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ME GM) ANB TRUE “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least. of these ye did it un‘w me.”â€"â€"Matt. XXV. 40. A Good Man Never Knows H 0w Good He Is Nor Stops to Learn If religion is wholly or essential- ly a number of holding certain views or performing certain formal, speci- fic. acts there can be no serious dif- ficulty in LL10 way 0f determining the number of religious persons in any cnnmmnity. But if religion is an attitude of the soul and a trend of life it eludes all statistical en- deavors. When you have before you certain set prcsr"bcd tasks you can go about than deliberately, consciâ€" ously ; you ir‘ly know when they are begun and when completed. But if you are: deve‘oping ideals and seeking «In ."i‘E‘l‘ it is likely to happ6n that the finest, fairest growth will take place when you are thinking nothing about its proâ€" cesscs. Wise-men-Same word found in 'Acts 13. G, 8. But here used in a good sense for a. sacordotal class among the Persian, Babylonian, and other Oriental nations, who “read men's destines on the face 05 the skies,” and were in great favor “in an age when religion was dead and superstition had usurped its place.” These astrplo- gors had large influence, not/"only with the common people, but with statesmen and kings (Dan. 2. 4,8). Tradition says there were three of these wizards, and their names were, Caspar, Melchior. and Bal- A child in the home becomes truthlul‘ not by means of set peri- ods daily in which it is oxe‘cised in veracity, but by the steady, 1m- conscions acquisition of the habit of truth tolling, until the truth beâ€" comes Hm, only normal aim So would it be with the acquisition of an afi’eclinnate character. It- could not possibly come with observation, nor by direct endeavor toward it. Herod the kingâ€"The Herods were Idumeans, but the father of this Herod (the Great) had embraced the Jewish religion, and by Julius Caesar had been made precurator of Judaea in B. C. 47. Hence Herod the Great was brought up a. Jew. He was made king of Judaea. at the instigation of Antony in B. O. 40. He began his rule with great rigor and cruelty, and to the end was vengeful and implacable. His thirst for blood led to the mur- der of his wife and two sons. His chief distinction was the building of the temple. He died in B. C. SO GROWS RELIGEON in the soul of mam, not by efforts to bozmae rr‘lia’ious, but by steady living award the best, always and at levzgl‘n habituzflly allowing the life to answer to all of life’s sti~ mnli by 301's, and thoughts and feel- ings that (‘nnd ugmm'd. One b0â€" comers good not by the afixmnyrt to be good, but bv always yielding fo the temptation 1.4) do good, by throwâ€" ing the life into the stream of the good, by service for the good, and the true and worthy. Verse 1. Bethlehem of Judaea ~â€" The home of David, five miles south of Jerusalem. also called Ephra» thah (Mic. 5. 2). “Now a small white town on a spur running out east from the watershed.” The supposed site of the nativity is marked by what is probably the oldest church in the world, the pil- lars being those of the ancient Basv ilica erected by the mother of Con- stantine the Great, about A. D. 330. Beneath is the Cave of the Nativity. This is hewn in the rocks and measures 38 by 11 feet. An in- scription reads: “Here was born Jesus Christ of the Virgin Mary.” Rockâ€"cut caves for cattle are com- mon in the Hebron hills. Lesson XII]. The Birth of Christ. Mail. 2. 1-12. Gohlcn Text, Matt. 1. 21. Character grows best when we are least conscioua of it. Health is 21 matter not of physical inspection but of normal activity, whether it be, health of body or of min and spirit. A sane reiigion turns from the cant phrases about feeling: good to consicler what opportunities THE S. S. LESSfiN INTERNATIONAL LESSON, DEC. 26. ‘rAqflwW 1 But there are many who lack ei- Hhor the energy or the vision to Emake their religious life one of norâ€" flmal activity, and who therefore at- ltempt to judge the piety of others %by the tests which they find most lcom'enient for themselves, whotinâ€" sist that they only are religious who pass through certain types of emoâ€" [tional feeling or who speak of a Icertzzin shippoleth. â€" u» there are for doing good; and the wui'jd grows weary of' institutions professing to save, but standing helpless before its real needs. \ . -w.