A radiant Star, whose kind and friendly beams Against Judea dart their golden streams, Three eastern Magi from their country brings Wise men they were, or at least, were kings.

THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST.

Their royal presents in their hands behold,

The sun's rich birth, myrrh, frankincense, and gold;
With these the monarch of both worlds they meet,
These and themselves they prostrate at his feet.

HEROD was an Edomite, and was made king of Judea by the rulers of the Roman state. Christ was born in his reign. We read in Mathew ii. 1, 2, " 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." These wise men are called Magi, or Magicians. The Jews regarded not Christ, but these Gentiles sought him. They found out Christ by the same star they had seen in their own country. By the first appearance of the star, they were given to understand where they might inquire for this King; then it disappeared. They traced the matter as far as they could,

they were upon their journey to Bethlehem, but how shall they find him when they come thither? Here they were at a loss, when behold, the star which they saw in the east, appeared again, and went before them. Now they saw they were not deceived, and had not taken this long journey in vain. God was with them, and the tokens of his presence and favour cannot but fill the souls of those who know how to value them, with joy unspeakable.

They found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother all the retinue he had! Is this the Saviour of the world? Is this the King of the Jews; nay, and the Prince of the kings of the earth? Yes, this is he, who, though he was rich, yet, for our sakes, became thus poor. However, these wise men did not think themselves baffled in their in

quiry; but, as having found the King they

sought, they presented themselves first, and then their gifts to him. Every indication of obtaining an interest in Christ, will give sincere joy to the humble inquirer, who will not be surprised at finding Him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities.

They fell down and worshipped him. To this babe they gave honour, not only as to a King, but as to a God. All that have truly found Christ, fall down before him; they adore him, and submit themselves to him. It will be the wisdom of the wisest of the children of men, and by this it will appear that they know Christ, if they are the humble, faithful worshippers of the Lord Jesus.

In the eastern nations, the custom was, when they did homage to their kings, they The gifts the wise men pre

made presents.