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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1928-12-20, Page 7THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE CHAPTER I. Boding Buys a Ranch <7/ie Sunday School Wesson By CHARLES G. TRUMBULL, Litt. D. (Editor of tiro Sunday School Times) CHRISTMAS LESSON: THE BIRTH OF JESUS December 23.—Luke 2:1-20 The scorching rays of the noon­ day sun beat down upon the Neva­ da desert. Across the waste two tiny specks moved. Save for them all life seem­ ed dead. Both horses and men were gray with dust. The men’s throats were bricky dry; and yet the taller ,i3f the two hummed a song. Ahead of them green trees beckoned. Abruptly they began climbing the bench lands. The country of the Little Washoe burst upon them. Par­ adise Valley spread out in a gigan­ tic horseshoe. A range, the Santa Rosas, banked three sides of it, the Sever-failing willows marking where Rebel Creek camo tumbling' out of the Hills at the apex of the horse­ shoe. Tired and thirsty as he was, the tall man stopped for a brief second to appaise that wonderful valley. “Ain’t that a sweet country, Shorty?*’ he murmured to the short Bhndy-legged man, hard of face and ‘JWkw of speech, wno rode beside him. Shorty’s answer was a grunt. He glanced with a trace of annoyance it the sauvo, whimsical Buck. The grass was good in the buttes. They camped there. For two nights ■'hey had watched the twinkling, lights which marked the little town of Paradiso. The lure was insistent, and on the third evening they rode into the twon and to Be.nayides’ Bar. Buck and Shorty edged to the bar and waited. One-eyed Manuel, the Mexican bartender, was busy else­ where. The delay ?rked Bodine. Catching the butt of his glowing eigaret between thumb and forfinger lie shot it stuight as a bullet into Manuel's face. Manuel’s hand trembled as lie set mt the glasses for the two strangers. He smiled evilly. The incident had passed quite un­ noticed by the crowd. Wash Tay­ lor, a ragged old mule-skinner, had been one of the very few to observe .it. He laughed nmmoderately. When Buck bade him drink, he ac­ quiesced with alacrity. Bodine drew from the old skinner -he complete history of the valley. “I’m sort of lookin’ round for a place," Buck was saying. “If I could find a small ranch hereabouts at the right place, I might be inter­ ested." “The. only place for sale in this hull valley is the old Webster ranch. No water there, at nil now. Used to be plenty in the old days.” Wash drained his glass. “Used to be some place then. Hank •owned due west, from where Rebel Creek forked into the Webster. He had all the water. A cloudburst ■changed that over night. When it wall all over, Hank found the mouth of the Webster damned up like a mason had done'the job. Rebel Creek has been some stream ever since." “What happened to Hank?" Buck demanded. “Oh, Hank gave up the ship. He's runniu’ a store down in Golconda, ■accordin’ to the last report.” Shorty and Buck came down from the hills and camped at the deserted ranch. On the morning of the se­ cond day Buck called Shorty to his .side. “I’m going into Winnemucca and have a look at the county records. If .old Webster made a fling on his water rights, I'm going to buy him •out. If I go to Golconda. to see Webster, I may bo gone a week., If I don’t come back by then, you find Gloomy and go over into the Mal­ heur Lake country.” Five days later Bodine returned. Behind him lumbered a freighter, bringing the tools and necessaries of life. Shorty shook his head. No •need to ask; Bodine had done as he had said he would. wrinkled, leathery Mariano, his mo- zo, or house-boy, came on the run. Jom sent for refreshments. “By the way,” and Acklin’s big, blue eyes contracted until they seem­ ed to shade to grey, “have you .seen the fellow who bought the old Web­ ster* place?” ■ “Several times. He's here today, down at the corral. Esteban and the vaqueros are breaking horses.” A little tot of six, unnoticed by them as they talked, 'had felt his way upon tlm verandah. He was a beau­ tiful child. His brown, staring eyes made a mute appeal to friend and foe. For close to five years, Jose had been both father and mother to the little blind Basilio. From the fence at the end of the patio, a magpie scolded in raucous tones. Basilio knew that particular magpie. In a lash he slid off the steps and ran down the groveled walk of the, patio. When he had almost reached tlie fastnesses of the vine-covered fence, a black head bobbed up beyond it, and calling again, dashed up a