Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06

all little risky to indorse this scribe. for.
aithouGh he deserved all that was said of
MN. some might infer that all the men
IT his class were to be trusted. But this
was not the case There were Others who
occupied this honorable position and dis
nonored It, Christ pictured them-the men
ieighted In public greetings Matt xxii:S),
VINO selected conspicuous seats in the syn
agosues ana at feasts: men who make long
prayers. aS II the length OF their prayers
tnen quite common; but who devour wild
ows' houses, the most shameful of all
practices. Upon these Jesus pronounced
aamnaeon. and warned his hearers to be-
ware OF them-not to copy them, or approve
mem or promote their evil designs
THE TREASURY GIFTS Verse AZ.
In the temple court OF the women there
were nxed number Of Golfers. made with
trumpet, for the purpose Of receiving the
onertngs of the people. The money thus
contributed was devoted to the service of
the temple-to incense, sacrifices. etc. All
gifts were free will offerings. as much SO
as are those that are cast into the collec-
ton baskets in our churches. This method
OF revenue was very ancient e Kings, xii:
y, and in many ways suited to develop the
people. Rich men made large offerings.
thinking thereby to gain some credit and
possibly favor. Now. it so occurred that
jesus was near one of these Golfers and he
took note of what TRANSFERRED While the
temple service pertained to the old dispen
sation which must shortly pass away, and
Whlle on that account he could not be as
greatly interested in it as in many other
things, yet the giving was a revelation of
character, and he could not pass 1t in ST.
lence.
THE WIDOWS MITES verses ~.
-. 44) Among those who came that day
with gifts was a poor widow-her garments
and general appearance showed her condi-
ton. Two mites. or one farthing in value
about one-thtrd of our cent, fell from her
mana into the general receptacle. She may
have experienced some modification as she
passed on. because of the small gift. But
the eyes of Jesus rested upon her, and He
would not suffer her to depart without COM
ment. An opportunity was Offered and inn
proved to give instruction. Calling his dis
ciples, He declared that the widow had
made larger contribution than any who
had preceded her. Their gifts had been of
their abundance-hers had been of her pow
erty. The eternal contrast was drawn be-
tween the little Of the poor and the much
of the rich. prov. xvi:S.) Behind the gift
Is the giver. Multiply the gift by the giver
and the product is what God sees. while
man sees only the gift and seeks by it to
became the teacher of apostles. She Is I'M
known. The lesson lives.
THE CLOSING THOUGHTS. /. There
are no great no small, no single duties or
virtues. All things stand in relation-God
with man. and love for each is important
and helpful to love for the other. g. There
Is room for accord and approval between
Christ and His followers on the one hand,
and those not His followers on the other.
Men honor themselves by recognizing what
Is good in any one. 8. Some people in high
station are bad in heart and life, exerting
an influence for evil all the more deplorable
because Of their elevation. Let no one who
loves the right play the part of a personal
supporter Of such. but rather let him shun
and expose f. Church finances on a volun-
tary basis display and develop character
jesus now stands over against the collec-
ton basket noting the gifts. We do well to
deposit as If in His sight. 8. A man is
judged not by the amount Of his gift, but
by the ratio between the gift and his pos
sessions Much and little are relative
terms, to be defined by what remains.