Your ShelfYour Projects

Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 52.

The Child of the Eastern Star

Signs of the Times

Dec 24, 1902

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1902

The Child of the Eastern Star

By Mattie B. Leake

“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.—Matt. 2:1, 2.”
O’er the hills of Judea there’s rustling of wings, And the sound of a glorious song; And great joy for the world in the message that rings Through that beautiful angel throng, For the tidings of peace and redemption to bring They have come from a country afar; And they sing of a Saviour, Redeemer, and King, E’en the Child of the Eastern Star.
Toward the sea beyond Jordan there lies a dark land, And the pall of eternal gloom, Where are wandering souls with no pitying hand To guide them toward heaven and home; When behold midst the darkness there shines a great light,— A light from a country afar, Drives the darkness away and dispels the world’s night,— ’Tis the Child of the Eastern Star.
On the doomed slopes of Calvary, there’s mingling of tears, And the wail of a broken heart For the powers of darkness have compassed their work, And the earth breaks in terror apart. The dear hands oft upraised in compassion and love, And the form they have tried to mar, Are now stilled; and the Lamb they have taken and slain Was the Child of the Eastern Star.
O’er the hilltops of Olivet shineth a cloud; On the earth is a tenantless tomb And grim Death, with its pain and its comfortless shroud, Is reft of its terror and gloom. Sing, O angels! O earth, let your loud praises rise! And echo from near and from far, To the Lord of the earth! to the King of the skies! To the Child of the Eastern Star!
O’er the crumblings of time the “white armies of heaven” Are waiting the summons of God, Soon to follow the Lamb, true and faithful, and clothed With a vesture deep crimsoned in blood. And thy time is at hand, O thou Bride of the King; The gates are already ajar! Hail glorious Bridegroom who comes for His own! O Child of the Eastern Star!
Knoxville, Tenn.
Mattie B. Leake.

BOOKS Topically Arranged

New Books and Tracts

Testimony Volume 7, cloth $0 75, leather $1 25 Things Foretold, board 50 Outlines of Modern Christianity, cloth 75 Essentials of Our Language, cloth 75 Power for Witnessing, cloth $0 75, paper 25 The Boy Puzzle, cloth 75 Sunday in History, paper 50 Two Laws 15

TRACTS

Babylon is Fallen — B.S.L. 169 $0 1½ An Appeal to Baptists — B.S.L. 170 1 Catholic Doctrine—How I Found the True Faith — B.S.L. 171 ½ The Name — A.G.L. 72 1 Unanswerable Propositions — A.G.L. 73 ½ Is Sunday the Sabbath — A.G.L. 75 ½ The Two Ways — A.G.L. 77 ½

Health and Temperance

Home Hand Book, leather $5 25 Ladies’ Guide, cloth 3 50 Man the Masterpiece, cloth 3 50 Science in the Kitchen, cloth 1 90 Art of Massage, cloth 2 25 Every-Day Dishes, board 80 House We Live In, cloth 75 Health, cloth 1 00 Friend in the Kitchen, cloth 60 Natural Food of Man, paper 25

Tracts on same subject

There Is Help in God — A.G.L. 56 $0 ½ The Name — A.G.L. 72 1 Some One Cares for Your Soul — A.G.L. 69 ½ Chat with My Tobacco-Loving Brother — A.G.L. 67 ½ Food: Its Mental and Moral Value — A.G.L. 68 ½

For Young People

Young People’s Library

Two Cannibal Archipelagoes Life on the Kongo Fiji and Samoa Savonarola Letters from the Holy Land Left with a Trust Native Life in India Martin Luther Among the Northern Icebergs John of Wycliffe Tonga Islands and Other Groups Jack the Conqueror or Overcoming Difficulties Per volume, paper $0 25 Per volume, cloth 50 Per set of twelve volumes, cloth, in a box 6 00
Good Form, paper $0 25, cloth 50 Heralds of the Morning, cloth $1 25 and 1 50 House We Live In, cloth 75 Life of Joseph Bates, cloth 35 Making Home Happy, cloth 50 Master’s Monosyllables, cloth 50 My Mother’s Life, cloth 1 00 Power for Witnessing, paper $0.25, cloth 75 Sabbath Readings, Vol. 1 and 3, cloth, each 40 Steps to Christ, cloth 50 Story of Pitcairn Island, cloth 1 00 Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, cloth 75