side­ path of the garden, with the boy in keen pusuit. It was the Senorita Mercedes. In answer to her father’s call she came up the steps truculently, the hoy hanging on to the ribbons of her dress. The old Basque caught up Basilio and said goodbye to his guest, plead­ ing the need of his presence else­ where. Jose, knew that, extreme youth and old age are not hand­ maidens to love. Acklin held up a small package. He waved it in front of her eyes, as one does with a toy for a child. Mer­ cedes clapped her hands joyfully. “You like me so much mister?" she said. “You know I do. This little pres­ ent came all the way from the city.” “City” in that country meant San Francisco. From the tissue-paper. Mercedes drew forth a tiny vanity-case. She tried to release the small compartment that held the powder- puff.- Acklin retf'Ched' out his hand to help her. She felt his fingers pressing her own. In -a flash she jerked her hand away. “You’re foxy, huh, like the Senor Bodine?” she cried. “Oh, damn Bodine," Acklin rasp­ ed out. “Eavesdroppers hear no good of themselves,” a voice answered in unctuous sweetness. Mercedes and Acklin turned'. Bo­ dine lounged against a pillar at the end of the verandah. “I sure don’t know I was intrud­ ing on any party, Senorita. I just came up to say good-bye. I broke that bad grey for Esteban. That caballo’Il be gentle enough for you to ride, now.” Acklin got to his feet. “Well, I guess I’ll get my hat. and run along,” he said1, in that tired way which was common with him. “Which way you going?” Bodine asked. “Back to the Bull’s Head.” “I'll side you as far as the Web­ ster, if you have no objection.” “No harm in that,” Acklin an­ swered. “Come along.” in Surely our first thought first word on Christmas should be, “Thanks unto His unspeakable gift” (II Christmas in the home with young children, Gohlen Text For unto you is born this day the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ tlie Lord. (Luke 2:11.) WTe celebrate Christinas and give gifts to one another on that day, to commemorate the day of the great­ est gift that ever has been made or ever can be made in time or eter­ nity, when God gave His only begot­ ten Son to sinful men that they might -not perish, but have everlast- ing life, and our morning God for Cor. 9:15). especially with young should be a time when God’s great­ gift is remembered, and talked, about, and, played about, as hearts and voices are lifted in thanksgiving and worship. A mighty Roman Emperor, dom­ inating the inhabited earth, together with the official and world-wide machinery of that empire, were set. in motion in order that a humanly insignificant carpenter and his wife living in Nazareth, should make tlie journey south to Bethlehem and be there on a certain day. “There went out a decree from Caesar Au­ gustus, that all the world should be taxed.” or registered for taxation, to obey this decree every one had to go to his own city for such enrol­ ment, which meant Joseph going from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Luke’s record, with the accuracy of a great historian, adds that “Cyrenius was Governor of Syria” at this time. The Cjdtics used to question all this, with their usual depreciation of the Bible record,- until Sir William M. Ramsay made archaeological re­ searches that, corroborated in every detail Luke’s record of the Birth at Bethlehem. And1 the critics were silent, as they always are when arch­ aeology and cpiticsm come to close quarters. There is a sense in which the en- . Old Testament was written for stupendous moment of history, 1 first Christmas Day. Christ, is theme of the whole Bible, Old ■ Testament and New. From the day of Adam’s fall, God and angels and God’s people on earth looked for­ ward to the birth of ‘tlie last. Adam’ i who was to restore and more than restore, the ruin wrought by the first man, Adam. Hence it is not surprising, though few realize this important fact, that thirty-five of the thirty-nine books in the Old Testament contribute to the first five chapters (chronologically speak­ ing) of the New Testament. The . Sunday School Times publishes in its Christmas number a remarkable article on “The Old Testament in the Birth of Christ,” showing what a wealth of material from the Old. re­ appears in the Nativity Narratives. Bethlehem, for example, was rich in Old Testment historical events, tire this the the to fork a Nature changed I’ll do it There is notli- CHAPTER II Addin Buys A Ranch In a thinly settled country, where overy urao’s,movements are marked, news