hini shoot rabbit." "Well, good-bye, sir," I said. Ile came forwara and held out his Itanta etilive, Meister," he said and instruet- ed his brother to do the same. .turned after a few nilun los to have another look at the boy. The gun was over Mike's shoulder and the rabbit was dangling from the barrel of it and Jack was clinging to Mike's arm. Somehow the sun was shining bright- er when 1 turned, the little anemones looked prettier and 1 thought the thaw- ing soil smelled sweeter. 1 met an Englishman soon after who pereuadea me that nothing would be gainea farther north and I chose a homestead near by. I must confess thnt Mike entered my thoughts wben the matter was under eon Iteretien. 1 :anent the smnmer on my homestead and then went south to make some money ou the tarveet fields. * * 44 * * * * * * It was late iu the fall when I return- ed. Mike, vote the oil gun over hie shoulder, was one of the first to meet me. "Ualay, -Meister, you cum baekl" he called to me. . 1 thought I discovered a new note in his voice and when I eame nearer, there was something in his eye I had not seen before. I was afraid to aek for Jack. I -had had no communieation with the settle- ment during my absence. The conver- sation ran in hte ordinastry lines for a oldie. Then be suddenly turned to me. • "Mebbe I shoot partridge?" he asked. I was juggled for a moment when I re- : membered that the open season was plow. There was a pathetic appeal in hie voiee Chat made his words go deep. "Jack very seeek, Meister. Mebbe shoot partridge?' be asked again. 'Jack like partridge," he -added, by way of ex- planation. "You shoot your partridge, old man," I said. "Mebbe I go to jail?" he said. -",Tail be hanged," I said, "there's your lard" I watched him disappearing, like a deer through the bluffs, with this partridge under his coat, and then went on my way to my own home. * * * * * * * * * The winter came early that year. Weeks before Christmas the ground was covered wit)? snow and the thermeme- ter had made a record descent before we 4+144.4.444.4.4.$4.1.4.4•44+.1.4.4444deasteteadoieteleleioleleafeadoalea4.144.4444 4a e Christmas Spirit. 4444444444.4.4..1.4,444.44goleioleeeicee efeadeloaioa4elefeloadeaglea+Nolefeteleie Eight-year-old Dorothy curled herself up in the broad window seat where the afternoon sun sent his lingering rays through the curtained window right over her shoulder and lit up the smiling face of an Indian maid on the printed page before her. Slowly Dorothy turned the leaves of the large volume. One page showed the picture of an Eskimo village another the dusky eountenance of a small Arab playing on the sand before a tent pitched in the open wilderness. A lady entered the thorn. and Dor- othy,,tooked up with a sigh of happiness. "Oh, mamana,". she exclaimed, -"it is all so beautiful. I never get tired of looking at my wonderful book. How did you ever happen to know just what I would like better than anything else in the world." Dorothy gently closed the precious volume and jumped up to fling her arms around the loved mother in an ecstatic embrace. "It is because I love you, my dart- --tre_res pnetsir Mrs. 'Stanley, tenderly cants the soft brown curls. "Do you know, little de gtiter, that Christmas will soon be here again?" "Yes, indeed, mamma. It is just two weeks from to -day. I have been think- ing that you could not possibly give me anything this Christmas that can compare with my lovely book." "Suppose, Dorothy, we sit down here together on this cosy seat and talk about it. You know dear, that on Christ- mas Day all Christian people and na- tions the world over celebrate the birth of the Saviour of mankind. You know that 'people show their love and interest in other people by sending gifts, as the wise men Allowed their adoration before the Infant Christ by laying offerings at His feet. You, my daughter, know what pleasure it is to give presents to your little cousins and your girl friends and to papa and myself." "Yes, mamma," cried Dorothy, "I liege my list -made out now. There are twelve people I want to remember this Christmas and t have five dolling and forty cents in my bank. Won't it be fun to go shopping!" "Yes, dear, but have you ever thought that there may be some little boys and girls who will get no gifts at Christmite time. Their fathers and methers are too poor to buy any, and often there are children who do not even have enough td eat or enough elothing to keep them warm." "Oh, manitrih," sighed Dorothy, sym- pa thetieally. "Yes, dear, should we not think