Signs of the Times

Daniel and the Revelation, cloth $2 50 Heralds of the Morning, cloth 1 25 The Coming King, cloth 1 00 Great Controversy, cloth 2 25 Sure Word of Prophecy, paper 10 Things Foretold, board 50 Empires of the Bible, cloth 1 50 Great Empires of Prophecy, cloth 2 00 Ecclesiastical History, cloth 2 50 Two Republics, cloth 1 75 Marshaling of Nations, paper 10 Great Nations of To-day, paper 25 From Eden to Eden, cloth 1 00 A List of Tracts on this subject sent on application

For the Children

Bible Alphabet $0 25 Animal Alphabet 25 Farmyard Alphabet 25 Wood’s Natural History 50 Best Stories, cloth 75 Black Beauty, cloth 60 Golden Grains, paper 25 Bible Child Life, cloth 50 Things Foretold, board 50 Gospel Primer, cloth 50 Gospel Reader, cloth 75 Christ Our Saviour, cloth 75 Beasts, Birds, and Fishes, board 50 Botany for Children, cloth 1 00 Bound Volumes back numbers Little Friend 50
For any of the above Address Your TRACT SOCIETY, or Pacific Press Publishing Co. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 11 W. 20th Street, New York City 18 W. 5th Street, Kansas City, Mo.

We Want Agents for E-Z WASHING TABLETS

We offer a good commission to those who will put in full time canvassing for them. Easy to sell because they do all we claim for them. Easy to handle because we make the terms right.
A pointer from an agent: “The Washing Tablets duly received. Every one speaks in the highest praise of them. I hope to find many new customers. They certainly do all that you claim for them.”
Another: “I sold $2.60 worth in two and one-half hours. I can dispose of lots of them after I get well started.”
Agents' samples and terms FREE for 2-cent stamp. Write to-day.
Address, ALFRED MALLETT, Nyack, New York
NOTICE: We have now no general agent on the Pacific Coast. Agents will do well to order direct from us. Send for terms and exclusive territory.

A Wealth of Beauty for 8 Cents

By James Vick

WHITE STAR CLIMBER

Exquisitely fine foliage, dainty white flowers, very fragrant. Rapid grower, completely covering window in short time, forming a delicate, light-green curtain. Every one is delighted with this treasure. Blooms all winter, and after being cut down and planted outdoors will grow fifteen feet over porch. To introduce our new Catalogue will send this plant and Catalogue for only four 2-cent stamps (plant alone worth more than double). This is a special offer. Write to-day.
Landreths' Elegantly Illustrated Catalogue for 1903 will be especially attractive. All varieties proving worthless have been cut out and new Novelties of Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, Shrubs, and Trees added. Mailed free on application.
I should like to mail each of my old customers and friends a Catalogue, as I am prepared to fill orders promptly and satisfactorily.
JAMES VICK Manager Mail Order Department
D. Landreth & Sons — PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Buy Seeds that Succeed

The Good Health Adjustable Waist

Affords ease, comfort and health. Retains symmetry and grace of the natural form. Its use will add years of pleasure to a woman's life. It dispenses with the corset. Supports all garments without harmful pressure. No stays to break. Thousands sold. Satisfaction guaranteed. Write for circular and prices. Agents Wanted.
Good Health Pub. Co. 354 W. Main St. Battle Creek, Mich.