-- ~..-ri. V,‘ No man needs to allow these self» constituted authorities to give him any concern even though they be many in nun‘bcr and 5 The prophetâ€"Micah. Bethlehem was the birthplace of David and his home in the shep- ‘ .16] days; and as such was dear to the peasant heart, for it linked the coming Messiah with the life of the lowly. Their governor was to be a shepherd, not such a one as the tyrant nobles who oppressed them at Jerusalem. The quotation is-not an accurate translation of either the Hebrew or Greek, but MIGHTY 1N LUNG POWER. He can be sure that if there he any advantage, an enriching or growth from religion, it will be found not by such ilimsy tricks and devices but through earnest seeking after the good and true. There is a. tremendous amount of untebulated. unreported, and often unrecognized religion in the world. Men are doing: the deeds and livâ€" ing the life of religion who might '\'\'(-)ll be mutilling to WP‘ any of its formal labels. VVl‘lCDPVGY a man answers to the best in himself af- firmatively, whenever he seeks the good of others, he is turning toward the ultimste good; he is religious. And the life that lives for these things, the man or woman who throws the weight of personality inâ€" to the tide for better thingsA-Afor noblor ideals, for truth and right, for the rolin of needless sufferings ’ V the removal of oppression and .- radntion, that life fights on with the Fternel, that. one walks with God and belongs to the king- dom of heaven. All Jerusalem with him m The people knew what was likely to happen when Herod was seized with a fit of jealousy. Already he had shed blood in his own home on acâ€" count of his suspicions, and he had begun his reign by killing off the entire Sanhedrin, whose members were hostile to him. His malig» nancy would know no bounds when he heard of a new king of the Jews being born. The Christâ€"The word has a twoâ€" fold meaning. First, Jesus is King, sitting on the throne as God’s anointed. Secondly, He is the Person through whom God’s king- dom comes, and God’s promises are fulfiiied (Denney, in Jesus and the Gospel). 4. Gathering . . . chief priests and scribesâ€"~Herod had reconsti- tuted this august body, but in a way pleasing to himself. But they were the chief theologians of the nation, and the recognized author- ity on such questions a; to where the Christ should be born. 3. Herod . . . was troubledâ€"~er was now an old man in his dotage. He had gained his throne by craft, through the favor of Rome, and had kept it by bloody cruelty. From the beginning of his reign he had been pursued‘ by a dread of being deposed, and "only shortly before this a plot for his overthrow grew out of a prediction that the Mesâ€" siah was to drive him from the throne. Herod had put down this revolt with blood. He who serves in love finds fel- lowship with the infinite and all embracing love. He who stomps to wipe a child’s tear stained face has VTHflhipped better than if he had sung as anngels can. The sacred sup- per is the common meal we share in our need. HENRY F. COPE. 2. Born King of the Jews â€" The appearance of the strange star would betoken a, royal birth, and they must have known of the widely cherished Jewish expectation, and would learn from the prophccms that the hope of a Messiah centerâ€" ed in Judaea. thasar. But this is unfounded. Came to Jerusalemâ€"Na‘turally, as it was the capital. To worship himâ€"See note on verse 11. “He sent his apologies,” said the late arrival. “You see we have so many engagements just now, so we tossed up to see who should have the pleasure of coming to-nighb.” 