Page 64 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

RE DING LESSONS.
63
Humble, meek, and unpretending, they are passed unsaluted at every step, by the crowds, who, boast­ ing the same descent, scorn to acknowledge them as members of the regal stock, and hasten forward to secure every accommodation, till they leave this ten­ der maid, and her coming o spring, no roof but a
stable, and no cradle but a manger.
3. Andyet,noteventhearkofthecovenant,when it marched rth to victory over the enemies of God, escorted by the array of Levites, and greeted by the plaudits of the assembled nation; not even it moved with half that interest to heaven, or half that prom­ ise to earth, with which this humble virgin advances, bearing within her bosom in silence and neglect, the richest work which the Almighty had yet made, and the most miraculous bene t which his wisdom had yet devised. Upon this little group the angels at­ tended, with care more tendr than they have r the ordinary just, lest they should dash their ot against
a stone: r on its safety depend the l lment of prophecy, the consummation of the law, the mani­ station of God's truth, and the redemption of the world. In it are centred all the counsels of :Heaven, since the creation of man; r it the whole land has been put into movement; and the Roman emperor issued his mandate om the throne of the world, solely that this maid might be brought to Bethlehem of Juda, in order that from it might come rth, in ful lment of prophecy, the Ruler who should govern the people of God.
DR. wISEM .