The Holy Child Jesus

The Holy Child Jesus.—Just what spot in Bethlehem may be named as the place of the manger where Mary’s sweet Babe was laid on that night of so long ago, when “there was no room for them in the inn,” it matters not. The place may have been some cave or grotto used for the stabling of beasts, or some rude shelter from sun and rain erected in the courtyard of the caravansary or inn. The Bible never ministers to vain curiosity. It simply tells us of His lowly birth, as tho by it God would come in closest touch with the very lowliest, even with the brute creation.
Neither does it matter in which particular month or day of the month our Elder Brother was born. It certainly was not in midwinter, or the sheep would not, in all probability, have been in the open fields, watched over by the shepherds, with the sky for roof and walls, and the earth for a couch. The time of His baptism and crucifixion almost certainly indicate a much earlier birth date, in our September or October. If the precise date were essential or necessary, the Lord would not have withheld the knowledge. Heathen philosophy and customs succeeded in drawing a backslidden church over to the observance of the great Saturnalian carnival during the turn of the sun in December.
What We May Know.—But this we may know, that “when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Gal. 4:4, 5. Angels of God attended His birth and heralded the glad news in rapturous, holy song, to the humble, trusting shepherds. Doubtless these shepherds represented the only class who were willing to receive the news and who would believe the glad message. Proud Pharisee, haughty priest, and self-exalted lawyers, scribes, and rulers could not receive the message, because they felt no need of the Gospel. The Son of God came in too humble a manner . He did not consult them as to the way, the place, or the manner of His coming. But the shepherds, learning the beautiful, tender, touching, trusting lessons of life in the care of their needy flocks and helpless lambs, were ready to believe the message and receive the Saviour, the only One who could minister to their needs.
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy Which shall be to all the people; For there is born to you this day In the city of David A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”,
And then as they listened other shining messengers joined in the glad chorus.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men In whom He is well pleased.”
This is God’s message to “all the peoples,” to-day, to-night, as on that night.
Doubt Not.—There was no doubt on the part of the shepherds. The shining host was gone, but the hearts were not less glad. They said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem [not to see if the message was true, but], and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And the shepherds became God’s messengers with an exalted message. Luke 2:10–18.
God Uses the Humble.—“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Ps. 25:14. It matters not what our circumstances in life may be, what may be our wealth or poverty, fame or station, or how men may regard us; if we are truly humble, ever looking to God for light, He will reveal to us the mystery of His goodness and power. Humble submission brings us into harmony with the great currents of life which control the universe, into harmony with Him “who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” But God is revealed to us that we may tell the glad story to others, and so impart the riches of His goodness to other souls in need—souls hungering and thirsting for the bread and water of life.
“Jesus”—“God-with-Us.”—The name of the holy Child was Jesus—Saviour. How He could save is revealed in another name He bears—“Immanuel,” “God-with-us.” Matt.1:21, 23. He was “born of a woman.” The eternal Son of God became man, flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, blood of our blood, with all the inherited weaknesses, the pitiful infirmities, the sinful tendencies. He “was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Rom. 1:3. He “in all things” was made “like unto His brethren.” He also Himself in like manner partook “of flesh and blood.” Heb. 2:17, 14. While the eternal Son of God, He was a brother-man. Living in sinful environment, the heathen world sunken in the mire of lust and shrouded in the darkness of abominable wickedness, God’s own people at the lowest ebb of lifeless formality, Christ, the Anointed of God, “did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” Yet He was counted sin for us that we might be counted righteous in Him. Not an ideal or an imaginary reckoning was this. What God counts to be so is so. “Him who knew no sin He [the Father] made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21. And the making Him to be sin was demonstrated by His death.
All for Us.—The humiliation, the leaving of the courts of glory, the coming down from Creator of worlds to be one with His own fallen creatures, the suffering, the dying were all for us. He by faith fought the battle in the flesh against sin for us. He met the tempter by the weapon of the Word for us. He overcame, a perfect victor for us. He reigns in life for us. From His glorified humanity beats the infinite love and tenderness of His divine-human sympathy for every man and woman and child of earth. He did all that He did, became all that He was and is, that we might receive the adoption of sons, and so be one with Him forever.
“Be Ye Followers.”—This does not mean that we shall mark out on rigid lines each act of our life, and shape every act as we think He would. Such a course would lead to dead Pharisaism. It is living fruit demanded, not dead works. The Event of Bethlehem teaches the way—lowliness, humility, humble submission to God. Such a one will long for God with unutterable longing. He will feed upon God’s Word. He will seek to know God’s will that he may do it. He will yield his own stubborn but weak will to the almighty will of God, and so obtain the power of God’s will to gladly follow in the way, resisting by the power of God’s life within all, the enticements of Satan and sinners. He may be led through lowly valleys, up steep mountains, in deserts of temptations, on heights of transfigurations, in dark Gethsemanes, up cruel Calvarys; but all the way it is the very best way; and the marks of the feet of the Child of Bethlehem are visible all along the path, and His mighty presence cheers us even unto the end. These are some of the wonderful lessons taught in the contemplation of the Babe of Bethlehem, not alone on one day of the year, but on every day. Reader, how does the glad message come to you? Is this Jesus your Brother, your Saviour?