7. Exactly what time the star ap- pearedâ€"In order that he might know how old the child was. The Wise men appeared in Jerusalem about two years after setting out. 8. Exactlyâ€"45701; the repetition, indicating the old king’s solicitude lost any oversight should rob him of his prey. That I also may come and wor- ship himmA thinly disguised preâ€" text. which shows that Herod’s passion had dulled the far-seeing wisdom displayed by him in the oar~ her part of his reign. There is no other medicine for little ones as safe as Baby’s Own Tablets, or so sure, in its beneficial effects. These Tablets speedily cure stomach and bOWel troubles, destroy worms, break up colds, thus preventing deadly croup, al- lay simple fevers, and bring the little teeth through painlessly. Mrs. C. A. Weaver, Saskatchewan Landing, Sask., says :~â€"“I have used Baby’s Own Tablets for my little one in cases of colds, stomach and bowel troubles, and other min- or ailments. and have never known’ them to fail in speedily restoring the child’s health. I think there is no medicine for babies like the Tablets.” Sold by medicine dea- lers or by mail at 25 cents a, box from The Dr. Williams’ Medicine C0,. Brockville, Ont. ~u1‘m. 7‘ “I‘m so glad you’ve come,’ she said to a young man who arived late. “Has your brother cmne too?” ’ “Very good of you,” said the hostess, who felt quite flattered. “What a, brilliant idea, too! And, of coxirae, you won?” “N0,” Va'nswered the young man unthinkingly, “I lost.” BABY’S OWN TABLETS A LiTTLE LIFE SAVER 9. The star . . . went before them â€"â€"A poetical way of saying that the wise men were guided in their course by the position of the star. A lady who prides herself on be- ing an ideal hostess, received a. nasty set baickiat her last party 11. They came into the housewit must be remembered that Jesus had been taken up to Jerusalem when‘ six weeks of age, for the puriâ€" fication (Luke ‘3. ‘22) was over and :1. sacrifice mush he offered. Then the family returned to Bethlehem, and, the crnwds of the enrollment {Luke 2. 1â€"7) having departed, it would be easy to get accommodaâ€" tion. They seem to have intended to Settle there permanently. The enforced flight into Egypt prevent ed. Fell down and worshipped him-w The usual method of paying hom- age to a ruler. The worship of these men, however, must have had something of religious devoâ€" Lion in it, in View of the fact that before. them was God’s guarantee of the fulfillment of his work. Offered unto him giftsâ€"In the East the custom still is not to ap- proach a monarch without some gift. It is fitting that Christ should have the rarest gifts. The ancient interpreters saw in these particu- lar presents, symbolsâ€"the gold. of royalty; frankincense, of Deity; myrrh, of his Passion (John 19. 69). 12. In a dreamâ€"The Magi were versed in the understanding of dreams. Should not return to Herodâ€" Who‘ thereupon, sought to carry out his brutal schemes regardless. It takes a genius to invent a tale that his wife will believe. MISFORTUNE DOG GED HIM. free paraphrase put in popular TAXICAB STOCK EARNINGS; ‘ The Taxicab habit grdws, and where there is one user toâ€"day there wiil be {we tea-marrow. T6 the Taxicab patren all other metbeds of city travel seem ccmmenâ€"piace and ordinary. per share, par value $5.69, because it has a big fumre. and is new a big money earner. We advise the purchase of Taxicab Si:de at Subscrip’ions will be accep‘zed up to 1% shares in the order rece’wed at this office. Do nut underestimate the earning power of the Taxicab. E. A. ENGLISH -~.l.ife Has So Many That He Lends Them to Save Expense of Upkeep. There is a, good deal of speculaâ€" tion in England as to who will have the offer of White Lodge from King Edwars if, as is expected, Mrs. Hortman resigns her tenancy 0w- ing to financial difficulties. It is an ideal spot for a. residence, only just a few miles out of London, yet perâ€" fectly rural in all its surroundirurs. The drawback to White Lodge is that the place, though not large as very expensive to keep up, and it