t
"DECEMBER 19, 1950
; Christmas Address to ; Charlottetown Rotarians
The story of the "The other W15, Man", by Henry Van Dyke. was reviewed in a ti ely address at the Rotary Club esterday by Rev. Canon E. M. Malone, Rector of st. Peter's.
; The text of Canon Malone's gddress foilows:; p
Looking over some manuscripts l I found one dated 29 XII. 29. an - .dd.l'CS5 to the Rotarians - so for ' over twenty years. 01! and on. I have been speaking to you at this reason. . Naturally. we have considered many subjects. fact and fiction, legend and history, and sometimes
- . judicious mixture (1 hope) of .
both. Today, however. we must yeziiure into the realms of pure pliantasy when I tell you the 5:ory'of the "Other Wise Man" by Henry van Dyke. We have it on the author's own authority. He was
v professor of English Literature at Princeton, and wrote this story in l896 which has been translated into nearly every European and many oriental languages.
We all know the story of the riirce Wise Men. who journeyed hi-in the East to offer their sacred guts of mystic meaning ---,,gold to ma King, incense to God, myrrh in one who must suffer -- to the King of the Jews and saviour of the world. We even know their traditional names: Caspa-r. Mel- chior, Balthasar; but few know of
the fourth pilgrim, the other wise man, whose story I inn to tell today.
The Sign
In Ecbatana, the beautiful sum- mer capital of the Persian Empire. ' in the daysfwhen Caesar Augustus ruiuci the Roman Empire and Her- nd the Great was King of J does. there lived a certain Mede named iii-taban. In a magnificent dwell- inn. set in a garden of flowers and fruit.- on the mountain slopes, we see him standing in the doorway wilting to welcome his gucsis. A glance at this tell darklman of so years reveals a mystic, in whose spill would always be the inner conflict and desire to seek for high- er things. He is wearing the an- :ieiit garb of the Magi, the priests 3i Zoiroaster. Nine men differing widely in age but alike in the rich- ness of their clothing. enter. They also are men of noble birth and followers of Zorcaster. in a large. well-proportioned room, handsomely furnished, one end. between marble pillars, stands an altar on which a fire is burning. Artaban tends the flame and begins the chant of the fire- worshippers.
We worship the spirit Divine. Ill wisdom and goodness possessing.
Surrounded by l-loly Immortals. the givers of bounty and blessing.
cleanse us from falsehood. Mid keep us from bondage to bad- U655;
Pour out the light of Thy life on our darkness and sadness.
The chant ended, he turns to his friends. "At my call. you have come to rekindle your faith. We worship not fire, but the God of Purity of whom” it is the symbol since it is the purest of created things." Murmurs of assent greet- ed his words. "Now," continued Ar- tabuii, "let me tell you of new lichi and truth that have come to me as I sought the highest of all lE.il'llll'lg in the signs of the stars". Again there was assent. with gio-.i-mg face he went on. ”In the secret place of my soul I have kept this discovery of an ancient pro- pilecy” and he drew from his brrast two small rolls of fine lin- en carefully inscribed. saying: "Long before our fathers came into this land there were wilt men among the Chaldeam. one of these, Balsam. son of Beer. DID- phesied thus:- There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel." one of his hearers now becsme somewhat contemptuous "Judah was captive in Babylon; the tribes oi Israel are scattered; neither star nor sceptre shall come out of the remnant under the yoke of Rome" "Yet," replied Airtaban, "was not the Hebrew Daniel a great inter- preter of dreams and things to come, honored by our great 'King Cyrus." Opening the second roll, he added, "Listen to what he wrote:- From the going forth of the commandment to restore Jer- usalem, unto the Anointed one. the Prince. the time shall be seven and threescore and ten weeks." "These are mystical numbers" they objected. "who can interpret them?” "To me and my three oom- lllnlons, Caspar. Melchior and Balthazar. the meaning has been revealed. We have studied the stars and this is the year. A new star arose and then vanished. My companions are watching in the possessions and bought three Kreat Jewell - a sapphire, blue as the sky at night:, a. ruby. Tedd" Temple of Wisdom at Borsippa in Babylonia. I am watching hero. for the star will shine again. When it does. I shall meet them and we will set out for Jerusalem to find him who is to be -born King of Israel. I am ready. I have sold my than a ray of sunrise: a pearl.
