Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · May 1, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 18.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

First Evening's Study.

"Come, mother," said Brother Eldred one Friday evening, as the yellow sun was sinking behind the mountains, "call the children, and let's begin those Bible studies on the Christ-life we've been talking about so long;" and in another five minutes children's feet were heard beating a cheerful tattoo on the stairs, in answer to mother's call; and six as rosy children as ever gladdened a happy home came quietly into the sitting-room.

Tom and Tillie, the twins, were almost seventeen. Brother Eldred generally referred to them as the "beginning of his strength"—and strong and cheery young people they were, indeed. Then came Alice and Jack; they were not twins but were almost always together; Florence was nine, she came next, holding by the hand little Margaret who was only six.

"O, goody!" cried a chorus of eager voices. "That will be so nice," said Tillie; "we have been studying the subject all the week, hoping you would be home, so we could begin our readings this evening; so I hope you will find us somewhat prepared, father."

"Are they going to be like those at Brother Hartman's, that mama read about in the SIGNS?" repeated little Margaret, clapping her chubby hands, as she ran to her favorite seat on the strong, broad arm of mama's rocker.

"Yes, you've guessed it, little one," smiled papa, "you know mama and I have been planning this for a long time. Are you all ready, Tom, my boy? if so, we might begin by reading the beautiful account of the birth of the Christ-child, as given by Matthew. Mother, will you read the first and second verses of the second chapter?"

" 'Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him.' "

"Now, I would like you, children, to find the city of Bethlehem on this map," smiled Brother Eldred, as he hung up a fresh, bright map of the holy land. "Come, Jack, you're eleven years old; I think you will be able to find the place quite readily."

"I'm almost twelve, sir; and I know where it is; for sister and I looked it up the other day, when we were studying the Sabbath-school lesson. It is just a little way south of Jerusalem,—not more than five or six miles, I think."

"Well done, Jack, but I believe the city of Bethlehem has another name—what was it once called? Tillie, do you remember?"

"I'm afraid I've forgotten, father, but I'll ask mother to answer for me."

"It was formerly called Ephrath, or Ephratah, and also Bethlehem-Judah. It must have been a very ancient city, even in the days of Christ, I think," replied her mother; "but Tom knows more about the history of this city than I do, I think; for I heard him telling what he had read about it the other day. What did you learn, Tom?"

"I learned that it is one of the oldest cities in Palestine. It is mentioned in the thirty-fifth chapter of Genesis as being the birthplace of Benjamin, and the city near which Rachel died—that was about 1700 years before Christ. Then, it was in this same city of Bethlehem, or Bethlehem-Judah as it was then called, that Naomi lived with her beautiful daughter Ruth, the Moabitess, about 400 years after Rachel died, or near 1300 years before Christ."

"David was born here, wasn't he, Tom?" interrupted Alice.

"Yes, it was the birthplace of the great king David. I presume, maybe, it was on account of this that he once wanted some one to bring him a drink of water from the well by the city gate, where he used to play when a child. I suppose he thought no other water would taste quite so sweet to him as this. Then, about 975 years before Christ, the city was fortified by King Rehoboam."

"Well, what about the inn, Tom?" questioned Tillie, "you are forgetting to mention that, and I heard you reading about it at the time you found the facts you have mentioned."

"You are right, sister; there was an inn, or tavern, in Bethlehem, or just outside, which was called the Inn of Chimham; and it was from this place that travelers generally left Palestine for Egypt, and Smith's Bible Dictionary says that perhaps this was there at the time of the birth of Jesus."

"Very well, Tom, you have made a good beginning at least, in these studies," said Brother Eldred; "I wonder if Tillie can tell us anything about Herod the king?"

"He was not a very amiable man, father, as far as I can learn. He was an Edomite, detested by the people over whom he ruled. He was a Jew by religion and appointed king by the Romans, under whose authority he ruled as tetrarch, or governor, of Galilee. He was hard-hearted, jealous, and ambitious."

"Well, isn't that right, daughter? Isn't it all right to be ambitious?" interrupted her mother.

"Why, yes, I think it's all right to be ambitious in a certain way and to a certain extent, but—"

"Why are you so sure, Tillie, that the ambition of King Herod was entirely wrong?" asked her father.

"Because it led him to murder the helpless children of Bethlehem," replied Tillie earnestly.

"Well, Alice, can you tell us anything else about the character of Herod? I hope sincerely that you can tell us something good about him; it really seems too bad that nothing good can be remembered of the dead."

"I know that's true, father, but I'm afraid I can't. History doesn't give him a good name. I believe mother read that he had caused a number of bloody murders to be committed before the awful massacre of the poor babes of Bethlehem," replied Alice, with a shudder.

"Well, father," said Mrs. Eldred, "I have taught Margie a little poem about the birth of the Christ-child—suppose we listen to it at once."

"That's a very good idea, I am sure; come, little girl, we will listen to your recitation," and the child repeated slowly and plainly:

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

O'er Bethlehem's hills the stars of night Were softly shining, warm and bright; The flocks and herds were sleeping still, On verdant dale and dewy hill, And o'er earth's calm and peaceful breast, A benediction seemed to rest, As tho the whole creation knew, And smiled a welcome warm and true To Him—her long-expected Lord, Foretold by Inspiration's word,— Foretold and sung by seer and sage,— Bright Star of Hope, from age to age. Hark, hark! what strains of music rare Fall softly upon the ambient air? And louder still and still more loud, Bursts from the swift descending cloud; Such glorious notes ring o'er and o'er As weary earth ne'er heard before; Aloud the heavenly heralds sing, While thru the spheres the echoes ring,— "Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good-will to men!" And the heavens caught the glad refrain, And echoed it o'er again. Then up from the hills of glory There echoed the thrilling cry, "Rejoice, O Earth, for the Christ is born! Glory to God on high!"

"That was well done, my child, and I think it will add to the interest of our readings very much if a few verses right on the subject we are studying, be read or recited at our studies."

[This evening's study will be concluded in our next.]