The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-15
THE TEACHER,s LANTERN.

THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
 A lesson In sacred aesthetics is here. Money spent to adorn and beautify re- ngion Is never to be begrudged. A cathedral, for example. is monument to the divine. It teaches and inspires. So wealth expended in awakening the sentiment of worship is never lost. It is always justifiabfe. Proportionate expenditures up on the artistic and tasteful are to be commended. They are definite contributions to ethical and spiritual evolution.
 Much has been said of the Loneliness of Jesus. But 1t must also be remem- bered that He was also much in socie- ty The references are numerous enough to affirm a habit. He adorned and beautified many supper and wedding. His social side was not at- rophied.
 Judas, by reason of the enormity of his crime, is almost excluded in the average thought from the role of hu- man beings. But it admits of question
 whether there are not men now living who under similar circumstances would not do exactly as Judas did. He was a man. not devil from the other
 world.
 Martha did not sulk. Jesus had on a previous visit criticised her for being troubled with so much serving. She did not on that account fly moodily to tho other extreme and refuse to serve at all. It is very significant then (al- though 1t might be overlooked), when the record says, Martha served" Talk ing criticism is a fine art as well as
 giving 1t.
 Judas proposition cannot be disputed.
 It was a great sum-$100 in perfume ryI the wages of a laborer for a whole year! But no higher use of that money could have been made than was made of 1t. It was a sacramental act It was an expression of gratitude and rever- ence. While 1t did not preclude deeds of charity the latter could not be any | substitute for it.
 That home at Bethany was ideal. | The meshes of the domestic net were
 soft as silk, but firm as steel No won | der Jesus loved to be there.
 An adult Bible-class is said to have | spent the entire hour in discussing the | shape of the alabaster-box. It is to be feared that many are busy over
 husks and shells. pure technique-ge- ography. archaeology. and the like, but
 never reach the subtle fragrance of
 the ethical and spiritual meaning. Mosaic from Commentaries. Six days before: Devout men set time apart before to prepare themselves for a ceremony.-Henry. Lazarus: Is men, | toned throughout the incident as forming an element in the unfolding | of the hatred of the Jews which is-
 sued in the Lords death.-AIford | Ointment of spikenard: The original 1 literally randerad Ia pard pisfick If ie
 quite uncertain what plstic means
 whether genuine liquid or pistic, a | local adjective Filled with odor: The | detail is peculiar to John, and is one | of those minute points which belong
 only to a personal impression at the | time.-Westcott. Judas: One of the
 number not of the nature of the apos- | tles.-Henry. Three hundred pence:
 He estimated with precision. Judass | talent was connected with the temp
 tation that made him a thief-Lange
 Why was not: Proud men think all | ill., advised who do not advise with 1 them.-Henry. He was a thief: The | reigning love of money Is heart-theft | as anger and revenge are heart-mur- der.-Ibid. Took away: Betrayed his | trust. Betrayed his Master.-Ibid Given to the poor: Charity to the poor
 made a color of opposing a piece of piety to Christ.-Ibid. Censure infects
 like a plague.-Stier. Cared for the poor: It is the successors of Mary of Bethany, and not of Judas Iscariot. who
 really care for the poor.--Butler. Let
 her alone: The beautiful work of love
 elevated, interpreted. and glorified into | a prophetic act.-Stier. In the act of
 love done to Him she had erected a
 monument as lasting as the Gospel. - Olshausen.