was for this reason that several people refused the Ki:’ip;’S offer af' ter the death of the Duke of Tech â€"- including, so it was said at the time. at least one member of the royal famlly. These extra residences around London prove rather an embarrass~ ment of riches to the King, who (loos not; neml them himself. Bunkâ€" ingrham Palace, Vfimlsor (Takilo. Balmoml and Sandring‘lmm am all the places the Kim: and Query) need in the course (if :1. year. 3791; if not lived in {hes-'0 (empty 110113053 would be a. drain on the privy pulse in the matter of imkocp‘ Almost all these supm‘fllmas hauscs have (1193:] all; the King‘s disposal since he can]? to the H1 no 1mm, says The Gerifmvomm), we have the Prince and Princess ‘f Wales at Frog'more. Georfiina Lady Dudley at Pembroke LCd‘TO, RE"?!â€" mnnr}; Colonel and ' Ladv Sarah W'ilson at the Stud Hume Humpâ€" ton Court; Sir Stank”? and Lazy Clarke at the Ranger’s Lodge, Hyde Park, and so on. “You look dnwn in 1 Now. don’t be boz'rnwiz'r “VViU you lent] me. “Erâ€"well. on 300031 perhaps you’d better borrow the trouble.” “A temperance lecturer ha.~ proved that beer contains so much alcohol film/r, it may be used as an illuminant. ” “Nothing new in that, I can’t. drink three glasses of it without being all lit; up.” 'W’na‘: Signifies a Name? Strongâ€"The Blacksmith Weeksâ€"~le Drug Clerk Bawld-â€"The Barber Creamâ€"The Han Tonic Man KING EDKARD’S HOUSES. Send for our lllultrated bookiet. :‘LSIER TO “A GOTIATF NO NOVELTY Adelaide a n d Victoria Stretch; :Lhee F... thong-h n. 7 OR ON TQ The doctor was a skilful man, and consequently had a large pran- tise. It was very disagreeable to him to be so often called away from his other cases for nothing, and be resolved to take an opportunity of letting the lady see this. One day the lady observed 1). red 5pm; on her hind, and at once sent far the cloctov. He came, looked at her hand, 21nd saiJ: a L {:49 9 The ma 1 " 'w v, 0- 11 ‘ gm Physician and lawyers are some- times charged with protracting profitable “cases” through months, and perhaps years, that could have been disposed of in a few days or weeks. One medical ism, who had no temptation to that kind of practise, was frank enough to take advantage of the impeachment, and put the blame whem it belonged. “Is it dangmw'nm, than?" “Caz-biv'nh' not,” roplfc‘l the don. tor. “Tomorrow the spot would have disappeared and 2 Should hava ‘mv‘. my fan, ‘ Ii," “n: in»; r; " ’i‘lm‘c Ewe": {sick Chili; ' ~ 111 mtario Par- ents Cannot .5, ml to Pay for Treat men‘s is {heme-3; A lady was very solicitous about: her health. Every trifle made her uneasy, and th<> doctor was called immediately. “You did ca rly. ” m. aha The asked The Emmi-31 for Sink ChiEdmn Imd la.» year in its cuts and back LL35 1)“tic-nt~s~ -â€"â€"-â€"~â€"-â€" 333 of t. ‘38 were -"“‘ ” frem ‘36:? places ir fir} ,Prm‘imw. SWty If you know! mxy child in your noighburhaod w h o is sick or has may deformity send the name of the parent to b119, Summary The 1105:.)i‘ml for 0 .mosxn‘ml 101‘ S; C‘tikimn ‘: not a local but :1 gm Proviuo‘kfl ngaxi‘ifly for ' sick child of thg iwm‘ "tan in any GO '6 3QME KN A WICEI‘ part of {(11:31 ‘0 has same ciuim upon its hcip Just think of it-Jfour money can help the liaspiwl to do the gosd work of straightening the crooked limbs and club feat of little children. Piea‘se 1161p us. leo Send Contribuuoms to J. Ross Robovtaan, chairman, cm to Bangles Bavifison, Sea.â€"Tx=eas., The Hospital for Sick Children, College 5%.. Toronto. MWAGINE A PA'mmrr. the ulospx‘ t8] MN? V 81‘ and 67 had perfect correction TWO CLUB wer CAsm “35 “931831 11°55“ m 1-1431-21'” L:hi"th“tl[l ; 13,550 01 unable to {any and “we treated free. 1h A CAN DID DOCTOR lady well to looked .nvm {ion t o Inmmz. has Heated 15,b!.; 'hi"fll"t§ll; 11,550 01 . 0 paw cent. wen chi} ‘mn of p o 0 1 pacific who conic not afford to pr; . send for alarmed and AFTER w e r e 6 9 c g s as of Club F ee 1: treated i n the Hospi» as the chi'ud who 1 i v e 3 within the dzadow of its walls in Torusto. 1118