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^?jtr^IIE Btory of lilt* star of Bethle n hem has over been a fttvot'ltt1 %\ OUe with pa inu i s and pools and has been a subject of sei'b ous study by theologians and sch mists Many astronomers have asserted thai thv neuveuly visitant was a comet ami have even sought to Identify It wlt? some of the eomels now know:: Churchmen, on the other hand, have combated tbe.se attempts to ascribe a natural cause to the phenomenon and have contended that the gospel text allows the star to have been sent by a miracle to guide the wise men to the Cbrlst Child One of the favorite theo "Glory (o (Sod In the highest, nnd on earth peace, good will toward men." Nineteen hundred years have passed, and the Child has become the leader of the nations. Only three important countries are now outside of Chris tian ride. Of these Turkey is being dismembered, Japan is seriously con j sidel ing the inclusion of n large part of Christianity In her state religion, nnd China has gone through a revolu tion many of the leaders of which were Christian converts and which resulted in establishing a republic aft er the model of our own. Not only Is the whole earth being brought under Christtun domination, but the Christian nations themselves are finding new depths of meaning in the Master's utterances, and new cults are springing Into life to carry Into effect some of his neglected teachings. Never In history has there been found a word so vital that important uew movements for humanity were found rles In the early days of the church was that a luminous angel shining like a star led the magi on their way. An other explanation was thru the Holy Ghost took the form of a star, as he afterward did that of a dove at the time of the liapii.an of Jesus by John. The beautiful tale of the star of Beth lehem Is contained In the second chap ter of. Matthew; "Now. when Jesus was born in Beth lehem, In Juden, In the days of Herod, the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, "Saying, Where is he that Is born king of the Jews? for we have seen tils star in (he cast and arc come to worship him." Herod is troubled on hearing this and calls in his chief priests and scribes to learn where Christ should be born. They told him In Bethlehem. The account goes on: "Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, Inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared "And he sent them into Bethlehem and said. (Jo nnd search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him bring me word again, that I mny come and worship him also. "When they had heard the king they departed, nnd. lo. the star which they hnd seen in the east went before I hem till it came ami stood over where the young'child was. "When they saw the star they re joiced with exceeding great Joy." They did not return to Herod, how over, being warned In a dream. Another story of the Nativity that has made an equal appeal to artists is that of the shepherds. This occurs in the second chapter of Luke: "And there were In the same coun try shepherds abiding in the Held, keeping watch over their flock by night. "And, lo. the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore nfrald. "And the ongel sold unto them. Fear not. for. behold. I bring! you good tid ings of great Joy, which shall lie to all people. "For unto you Is born this day. In the city of David, a Saviour, which Is Christ the Lord. "And Ihis shall he a sl rn unto you: Ye shall (1ml the babe wrapped in swad dling clothes lying In n manger "And suddenly there whs with the nngel n multitude of the heavenly host praising Cod and saying: ed on it so long nfter Its first promul gation. Now for the first time In history Is there n real and tangible hope that universal peace may come, thus fulfill In? the nngello prophecy made to the shepherds. Still the star shines across the ages, and still Is heard the heavenly voice of "Peace on earth, good will toward men." 1 The Madonna \ ; . By WALTON WILLIAMS , ? Copyright. 