also of them as well as of those we love? Think, little daughter, the *Lord Christ left His beautiful home in heaven,and *ante to earth and lived a life of hard- ship and poverty, doing good, because C -,d wanted to ehow tia how muelt be loved us. Ile hal done much for us. The Lord Christ loved and suffered mi earth, mid at lest gave His life thet we might be better. Ought we MA to do some- thing to celebrate Vdtrist's birthday. Something to ethow how much we love Him in return for Ilia great sisterifiee for us?" et+, mamme, " replied Dorothy, In aulalued 1itt1 voire. "Then what do yon think we Amnia had even begun to think of Christmas, met Lite boy on 0110 of the worst daya and even 1 could see he was not proper- IY clothed. At the Cloistmas tree whien the missionary got up for tbe children of late settlement, I took it upon myself to give Mike a speeial invitation and Mike saw that Santa Claus was in position to give him a suit of warm elothes, An idea crept into his head that night and before he reached. home it had taken possession of him. Their own Christmas came ten days later ana the Galieians were making preparations for it. Two days before their celebration com- menced, Mike appeared at the door of my shack. 'Meister," be said, "Mebbe a doctor emu! to station 1" "The Station" was the name of the little town at the railway, to which we were tributary and it was twenty-five miles distant. I had heard that a doe. tor had settled there in the fall and in- timated the same to Mike. "Jack very sseck," he said, "Mebbe I go to Station for doctor." It was the first time I had seen tears in his eyes. "I get doctor for Jack for Chreest- mus," he added. The sky was threatening that morn- ing. "How will you go?" I enquired. "Cb, I walk, Meister, I good for a walk." "Yon ean't, Mike, you'll freeze to death." He pointed to the warm ctethes he wore, and before I could. say a word he Was gone. By noon that day it was blowing and the air was thickening with snow. As usual, I dined alone, ancl my thoughts turned on the boy. The doctor's service was to be his Christmas gift to Jack. 11 seemed to me that at was a gift that might cost too much. As the wind rose I got anxious. I lefe the dishes on Lb e table and bee mei to Mike's keine. The boy was n oe there. Then I went to tbe store. He was not there. Then I heard he had gone for the doc- tor. I told a neighbor what I feared. He aereed with inc that Mike was in great denger. ana volunteered to go after him. The wind was behind us and we made good time. We came upon no traces of the boy on tbe way and in the town no one had seen him. The wind fell that night, and in the morning the mercury stood at forty be- low. The sky was perfectly clear and the sun set the white, flashing world dlame. We started b tell with lighter hearts. We had a trip in vain, but the fact that the boy was safe satisfied us. Presently we came to a spot neer which were many wolf traeks. My com- panion waa stexious about it and insist- ed on seeing the cause. Something was projecting from a drift. A terrible fear took possession of me and I began to tremble. The snow was packed in a circle about him, for the wolves were hungry that winter. but they had been afraid to touch him. We carried him into the sleigh and the tears which fell from our eyes froze into ice on his face. "Bis life for his friends" I mutter- ed. My companion made no reply. do, dear? Remember that the gift God sent to the worlden the first Christmas Day was His only Son, and it was be- cause He loved us so. It was a tremend- ous sacrifice, and we are so unworthy, and we do so little to show our love. We are so selfish." Mre. Stamey concluded with a deep, regretful sigh, having about forgotten the curly head beside her. "But, mamma, how can we do any. thing for flod—he is so great and so far away?" "Have you forgetten the lesson we read this morning, dear, If ye do tt to the least of these, ye do it unto me.'" "Oh, mamma, mamma, I gee now, but how can I do it? Ch, mamma, how can I ever do it?" and Dorothy burst into cenvulsive weeping. Mrs. Stanley held her little (laughter in a close embrace, not attempting to comfort by words until the paroxysm of grief had somewhat passed. She knew that her darling, the only little one God had sent to their borne, must lemm her Ir sson of sacrifice for love's sake. After a time Dorothy's sobs became gentler, and she explained to her mother, "I understand now, mamma.; 1 will have to give my book"—the words almost choked ber—"my book to Nellie Sims. She