Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-08-04
MARY's CHOICE.
Sermon Preached by Rev. A. W
Meaohan. Of Belleview, Ky.
OF Little River Baptist
Church, July 2eth.


Church, July 2eth.
Mary hath chosen that good part which shall
not be taken away from her. Luke lO-iz.
Bethany, a small village two miles
east of Jerusalem, was the home OF
Martha and Mary and their brother,
Lazarus. This interesting family
were the friends of our Savior, during
his sojourn in this world. They were
ever delighted TO extend TO him the
hospitality of their home; Jesus in
going up 10 Jerualem, called TO see
them tie two sisters gave him cor
dial reception, but they exhibited
their attachment in very different
ways; Martha by providing for him
all entertainment; Mary by sitting ut
his feet TO receive from his lips words
of instruction. Poor Martha, she
was doubtless good woman, but
like many modern christians, trou-
bled about worldly things; in an I'M
patient moment she requested the
Master TO bid Mary help her, per-
haps expecting commendation, but
was met with II gentle rebuke. Jesus
answered and SAID unto her, MAR
tha, Martha thou art careful and
troubled about many things, but one
thing is mcedful, ami Mary hath cllos-
en- that good part which shall not be
taken away from her." The COM
nendation which our Lord bestowed
upon Mary Is contained in our text.
"Mary hath chosen the good part, she
has given preference 10 the service,
and guidance TO Christ"
IL is abundantly manifest that he
who chooses religion chooses pOr-
ton for the soul. 1t is Il good part
What Is the body? Mere corruptible
matter, destined ere long to become
disorganized, and perhaps remain 50
for ages and the whole animal ma
ture, what is itp 1t is that which
proclaims to us we are of the earth,
earthly. Now in making this world
our portion we consult only the i'll
terests of the body, that OIL which the
dignity of human nature least de-
pends. But religion is a portion for
the soul, the nobler part. That spir-
il within u man which can rise from
earth TO Heaven aud hold communion
with its God. Turn your eye inward,
q man, and commune with thyself.
Analyze the operations of that prin-
ciplc, that spirit, that invisible some
thing which you call your soul, aud
which emphatically constitutes your
self, observe its amazing powers, ca
pable of an indefinite, and for aught
that appears an eternal expansion,
mark its sublime aspirations, its
ethereal tendency, its reachings down
into the future, Us well as its excur-
sions through the past. l have said
that religion is portion for the soul,
and how ? BY satisfying all the souls
desires great and boundless as they
are, by furnishing proper exercise
for lis powers, thus causing them to
expand and brighten into angelic
powels s, and thus approximating more
and more forever towards the per-
fection of the high and Holy One.
If the soul be the noble part of man
and if religion Is portion for the
soul, an adequate portion, a satisfy
ing portion, who will not say that he
who chooses religion chooses good
part? Again, this is good part be-
cause 1t is the right part.
There is an original immutable dis
tinction between right and wrong.
Men In their depravity may strive to
annihilate that distinction, but con-
science nevertheless recognizes it,
and asserts it and maintains it,,
though in doing so, it often makes
war on the passions. / will not agi-
tate the question as it is mere ques-
tion of metaphysics, whether this
distinction be founded primarily in
the will of God, or in the nature of
things. l assert nothing here but the
reality of its existence and say that
religion is good part in reference to
the grand distinction Of which have
spoken. God is a perfect being and
must love holiness and hate sin, and
in accordance with the perfection of
his nature, he must and does require
holiness and forbid sin, and there is
a principle in every mans nature
which entirely justifies this grand
feature in the divine administration.
Now he who is truly religious acts
in accordance with the will of God,
in short with the moral character and
government of God, in accordance
with what every moral being in the
universe feels to be right and with
what is right.
l ask again in view of these consid-
Grafton whether he who chooses reli-
gion does not choose a good part ?
But observe still further that in max
ing this choice all the interests of the
soul become identified with the inter-
est OF Jehovah himself. The views
which God entertains of the charac-
ters OF men are regulated by regard
to this broad and original distinc-
tion of which l have already spoken.
Those who are on the side of right
eousness He regards his friends, those
of the opposite character His enemies,
and those views determine His con.
duct towards them. Here are qualiiica.
tions necessary to introduce men to
particular stations and societies OH
earth, and there is a qualification
necessary to introduce a man into
Gods gracious kingdom, and that
qualification is religion. The moment
lie is thus introduced He has all the
perfections of Jehovah pledged fol
his protection and comfort, and His
ultimate triumph.
His interest becomes Jehovah's
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