After that its name occurs oftener in the Scriptures. Naomi, and Ruth the Moabitess, though poor widows, seeking a kind supporting hand, adorn Bethlehem with one of the most touching stories narrated in the Old Testament. The godly grandson of Ruth whose flocks grazed on the surrounding hills, was one of its honored citizens. Showing that for successive generations this family, the ancestors of our Saviour, lived here. On these rugged hills David, the fair boy, who "was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance and goodly to look to," kept his father's flocks, when Samuel came to anoint him king of Israel.

But" the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate," for whose water David longed, and to get which for their master three mighty men risked their lives, (2 Sam. xxxiii., 15-16), still furnishes water of the best quality. Many people of Palestine hold that the water which we drink has much to do in the formation of bodily vigor as well as moral habits; that the "water of certain places renders people sturdy, hard and fearless." Did the waters of Bethlehem possess such properties? Two of the greatest heroes in Hebrew history, David and Joab, were Bethlehemites. Had the water which they drank any influence "in compacting such bones and sinews, and hardening such spirits?"

There may be some truth in this theory. Perhaps a more powerful developer of physical strength and fearless courage was their mode of life. To this day both shepherds and farmers or peasants go after their work_armed. Through the deep gorges running eastward from here down to the Dead Sea, and over the westward hilly slopes down toward the land of the Philistines, the plundering Bedouins are still prowling, eager to seize upon the harvest, herds or money of other people. In David's time bears and lions had their lairs in the mountain clefts, which would devour their flocks. In those perilous days every shepherd of Bethlehem was from

Seen from a distance Bethlehem appears much prettier than from a nearer view. It is built on a ridge, rising above the surrounding country. The houses are meanly built of the gray stone of this hill. Passing through its crooked, narrow streets, much of the beauty which distance lends it vanishes. It lies chiefly along one street. Few houses in Palestine are kept as cleanly as these. "The houses, even the meanest, are well roofed, and those small domes abound which give to the towns of the Holy Land an air of comfort, and even of importance, in strong and agreeable contrast with the mud walls and flat roofs of Egypt. These domes, however, imply scarcity of timber suited for the beams of the roofs; and it is likely-boyhood trained to acts of heroism, in indeed it may be gathered from the Scripture that when the land was better wooded, or timber more easily obtained, flat roofs were common in Palestine."

The chief glory of Bethlehem is that our Saviour was born there. The prophet Micah predicted this event, seven hundred years before it happened.

"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 of old, from everlasting."

As Micah says, it is a "little" city; always was, and now is, Its present population of about four thousand, is perhaps as large as it has ever been. It is said that it never became large, and never will, for there is a fatal "lack of water, and of certain other natural advantages necessary to create and sustain a great city."

fighting wild beasts and robbers. Thus when David was a mere boy

"There came a lion and a bear and took a lamb out of the flock. And I went after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear." (1 Sam. xvii. 34-36.)

for

Thus the shepherd's life of Bethlehem became a training school heroes. They were inured to all manner of trials; had to endure heat and cold, hunger, hardship and fatigue by day and by night; to brave danger and fight with formidable foes. Under such schooling David learned to sling the stone that slew Goliath; and beard and conquer men of lion-like force and ferocity.

The night on which the "Son of David" the Son of God-was born, the shepherds of Bethlehem waking and watching their flocks, while other

lehem! That's a birth-day to be cele brated in all time. Man travelled a long and wearisome road before he came to this sacred shrine. For four thousand years he journeyed, longing to see the day of Christ. In the still hour of night, on the hills of Judea were the shepherds watching their flocks, when suddenly the clarion notes of the Angelic choir rang out on the air in that

people were sleeping, are visited by angel heralds, announcing the birth of our Saviour. And this class of people, from whom heroes and kings descended, and the angels of God greeted, are to this day among the most worthy citizens of Bethlehem. Many a ruddy youth can still be seen leading and watching his father's flock of goats and sheep. And in harvest time here and there you see some poor woman or maiden, glean-ever memorable birth-day song, Glory to ing in some rich man's harvest field, as God in the highest, and on earth peace, did Ruth in the field of Boaz. And as good-will towards men. The shepherds the owner and reaper meet they still come, look, wonder, and worship. God, greet each other with the usual " Allah by the Angels, guides the shepherds, the m'akum," which is "the Lord be with children of promise; by a star He leads you" of Boaz. (Ruth 2: 4.) And the the Wise Men, the children of the world. reapers reply with the corresponding Both meet at the same altar, the feet of Arabic greeting-"The Lord bless thee." the Infant Christ, and worship. Thus The three great events of Bethlehem Jew and Gentile, brethren by nature, so are associated with the farming and long apart, meeting here, join hearts shepherd life-Boaz and Ruth, and Da- and hands in hope of the common salvid the shepherd king; both ancestors vation. of our Saviour. Finally the shepherds receiving the announcement of glad tidings from angel heralds:

"And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

No place in Palestine is associated with such beautiful and touching memories of woman. Rachel, Naomi, Ruth and Mary, are a cluster of lovely names, abounding in tender incidents on which the heart delights to dwell. One such name would give renown to any city, but here are four. And these four were foremothers of our blessed Saviour. Each reached the crown through sorrow. Where in all history can we find four such women; so lovely, pure and patient, and made so perfect through suffering! Well may the sight of their city stir up in one's heart tender and softening emotions.