is thirteen, and she never owned a book in all her life." Dorothy possessed a number of books anal heaps of toys, for she was an only and much -loved child. Mrs. Stanley was • wiee woman. She did. not attempt to frustrate the truth her talk had im- pressed upon her little daughter by Bug- geeting that some of ber toys be given. or even another bock that was not so dear to the child's heart. No, if she were to learn the lesson ef sacrifice, the true spirit of the Christmas time, she must give the thing that would cost her something. The "Christmas spirit" sank deep into little Dorothy's heart. She did not wa- • in her determination to give the loved book. thie day .she came to her mother with a plan she had worked out. alna she met with true motherly sympathy end co-operation. Dorothy had spread. the "Christmas epirit" until a number of her friends and pleymates entered into it right heartily. . They all knew 01 (1110 or two poor child- ' ten that they wished to present the 'dearest possessions to. Frank Mayberry, eller struggling with hie conscience for tw.) ;toys, told Dorothy thee he was ready to give up hie "Speedwell sled to poor Bob Iloekney. Mabel Semen said she wonld give her beautiful "Lady Both" to little Hannah White. Se the good leaven spread. Mrs. Stan. Ii'i' COTIMIti a. to liOlp thO little people, and on Christmas Eve the children gath- ered with their little gueste from pov- orty-strieken homee in the beautiful home of Darothy. 'What a delightful evening it was, with games and well. spreaa supper tablel Last of all, gifts were diatrilmted. No- toteth in the great eity WWI an "Christ- ma8? spirit" more truly manifest than in that eompany of little folks. The tdixora gave (dleerily, though with a that a Mg part ;4 their heart was being carried off, while the guests I accepted the preeenta in the eririt in which they were offered, seeming to real- ize at least in part the sacrifice that was made for their happiness. "Mamma," said Dorothy, as she re- ceived her good -night kiss, 'there's an awful hole in my heart, but I don't seem to mind it a bit, I feel so kind of light and happy." Jolly Game to Play After Christmas Dinner. Something new in the way of an ob- servation party, and something that you will find jolly as part of the Christmas evening entertainment. Place these objects tastefully on the dining - room table, each guest on entering the room being iurnished with a catalogue of the subjects, supposed to be differ- ent paintings, made out so that blank spaces will be left to the right for an- swers. From 15 to 25 minutes are al- lowed to guess and write down the answers as fast as they are diecov- °red. The persons whose lista are the nearest correct receive the prizes. A booby prize for the one who was the least succeesful adds to the fun. Below is given the Ilse of 40 subjaets and also the answers. From the lat- ter you will know what objects to col- lect and how to place them on (he table: Departed Days—Last year's calendar. Scene in Bermuda—Onions, Wo Part to Meet Aagin--Seissors. The Reigning Favorite—Umbrella. Home of Burns—Flatiron. The Greatest Bet Ever Made—Alpha- bet. A Lino From Home—Clothesline. The House the Colonel Lived In— Corncob without the corn. Cause of the American Revolution— Tacks on a letter T. A Heavenly Body—Dipper. The Little Peacemaker — Chopping Knife. Spring's Offering—Glass of Water. Bound to Rise—Yeaot cake. Family Jars—Two glass jars. Things That End in Smoke --Cigars. A Place for Reflection—Hand mirror. Dear in Winter—Eggs. Scene in a Baseball Game—Pitcher. A Drive Through the Wood-13lock of wood with nail driven through. A Mute Choir—Quire of Paper. A Trophy of the Chase—Brush. A Rejected Beau—Old ribbon bow. A Skylight—A star. Our Colored Waiter—Illaek tray. Sweet Sixteen -- Sixteen lumbs of sugar. . Consolation— Pipe. Common Senee—Pennies. , The Meek Friar—Blaek fryiegpan. Cole's Memories of the Grate -- Cin- ders. The Four Seasons—Mustard, vine. gar, salt and pepper. A Morning Caller—A Bell, Aesorted Liquors—Whip, switeh and slipper, The Skipper's IIOMP—Cheese, An Alizorbing — Blotter or sponge could be used. A Deming tuteriatinnient,A Bound to Shine—Bottle of shoe black- leg. Old-fashioned Flowers --Lady's slip - ore. Nothing But Leaves—Illoek of white writing paper. --Philadelphia Piddle Ledger. IT DEPENDED, Lady ----Well, what do you want,' Tramp—Wot have yer got? 111/•••••• A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. 