SONG OF THE ANGELS-SIMEON-ANNA-HEROD.

MANY prophecies concerning the coming of our Saviour had been made, but none were made during the period of four hundred years before his advent.

The people of the world were now expecting him, and God sent a man before him named John the Baptist to tell the people to repent of their sins and be ready to receive the Messiah.

At the birth of John, his father, Zacharias served in the temple. His wife's name was Elizabeth. They were both good people, and obeyed the commandments of God. They had no children. This was a great trial to them.

The priests served in the temple by turns, and were chosen by lot. One day, as Zacharias was burning incense on the

golden altar he saw an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

When Zacharias saw him he was afraid; but the angel told him not to fear, for God would give him a son whose name would be John. He would be great in the sight of the Lord, and would drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth.

John was to go before the Saviour and prepare his way. Zacharias asked the angel how he would know that all these things, so much desired by him, would take place.

The angel told him that God sent him from heaven with the news. He gave him a sign, also, which was that he would. not be able to speak until they occurred. This was a punishment, as well as a sign, because he did not believe the news God sent him by the angel.