The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-25
WITNESSING LECTURE
DR.. Kerr Delivers on Through Palestine
with Christ" To a Large Audience.


4 large assembly was present on Sun
day night at the First Presbyterian
church 10 hear Or. Kerr lecture. Speak
ing OF Bethany and Christs sojourn with
the family OF Martha in that village he
said:
Christ and his disciples now arrive at
Bethany. Coming up from the east, the
Mount Of Ohts rises before them ana
bethany nestles IN "a valley on its side
Hero He rests. HE disciples prohaol'
went on - jerusalem, OF which Bethany
was almost a suburb, being less than
three miles distant. The disciples wete
doubtless IN the city in attendance at
the feast to which the Lord would not
30 until the great excitement OF the early
days Of its celebration had passed. and
the crowds had begun TO melt away.
As 10 mention Is made OF Lazarus at
this time, its seems likely that he also
was absent at the feast. The Lord was "a
guest with Martha and Mary al Bethany.
The family was one of great respectable
ity and Of considerable substance. Pro-
baby the leading family Of the village.
Man tina was, perhaps, the eldest, as their
home IS spoken of as Martha's house,
and She is said 10 have received Christ
They appear 10 have been a happy fam
ily. and to have lived in comfort and
peace. IL being the time when the law
required that the people dwell in ta5or-
nacles roughly built OF branches cut
from the trees in memory of the wilder
ness journey Of the children OF Israel
i'm the desert. in the early days OF their
history, It would seem that Martha was
preparing for the family meal ln the
leafy tabernacle or arbOr built prob lbly
i'm the courtyard Of her house. and i'm
this kind of environment Mary sat al
His feet listening TO Ills words Mary s.
soul was hungry for the things CHRIST
had to tell her ana f0rgetful OF am else
she revercntly attends. Martha, DurdencI
with the cares of tlfe house and a little
irrtated al Mary's leaving her 10 serve
alone. is for the moment forgcttul Of
sisterly courtesy. and. indeed. of the
treatment due her guest, and she asks
Jesus to bid Mary help her ia the house
hold work.
Christ. VINO always placed the things
of the kingdom before temporal con-
Germs. chides The scolding sister say
ing, Martha. Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things. But
one thing is needful. and Nary has
chosen that good part which sh. not De
taken away from her SO the Saviour
eXacts communion with himself above
household or any worldly cares. There
are some women who seem 60 think that
woman WAS made for housekeeping ana
not housekeeping for woman ana some
men who act as if the chief end Of
man was 90 work himself like 81 beast
of burden at his daily business whatever
II may be- These things are means. not
ends. There is something in this world
besides business. Businessman, give
yourself time 10 read. Read facts, pure
fiction. philosophy. art and science. 40
viii broaden and deepen your lie. But
above all things take time Tor religion.
This must have precedence over every
thing Stop work and sit down 90 rest
at Jesus feet, man of work and Worry,
woman Of care and anxiety. Let the
calm air Of Heaven come into your soul,
and you shall not only thus please God.
but serve your own best interests. and
1T yourself FOR doing good 10 your fel-
loW-men.
The topic for next Sunday night will
be Scenes I'm and about the Temple"