CHRISTIANITY OR WEAKNESS?

By Edison Driver

Christianity is more than passive goodness. We may call a man “Christian” who is gentle, meek, humble, patient, and kind; but can we say his life is a full one? Are the men whose characters include all these virtues, types of Christ?—They are not. These things are needful; but to make a Christian demands energy, force, life, courage! There is a gentleness that is weakness, and a kindness that is spiritless, and such virtues can not make strong, positive, resistless Christian men. Even Christ’s meekness and gentleness were resistless forces, and His smallest words and least prominent acts were clothed with God’s unveiled power.
We can not study enough the divine life in Christ. It was that which made His religion more than sentiment. He was a man clothed in weak, human flesh, yet in Him were seen the strength and glory of His Father. He was good in all gentleness, meekness, humility, patience, kindness; but it was not the lusterless goodness of weakness; for every virtue shone with light and power. In what seem to men the most helpless hours of His life, He had the all-powerful life of the One who sent Him, dwelling in Him by faith; and when He laid down His life, He had power to lay it down, and He had power to take it again.
Too long men have taught, or been taught, the gospel of passive goodness—the gospel which may be Gospel or may be weakness. Such religion floods the land and drowns the spirituality of its people. It is the same old story of Israel, clothed with a form without power; where hypocrites could be priests, and base sinners make public prayer for the people.Such gospel will not do. It is too uncertain, weak, and insufficient. Men expect to see in the representative some of the prerogatives of the represented. Christ has made that possible, even to the weakest. As His Father worked through Him, He works through men. He lives in them, by faith, to will and to do of His good pleasure, giving them marvelous power to give out gentleness, meekness, humility, kindness, and the other attributes of goodness with a force that makes their Source evident to all men. Christianity is honored and the world blessed by such living.
Edison Driver.

THE GOSPEL SONG.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
[From “Desire of Ages.”]
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good-will toward men.”
O THAT to-day the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, “Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Rev. 19:6. As the angels disappeared, the light faded away, and the shadows of night once more fell on the hills of Bethlehem. But the brightest picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the shepherds.
Heaven and earth are no wider apart to-day than when shepherds listened to the angels’ song. Humanity is still as much the object of Heaven’s solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noon-day, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God’s command.
The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Rom. 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even as it was when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity as weakened and defiled by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!

THE SUFFICIENT SUPPLY.

By Kate A. Wilcox

“My grace is sufficient for thee!” What precious, comfort-laden words of life they are! Amidst life's busy cares and anxieties, amidst its strife and turmoil, its trials and temptations, its storms and tempests, its discouragements and doubts, yes, even down in the dark Valley of Shadow where the sorrows of death sob and sigh their sad requiem, the words of our loving Saviour, who has borne all our griefs and carried our sorrows, come as a song of comfort, as words of life and power. He who was in all points tempted like as we are and triumphed through the grace of our Father, seeks to speak to us, as He did to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” O receive, dear heart, these words of comfort and cheer, of hope and encouragement, and His strength shall be made perfect in thy weakness. He is our all-sufficient supply. KATE A. WILCOX.

GOD’S CHRISTMAS GIFT.

By Gertrude Von Giers

CHRISTMAS-TIDE and Christmas cheer Have come to us again; And almost gone the old, old year, With all its joy and pain. And yet it seems but yesterday That this old year had come to stay.
Christmas cheer and Christmas-tide Have come to us once more; And many of our friends have died Who met with us of yore. It seems but yesterday we met, And hearts are sad, and eyes are wet.
Ah, Christmas-time brings more of woe And trouble than of mirth; The only lasting joy we know Is our Redeemer’s birth. Christmas goes as time takes flight, But He abides both day and night.
A friend to us a present gives— The best gift must decay; Our friends may die, but Christ still lives; All else must pass away. Would we a lasting gift obtain? Make Him our Friend, and all retain.
For he who hath this mighty Friend Doth earth and heaven own; For friend or self this life may end, And gone each joy once known. But having Christ, tho naught else here, We’ll regain all in yonder sphere.
GERTRUDE VON GIERS.
Continue reading: The Prophecy of Zechariah