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e of tree and shrub and leaf。 The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing
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to the world。 The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds。 The ocean； itself the source of all our springs and fountains； receives the streams from every land； but takes to give。 The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth； that it may bring forth and bud。
The angels of glory find their joy in giving；giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy。 Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men； they bring to this dark world light from the courts above； by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit； to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know。
But turning from all lesser representations； we behold God in Jesus。 Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give。 〃I do nothing of Myself；〃 said Christ； 〃the living Father hath sent Me； and I live by the Father。〃 〃I seek not Mine own glory；〃 but the glory of Him that sent Me。 John 8：28； 6：57； 8：50； 7：18。 In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe。 All things Christ received from God； but He took to give。 So in the heavenly courts； in His ministry for all created beings： through the beloved Son； the Father's life flows out to all； through the Son it returns； in praise and joyous service； a tide of love； to the great Source of all。 And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete； representing the character of the great Giver； the law of life。
In heaven itself this law was broken。 Sin originated in self…seeking。 Lucifer； the covering cherub； desired to be first in heaven。 He sought to gain control of heavenly beings； to draw them away from their Creator； and to win their homage to himself。 Therefore he misrepresented God；
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attributing to Him the desire for self…exaltation。 With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator。 Thus he deceived angels。 Thus he deceived men。 He led them to doubt the word of God； and to distrust His goodness。 Because God is a God of justice and terrible majesty； Satan caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving。 Thus he drew men to join him in rebellion against God； and the night of woe settled down upon the world。
The earth was dark through misapprehension of God。 That the gloomy shadows might be lightened； that the world might be brought back to God； Satan's deceptive power was to be broken。 This could not be done by force。 The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government； He desires only the service of love； and love cannot be commanded； it cannot be won by force or authority。 Only by love is love awakened。 To know God is to love Him； His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan。 This work only one Being in all the universe could do。 Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known。 Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise； 〃with healing in His wings。〃 Mal。 4：2。
The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought； a plan formulated after the fall of Adam。 It was a revelation of 〃the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal。〃 Rom。 16：25； R。 V。 It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God's throne。 From the beginning； God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan； and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate。 God did not ordain that sin should exist； but He foresaw its existence； and made provision to meet the terrible emergency。 So great was His love for the world； that He covenanted to give His only…begotten Son； 〃that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have everlasting life。〃 John 3：16。
Lucifer had said； 〃I will exalt my throne above the stars of God； 。 。 。 I will be like the Most High。〃 Isa。 14：13； 14。 But Christ； 〃being in the form of God； counted it not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God； but emptied Himself； taking the form of a servant； being made in the likeness of men。〃 Phil。 2：6； 7； R。 V。； margin。
This was a voluntary sacrifice。 Jesus might have remained at the Father's side。 He might have retained the glory of heaven； and the homage of the angels。 But He chose to give back the scepter into
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the Father's hands； and to step down from the throne of the universe； that He might bring light to the benighted； and life to the perishing。
Nearly two thousand years ago； a voice of mysterious import was heard in heaven； from the throne of God； 〃Lo； I come。〃 〃Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not； but a body hast Thou prepared Me。 。 。 。 Lo； I come （in the volume of the Book it is written of Me；） to do Thy will； O God。〃 Heb。 10：5…7。 In these words is announced the fulfillment of the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages。 Christ was about to visit our world； and to become incarnate。 He says； 〃A body hast Thou prepared Me。〃 Had He appeared with the glory that was His with the Father before the world was； we could not have endured the light of His presence。 That we might behold it and not be destroyed； the manifestation of His glory was shrouded。 His divinity was veiled with humanity；the invisible glory in the visible human form。
This great purpose had been shadowed forth in types and symbols。 The burning bush； in which Christ appeared to Moses； revealed God。 The symbol chosen for the representation of the Deity was a lowly shrub； that seemingly had no attractions。 This enshrined the Infinite。 The all…merciful God shrouded His glory in a most humble type； that Moses could look upon it and live。 So in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night； God communicated with Israel； revealing to men His will； and imparting to them His grace。 God's glory was subdued； and His majesty veiled； that the weak vision of finite men might behold it。 So Christ was to come in 〃the body of our humiliation〃 （Phil。 3：21； R。 V。）； 〃in the likeness of men。〃 In the eyes of the world He possessed no beauty that they should desire Him； yet He was the incarnate God； the light of heaven and earth。 His glory was veiled； His greatness and majesty were hidden； that He might draw near to sorrowful； tempted men。
God commanded Moses for Israel； 〃Let them make Me a sanctuary； that I may dwell among them〃 （Ex。 25：8）； and He abode in the sanctuary； in the midst of His people。 Through all their weary wandering in the desert； the symbol of His presence was with them。 So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment。 He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men； that He might dwell among us； and make us familiar with His divine character and life。 〃The Word became flesh； and tabernacled among us （and we beheld His glory； glory as of
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the Only Begotten from the Father）； full of grace and truth。〃 John 1：14； R。 V。； margin。
Since Jesus came to dwell with us； we know that God is acquainted with our trials； and sympathi