4.4.44444+1144.4444++.44444.444. I The Best... Christmas. (By Lady Somerset.) A child sat bending over her work. Her curly hair fell over her oyes. The sunlight was playing on the flower -beds, and white butterflies fluttered among the blossoms over the green lawn where she sat, and yellow-thighed bees boomed among the trees. She never lifted her eyes from the little garment that she was sewing. An unclothed doll lay on the chair beside her, awaiting the clothing which she was so busily making. Presently her moth- er came across the grass, and laid her. hand upon the child's head. . "What are you doing, Nelly?" she asked. "I am dressing the doll. I am so anxious to get it done. It seems more like being a real mother, doesn't it, to have made its clothes?" and she looked up with grave eyes into the woman's face. "I wonder if you have thought," said her mother, sitting down beside her, "what thousands and thousands and thousands of children there are who have no dolls to play with, They dress up the leg of an old chair, or some- times they wrap a carrot in a newspaper to make believe that they, are dollies. There was a little child who used to play on a doorstep in a place I knew well, who had nothing but an old stay busk, but she loved it, I think, almost more than you love any of your dolls. 13ut one day a rough man passing by trod upon it and broke it to pieces, and then she had nothing." The child put her work down, and looked into her mother's face. "Noth- ing!" she said. "011, how dreadful!" Then she got up, and stood with her hands behind her back, gazing oue be. ond the flowprbeds and beyond the garden, as though she were looking away to some distant thing she had never noticed before. "Children without dollies and without toys? That does seem a terrible thing! Suppose"—and then her whole face lit up—"that instead of keeping this dolly I gave it at Christmas time to some lit- tle child who had none? I wonder whe- ther that would not be better. May I send this dolly, may I take it to some little.child, inother?" And she held it up for a moment, looking lovingly into its face, stroken its flaxenhair, and then cuddled it up in her arms. "May I take it myself, and give It myself to the child on the doorstep?" "I don't know how you can give it yourself," said her mother, "London is a long way off; but you can dress it and make it beautiful, and we will find somebody who will take it to a child who has no toys." * * The summer sun bad gone, the flow- ers were nearly all asleep, and the but- teiflies were biding away, trying to keep warm through the cold Winter, so that they might flutter out again in the first spring sunshine. But many of them had died in the rain which poured down all through the autumn days. Thera was no child in the garden now, end the only sound that was heard was the 'rustle of the dead leaves as they floated doavn on to the grasa. The child had gone to London. She had been very, very ill, and the doctor came and looked grave, and said that her mother must take her away to see some clever man in the city; and so instead of looking out over the wide garden and the grass and the flower. beds, Nelly was sitting a little stiffly room in a London hotel. The dootors came every day and put their ears to her chest, and weighed her in great scales to see tyliethet she was getting fatter, and her mother looked very grave, and wouldoften turn away and took out of the window when the doc- tors undressed her, as though she wanted to hide her face. But when December came Velly be- gan to grow stronger, end she was al. lowed itonietimes to go out for a walk in Xensington gardens. She Was taken there in a closed cab, so she did not see anything of the greets of London, mid the walk seemed very dull to her, bemuse she eould not run aboub arid dig In lier flatter -garden as elle am at beim% fly -and -bye it was Chriatmas time It Seemed a very dreary hold-up.—Prom "Sir. Ruggles, of New Clitistmes. She was all itione„ and heeYork, Writes Home," in the Bohemian brothers end eisters were in the cottil- for Dceembor, try and all her little friends. Mother had said that she -should have a very tiny Christmas tree all to herself, but that did not seem much fun. They al. ways had sueh a jolly time, and when her brothers brought their friends back from school for the holidays they said it was the happiest Christmas home in the World. And so it was, for mother never minded noise, and they could play hide-and-seek all over the house. The only thing she was ever strict about was that directly she said it was time to go to bed they were never to