Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-07-19
Mary and Martha.

1t was the feast Of the tabernacle. Christ
was teaching in the temple le did so at
the hazard Of his life The popularity that
attended his ministry in Galiee was exchanged
for an experience Of hate as bitter az that
with which Rome would have greeted the
preaching Of Luther in the sixteenth century
His teaching was carried on amidst perpetual
Interruptions and against perpetual opposition
More than once was he mobbed More than
one plot was formed for his assassination
More than one trap was set by cunning art to
entangle him. Once a legal investigation
was set on foot to insure his judicial con.
demnation. The city was not safe for him at
night He therefore went at night to the
ueighboring village Of Bethany, and found
rest aud refreshment in the congenia home Of
Martha, Mary and Lazarus. A true home
il was, home that gave rest to the wcaried
Master Blessed is that home whittier Christ
comes that he may bring blessing. Thrice
blessed that home where he loves TO come for
the eongenial fellowship of loving hearts
which Il affords him.
SO coming, Martha set about to prepare an
entertainment for him. 1t was her method
Of service. 1t would be the " housekeepers"
method Of service to-day. Nothing seemed
TO her good enough, no care too great, no
anxiety or trouble too burdensome " bear
for his sake She gave herself up to the ser.
vice Of her welcome guest. Mary forgot the
service in the Lord She was absorbed in
him. To sit at his feet aud drink in his
words was enough to make her forget all
earthly considerations-en enough to make Him
forget, too, whose meat and drink it was to
10 the will Of his Father in heaven. To him,
the pleasure Of finding one appreciatiye and
sympathetic listener was immeasuraby great
er than all Martha's dishes could give. There
was more refreshmsnt in Mary's listening
than in Martha's promised meal
One lesson Of the incident lies on the sur
face. 1t is worth the pondering Of wives and
mothers. Give your guests more of your
self, aud less Of your yiands. Give loving
thoughts, as well as busy hands, to your
friends, your children your husband A quiet
home Of communion with them and one sim
pie course, is better than a fretted life and
superabuudant courses There is lesson to
the church, ever apt to be careful and troubled
about many things. The church is best sery-
ed, not by those who study 10 fill its pews and
better its finances, and enlarge and enrich its
feast Of good things, in social advantage, or
pulpit eloquence, or enhancing music, but by
those who sit most at Christ's feet, and learn
most Of him. The aged mother, in6rm, bed.
ridden but not forbidden the throne Of God,
who often bemoans that she can do nothing
for the church, is often serving it most truly
There is lesson for the individual Christian
Two types are set before us--the busy, bust
ling, serving Christian the quiet, commun.
ing, receiving Christian. The ideal combine;
the tEo as Christ himself did, who prayed all
night in the mountains, and laborcd all day
teaching and healing the multitudes. Yet, in
this busy age, we underrate the second, and
it is the most important.
To serve is well but service is not the
acme Of Christian experience 1t is not thC
autumnal fruit Of love. The love that simply
receives Christ, that is absorbed in Christ
that is content to take all from him, and pay
nothing back, that gazes, lost, up into hii
wondrous face, that listens to his words, tha
simply rests and rejoices in him, is above al
mere serving. Dearer TO Christ is the Johr
that rests his head upon the Masters bosom
than the Peter who draws his sword for zeal
Gus but fruitless fighting. Dearer the Mari
that rests at his feet than the Martha VIII
merely labors in his service Higher in hi
esteem is the quie, condding than the activit.
of self.reliance.-ChriaiaH Weekly