spreads quickly. People talked and wondered about Bodine. Of all those who watched and won- -dered, no one was more interested that lL.'k Acklin, the Big Boss of the Double A. He had been quite con­ tent to see old man Webster go. For ten years the Double A hud taken both It* own and his share of water from Rebel Creek. He stood it as long as he could; and tin a, instead of bearding Bodine lie rode to the Rancho Buena Vista to see the Senor Arnascada. Jose was the most powerful of the Basque gente. The quiet, half-darkened house was a relief to Acklin after the hoise and glare of the Bull’s Head. Jose led him to the patio, where cool zeph­ yrs seemed eternally playing. The •old man clapped his hands, and the Two Schemers Meet Buck was the. first to break the silence. “These foreigners, seem to be damned prosperous around here, they? From your nest at the Bull’s Head, these ranches down here must look pretty sweet. What a place this valley would be to fatten cattle in. And to think that you could have had it for a song.” Bodine clucked his tongue at the pity of it. “Well?” Acklin’s patience was running out. “Those Basques have got the wa­ ter that belongs to me' by rights. You know that Acklin.” “Why doil’t you .go after it, then? “I’m going after it. Don’t you worry about that. And if you’re half as wise as I think you are, A<k- lin, I’ll get it. “You and I can get every inch of water there is in the creek. And we’ll make the law help us. I’ll get the water I need, and you’ll get enough to irrigate the entire upper end of the valley. Now, if you’re willing to talk turkey, you come to tuy place in the morning. Think it over. No need telling you what I’vo got on my mind, if you’re not interested.,.. I’m going to leave you here .... Adios.” Acklin rode on. When he reach­ ed the Bull’s Head he retired to the little room that served him as an of­ fice,. and smoked many pipefuls of Hee, and smoked many pipefuls of astuteness of Mr. Bodine, In the dean blue and white morn­ ing Acklin rode to Webster Creek. “All right, Acklin,” Bodine an­ swered in reply to the other’s ques­ tion. “I’ll put my cards on the table., I-Iere they are. I’m going to turn that water back into the Webster! I’ve been over the spot where the creeks used hundred times, that water in one night, quicker than that, ing but sand and small rock there. Two days after it is done no man on earth can prove that old lady Nature didn't twist it for the second time. My boys will be here in a- d'ay or two, they'll do this job. ’ They won’t talk either. I’ll tip you oft the night I intend to do it. You be there, or send your foreman. Just so I’ll know I don’t stand alone.” Bodine bent over and picked up a stick. With it he drew in sand at his feet a rough map of the valley. “It’s almost due east from here to the old forks of these, creeks. But right here, just as Webster Creek neared the other one, it turned north For almost half a mile they paral­ leled each other before they met. Your line follows this creek across the valley, only it keeps straight on j right into those foothills. That | means that Webster Creek flowed I - through your property for half mile. the Rachel died there; it was the home of Ruth and Boaz; David was born there, and there he was anointed King. The name Bethlehem means, “the House of Bread,” and here the Bread of Life was born. “That which was the granary of Jerusalem now’ gives to the word Him who will feed the human race for all genera­ tions upon the Bread that, cometh down from Heaven, which, if u man eat thereof, he shall never die." Joseph's wife Mary was with him, and at Bethlehem “she .• brought forth her first born son.” But Jo­ seph was not the father; the preced­ ing’ chapter in Luke gives an inspir­ ed physician’s account of the Virgin conception, by the Holy Spipit, of the Son of God1. Th- Babe was laid in a manager “because there no room for them in the inn.” Was this not acted able of the fact that. “He came His own, and His own received not.” (John 1:11.)? Angels brought shepherds good news. Shepherds are found throughout the Old Testament in significant connections. The first shepherd was Abel, saved by the blood. David was a shepherd. But, “no other shepherd or gj-onp of shep­ herds appears anywhere again in the Now Testament .after tlie Great Shepherd of the sheep Himself! The shepnerds of Bethlehem, watching over ’he sheep intended for the temi<I>> sacrifices lay down their crooks at the manager of the Lamb of G d, who in His death will for­ ever abolish tlie need of 'animal sa- rifiei'.. and after His resurrection will, through all the ages lead His peopl • in and out that they may find P isture,” To these shepherds the angel said “I bring you good tidings of great joy. which shall he to all people.’ Dr. Griffith Thomas used to quote the remimb-r, “The Gospel is not good advii-. but good news.” God did not f.ive a lost world good advice on that first Christmas; He the good news saved, not by Him. but by them through never God‘, hut what God has done for us. Thai 's tlie unto you is of David <a the Lord.’ It has been said that the shep­ herd- showed true faith in tlieir re­ sponse to this announcement. ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,” they said, “and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Might not some of us, if we had been there hav-. said: “Let us now go and see if This thing is come to pass?” There is a vast diference between the “if” and the “is” in those two sentences, hut when the Lord makes anything known unto us by His Word, may we be as believing as were the Beth­ lehem shepherds, and rejoice that whatever* God has declared is come to pass. Then every day will be a Christmas Day of Good News to us and to those about us. That’s right, ain’t it?” (To be Continued) Zurich The. Misses Al phonsene and cilia Ducharme of the Blue Water Highway, left for London where they have accepted positions. The local hydro istaff under the able superintendancy of Mr. Lamp­ man, are re-building the business section of the local system. Messrs. Henry Krueger and Wil- i Winter Pris- tells us liain Kaerclier attended the Pair at Guelph. Miss Lorin da Scliach is spe week with her sister Mrs. ingood, at Bridgeport (Mrs. E. E. Woido was in C pur­ lin to Him THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1928 the Rogers ^Four Hundred” Highboy Dcvdoped this year’as ike result of a definite demand for a Rogers Highboy Model. Automatic Voltage Control, Rogers Output Filter and Phonograph ^‘Plug-in’’ Jack. Genuine Walnut Cabinet, Price, complete.........$2, JustP/ud in -than Time in a “Rogers” brought i that sinners could be doing good works for His great work for His Son. The Gospel what we are to do for Christmas message: ‘For born this day in the city Saviour, which is Christ recently, Mrs. Weido, who had been visiting there for a few days return­ ed with him. Messrs. Herb Mousseau. Gib. Koeh­ ler and Well. Johnston, are away on a wild goose hunt to Canralache. Mrs. IT. IT. Cowen, who has been in London Hospital undergoing an operation for appendicitis, has suf­ ficiently improved to be able to re­ turn to her home. Mr. Wm. Lamont motored to For­ est and visited with his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Braun. Messrs. Edwin Gascho, Ivan Yung- blut were visitors- in Kitchener re­ cently. Mr. James Johnston, a former resident of this section and now of Alberta called on Zurich friends re­ cently. Mrs. W. L. Siebert is visiting lier daughter. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Major, of Toronto. ■ final oratorical contest, in the for the eight presbyteries in County, held in connection The series Huron with the Young People’s Societies the United church took place in Clin­ ton. Contestants and tlieir subjects were: Carl Johnston, of Bluevale, “Church and Amateur Sports"; Wm. "iMcNay, of Egmondville, “Foreign ‘ (Missions—A Field for ’ Service”; I Miss Edna Ritchie, of Ashfiold Town­ ship; “Why Go to Church?”; Miss Jean Smith, , of Egmondville, 1 "The Horae Field—A Call to Young People.” The decision was in favor of Wm. McNay for the boys and Miss Edna Ritchie for the girls and in the final contest Miss Riteliio was de­ dared the winner. The winners and runners-up were presented with sil­ ver and bronze medals, respective­ ly. Miss Ritehie will now represent Huron County in the Oratorical Con­ test at the United Church conference which will be held in London. -. ling a S. Liv- ’ rich Solemn Truth Wo stand amazed the while we This race we know as human For clothes wo notice, make the man And lack of them, the woman. scan If you’re planning to say “Merry Christmas” to your family with a Radio—say it with a Rogers and be sure. Years before any other electric radio was successfully marketed anywhere on this Continent there were thousands of Rogers- Batteryless Radios in every day use right across Canada. The Rogers has been tried, tested, perfected and more Rogers- Batteryless Radios are sold than all other electric sets combined. Just ask the owner of a jour-year-old Rogers-Batteryless how he likes it and what service he has had! There is nothing, in all the world of gifts, that will bring the spirit of Christmas into your home like a Radio. And the programs that will flood the air during the holiday season will more than compensate you for the small cost of a Rogers. “Four Twenty” TaMe Model ; Same radio equipment as the "Four r icCkzA* Hundred” Highboy, without Speaker. 