New-York tribune., 1874-10-12
THE DUTIES OF WOMEN.

Thirty -nfth-St His text was Luxe X UfA' but
Martha numbered about much serving. and came to
Him said, Lord, dost not Thou care that my sister
hath left me 10 serve aone bid her therefore that she
help me- And Jesus answered and said unto her,
Martha, Martha. thou are careful and troubled about
many things; but thing is needful; and Mary hath
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away
from her,"
No character in Scripture said the preacher has been
more misconceived perhaps than that Of Martha. She
has been too much regarded the type of an earthly
minded woman. by whom the for eternal things
was wholly neglected. The troubled Martha. in fact. is
seldom thought OF true friend siucere disciple of
the Savior Nor is 1t strange that 1t should be So
inasmuch as Mary be set forth the opposite
Of her sister-as presenting marked contrast in
having chosen that good part which shall not be taken
away the inference being that Martha has not done It,
The facts Of her history however few they are are
far from supporting such conclusion. We are told for
example by St. John that Jesus loved Martha ana her
sister and Lazarus" showing that it was Christian
family And again, for Lazarus was now dead, had
laid in four days already" " that Martha,
as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming.
went him. but Mary sat still in the house. show
ing strength and readiness Of her faith As she also
straightway sad Lord. If thou hadst been here my
brother had not died" "Bnt l know that even now
whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God God wilt give 1t Thee
And them Jesus spake Of the rising again and of Him.
self the Resurrection and the Lfe and said to her.
"Beleves thou ths there followed from her lips that
the Cbrist the of God which should come into the
world" truth Marthaan active, believing,
devoted But she was the elder sister, and Tor
that reason of her naturally stirring and
ercetie turn the of the family seems to have de-
volved her. Through choice OF necessity, there
FORE fell to her lot to serve as appears not only on
this occasion but aterward When Llzarus was raised
from The dead and Jesus came TO Bethany II is related
that there they made Him supper ana marina
served"
In every household there must be in particular
to perform that parthe mother or an elder sister, or
memorable day to which the text refers it appears
"that they went Jesus entered into certain village
her house. Aud she had sister called Mary. which
also sat at Jesus feet and heard his word" Implying
that first Martha did the same. As the day
on, however, due provision must needs be made, as
hearty and stctonae zeal the best that the house
afford is brought FORTH in order right worthly to re-
to make Tier entertainment choice enough; she lacks
hands for il; she wants, as one says to give the meal
as they had never had before were never
perhaps to have again and hence eohresponGns con
the savors arrival had assisted in the domestic abor
more proftaoly she left her sister to do it all Under
the crcupsances therefore Is 1T 10 be much wondered %
seemed to her neglect Of the rtes OF hospitality that
a burden. How many think you nowadays. could
the Master come and tarry With, with them them
not do ike her, or be even more perpexed and
distracted than Martha aud ready TO demand, as
post a sister had left early seeing she could
longer be spared there So is wTten M @ pS wss
Lord dOSt Thou not care that & my sister as nash e sT
error err ~ and nd her fault not IN providing At
entertainment. but in allowing her anxiety about
her own present. harm as to higher things, but
timely aud impatient complaint against her sister And
the memorable reply from the Lord her maine repeated
twice by hum Martha Marh5 "a to- TO express s ,h ms ds
position ana temper displayed. Martha. Martha thou
ia needful. and Mary hath chosen that good
part which shall not be taken away from ner.
hast acted amss in this in demanding that thy sister
shall become like thee, instead of recognizing that she
ment Of sun higher privilege for with all thy attach
ment thou yet ackest that composed calmness OF
communion with me, which hitherto has only become
Mary's inestimabe portion But one thlng Is needrul
not dish. very simple fare as some have explained
it, but rather the connection implies one thing
under the present circumstances rs reaiy neea 'nae @
E TO receive thy Lord Alright, ntly 20 improve taS
blessed privilege OF ms ITesence ana nafy M & na.a d
heard his word They were Doth OF them beloved ois
cples and both loved their Savior; but Mary mprJveu
the presen opportunity and Martha did not The one
fought TO hear and lay up the words OF eternal re the
one thing needfu, the gCod part CHOSEN
80 was in danger amid the and hustle of life of
losing that temper OF mind that devontly calm and
rightly improve the highest spiritual privileges and op.
rortuntes Tosum up in short the views here expressed
opinion incorrect superficial to regard Martha as
the type of an earthly-mlnded woman and
Sscpe Sscy Of the SAVIOR 1t is therefore also smss
to understand by that one thns TRsa Is sns
this was be found in Mary alone and was wholly
Gsgs whose s heartfelt pleasure il Is to serve Him
according their best abty, only That In relation 10
the manner how this must be done each has her own
idea Martha OF the opinion that the Savior would be
best served by careIuliy-prepaIed entertainment;
mouth With Martha, the pleasure OF giving much IS
preemiDent. Mary feels the necessity OF receiving
much Martha is the Peter; Mary the John among the
female disciples of Christ.
In this narrative one thought is always prominent
that OF human weakness; one feeling chiefly exerted,
condemnation OF troubled, wOrdly-mlhded spirit
giving way TO care and overcome by saylsh oJecuon
TO little household duties The cares and Trials OF tne
mothers and sisters OF human KIND are seldom Iuy a
preciaed by This Martha Is Their representative
Even the most refined states OF society WINE they nave
mgated OF Its grosser features, can never ma
teray alleviate the main sources of womaDs trals ana
miseries. She was to De saved IN child bearing, not
only the anYetes and pains OF motherhood out he me
evitaby train 1t is her portion, and whateyer
her condition in fe she mus, through thls aa her
Man expects often from woman that which he has
thai her house is well ordered upon which depend SO
much the comfort and happiness oi nome. ftoessonai
10 sis time upon the woman therefore deyolve
The care OF children aud the Social reiaohs o Tue
nniees of wesrpg cares of seep watchings OF
Doyances aud pains, and trials wtDoua nunper. t,e
nisunderstood She is subordinate 10 man, nothing
more he expected 70 deal with her as Coo dealt VIII
Christ TO exact Of her her lawful duty and no more;
nor TO make q servant OF her whom God gave MIN Tor
wife She his hepmeet, and unless he support her p
bus authority and hls presence ae is making & ner .
si,i"n what wonder is IL that many women
are tempted TO neglect as Martha did their religious
Suties lest the duties home should be half done a1d
G "a ait at the feet Jesus ia the closet III the church.
and in devout meditation. praise and prayer Womaa
a. o,,en 10 blame for the careful and troubled DaDlt
hch sans the foundations OF domestic peace ana hap
piness A nervous, anxious CONDITION OF m,hu,
he result of natural temperament often aggravated Dy
,IIbesfh distresses Others and makes home unhappy
Il may be overcome by faith and prayer There Is s's9
An unnecessary anxiety, preyng care the result oi
she habt of much serving" which generates care
I'm house. aud destroys the