ask to stay up a little longer. They had and their fun,•she said, and she al. ways wanted to be obeyed, and of course mother knew best. But this Christmas was very different. It was terrible to be all alone, and though mother read aloud and did all she could to amuse her, still Nelly did sigh for a good romp and a giggle with the other children. One morning as she lay in bed she suddenly remembered the doll she had dressed in the summer time ,and she asked her mother to get it out of the drawer; then as it. lay on the bed with the clothes she had made, she recollected that she meant to give it to some child who had no toys, and when her mother came to take her out sfie reminded her of her promise, and she said: "To -morrow, mother, is Christmas day. Won't, you let .me take it to scene little child who has no toys?" And her mother said she would. So the next day they set out in a four -'wheeled cab, and drove a long way till they came to a great broad street; then her mother sent away the cab, and they walked a little bit and turned down a very narrow pme. There were a great many children playing in the street, and they made a great deal of noise. On one of the steps sat a little girl. Her grimy face was resting on her hand, and she looked out on the children playing as though the game did not interest her much. The children were singing M the street some- thing about— "11 you want a nice young man, Stuff him with bread and jam." I3ut the little girl played no heed to the song. "She has got no doll, I am sure," said Nelly, in a loud whisper to her mo- ther. "Ask her," said the woman. "Have you got a doll, little girl?" stid Nelly, staaiding in front of her, and speaking shyly. "No, I 'oven's and that's a fact" said the child, looking up. "I was giv' one when I went to the treat at Southend, but I giro .it to my young Polly when she went to the 'orspital, I did." By this time a crowd of eager ehald- ren had gathered round the doorstep, and Nelly was getting very shy. "Would you like a doll?" se said, and then hastily pulled out her parcel, tlruoa statits;.to the child's lap, and turned toig "Oh, moi," said the child, as she open- ed the parcel: "Gawd 'n 'eaven 'as aent Father Christmas, an' no mistake." But Nelly was some way down the street, and the pink color was bright in her cheeks. That night as she sat byher another and listened to the Christmas bells, with the toys that had been sent to her ranged round her, and the little twinkling candles of the tiny Christ- mas tree burning one one by one, she laid her head Upon her mother's lap and said: 'I don't know but what, after all, it has been the nicest Christ- mas. Do you remember, mother" she continued, "that she said God sent the doll .to her? I think I like to do God's errands." - -- English Christmas a Merry Hold -1/p. An English Christ:lime isn't a Stu:eager- fest, Tilbury, it's a begginfest. The band playa, but it plays with one hand while i the other one s out for coin. The boys and men sing their Christmas hymns, anal then take a colleetiono and the moon tnag be shining, but you can't set: it through the fog. Some of the rail- way stations are decorated, and you've scarcely had time to remark that you think it's a very beautiful custom when an itehing palm appears between you and the holly. The postman Pays, "Mer - 1 y Christmas," tettd waits for you to be generoue, and the lamplighter, end the paper boy, eitul the man who delivere grrocerees, and the boy from the eake- shop. Negev) follow you wherever you 20, and aervante whom you never Snut before bob up in numbers And out in the sti etat, whenever you hoar anyone say "Merry Christnitne," you mechanieally put your hand in your pocket. It isn't Chriatmae, Tilbury; it's an organized There was little in the outward 'life of Bethlehem on that ever memorable night in the long ago to indicate that the event in which all the converging lives of the past met, and which formed a new era in the world's history, was about to "-take place. Men and women pursued their wonted round heedless of that which would invest their little city with an immortal halo and make it the centre of the world's adoration. And in the larger world the coming event created scarcely a ripple in the stagnant pool. Men of high defree and low knew not and cared not that the promise of the cen- turies was to be fulfilled, and that the Christ was to be born in the city of David. * * * • The event which to heedless men with faced turned earthward seemed unim- portant was one of the things "which the a»gels desire to look into." The going ot the Son of God to tabernacle among men for their redemption stirred the heavenly hosts. That Ho should lay side His glory and dwell as a man among men was an event pregnant with far reaching issues. It was the dawning of a new and brighter day for the world. The first born of the sons of light was to bridge the gulf between earth and heaven, and the name by which the children of men in all the coming centuries were to know Him was that sweet name Immanuel, "which being interpreter is God with us." • * * One sometimes wishes that he could read this marvellous story of the birth of Christ for the first time. Our very familiarity with it has to some extent dimmed its beauty. And yet it would be stiangely seared and calloused heart that could read that wonderful story without a thrill. We see the Shekinah glory gleaming forth from the sky in the quiet midnight hour and filling the humble shepherds with an agony of fear. We hear the Evangel spoken by angelic lips, "Fear not; for behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unti you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." And then we hear the burstin gforth of the angelic choir into that gladdest, sweetest song that ever woke the echoes of this gray old world: "Glory to God in the highestw, and on earth peace, good will toward men." * * * The music of that angel song is death- less. It tells us of God's seeking and saving love. It tells us of peace between God and man and between man and his fellows. It gives us a glimpe into the great heart of infinite love. It rebukes our cross and vulgar selfishness. Noth. Mg can so speedily burn the ingrained se'lislinesa out of our souls ao a vision of the Son of God born in a stable into a life of perpetual self-renunciation which terminated on the cross. Amid the din and clamor of the world's carnage and war and self-seeleing the message has often been but feebly heard. But it has never entirely vanished, and as each new Christmas day comes we hear anew the melody with its soul -stirring appeal call- ing us to a higher, nobler, more Christ - like life. And that message which bide hate and selfishneee begone is gaining in power as the years go on, for we are coming to see that it is only as its music sings itself into our lives that the world can be trithaformed from a great battlefield into the home of inen of all ranks and classes united in the bonds of happy brotherhood. * 4* In the midst of the Christmasjoys let our ears be attuned to eat& the deeper meaning of the angel song. Im- inantiel--God with us! . Christ in our hearts, in our hoines, in our daily tasks .---our whole life in all its manifold Tillages shot through with Itis presence. Let us not make the fatal blunder of the men of old who crowded the Christ into the gable. Let US give Him His rightful place in our lives. Mid let us see to it that we do not go back from the joy and gladness and feasting of the Christmastide to the old Heels of dreary and sordid selfishness for Ile whose ad- v,..st, the Angels heralded with glad atelaim Caine "not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give Hits life a railiont for the many."--Presbyteriem sszern- Lgssor XIL—DEC. 22, egoe. Christmas Lesson.—Matt, 2: ooz, Commentary.—I, The coming of the wiso men (vs. 1,2.) I. When Jesus was born—While the exact date of Christ'e birth is uncertain there is no reason why it may not Wage been 'on December 25th, 13. C. 5. But why do we s•ay that Jesus was born "before Christ'"? Simply be. cause our calendar is incorrect, For some centuries after Christ's time there was no °Wender in general use, but each nation dated from some event 1 it his- tory. Finally, in the sixth century, a learned monk, Dionysiue Exiguus, was appointed to ascertain the time of Christ's birth, and it was ordered. that history should be dated from that time, But Dionysius, who first published his calculations in A. 1). 526, put the birth of Jesus about feur years too late. In Bethlehem—"House of bread," "A name properly applied to a place where the true Bleed was manifested for the life of the world."