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love greater than Mine in earth or heaven。 His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me。
At the cross of Calvary； love and selfishness stood face to face。 Here was their crowning manifestation。 Christ had lived only to comfort and bless； and in putting Him to death； Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God。 He made it evident that the real purpose of his rebellion was to dethrone God； and to destroy Him through whom the love of God was shown。
By the life and the death of Christ； the thoughts of men also are brought to view。 From the manger to the cross； the life of Jesus was a call to self…surrender； and to fellowship in suffering。 It unveiled the purposes of men。 Jesus came with the truth of heaven； and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him。 The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom。 In their attitude toward Christ； all would show on which side they stood。 And thus everyone passes judgment on himself。
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In the day of final judgment； every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth。 The cross will be presented； and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression。 Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim； sinners will stand condemned。 Every lying excuse will be swept away。 Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character。 Men will see what their choice has been。 Every question of truth and error in the long…standing controversy will then have been made plain。 In the judgment of the universe； God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil。 It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin。 There was no defect in God's government； no cause for disaffection。 When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed； both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring； 〃Just and true are Thy ways； Thou King of saints。 Who shall not fear Thee； O Lord； and glorify Thy name？ 。 。 。 for Thy judgments are made manifest。〃 Rev。 15：3； 4。
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Chapter 6
〃We Have Seen His Star〃
〃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。〃
The wise men from the East were philosophers。 They belonged to a large and influential class that included men of noble birth； and comprised much of the wealth and learning of their nation。 Among these were many who imposed on the credulity of the people。 Others were upright men who studied the indications of Providence in nature； and who were honored for their integrity and wisdom。 Of this character were the wise men who came to Jesus。
The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism。 As these magi studied the starry heavens； and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths； they beheld the glory of the Creator。 Seeking clearer knowledge； they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures。 In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher。 Balaam belonged to the magicians； though at one time a prophet of God； by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah； and his prophecies
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had been handed down by tradition from century to century。 But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed。 The magi learned with joy that His coming was near； and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord。
The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem。 As the light faded； a luminous star appeared； and lingered in the sky。 It was not a fixed star nor a planet； and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest。 That star was a distant company of shining angels； but of this the wise men were ignorant。 Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import to them。 They consulted priests and philosophers； and searched the scrolls of the ancient records。 The prophecy of Balaam had declared； 〃There shall come a Star out of Jacob； and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel。〃 Num。 24：17。 Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One？ The magi had welcomed the light of heaven…sent truth； now it was shed upon them in brighter rays。 Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the newborn Prince。
As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God； 〃not knowing whither he went〃 （Heb。 11：8）； as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the Promised Land； so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour。 The Eastern country abounded in precious things； and the magi did not set out empty…handed。 It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank； and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed。 It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view； but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought。 At every pause for rest they searched the prophecies； and the conviction deepened that they were divinely guided。 While they had the star before them as an outward sign； they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit； which was impressing their hearts； and inspiring them with hope。 The journey； though long； was a happy one to them。
They have reached the land of Israel； and are descending the Mount of Olives； with Jerusalem in sight； when； lo； the star that has guided them all the weary way rests above the temple； and after a season fades from their view。 With eager steps they press onward； confidently expecting the Messiah's birth to be the joyful burden of every tongue。 But their
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inquiries are in vain。 Entering the holy city； they repair to the temple。 To their amazement they find none who seem to have a knowledge of the newborn king。 Their questions call forth no expressions of joy； but rather of surprise and fear； not unmingled with contempt。
The priests are rehearsing traditions。 They extol their religion and their own piety； while they denounce the Greeks and Romans as heathen； and sinners above others。 The wise men are not idolaters； and in the sight of God they stand far higher than do these； His professed worshipers； yet they are looked upon by the Jews as heathen。 Even among the appointed guardians of the Holy Oracles their eager questionings touch no chord of sympathy。
The arrival of the magi was quickly noised throughout Jerusalem。 Their strange errand created an excitement among the people； which penetrated to the palace of King Herod。 The wily Edomite was aroused at the intimation of a possible rival。 Countless murders had stained his pathway to the throne。 Being of alien blood； he was hated by the people over whom he ruled。 His only security was the favor of Rome。 But this new Prince had a higher claim。 He was born to the kingdom。
Herod suspected the priests of plotting with the strangers to excite a popular tumult and unseat him from the throne。 He concealed his mistrust； however； determined to thwart their schemes by superior cunning。 Summoning the chief priests and the scribes； he questioned
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them as to the teaching of their sacred books in regard to the place of the Messiah's birth。
This inquiry from the usurper of the throne； and made at the request of strangers； stung the pride of the Jewish teachers。 The indifference with which they turned to the rolls of prophecy enraged the jealous tyrant。 He thought them trying to conceal their knowledge of the matter。 With an authority they dared not disregard； he commanded them to make close search； and to declare the birthplace of their expected King。 〃And they said unto him； In Bethlehem of Judea： for thus it is written by the prophet；
〃And thou Bethlehem； land of Judah； Art in nowise least among the princes of Judah： For out of thee shall come forth a governor； Which shall be shepherd of My people Israel。〃 R。 V。
Herod now invited the magi to a private interview。 A tempest of wrath and fear was raging in his heart； but he preserved a calm exterior； and received the strangers courteously。 He inquired at what time the star had appeared； and professed to hail with joy the intimation of the birth of Christ。 He bade his visitors； 〃Search diligently for the young child； and when ye have found Him； bring me word again； that I may come and worship Him also。〃 So saying； he dismissed them to go on their way to Bethlehem。
The priests and elders of Jerusalem were not as ignorant concerning the birth of Christ as they pretended。 The report of the angels' visit to the shepherds had been brought to Jerusalem； but the rabbis had treated