Canon Malone
steep gorges and through tumb- ling streams. past the city of Ctesiphon. across the Tigris and on the evening of the tenth day arrives outside the walls of Baby- lon. In three hcurs more he would reach the temple where his com- rades awaited him. Passing through a grove of date palms. his good horse with a sudden snort stood stock still before the form of a. man lying in the pathway. As he stopped to consider the situatloma ghostly sigh came from the prostrate form. an outstretched hand grasped his stirrup. Could he remain now to minister to a. dying man and fail to keep his tryst? But could he leave a man to die? Must he not
"cue the perishing? "God of purity. direct,me.'" So lifting him to the roadside he ,brings water from a nearby canal. mingles it with I. po- tent drug he carried for he was healer as well as astrologer and labcured to bring the unfortunate man back from the grave. "Who art ihouil", the stricken Jew de- manded. "I am a priest of the Magi. I go to Jerusalem to seek the King of the Jews, a deliverer of man- kind. I dare not delay. Here are bread and wine.and healing herbs." The Jew raised his hand in bless- ing; "but stay." he said: "Messiah will not be born in Jerusalem. but as our prophets foretold in Bethle-
ut hem of Judah .. my God direct
thy ways."
swiftly he rode to the Temple of wisdom-it was long past mid- night; no trace of his comrades was to be seen. Nearby on a calm cf broken bricks a parchment flut- tered. He read: "we waited past the nflldnight hour and could delay no longer. Follow us across the des- ert".
It was I bitter; disappointment. with e. spent horse, without food. how could he the desert. He must return to Babylon, sell his sapphire. purchase camels and pro- visions. "God grant I may not lose the sight flthe King. because I de- layed to s ow mercy", he prayed.
To Bethlehem
Over the desert. seated high on his camel. he went on his way. It was a land or death through which he passed, of brier and thorn, sand and rock. inhospitable mountains. dry river beds, fierce heat by day. chill winds at night. At length the orchards of Damascus came in sighty then the snowy peaks of I-lennon. the blue lake of Galilee and. the high hills of Jud-sea. At last he came to Bethlehem. '1he village streets were deserted: a sense of ldocrn pervaded the place. He stops to rest before an open door where a woman sings her babe in sleep. she tells mm of the guid- ing star, the Holy Birth. the visit of the shepherds and wise men: but they had come. offered their gifts, and had gene. The Holy Family too had departed for far-away Egypt. "1 must arise and follow them". he declares. Almost at once with the clangor of trumpets and the clasht ing of. swords. Herod's soldiers come marching to kill the children of two years old and under and so destroy the newborn king - "0 my sweet child!" cries the dis- tressed mother. Arteban stands at the dcorway, a noble, imposing fig- ure; the soldiers with bloody hands and dripping swords view him with respect. Holding the magnificent ruby in his palm, he says: "I am all alone here; waiting to give this gem to some prudent captain who will leave me in peace." The cap- tain hastily grabs thsmby and orders the soldiers. "March on." Artaban prays: ”Gcd ed truth. for- give my sin. I did it to save the child's life. Two of my gifts are gone. Shell I ever see the King?" The woman blesses hi.m for saving the life of her little one. '
The Futile Search
In the populous cities of Egypt. by the banks of the Nile. under the sycamore: of I-leliopolis.'a.t the foot of the pyramids, gaaing at the crouching inscrutable Sphinx" Art- eban is to be seen as he searches for the -King born in Bethlehem.
pg” .3 the am.” mow. -mm. wm,l"inaliy at Alexandria a venerable
I offer to the new-born xlng; Come and share my quest.” Doubt spread over-the features of his hearers. one by one they characterised his words as a vain dream and-bade him farewell. The oldest alone lingered to utter words of hope and bid him go in peace. Leiti alone he passes to the ter- Ilce and gases at the heavens Ibove. A tiny spark. remote yet Mriect appears, glows and radiates In effuigant light. Jie bows his head. It is the sign. He must go to seek the Ring. '
rliossuuuneo
Rabbi reads him the prophecies which tell of a. suffering Messiah. "He wiiluiet be found in palaces. nor will eolomon's glory be his. His glory will be in patient and tthllnvhant suffering. I-Ila kingdom will be a kingdom of love." so, through famine etrioken and plague ridden towns. , in the gloom of prisons. in the wretchednesl of slave markets, he found many to help. but no king to worship. It seemed that his quest was in vllln. sadly he looks at the last of hu jewels. the snow white pearl. and wonders if he- would ever offer it to the King. . ' - The End of the story
Thirty three ha - ed. Artabaifi .523"... 27.. 331.. III! hair once rk as night is white
worn and weary. he still
turn from following the star to NS- gm
BEHIIRAL HGIIARIHIIMI
tlnhaohnnnlaeasos-wee for new- iolloolil IIIICIIS but advertising or I slowly nun may be Insane solve eenIeeword.etriettypey eblolnulunot.
