December 1930
567
T h e - K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
“ It is cold without, but the Christmas warmth is in here,” he said, with his hand over his heart. He had gotten • into Russia by means of this snow. It was a friendly snow. He would not quarrel with it. He had with him what Douglas had called his “alibi.” ; How far away that Thanksgiving time in New York seemed now! Russia is going behind in its-light industries, he had heard. “ Good! I will help! Russia needs light. Here is my plan.” And he had unfolded it to his three friends, Douglas, and his father, and the Personage, ending with the words, “ I can honestly1say that I have come to help them with their light problem: ‘I am come that they might have light.’ ” And so the storm did not matter to Nikolai. If this white curtain should become his winding sheet, he knew he should but find himself the more immediately in the presence of that King whose birthday came tomorrow—k the King whom he loved and served. In the meantime he had Light for Russia. And so—on into the snow! * * * The Personage was in the Holy City. He was happy: to be there on Christmas Eve, Silent under the stars, and not far off, lay Bethlehem, the little town of which the prophet Micah wrote: “ But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.” | He sat at his desk, alone. He was writing to that sister, the wife of his own brother, dear to him for his brother s sake, although he knew her to be idle and hostile and pagan. “ I am thinking of you both, tonight,” he was writing, “ for I know where you are. You are at the Notre Dame hearing them sing the ‘Noel.’ And I ? I am here in the city of David praying that as you hear the famous old words :— ‘Peuple a genoux—attends ta delivrance, Noel! Noel Void le Redempteur!’ you may indeed fall on your knees arid firid your deliver ance, your salvation, and your Redeemer.” The Personage leaned back in his chair! He thought of the aspirihg pointed arches o f the great French Cathe- riral faith in architectural form! Helene would see them, enjoy their beauty, and miss the meaning back of them— like a reader o f an illuminated manuscript charmed with the ^glowing letters and missing the poem they embody! “ T must in closing repeat to you what I told you in Paris^ a few months ago. Everything about us is pro claiming that the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Ah well! The dawn is near though the night be dark! ‘Jeru salem shall be safely inhabited.’ Good-night—may you find Him.” He arose and went to the window. There was^the familiar purple dome, the starry arch above him! It is not glorified with angels and hosannas tonight,” he said softly. “ But, O God of my fathers, hasten the day when Thou shalt return! Our hearts await the com ing of the King. Come soon, Lord Jesus!” * * * WJiat ,ipp-rej; Chr-istmasy than- a city bof Central Europe,on Christmas Eve? Everywhere orre hears the Heilige Nacht, sung or played or hummed. Everywhere the children rule. This was the Princeling’s thought, as he walked with his tutor through the picturesque wind ings of a town, still mediaeval and reminiscent of feudal days.
“ An ancestor of yours was born in that old Castle up there,” remarked the tutor. “ And he became a great king,” The Princeling’s family had instructed him to impress on his' young pupil the dignity and background of his ancient race. The young man must not become a too religious person, they had said. And yet, they- were pleased with his conduct. The “ royal boy’s’’ answer came, after a moment of silence: “ I quite understand why'.yon are saying that! It’s my-—my family’s wish. I wish They loved the One who made Himself of no reputation and-took upon Him the form bf a servant. . . . -.- Somehow, since I ’ve known Christ, my ancestors have ceased to bother me.” . They passed a window through which they saw a brightly lighted tree and a family gathered about it. Then suddenly they found themselves stepping down an alley that was, to use a local expression, “ as dark as Christmas night.” The young tutor turned*, on an im pulse, and said kindly, “ You have been my friend. I must warn you that if you persist, you will need to forti fy yourself against hostile relatives.” The Princeling answered bravely* as they slipped into the obscure rooms where a little group of disciples were gathered for prayer, using the old lines of Martin Luth e r :— Eleanor Gorham was, as usual, the center of a group. The gay music was softening to a temporary close. The great Christmas Eve party was in full swing. THE MAGAZINE WITH A PURPOSE FOR EVERY Family Community Church Land and Race FOR EVERY Missionary Pastor Student Teacher YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS Articles and editorials written by well known folks famil iar with the progress of preaching the Gospel to every eréature in every land. The REVIEW describes methods for awakening interest in churches and missionary so cieties as well as giving infprmation regarding the latest and best missionary books. The profusely illustrated pages help to make the REVIEW of lasting interest. There is never a dull or uninformative issue. It is in step with the times; Take Advantage o f this Combination Offer THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD $2.50 THE KING'S BUSINESS . . .m j d . - . . . $f.50. both $ 3 .oo save $1.00 1 Address your^ orders to either office: The Missionary Review of the World The King’s Business 156 Fifth Avenue N. Y . City 536-558 So. Hope St. Los Angeles, Calif. TIME FLIES! MAIL THIS COUPON TODAY! YOU NEED THESE MAGAZINES! “ Ein feste Burg ist unser Gotl ”— “A mighty fortress is our God • A bulwark never failing * * *
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