THE WISDOM OF THE SHEPHERDS.
THERE are four things in the conduct of the shepherds to whom the angels announced the birth of Christ, which are to be earnestly commended:— 1. As soon as they received the message, they said one to another, "Let us now go and see this thing which the Lord hath made known to us." Whenever truth is urged upon the mind it should be candidly examined at once. When we feel a good impulse within us we may know that it is from the same source as the message which came to the shepherds, and if followed, it will lead us to the same Christ. II. "And they came with haste." They not only resolved to go, but they went and with haste. One decisive act is worth a hundred resolutions. It is better to do the good thing now, than resolve to do it next year. The present moment is vastly better than the more convenient season. III. "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad what they had found." Many professing Christians keep all they get of Christ to themselves; an easy matter in such cases, for they do not get much. How much better like the shepherds to tell it to others in such an earnest way that "all they that heard it wondered." IV. "And they returned glorifying and praising God." It meant something to them to have found Christ. Their lives were filled with joy and praise, and it might and should always be so. And yet how few Christians' lives really abound in joy. How many are really dark and gloomy. Such lives have room for a great deal more of Christ in them.—Golden Rule.