1U12. by American Press ? * Association. ? WITH the painters of the raid <i!e ages the Madonna \vu Hie most popular subject This was especially true ol fuut supremely great school that Hour (shed during the Italian renaissance period. In earlier Christian art the Vir gin did not so largely figure. It was only with the council of Kphesus and its glorification of Mary as the "moth er of God" and the development of the doctrine of the Immaculate conception ?not only us to the birth of Jesus, but as to that of Mary herself?that the ascendancy of the Virgin both In the cburcb and In church art was estab lished. It was not till the wonderful rennls- | sauce era in Italy, the golden age of art, however, that the Madonna be came the fuvorite theme of painters. The vogue started with Fra Angellco. Fra Bnrtolouiineo and others of the first painters of the era and reached its height under Ilaphael. The three great figures of the renaissance period In art were Raphael himself. Michel angelo and Leonardo da VlncI. Angelo painted u few Madonnas, sooie of them Unfinished, but they do not tank with most of his work. Da Vlncl has one or two Madonnas that arc up to his other great paintings. Rut it was Raphael of angelic face and character; Raphael, the prince of painters of all nges. whose Madonnas, both In number and quality, outrank those of any other painter, an cient or modern. Raphael's "Slstlne Madonna" Is not only his own masterpiece, but by uni versal consent ranks as the greatest painting in the world. Only less fa mous than this is his "Madonna of the Chair." while his "La Jardiniere," "Madonna Of the Finger" and many more -tre celebrated. Raphael Sauzlo or Snntl was born in 1483 and died of a fever at Rome when thirty-seven. He was the son of a painter and studied at one time under Perugino. Ills first work to become famous was "Tlx? Coronation of the Virgin," which appeared In 1503. "The Marriage of tho Virgin" was painted the next year, shortly after which Raphael went to live In Flor ence, where most of his Madonnas were finished. His fame had now be come so great that he was called to Rome to decorate tho Vatican. It was not till toward the end of his life that Raphael developed his own style and did his greatest work, the "Slstlne Madonna" being his last great paint ing. He was also an architect and was appointed the chief architect of St. Peter s In Rome. Another Madonna, a reproduction of which is here shown, is a detail of the painting by Hans Holbein the youn . I er. known as the "Madonna of lb ? , Meyer Family." It represents the Vir gin and the child .Jesus being worship ed by Burgomaster Meyer, his two wives (one deceased) and some of his children. Just why Burgomaster Mey er, his two wives and children should be Immortalized in this holy company Is not apparent The burgomaster paid for the picture. Members of the family are omitted In the reproduction. There were two Hans Holhelns, fa ther und son. both painters. The younger was practically a contempo rary of Raphael, being born In Buvarla In 1497. One of his best known por traits is that of Erasmus. Several of his religious pictures are also cele brated. The painting of the "Madonna and Child" by C. von Bodenhnusen, here shown, Is more modern. i MADONNA OF THE MEYER FREE! FREE!! Two Pianos Given Away! On December 17th we will commence a Special Piano Sale in our store on Maxwell Avenue, and continue until TWELVE PIANOS ARE SOLD FROM THE STORE, and we will also have another lot of Twelve Pianos sold which are out on trial. One Piano from Each Lot Will Be Given Away. If you want a Piano, and would like to get one free, do not fail to come to this opening at half past ten o'clock on that day. All Particulars Will Then Be Fully Explained. If you do not live in Greenwood it will pay you to take the train and come to this Opening before any of the 12 Pianos are gone. We expect to move into the Grier & Park Fire Proof Buildirg on January First, and wish to sell out our present stock before moving. Then We Need the Money, and Will Sell These Pianos OFF AT ROCK BOTTOM PRICES. We Will Sell For Either Cash Or On Accommodation Terms HOLLAND BROS. Index Building. Greenwood, S. C. VALUABLE FARM FOR SALE Fine piece of property containing I67 acres, 6 miles north of Laurens. This is a most desirable piece of property, located in a prosperous section of Laurens county, convenient to schools and churches, only one=half mile from Barksdale sta tion. This property is divided by the public high way leading from Laurens to Greenville, has nice residence, with necessary tenant houses and out buildings, is well-watered and well-adapted to all crops. This property is being sold for a division of lega tees and will be sold For $45.00 Per Acre. This property is well worth $75.00 per acre, but on account of the fact that it must be sold for division, we have reduced the price in order to bring a quick sale. If you are seeking a home and desire to locate in a choice stction of the county, see me early. Don't Forget I Can Secure Loans and Make Advances on Real Estate. { J. N. LEAK, f Gray Court, S. C. m