The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-14

ny pleaulnE 10 annoyance. II is vastly
better to leave the naked statement of
facts to make their own impression.
She doubtless felt that, notwithstand-
ing the answer. something would be
done, for she Immediately gave in
structions to the servants. 1t is a great
son whose mother SO confdes in Him
that she believes a reasonable request
will not be rejected. who turns away
and provides for the answer which she
expects. Mary had turned this whole
question of the wine over to Jesus, and
left Him to do what He pleased. (v. 81
with only this additional part that she
told the servants to obey Him. All this
procedure sheds light in various direc-
tions-upon the place and relation of
Mary, upon her simplicity and conf
dence. upon the possible significance of
the event. And Jesus is thus suddenly
changed from the place of a mere
guest, rejoicing with other guests, to
be the custodian of authority
VESSELS SUPPLIED. - Nothing
could be more appropriate than Mary's
last words They left Jesus free to act.
according to His wisdom, but supplied
Him with necessary help, so that His
doings might he witnessed and attest
ed. Indeed the very best conditions
were provided for free and important
deed, such as was actually performed.
To facilitate matters still more there
were standing near at the time six
stone waterDots Their size cannot be
determined although the text says that
each contained two or three firkins, ".
% but the measure is uncertain and
unimportant These vessels We're a Gus
tomary part of the furniture for
feast occasions. being used for purify
ing or washing purposes. The Jews,
and especially the Pharisees were
careful to perform frequent abutions
while eating, Mark vii: - to avoid
detllement, a custom handed down by
| tradition. duke ri: 49, So here stood
ready for use by the Saviour vessels
which might serve His purpose should
| He conclude to act.
| ORDERS GIVEN.-The details are
omitted from our narrative. Great
| turning points only in the history are
| sketched. How long time elapsed after
| Mary's words to the servants, what
Jesus did and said, what the servants
| did, how the guests behaved, we are
not informed. After a little there was
| a change in the thought of the Master.
| He had said that He was under no
| obligation, and that His ministerial
| prerOgatiVe did not require anything
| of Him, but in a short time He was
moved by far different purpose. "Fill
| the waterpOts," he said, and the SER
wants filled them to the brim. ". -
| They knew that water and nothing
| else went into the stone jars. He did
| nothing but command. Draw out and
bear unto the governor of the feast"
! ". 81 was His next order. And He was
Obeyed. His hand touched nothing.
| His word touched everything Gsa., w.
| 10 There may have been some sur
| prise expressed on the COuntenances of
| those who We're near. Does this master
| propose to give cold water instead Of
wine? Had there been temperance ad-
vocates present they would have re-
joiced and they would have thought
| there was an intended rebuke upon
the social customs of the time.
| SURPRISE Notwithstanding
| between the well where the water was
drawn and the governors lips-in the
| buckets of the servants, in the stone
waterpots or in the silver goblets--
that water became wine. A miracle
J had been wrought, and Jesus was the