The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-27
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL
 LESSON
Fourth Quarter, Lesson IV. Matt. xxvi, 8-16. October 2S, 1OO6'
Jesus. Anointed in .sethnny.

Jesus. Anointed in .sethany.
 Jesus had worked His eatest mfr acle under the very caves of the e. clesiastical establishment. It was ac- cepted as a challenge. and steps were immediately taken to compass Ills death. His hour not yet having come, the Master retired to Ephraim, twen- ty miles away. near to the wilder ness or sparsely populated country. There. in company with His disciples. He passed the time in physical ana spiritual recuperation. price was practically set upon His head, Tor tno chief priests and Pharisees had given notice that if any one knew wher He was he should give information m order that the arrest might be maoe With mingled motives cf curiosity. admiration and opposition the peo- pie who had come to Jerusalem 1n large numbers t6 attend the Passover made quest for Jesus. For the tim" He eclipsed both temple and cere- mony. As the days passed they be gan to say to each other In their ais appointment, "Is it possible He Is not coming to the feast at all?" But when the time was fully come, the Master resolutely set His face toward that slaughter house of the prophets -Jerdsalem. He was fully oognizant of all the peril of going to the city at this juncture.
 It was in this instance that ono significant incident like shaft or light fell across the inky blacknes. in which His life closed. 1t was that high and loving courtesy shown Him in the home in Bethany. They ban uueted Jesus. They made supper in His honor, and in grateful recog hilton of His mercIful deeds.
 In the noblest villa Of the suburb or Jerusalem. the table with its damask coverings, was set in hollow square, as the custom was. It was surroundeo by richly upholstered couches Shaded lamps cast their full radiance upon the goodly scene. Eye. nostrl1, 'ear' ana palate were delighted. color, fras- rance, music and viands matched these several organs of sense. According to Oriental custom. the house was open and the interested villagers hung like an animated fringe around the table sharing with the invited guests sight of the cheer and Rladness. On elther side of Jesus reclined the tropnies oI His power-Simon whom lie had neal ed of leprosy. and Lazarus whom He had revived from death. Noble anu beautiful women graced and adorned the scene and hour.
 One significant and timely deed lift ed this feast to the level Of a sacra- ment. Out of her boudoir Mary
 
 contained--an Oriental cruse or ala- baster, filled with genuine liquid per fume, very precious. the seal or Whi.h had never been broken. Tier unspeak- able gratitude would fain express N- self in a deed of revarence and love. unstintedly she poured the costly liquid upon Jesus's head and feet, us ing her luxuriant tresses TOT towel. In a moment every recess or the house was filled with the subtle and dell- ciouS fragrance.
 But as may be expected in every hu- man gathering, which of necessity must contain some whose ethical eVolutloh is retarded or stunted, an apple or discord was thrown into this feast of love. It came from the very hand that was filching from the common purse of the apostles Judas stole the livery of charity in which to serve his own cupidity He affected benevolence that he might cover his own grasping spirit Some of the apostles were evidently infected with his carping spirit, ana at least joined mildly in the spec1ous protest.
 Right royalty did Jesus come to the defense of Mary and her deed. He interpreted her action and put the seal of His Divine approval upon It. 1T she gave Him momentary and passing embalming, He embalmed her forever in the ineffable incense or Ills pralSe. "She hath wrought good work. She hath done what she could Whereso- ever this gospel shall be preached there shall also this that this woman hath done be told for a memorial of her." A practical principle of life is irradiated in connection with this in cident. Jesus affirms that deeds which can be done any time must give place to those which can only he done just now. The poor are always with you; not so l."
 The banquet intended for His honor really set the seal of Jesus doom and