Birth-days.

BY REV. GEORGE W. JOHNSON.

First.

The great birth-day in all history is the birth-day of Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Son of man. What a happy time is Christmas! How sweet the kiss God gives to poor, sinful, dying man, in the Christmas picture at Beth

Second.

Born into the world on Christmas, eight days afterwards the Infant Jesus is formally initiated into the Jewish Church by the rite of circumcision. True, He is born in the bosom of a pious family, and in addition, is free from sin, still He must enter the Church. He must not grow up in the world. This is the devil's territory by reason of sin. He must be placed in the Father's own proper garden. There He will be in the full fellowship of heavenly benediction and grace. The Law and the Prophets are not set aside, but are honored by obedience to their requirements. He is a child, but a child in God's family. He grows in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,—and this takes place among saints, not in the fellowship of the world. He is our example, that we should follow in His steps.

The Natural.

On our natural birth-day we begin our earthly life, the life of this world. Our life is God's gift. He creates man. We live and move and have our being in Him. We grow in body, in mind. We learn to know ourselves, the world, God. Fearfully, and wonderfully are we made! We live here, and hereafter, in time, and in eternity. How much good, and alas! how much evil man can accomplish in a lifetime. Our birth

people. Its benign spirit extends as far as the power of the Gospel. Its peace on earth and good-will to men are offered to all. To the children we wish full baskets, few burdens, and light and pure hearts. To older people the cheerful, trustful, pious spirit of unsuspecting childhood. May rich people have gratitude to God and hearts filled with charity and brotherly and sisterly kindness towards the poor. May the poor possess friends with loving hearts and liberal hands, eager to do good and to communicate. May both be pious towards God and man. May the glad tidings of great joy soon be heard and felt by all nations, and the "Glory to God in the Highest" soon be sung by our whole fallen race,

"Till earth's remotest nations
Have learned Messiah's name."

this account this is the most insecure month of the whole year; when people. resort to special means to guard their houses, and from fear of the robbers no one will at this time undertake a journey.

The stores and shops are thronged with buyers, somewhat as in our Christmas season. Idol pictures, red paper, frankincense, flowers, all manner of trinkets and toys are in great demand. These are indispensable to rich and poor for a proper observance of the Chinese New Year. Their chief idol, the god of the belly, receives many offerings. Fattened hens and hogs in abundance are provided. These and many other things the men procure; meanwhile the women bake and grind rice from morning till night. Everywhere, though filth and fleas abound, in every home the inmates knead dough, and knock about all day long. Four days are devoted to the New Year's festival. In it no work is done, no

The New Year among the Chinese. purchases or sales are made. All stores

BY THE EDITOR.

We need not inform our readers that the Chinese year differs from that of the Christian world. Their New Year's day comes at a different time, and is differently observed. In some respects its observance corresponds to that of the first of April in Pennsylvania. At the close of the year all accounts must be squared, all bills paid. The grocer, shoemaker, tailor, butcher-all business people go from house to house presenting and pressing for the payment of their bills. Whoever fails to meet just claims cannot expect to buy on credit the following year.

and shops are closed, and the nation feasts on what has been stored away. With the last week of the old year all its affairs are suspended. All public offices and all places of business are at once closed; the larger stores first, then the smaller ones. All absent ones return home to spend New Year. The children all return. The schools take a vacation. Everybody has rest, except some of the women and the barbers. The former must prepare the feasts, the latter must shave. During this season the filthiest beggar must have a smoothly shaven face and head and a nicely braided pig-tail.

The homes of China are proverbially filthy. However, once a year there is This rule usually makes the close of a thorough house-cleaning. The last the year a very active, stirring time. day of the year is invariably the houseEverybody tries, if possible, to earn or cleaning day, when the home is fittingly make money in some way, in order to prepared for the reception of the spiritpay his debts. Many consent to per-ual callers of New Year. For at this form labor to which they would stoop at no other time. One will bear burdens as a porter for a while, another buys a basket of goods or trinkets and acts the peddler, another does something else in order to get money. And many, who the rest of the year try to make an honest living, during the last month turn thieves and robbers, to secure the needed means to pay their debts. On

time, they hold, certain spirits will visit them. The bodies of the family are carefully bathed with tea, made of a certain kind of leaves, to shield them against these spiritual visitors. For, it is not known whether they come on a good or an evil mission.

In every house a table is spread, decorated with flowers, for the entertainment of the spirits. On the doors