360 light and truth.
There was a prophet for every tribe and nation under
heaven, to prophecy to them the word of God.
THE SHEPHERDS OF ANTIQUITY.
Abel, the son of Adam, was the first shepherd, a
keeper of sheep, a righteous man.
The Ethiopian shepherds of Egypt and Chaldea first
acquired a knowledge of the stars, while guarding their
flocks by night. Their employment led them to contem¬
plate the stars. While their flocks, in the silence ofthe
night, were enjoying sweet repose, the spangled sky
would naturally invite the attention of the shepherds.
The observation of the heavenly bodies afforded them
amusement, and, at the same time, assisted them in trav¬
elling in the night. A star guided the shepherds to the
manger where our blessed Saviour was born. By the
aid of a lively imagination, they distributed the stars into
a number of constellations, or companies, of which they
gave the names of the animals which they represented;
and from them we have received the science of astron¬
omy
The Canaanites or Phoenicians were shepherds ; the
Cushans or Samarians were shepherds ; the Syrians
were shepherds ; the inhabitants of Lower Egypt were
originally shepherds; and those of Upper Egypt, in the
best ofthe land of Goshen or Rameses, were shepherds.
The Arabian shepherds brought to Jehoshaphat presents
of their flocks; seven thousand and seven hundred rains,
and as many he-goats. The shepherds watched their
flocks day and night, and guarded them with their dogs.
" All the flocks ufKcdar (Arabians) shall be gathered
together; they shall come up with acceptance on mine
altar; and I will glorify the house (or people) of my
glory" (Isa. 60: 7.)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All sealed on the ground,
The Angel ofthe Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
The prophecy of Christ, the Good Shepherd. — " And
there were in the country of Canaan, called Judea,
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over ilieir
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