to do, but this work was specific. The snare into which the church has fallen is that she has turned aside to reform and refine, to minister luxuries, and has evaded the definite command of her Lord. The gospel of Christ has proven its effectiveness. Wherever it has been proclaimed it has been found adapted to all conditions of men, in all climes. Whoever has believed has been saved, and whoever has rejected it has been lost. UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT.' "Lo, I am with you." How comforting and consoling these words! As the universal ruler, he gives the command, and as such He promises to go with every disciple. They do not go upon their own charges, but upon His. They do not go alone, but with Him. This promise accounts for all of those splendid deeds of heroism with which the pages of the church's his- tory is resplendent. This accounts for the breaking down of the Jericho walls
of unbelief and superstition. This encourages to action. This in- spires devotion. " L o , I am with y o u ." We never go alone in the least service which we are permitted to perform for Him. He is with us. There are the church in connection with the evangel- ization of the world, but the answer to every fear and doubt is, " L o , I am with y o u ." There will be dark days. There will be fiery trials. Sacrifice of self and worldly interest will be necessary; bodily discomfort and loss of life may result, but in every experi- ence, in every emergency, He will be there. As God promised Moses, and fulfilled to the letter His precious Word of His personal presence and help, so with the disciple whose ears hear the word go, and whose feet take up the errand ol gospel-giving, there is this most precious assurance, " I am with you." If He with us, what more do we need? He is all power and He is all love, "Let us go forth." from Nazareth to Bethlehem upon the part of Joseph and Mary. The proph- et said, Daniel 9:6: " U n to us a child is born, unto us a son is given.'' This was true of Mary but true also for the whole world. " T h e Word became flesh," John 1-14, truly human. " God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh," Rom. 8:3. Truly di- vine. From a throne on the circle of the heavens to a cradle in a manger was the tremendous sweep of the Son of God in His work of lifting men from the lowest depths to the highest heaven. This is a big world, but there has never been much room for the Savior. He was erowded into a stable at His birth and crowded to a cross in His death. Hearts and homes have been shut to Him through the centuries. There" has been no room. Even at the Christmas time there will be meagre thought of Him who made the Xmas possible. He will be crowded out. As we study and meditate upon His won- derful birth may we open wide our hearts to Him and give Him a joyful Christmas time.
Christmas Lesson.
Luke 2:6-20. Golden Text —Luke 2:11. Outline.
(1) The Son is Given, 6-7. (2) The Seraphic Vision, 8-14. (3) The Saviour Found, 15-19. (4) The Shepherds' Message, 20.
The Christmas lesson will never grow old; will never lose its interest. Some of us have read and studied it for years, yet we come to it with the same eager interest because it is so full of joy and cheer. May the Lord help us to make it new and fresh to our classes. THE SON IS GIVEN. "She brought forth her first born." ' ' It came to pass in those days.'' Days in which so much of prophecy centered—"the fullness of t i me "— which the rulers of the earth had com- bined to bring about. Augustus ordered the census. Herod urged Jewish meth- ods, compelling the eighty-mile walk
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