—Clarke. Of Judaea—To distinguish it from Bethlehem in Galilee, mentioned in Josh. 19; 15. Herod— Herod the Great. He was an Edomite, and. although a preselyte to the Jewish religion, was notorious for his wicked - n085 and cruelty. He reigned thirty- seven years in Judea and died a, few months after the birth of Christ. At this time "the scepter was departing from Judah, a sign that the Messiah was now at hand." Wise inen—Or magi. "Orig- inally a class of priests amotag the Per- sians and Medes, who formed the king's privy counsel." They were men of learning and wealth. Augustine and Chrysostom say there were twelve magi, but the common belief is that there were but three. But why were these magi seeking the Christ? "We ,now that the Persian nuagi believed in a Messiah or future Saviour, who should in the latter day appear and renew the world in righteousness."—Whedon, From the east —Perhaps from Media, or Persia, or possibly, from Arabia. To Jerusalem— They seemed to suppose that when they reached the capital of the Jewish nation they would have no trouble in finding the object of their search. 2. Where is he—This inquiry in Jeru- salem brought Jesus into -popular notice and called attention to the fact that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Born King of the Jews—This was a title unknown to the earlier history of Israel and applied to no one except the Mes- siah. It reappears in the inscription over the croes.—Carr. Notice that Jesus was "born" a king. His star—Many inter- preters, especially those who seek to eliminate the supernatural, explain the "star," or "sidereal appearence," by a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which occurred in May. 13. C. 7, and again in December with Mars added. It is, however, much more in harmony with all the facts th believe that the star which attracted the attention of the magi was provided for the occasion. To worrship him—To do him homage. They were bold to confess the object of their coming. II. Light from the Scriptures (vs. 3-6). 3. Had heard—The magi had created no small stir by their inquiries, which im- mediately atttraeted the attention of the king. Troubled—Herod, now sunk into, the jealous/ decrepitude of his sav- age old age, was residing in his new pal- ace on Zion, when, half maddened as he was already by the crimes of his past career, he was thrown into a fresh pal• oxysm of alarm and anxiety by the visit of these magi, bearing the strange M- telligence that they had come to worship a new-born king.—Farear. Herod feared e rival. All Jerusalem with him—Fear- ing that he would make this an occasion of renewing his acts of bloodshed. 4. Had gathered—He assembled the San- hedrin.—Lightfoot. Chief priests—This expression probably gemprehends the acting high priest and his deputy, those who had been high priests—for at this time the office was often transferred by the Roman authorities—and "the heads of the twenty-four sacerdotal fam- ilies," which David had distributed in so many courses." Ceribes—The learned in- terpreters of the Mosaic law, and the collectors of the traditions of the elders. alany of them were Pharisees—Demand- ed of them—Because they would be most likely to know. Where the Christ (R. V.)—Or the Messiah, the official title of the promised deliverer. "The wise men had said nothing about the Christ, or the Messiah, bile only about the King of the Jews. Batt Herod saw that this king must he the expected Messiah.". 5. 13y the prophet—Micah 5, 2. Mat- thew do -es notquote the exact words found in Micah, but the sense is given. It Was an accepted truth that the Mes- siah must come from Bethlehem. 6. Art in no wise least (R. V.) —Micah says, "Though thou be little among the thou. sands of .Judah, yet nut of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." This made Bethlehem "in no wise least." Although Bethlehem was little, yet it was exalted above all the other cities of Wad. The princes— "The thousands" (Micah 5, 2). 'The tribe had been subdivided into thong:ands; and over each subdivision there was a chief- tain or prinee.—Morison. A governor— To control and rule. Who shall be shep- herd (R. V.)—To feed and care for, as a shepherd his flock. Christ s both elltep- herd and King. My people Israel—Israel was God's people in a peculiar sense. They were His own peculiar treasure. III. The intrigue of Herod (vs. 7, 8)• 7. Privily called—Herod desired to keep the time of Christ's birth as secret as possible lest the Jews who hated Hint should take occasion to rebel. Enquired of them diligently --"Learned of them exactly." —R. V. He inquired of tatent the exact time and received positive in- formation as to the time the star ap- peared. Assuming that the star appeared when the cleilcl was born he would thus have some klea of the age of the child 8. Ile sent them! ---119 assumed control; but they followed the directions of the Lord. Search diligently —Herod was honest in making this tbarge to them; he greatly desired to receive definite word concerning the new Xing, And worship Him also — What hypeerisyl He only wished to find the child in or. (1'i to murder bint (vs. 13, 16); be was crafty and subtle, saying one thing and meaning another. But God did not per. mie him to earry out his purpose. IV. Guided by the star (ve. 9, 10). 