The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-24

| the qualification of refined taste and in the
expression of noble sentiment are usually
those who do most for the poor, as also for
the promotion of every good cause. Hearty
and generous giving for missionary purposes
does not impoverish but enlarges the church,
as well es the person that gives. Those
| churches that do most for missions are al
ways found to be doing most for themselves.
''There is that which scattereth abroad, and
| yet hath" says the toise man. 1t is proper
| to do and to encourage others to do, what a
prompt. There is no waste in anything that
blesses the soul. Beautiful deeds as well as
words, are kept in everlasting remembrance,
and are perpetual incentive to noble living.
"The others of the twelve may have been
honest in their reproof of this very liberal
offering. But they did not fully take in the
situation of affairs. They did not compre-
bend the depth and strength of Mary's devo-
ton to JESUS, nor her keen sense of the fact
that he was soon to be taken away, and that
as the clouds were gathering about him, he
especially needed the fullest show of sympa-
thy and esteem to cheer and sustain him. In
these respects Mary stood in more ideal re-
spect to her Master than any of the Apostles.
She had more fully given her heart to him
and was more alive to the terror and pathos
of the situation involved, with the shadows
of Gethsemane and Calvary already falling
on him. To her it was supreme hour. She
would never meet another like it. 1t was a
crisis in her own life and in that of her Lord;
and. under the circumstances, to do less than
all she could do would have been false to
herself and unworthy of the great teacher
and friend. Hence she gave him royal
amounting in token of his spiritual kingship,
and of her own loyalty and love; and he
called it good work she had performed,
and said the ages would be interested in it
and tell of it.
"a blessing to Mary in various ways, it was
tribute that especially touched the heart of
CHRIST. He associated it with his death, and
felt it was somehow an amounting of his body
in advance. 1t was sweetness in his bitter
cup, of which he stood in great need. 1t was
the cheering light of love shining into his
darkness, and he was the stronger for it. 1t
was the sign of love and tenderness that
would outlive his crucifxion, care for his
body, and cherish his name and spirit. He
was truly grateful for the act.
"But on Mary's side he saw in it the first
great essentials in the Christian life, per-
sonal devotion to himself, the development
of sentiment out of which would spring
faith and hope and charity. He saw in it the
promise of great tenderness for the needy
ones. The love that was SO alive to his sor-
row could not be Indifferent to the poor,
when he had passed from the earth in person
to return in spirit. In the love and devotion
thus inspired in view of his own cross, he saw
pity and helpfulness which would fly to
the relief of all the cross bearers, whether
their crosses be poverty, or sorrow, or sin, or
doubt. Such love for him would broaden
into charity for all who like him should
stand in need of compassion. Hence. not in
the colder or more calculating temper of the
rtofr tu IN, ha IF II
das,-so much as in Mary's enthusiasm of
sympathy, did he behold hope for the poor,
who would always remain among his disci-
pies.
'sThe point of this lesson is that so often
enforced in the New Testament of love for
JESUS as our Lord and Benefactor "a love
that is the first blessing of life, that illumines
the mind, enriches the soul, chastens the
heart, ennobles the conscience. From this
devotion to CHRIST will spring an 'enthusi-
asm of humanity The churches have been
and are still the most notable almoners of
charity. The temples of Christendom stand
as costly offerings to CHRIST, but they are Of
ferings by reason of which the poor have
been gamers, and not losers. In this gener-
GUS habit of giving, induced by the love of
CHRIST, the needy ones are not forgotten.
"Broadly viewed, it was not waste but an
economy in Mary, this pouring out of the
costly ointment on the head of the Redeemer.
IN no OLn6r way WOulu buOS0 -IuT66 Huuur6u
pence have 80 blessed her or the world.
They we're for the culture and confirmation
of sentiment which makes life rich and
tender and beautiful. And a liberal expend-
iture on all the sentiments is attended with
much promise. do for CHRIST just what is
closest at hand, and be sure that you will so
meet all his remotest or most unknown
times and occasions. Or, better still, follow
without question the impulse of love to
CHRIsTs own person; for this, when really
full and sovereign, will put you along easily
in kind of infallible way, and make your
conduct chime, as it were, naturally with all
Cons future, even when that future is un-
known "-Rev. Sumner Ettts, d. d., IN s. s.
Helper.
OLD Enemies. = Literally, table was
prepared for JESUS in the presence of his en-
emies. FPS. xiii. 81. Hearing of the feast,
great crowd of the Jews came not only on
account of JESUS, but that they might see
Lazarus whom he raised from the dead. Be-
LEVERS multiplied because of the living testi-
mony of Lazarus to the work and power of
JESUS, and the enraged high-priests plotted
to destroy Lazarus also. Six days after,
through the perfidy os Judas, who was no
doubt stung to desperation by the rebuke of
his Master on this occasion, JESUS hung on
the cross, the victim of wicked prejudice
and conspiracy, and yielded up his royal
spirit dying "the righteous for the upright
eous" that he might bring us to GoD. And
this death of him who said Sand l, if be
lifted up from the earth will draw all men
in the final salvation of all mankind.