5 Bp Genuine Walnut cabinet by Mal- colm. Price complete (except Loud Speaker)..........................$1G5-OO Come in, choose the new 1929 Model you want, and insure get­ ting it for Christmas by making a small deposit now. The balance can be arranged c-n terms to suit your convenience. REV. T. W. KLATCHFORD PASSES AWAY AT HOME IN LAMBETH Taught fore at I-Iensall and Ex* Entering* the Ministi1 Thomas W. Blatclif me ite di is. wa­ a da late ter far: The fam ,ys ; now on ( wid !1 Be- A. m- in­ h in nd, . re- -Irn- thh hiel: h1 •at. Mr. mil ted rv- Jiza- /iwn u in of Rev. veteran member of the L ference of the United Cli ada, and former mil Bible Christian church day at his residence following a long illnes Rev. Mr. Blatchford Okehampton, Devonshire on November 9. 185 0. child, lie came to Car father, tlie late John I spected pioneer of Ext sail, and settled on a district in 1852. then comprised ten br girls, was very well-h early days in this secti and gained for itself Before entering the minis* Blatchford taught school a* and Exeter, and later g: from Toronto University, i ed his probationary period owel. He married Miss Mar belli McExers, of a wt Cambourne family, in that 1883. He was a prominent m*.-.. the Bible Christian Church ’ . Lon­ don at the time of the chur< k "inion in 1884 and was minister ‘ the Wortley Road Church of ’rL.t de­ nomination, the following < /?< hes uniting; the Methodist Epi- <>pal, Methodist Primitive, the 'nxada Methodist and the Bible Uh/Ltian. Had Many Uhayges The. deceased was a preacher in the follow and districts: London Lambeth, Ashburnham, Cambourne, Clinton, Strathi thaville, Comber, West Wheatley, Tbamesville. Rip] WllS' m< tarn, Centralia and Br He was for 40 years the London church conferen in June. 1918, when in chargi Lambeth Church, was super ccl* His illness dated fi ination of the war sons-—Capt. T. L. Blatchford—were a blow from which ho novel fully recovered, Since his superannua­ tion he had resided in Lambeth. Surviving him are two sons rind a daughter, coo, D. H. and Mrs. Calgary. sisters also^survive: Dr. Geo. Blatch­ ford, of Flint, Mich.; Riclnrl, of Hensail, Frank of Exeter, Joseph, of Windsor and Dr. Benjamin Blatch­ ford, of Salem, Virginia and Mrs. G. Brown, of Hensail and Mrs. D. Thomson, of Toronto. Funeral services were held Lambeth on Saturday afternoon 2 p.m. Rev. Mr. Crouch, of Lam­ beth officiated. Address -will ho given by Rev. G. N. Hazen; Rev. I-I. J. Uren, chancellor of the Con­ ference. Burial was made in Mourn. Pleasant Cemetery. London. L- at at. STAFFA The monthly meeting of the La­ dies' Aid of the United church w s held on Thursday afternoon with .a large, attendance, at the home of Mrs. D. Bruce. The president, Mrs. A. W. Morris presided. Tlie follow­ ing offices were elected for the on- suing year: president, Mrs. O. W. Reid; vice-pres.. Mrs. A. Smale; se­ cretary-! rea-mrer, Mrs. W. J. Fell pianist. Mrs. B. Snell; auditors, Mrs. A. Jeffrey and Mrs. A. Smal-e. A vote of thanks was moved the retiring president, Mrs. A. Morris; The meeting closed by singing a. hymn and repeating the Mispah bene­ diction. after which the hostess se w­ ed a dainty lunch. Mr. and Mrs. William Jeffrey at­ tended the funeral of the late- Mrs. Paynter in St. Marys on Saturday. Henry Currie of Glencoe, is visiting with Mr. and Mr>. Jus. Borbour. Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Morris were tn. London on Monday. Kushand Was Afraid She Was GettingW( l.-n.ViWll C. V. Blatchord, of Sim- Blatchford, B.A F. G. Buchanan Five brothers , Toronto, , ILA . of and two I Mrs. Charles Edwards, R.R. No. 2^. Wheatley, Ont., writes:-—“Last winter I. was bothered, with a very bad cold, and my husband was afraid I was* getting pneumonia. “(hie day one of my neighbors came in and she suggested that I. try Wood’s Norway Rsie Sy and. I was greatly I I took a few doses relieved, “I also relieved my son, aged nine, of the eroup. “I will never bo without a Imttlf* of *Dr. Wood's’ in the. liouw, m.<! 1 can­ not recommend it too highly. ’’ Price 35c. a bottle; large riej’y sw© 60o. at all druggists and di'ii’v- Put up only by The T ?-o.P Ltd., Toronto, Ont.