The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-16

thew, Mark, and John, took place at Beth
any, few days before the crucfxion.-
Johns Narrative places it before the tri
umphal entry into Jerusalem, and six days
before the passover at which the Saviour was
crucifed. Matthew and Mark record il
after that event, but not as unnecessarily fol
lowing it in time.
The first amounting was an expression oi
penitence; and the last was an act of deVo.
ton, actuated no doubt by deep humility
and love, but it was also, and more especial
ly, an amounting of His body for his burial
The ointment in this case was applied to his
head and there were no tears upon his feet,
&C., as in the first instance.
She who anointed Jesus at Bethany was
Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus
This is evident from Johns account, though
Matthew, and Mark simply mention "a wo
man" See Matthew XVI, Mark xiv, John
xii.
That the woman who anointed Jesus, in
the first of these cases was not Mary Magda.
len, nor Mary the sister of Lazarus is ]
think clear from the following statement
and to prove this is the principal design Of
this brief discussion, as know from expert
ence, that there is apt to be much confusion
in our minds about the Marys' of the New
Testament.
"It is sufficient to know, first, that the
woman here in question lived in the city OF
Main, which sufficiently distinguishes her
from Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who was
of Bethany, and from Mary Magdalen, who
probably was SO called, because she was born
at Magdala, little town in the tribe Of
Manasseh." To this extract from Saurin ii
maybe added shas Magdala was ou-the east
side of Jordan ninety miles or more from
Main.
As Mary, the sister of Lazarus is nowhere
represented as woman impure life, we can
not for moment suppose that she was the
"sinner" who anointed our Saviour in Main
Ellicott on Luke xii Sc, (Life of Chris
page 173) says "there seems no just grounc
for identifying the repentant sinner here
mentioned with Mary Magdalen, who though
victim to satanic influence, and that too il
fearful and aggravated form, is not neces
sarily to be considered guilty of sins of i'm
purity. and no hint of the evangelist
leads us to suppose that the former was ther
or previously had been demoniac." i
Elicotts view of the character of Mary
Magdalen is correct, she has been much mis-
represented by the popular use of her name
in its application to certain reformatory So
cieties. Such a use is evidently founded upor
the belief that she was the "Sinner' who
anointed our Saviour.
Calmet says that Mary Magdalen was
probably that sinner" mentioned by Luke
whose name he dares not tell US. He adds
that, {" in the following chapter, Luke tell
us, that Jesus, in company with his apostles
preached the gospel from city to city, &C
companied by several women whom he haC
healed of their infrmities; among whom was
Mary Magdalen out of whom went sever
devils" Il own" he adds "that this is ne
proof that the sinner mentioned before wal
Mary Magdalen; but this is all we can have
for the support of that opinion"
The following passage, with which Sauril
closes his brief discussion on this subject
seems so admirable, and so we'll adapted tt
important matters of a ex
ion, that cannot forbe4 y it
Should any one require NOR hOulc
rot blush to avow my Ignorance, and to re
commend him to guides wiser than any hav
the honor of being acquainted with, or t.
such as possess that, which in my opinion
of all the talents of learned men, seems t.
me least to be envied; mean that of hav
ing fixed opinions on doubtful subjects un
supported by any solid arguments. (Ser
mon on "The Repentance of the Unchast
Woman Vol. 5, page 1897
This reminds us of one of DR.. Rice
pious resolutions never to profess to knoN
any thing l do not know" and of the reply
said to have been given by Rev. Alber
Barnes, the Commentator, to visitin
brother who when reading the Scriptures a
family worship, stopped at a difficult paSsag
and said "brother Barnes what does tina
} mean?" Mr.. B. promptly answered, 81 don
know A COUNTRY PASTOR.