The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-28

s-N-N~S WbhA H h1FEMSGs
 Ascetism hnds no encouragement in the example of Jesus. Sociability was conspicuous trait in His character. It gave handle to His Enemies, who described Him as a wine-hibber and giuttonous. He is not known to have ever declined q social invitation. If bldden to banquet or wedding, He went. Nor was he spectral figure He marred DO festivity with melancholy air or disabproving frown. He filled well the function Of guest, adorninR and beuutifying with His presence and mir acles the amenities of life.
 A foremost Pharlsee. about to give lordly banquet oovets. as an orna- ment of the occasion. the grace of Jesuss' presence He will fain garnish his feast with the young Rabbi's novel and superb table-taik.
 | The vestibuie of the Pharisee's cha teau Is the scene of a miracle of deed, as the banquet-hali afterward echoes to miracle of word An unfortunate creature Hes there. his skin distended to the point of rupture hy the watery collection beneath it Jesus screens not His eyes to a disgusting sight, which would spoil the appetite of the average voIuptuary. He losses no small coin to the sufferer. as other guests are doing. But before He can bestow that gift which will be of more value than silver and gold. He must forestall the deadly criticism of the Pharisees, which He knew to be lying in walt for him. 1t is not necessary to suppose. as some do, that the sick man had been placed in Jesus way with a malicious purpose. He was there and the critics of the Master say their opportunity. They seemed to have Him coming and goIng.' for 1t was a desperately bad case. and He might ig- nominiously fail of q cure: and if He succeeded. He would. in his very sue cess, have hagraEtly violated the Sab bath
 5esus manfully takes the Sabbath dissertation horn Of the dilemma; for He intends to heal the sick man. He springs His snare in His categorical question. 'Is It allowable to work a cure on the Sabbath Dav. or not?" Ac- tions speak louder than words. Jesus answers His own question by an in stantaneous and complete cure of the sick man. After this benevolent par enthesls He cluthches the nall which He had driven In His hrst question by askin ganother: Which of you shall have an ass or an OK fallen int a pit, and will not straightway pull him ont 5n Sabbath Day7" Amid ominous sileace the prescribed ablu- tiops are attended to. the festive cloak from the hosts own wardrobe is thrown about eaeh guest ana at lergth the ban quet hall is reached.
 Now Is witnessed the disgraceful scramble for place at table, as for the chief seats in the synagogue. AL though a concrete act Is specified. reference is in fa6 to the subjective state of which the act is a true ex- pression. The doing of the deed (for example the taking of the lowest place at table) without the appropri- ate subjective state would either be destitute of significance or 1t would he an instance of hypocrisy. The out ward manner is the expression of an inward condition.
 Jesus words may also be understood as picturing in an ironical way Pride's defeat of itself Then. too. he may be placing a premium upon a prudential course of conduct when even though the motive is not the highest, a spe- cies of self-control is developed which may finally contribute to the evolu- tion of a truly noble character.
 Analysis ana Key.
 ]. Sociability a trait of Jesus
 Asceticism no support in Him