JIMMY! TAXI - rbone 53. OIAIWILL for Xlnll Photos
ITUDENT LAMP! and children's Night Lights. Brown Electric.
00051 for Christmas Photo graphs.
GUILING SWEATER-S ANL TAM8. -m An ideal Christinas Gift at Jack Cameron's.
mu: LIGHTS and Decorations. Brown Electric.
I.A.DIES' IENWOOD HOUSE- GOATI and Ovarooeu at Jack Cameron's.
NYLON TRAVEL PAK - 315.00. A Bathrobe in Zipper Container Very compact at Jack Cameron's.
3l.lNBlAMl Mixmesters, Auto- matic Toasters. Irons. Shavemss- tei-s. Brown Electric.
'roriv!'s ssxaox BAIL-Open from 6.30 till use Everybody wel- come.
RADIOS BEASONABLY PRICED. - An ideal Christmas gift. Douglas Bras. 6: Jones Ltd.
WE WILL STOP BUYING poul- try on December 30th for Christ- mas holidays. Plan to open again on December 27th. M. er. A. Peters. Market Building.
ALPHA BEBEKAII Ledge. Christmas tree and entertain- ment, Tuesday, Dec. 19th, at 8 pm. Members, please bring small
-.-m.
FUNERAL AT MARSHFTELD - The funeral of the late Mrs. Henry Ooles. Suffolk, was held yesterday afternoon from Central United Church. Marshiield. The service at the church and grave was con- ducted by the Rev. John Douglas. The pallbearers were: George Arb- ing. Louis Arbing. Ernest Carter
1
A rm: ousnpim.
CHARLUITETOWN
race runes;
George vohnson. Charles Read. wes- ley Glenney. The interment was in the Church cemetery.
--a
of Christmas Carols were sung by a mixed choir from the senior grades of school Unit No. 1 at Rotary club luncheon yesterday under the direction of nofessor R. P. Mugford, A.R..0.0. The pro- gramme was - unced by Miss Ruth Waiters. Parkdale. Guests included Messrs. Harry Wood, 5. G. Peppin. B. F. Tlnney. Dr. Owen Curtis, W. E. Cotton, col. J. R. Paton. W. A. Gaudet, A. G. Hogan. Rev. J. D. Davison. G.' ill Proctor. Rev. E. E. D. Ashford. Com- modore G. M. Hibbard. Rotarian F. A. Large presided and the speaker was thanked by President George Walters.
Jerusalem for the last time. It is the feast of the Passover. Hebrews from all over the world have gath- ered in the city and throng the Temple courts. Today. however, there is an uneasy sense of agita- tion. The sky is gloomy; the crowds are all going towards a place named Gclgotha outside the walls. There is to be an execution. Two notor- ious robbera and Jesus of Nazareth are to be, crucified. He had been a great teacher, wonder-worker. and healer, but the chief priests rnd Pilate had condemned him because he called himself, "The King of the Jews". "How strange it would be". mused Artaban "it the King had come. only to be cast out to perish. Could this be the some who was born at Bethlehem thirty-three years ago. whose birth the star por- fended?" His resolution is made: "I will give my pearl to ransom him from the death of the cross):
Towards the Damascus gate a troop of soldiers were harshly drag- ging a young girl along. she breaks away from them to clasp Artabnn about the feet. on his breast is the symbol of the Magi which she has seen. She took was s. I0ll0WOI',OI zoroaster. "save one from a. fate worse than death in the name of the God of Purity”, she cries. once again there is the inner conflict which stirred his soul at the palm grove of Babylon, and in the oct- tage at Bethlehem: the old strug- gle between the expectatltn of hope and the demands of love. Twice his gift to God had been deflected to save men. Now--what? He took the pearl. more luminous. radiant and full of living lustre than ever. his last jewel. and plac- ed it in the girl's hand. "This is thy ransom, child, I'meant it for the King."
