The National tribune., 1886-04-08
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

reaulng-S0 simple, so tender, so naIuTal. mo
wonder an artist should seize on it. Accord
ingly one of the choicest paintings in the Ores
den Gallery is the Marriage Feast at Cana, by
Paul Veronese
Likewise the poet sees in this miracle inspi-
ration for the MUSES.:
"'They have no wine the mother said,
Then ceased when scarce begun
Her eye went on Lift up thy head,
Show what thou art, my Son.
"A vision rose before his eyes
The cross. the early tomb,
The peoples rage, the darkened Skies
The unavoidable doom.
"'Ah woman heart, what end Is set
Common to thee and Me?
Mine hour of honor Is not yet i'll.
Twill come too soon for thee
"And yet, his eyes sweetly shined,
His voice so gently grew,
The mother knew the answer kind
'Whate' er He sayeth do
On the third day after our Savior left Betha-
bara, marriage feast was to begin at Cana.
He probably passed through Nazareth his old
home, and there found an invitation awaiting
him and his five Disciples. 1t is supposed the
bride or groom was relative of the family to
which Mary belonged, and, hence, she went.
Joseph was probably deceased, there being
never any further mention of him. AS the
feast which. after the Eastern manner, covered
.,
close, Mary, our Savior's mother, observed the
wine was giving out, and great embarrass-
ment would follow. Jesus had possibly
told his mother the events at Bethahara and
the evidences there furnished of his Messiah
ship. If he did not explain, the five Disciples
probably declared the facts to Mary. Then
she connected these accounts with the miracles
of his BIRTH and at once caught the idea her
Son was really the Prophet, the Messiah, and
so able to work miracles Then, Mary may
have felt a special interest, since her Son
brought with him five additional guests, and
so did much to lessen the wine. When Mary
informed him, he replied: Woman, what have
| to do with thee?" The term woman was re-
spectful equivalent to madame or lady. 1t was
used in common life among the most refined.
(Mt.. Is: %; Lu 10: u; John, 4 81, 10: 26,
20: Is. 10. The word rendered wife in l Cor,
Z: 16, is the same in Greek.) In Eastern coun-
tries even Princesses are so addressed What
have | to do with thee?" sounds harsh. The
language seems that of rebuke. Some go so far
as to declare that Christ spoke thus harshly to
Mary on purpose to prevent the heresy of Ma
roatry. A goodly number of scholars claim
Christ foresaw the tendency to worship the
Virgin Mary, and so called her woman, not q
Deity, but human being-one to worship, but
not one to be worshiped. We would not enter
into Interior objects on the part of our Saviour.
The words seem to have gentle Gliding effect
"a rebuke. Christ would not use his miracle
power at the direction of his human parent.
He was always obedient within the whole range
in which parental authority holds sway. Mi
raculous displays, however, were to be used ex-
clusively by divine direction. Doubtless much
of the edge of the cenSure was taken oil by a
tender eye and a sweet-toned voice. We find
our Savior never used his power to effect q
miracle for any selfish purpose or to please his
friends or relatives. Such power whenever ex-
bearing. At the same time Christ intimated
that when the right point in the festival was
reached when his hour should arrived he
would comply with her request. 1t is possible
the use of language was such that our saVior'S
words did not mean either rcbuke or refusal
We must interpret the sense by the conduct of
Mary afterward. She does not seem cast down
or diSpleaSed. She proceeds as though her re-
quest had been granted. She does not discover
an impression her Son meant to decline or scold
1t is found Christ furnished about 120 gal
Ions, or four barrels of wine. A firkin was about
eight gallons so each stone jar held about 20 gal
Ions. The company was probably quite numer
Gus. 1t seems there was sufficient quantity to
last during the remainder of the festive occa-
sion. Some believe it did not diminish, and
that the entire quantity remained over for the
use of the newly formed family.
Each stone jar was filled to the brim with
water, so no coloring matter could be cast in
causing the appearance of wine. Some held
that the water in the jars was not changed, but
that when drawn from the faucets it issued as
wine, although within it was water, the miracle
being effected in the faucet. Most careful stu
dents hold the entire water was converted into
wine and lessened as drank.
This is called a miracle, which is defined,
every sensible deviation FROM and every con-
tradiction to, the laws of nature, so far as they
are known to u.s." miracle is never vio-
lation of the laws of the universe. A miracle
is beyond human power, and Christ, perform
ing such, manifested forth his glory" con-
vincing witnesses he was no ordinary
mortal.
There is no disputing the fact Christ made
the wine, and that real wine. The thought,
once uttered with much hope, that the bible
has two words for wine, one when it is fer
mented and another when unfermented proved
to be erroneous. Christ knew what he was
doing, and he was without sin. We believe our
Savior would never favor drunkenness He was
temperate and taught temperance, and declares
in his Word that no drunkard shall enter
Heaven.
We are oppressed by the great number of
practical thoughts:
l. Always invite Jesus to be present and to
bless the union of marriage. He ought to be
expected at every wedding.
2. Marriage is right Our Savior graced a
nuptial party by his presence and aid.
3. Never be premature. Have time for
everything.
4. Do not lose confidence in God because of
delay. Have patience. God often waits to aid
until our resources are totally expended and we
feel want, and not simply apprehend it. Thus
we appreciate his gifts more. His hour comes
when all We have is gone.
5. Children should obey their Heavenly
Father in religious matters, even if counter to
parents views. Religious duties are between
God and each person, and out of parental con-
troll whenever God and the parent do not har-
monize
6. Do not dictate to Jesus Let him and our
Father above adjust our matters-(a) as to their
features; (b) as to time.
Z. We are invited to a marriage festival
Let us get ready. REV, 7-9.) We shall sup
with Christ, REV, 3 :20,) and drink the new
wine. Mar, Ia 25.)
8. Abide your time-wait for your hour. Do
not be impatient Waiting time is not lost
time. Christ waited 80 years to begin the min
istry. St. Paul waited three years College life is
profitable. Full apprenticeship is serviceabe.
Prayer time is not lost. Wait Thorough
planning before executing is requisite. Arehi
lecture is saving of time in building. 1fa
10. ii is right TO be happy, and even merry.
H. Believe. ". III
II. Always do just as Christ directs. So
Bryant writes:
"Whate'er He bids observe and do;
Such be the law that we obey,
And greater wonders men shall view
Than that Of Cana's bridal day.
1.-THE fiinty heart will, love shall beat,
The chains shall fall from PASSIONS slave.