The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-10-01
An Eyer Present Trnth.

But one thing is needful.-Luke
10:42.
The text is an old fact restated in
the terms of the Gospel for answer
to the numerous and many sided
questions of our modern life.
In order to attain pre-eminence and
success men everywhere are coming
to recognize more and more the wis
dom of conservation in the pursuit of
some one thing. Michael Angelo,
having a fixed goal, pursued 1t with
an ambition that consumed him. He
forgot hunger, thirst and bodily
fatigue, and at length the world
crowned him as master of his art.
In the realm of music Handel is
called a prince and the very soul of
art. This, however, never could have
been true of him, nor could he have
written immortality into his name,
had he been other than the man
whose passions and powers in the
pursuit of the one thing were offered
on the altar of music. 1t has been
said of him that bis ardor for celestial
sounds caused the keys of his harpsi.
chord by his frequent manipulation to
assume the shape of spoons.
Our text finds Jesus among His
friends In the Bethany home, and His
words reveal the two persons
Martha and Mary-in striking con.
trast. Martha is deeply concerned
about the material things. There is
much of anxiety and hustle about
her as she thinks of His entertain.
ment, comfort and food. Mary, the
very soul Of seeming Indifference tc
all temporal things, thinks only of a
az fc nh he Iiafa
to His every word When at length
the fussiness of Martha can stand II
no longer, she complains to Jesus.
saying, "Carest Thou not that my sis.
ter hath left me to serve alone?" His
answer is not rebuke to her activity,
but rather an Interpretation of 1t with
dignity and strength. But one thing
is needful."
What did the Master mean? What
is this one thing? Perhaps it may be
answered best by placing emphasis on
the word "one," so as to make II in.
elusive, and say: Thou lackest one
thing. That is, the one thing lacking
comprehends all wants and hunger.
ings, all life and power II this be
true, then the "one thing needful"
must be that for which men every.
where have been searching, and for
which men even now-unconsciously
perhaps-are seeking In strange ways
and by many questions. 1t is the
lone thing needful" for the aching
heart which refuses to be Quieted, and
says: as there any meaning in
life?" 1t is the lone thing needful"
for the man who in the midst of his
struggles is conscious of gradual de-
feat in the rounds of daily life, ex
claiming: rs there no way out OF
this tangle of being and doing?" II
is the "one thing needful" for the
profound philosopher in his study, for
the capitalist with his wealth, for the
aged and the young, for the learned
and the ignorant. Yes, 1t is the lone
thing needful" for the whole world.
What Jesus said to Martha has
been the truth OF the ages. 1t is the
truth of the present. How much men
everywhere need the lone thing
which punctuates life with knowl-
edge, with strength and fills the soul
with peace! We must not fail to
recognize that II had something to do
with Himself; for. speaking of Mary,
who sat at His feet listening to His
words. He said: MARY hath chosen
the better part" The good part
meant Himself. To know Him is tc
know the "one thing needful;" to find
Him Is to find 1t. He and 1t are one
He came to help our needy humanity.
to satisfy with His light, love and
peace our deep yearnings for the life
which now is, and to comfort us with
the truth of immortality.
Our hymns, our prayers, our ex.
hortations are all based on the one
appeal: "Come to Jesus" Come tc
Him because all life stands in need
of what He alone has to give. If He
can satisfy the need, then He is the
power to help, and belief in Him is
the one thing needful.-The Rev. ]
Henry Hartman, pastor fremont
Presbyterian Church, New York, in
the Sunday Herald.