she is freed. They go along to- Keloher. tap the darkness deepens. The earth quivers and heaves, the walls rock, the crowds are fleeing in.terror and oonfuaion. Beneath the walls of the Proetcrium he trouches with the girl. What has he to fear any longer? Bis quest has failed. Then a crash and a. tile from the roof struck him on the temple. As blood flows from the wound the young girl held: the old man in her arms. A unsll quiet voice comes through the darknesszm "I was hungry and you fed me.
stranger and you took me in. naked and you clothed ms. in prison and you visited me." The old man's quavcring voice asked: "when hard?" The still sweet voice came aosi.n:- "Ins.-much as you did it onto one of the least of these my brethren. you did it to me".
His journey was ended. Bis treas- ures were accepted. The other wise man had found the Ring.
Rotlrians - You and I are i.he other wise man. As we seek for God in deily.life and especially at this noty season. we will find mm in suffering humanity which needs our help. we do not fail in our quest when we turn aside from following the star to bring aid to
ITHRISTMAS CAROL!-A groupl
thirsty and you gave me drink. a ,
XZ r7.s','d
December
This is the month when glad ex- cltement
Holds the world in a. white em. brace.
This is the month of holly garlnnds.
Of Iiarcost and snow and crystal c.
This is the month of carol singing.
Of wocdsy smells and frosted cake,
This is the month when self's for- gotten
In hours of foil for .sake.
friendships
This is the month when pine trees
glisten
Shining and bright with lights and toys:
This is the month or gay December
Bringing to all its Christmas joys. -CONSTANCE I. 1-IECKZBERT
SIDARLETOWN W. I.
The annual meeting of the ”Will- ing Workers" Institute was held at the home of Mrs. Frank Bell with eight members and one via- itor present. The president Mrs. Ken Muttart presided. Roll call was responded to by each member paying her annual fee. The minut- es of October meeting as well as the last annual meeting were read and adopted. I
The president gave a report - of the year's work showing that all phases of the work had been well attended to. the highlight being the wiring of the hall. In conclus- ion she thanked the members for their help and co-operation dur- ing the past two years but urged that they take In e responsibility in the work and attend meetings better-a flourishing Institute is one in which all take an equal in- terest.
Secretary reported total receipts for the year to be 831221 and ex- penditures 52943.
Foliowins is the slate of new of- ficerl:--
President-Mrs. Adelbert Palmer.
our fellow men. made like us in
an x5.7"i.3.':.. the sine and evince um aaasoefood.
....
Butter gees stale quickly when air and light get In. That's why better-wrapped butter taste: better. Buy orient the many brands that are lavour-eeeledlnaiuminumfoil.
The next time you boy.
iL,.
Vice President -Mrs. Pete Ain- hinder.
Secretory-Mrs. Frank Bell.
Treasurer-Mrs. Maud Newsome.
Red Cross Convener-Mrs. wal-
ter Wirlght. Directors-Mrs. Fred MhoQua.r- 'ie. Mrs. Fred Platts and Mrs.
Archie Robinson.
Auditors - Mirs. Waller and Mrs. Neil Bradshaw.
New oommlttces'Io"rl f-liree months are:-
Sick- Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Platte.
School-Mrs. Ken Mutteri.
Lunch committee for next meet-
Wright
lng-Min. Rank Mnabonald Mrs. Charles Crews. with Ken Muttart in charge of 19 gram.
It was decided to sell lunches the next picture showinx in - hall and a committee of eig were appointed to prepare I take charge of them.
It was moved and seconded tli lno C. L. 0. capsules be order from the Red Cross.
December 1st was date set f our annual Bazaar and Pant Sale.
Collection was taken and lun served after which the meeti closed to meet next month at home of Mrs. Ken Muttart.
No other material is more "food-friendly" than aluminum. - So save the protective foil. Ute it to rewrap the butter when you put it away. and protect that "i'arni-fresh" devour.
Inner, Cheese, Candy,
Chocolate, Too, look for the brands in clean, hygienic aluminum foil. Whenever you see aluminum on the outside of any pack- aged food, there's an "e'nu'de story" of purity well-protected.
mints to l
Wrap food leltovrl In aluminum IO. Ihepthunfreshfotenotbermeel
Perishable fruits and vegetables shy Ii-eabeadahplaaliuainam foil. ALUMINUM covenant or causes. no.
Albiillliliiill 1"; iii"