Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27

condemned. The fact OF this widespread
and prolonged publicity is here stated with
a twofold purpose-as a rebuke TO the men.
and as commendation and consolation to
Mary. Happy must she have been to hear
His words.
THE BETRAYAL oversees lilo
These words of Jesus, commencing the act
OF Mary, ought to have exerted a salutary
influence upon her critics. With shame for
what had been done they ought 10 have
oeen excited to feelings of loyalty for
their Master. Such may have been the
erect upon most of them, but one. he who
gave speech to the thought OF the others,
carried his avarice into the great city,
and four days after he was consorting
with enemies in a barter that covered his
name with infamy. For thirty pieces OF
silver, the price paid for a slave. he bar
gained to sell Jesus to the chief priests,
enabling them to accomplish their MUIR
derous purpose without arousing the popu-
lace. There have been many attempts to
explain this surprising course of Judas.
1t has been ingeniousy suggested that he
believed Jesus would assert His messianio
office and overcome his enemies, SO that
the betrayal was intended merely TO pre-
cipftate the issue. But the theory does not
comport with the facts. The man acted
from mercenary consideration. He was
moved by the hope of gain. 1t new
form of the same spirit that animated him
in Simons house.
THE REFLECTIoNS-The self-seek-
ing heart turns basam into poison, a joy
Gus IedSI. INTO an NOuf or temptation. the
purest offering of love into an offense.
Even among the Lords own company the
heart that is truly devoted must be pre-
pared for bitterest trials. Coverousness and
ambition develop each other. The attempt
to relieve poverty at the expense OF Christ
is hypocritical humanitarianism. The i'm
perishable remembrance of the good deeds
of believers is bound up with the praises
of Christ. The gospel makes all its chill
dren in two senses immortal. Many per-
form acts of love to Christ on which the
world puts a false construction. In the
actions of Gods children there are often
secrets which they themselves do not I'M
derstand-their deeds extend beyond their
thoughts and purposes. To grieve noble
soul in the performance of glorious act
is heavy offenSe. There is greater
enemy to man than a nggardly spirit. He
who sets out in sin will easily go on, for
the opportunity to indulge an evil passion
is never wanting.
Questions Answered.
Any person may send any Biblical ques-
ton to DR.. Gilbert, 1903 r street northwest,
this city, and receive answer in The Star.
1869. Why were the Israelites recreant
to their calling as the chosen people?
Answer. There were many influences
tending to lead them astray
l. They had been many years in bondage
in Egypt. where, naturally, they were more
or less dominated by the political and re-
liSlUuS lie OF tnSlT masters. Z. On enter
ing Canaan they were in close relations
with the native tribes whose abominable
practices tended to corrupt and degrade.
3. They intermarried with the Canaanites,
and the domestic life led many of them to
the further toning down of thought and
manners. 4. Three agencies We're appointed
by the Almighty to educate the people and
control and mold their lives: The priest
hood the civil rulers and the prophets; but
these were out of harmony with each other
through the failure of the first and second,
the third only being faithful to their trusts.
8. 1t must-also be remembered that the
ideals held before Israel were very high,
such as they could hardly comprehend,
much less steadily pursue Never was
given to any people such an exalted mis-
sion-to preserve the Messianic hope and
to prepare for the advent of Emmanuel.
Very few nations have attained the Dvinely
appointed end for which they We're called
into being.