9. The star.. went before theta—The Stelae star which they had seen in their owu country now again appeare. Tho star had disappeared for a time and this led them to impart) in Jerusalem for the young Xing whom they sought, Sup. ernaturel helps should not be expected where, iordinary means are to be had Stood over—The star pointed out the very housee—Benso. 10. They rejoiced —The Greek is, very emphatic, They rejoiced exceedingly because they saw they were about. to find the ellik1 Mid because they had such unmietakttble proof of 'being in divine order. 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MARION & MARION i Patent Expert:: and Selleitore. ; f New York Life Irld'fr, Montreal( °Memel 1 Atlantic Bhig,Washingtan.12,,,C.t .01.101,.........0.••••••••• • • 1.• .... kneels and puts ars head between his knees, his forehead at the same time touching the ground. It was used to ex. 'nese both civil and religious reverenee." —Clarke. Gifts—The people of the East did not approach into the preseeth ot kings without bringing them presents. The custom still prevails in mane places. Gold, etc. —Gold would alwaya be useful, while frsenkinceose and nyrrlt were prized for their delicious frag- rance. These were the very presents Isaiah mentioned: "All they from She- ba shall come• they shall bring gold and incense" asa. 60. 6) "Incense, or frankincense, is a resinous gum, flow- ing from a tree, gashed for the pur- pose, growing in Arabia and Lebanon. Myrrh is also a gum obtained from it tree in Arabia." Whedon. 12. Warned of God in a dream— God communicated his purpose to them in a manner that they understood and the impression or conviction was so clear that they at once obeyed. Another way —They could easily go east from Beth- olehret,mhand thus- leave Jerusalem on the n PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. I. A place ef salvation. "Now when Jesus was born" (v. 1.) "Thou shalt call Itis name Jestes" (Matt. 1; 21,) A luau's name represents his character. Ilerodat name is a synonym for cruelty, Abra- ham's for faith, Stephen's for martyr- dom. ,Tolin's for love, Jesus' for salva- tion. His name ha:s power to save. A brave cavalry officer, dying of his wounds, thought himeelf oe the field at the head of his gallant men, and that an enemy's gun was in front of them ready to be fired. He was greatly distressed. At the mention of the name of Jesus Ids agitation ceased, his delirium poem' away; a smile lit up his- pale face, and a he said in a low tone, "Jesus. Jesus! It is lie who said: "Conic unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!" I want rest; I am weary." The name of Jesus saved him from delirium, and he was restful and happy until his spirit took ats flight to God. Jesue is Mile to save "to the ut- teranost;" (Heb. 7; 25); able to save from the power ef sin as well as it pen- alty (Rom. 6; 2, 14); able to keep us front all unrighteousness (1 John 1; 7), •and able to "keep" us clean (Judo 24). IL A place of obscurity. "In Beshle- hem" (v, I.) An hisignifiettut village, not mentioned among the many towns at the thne of the division of the land - "In a maeger" (Luke 2; 7.) -Not in a. palace, not in a house of luxury, not in It cottage surrounded by brightness, but in a limestone (Ave, did the Christ-ehild open it% infant eyes ta earth. Was this to teach how little God cares for exter- nals? That the- Christly heart will not covet gaudy aurroundings! That jolts has a tender sympathy for the poorest? Tilullos tatttvIriee4Wpteisofliow him will choose t III, A place of cruelty, "In the days of Herod the king" (v. 1.) Jesus came a stranger to thia world; there was tin room for him in the inn (Luke 2; 7-) Herod hunted him (v. 7.) His own par- ents "understood not" his youthful as Orations (Luke 2; 49); his own tOWns- Meil reieetea him {Luke 4; 29); ha had not where to lay his head (Matt. 8; 20> dotal 1, 53; 8, 1); hia ewn poepie storied him (John lb, 31); one of his own dieeis plea betreyed hint (ITatt. 26; 14, 15)r Jews Rid Goutilos -conspired to crutify him (Luke 22, 6(3; 28, 1, 12). All the 'Way from the cradle to the treat he met with 'cruelty. • a .! t!'1.