The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-18
The International
Sunday-School Lesson
second Quarter. Lesson III. John XII, Ill.
April 10. 1908.
JESUS AMOUNTED AT BETHANY.

It is we'll that there are some incidents
which relieve the soinbre and aSonizlns
hours of Jesus last days on earth Among
them the .anointing' Is conspicuous. me
very fact that II is an act prompted purely
u: sentiment gives 1t It's charm and WORTH
The calculating spirit is ruled out. Love
has It's way. For eight weeks Mary had
watched her opportunity TO express In this
significant action her gratitude for the res
tcration OF her brother as We'll as her per
soi.al love and reverence Tor the Master.
She has kept in her boudoir the Egyptian
aiabaster vase. 1t is rich in hue and dainty
in shape, like ono Pliny aptly compares to
a closed rosebud Box and contents are SO
in harmony that each enhances the other:
The alabaster holds heavy weight OF liquid
perfume distilled with tho high chemical
art OF the Far East EdersheIm remarks
the fondness of jewish women for per-
fumes. and some one suggests that this
.,t,istic nard. was a relic OF Mary's old lie
before she knew Jesus. However, 1t Is dlni-
cult to how the continued possession.
and even personal use. OF a perfume should
be incompatible with fidelity to her new
found Master. II the new life was In her
heart. and she had enough for charity. she
could keep her alabaster without offense or
ragrant oil and gift of proceeds to the poor
would avail nothing Only love gives value
tc an act.
The company had gone into the banquet-
room. simon. the host, whom Jesus may
have healed of his leprosy. assigns his
guests to their places On this occasion.
Lazarus may have supplanted John In Jesus
bosom. At this moment Mary appears. She
breaks the slender neck of the crusc. and
pours part of the contents upon Jesus head
and part upon His feet and wiped His feet
with her luxurlant tresses. II not uncom-
mon Oriental act. 1t is like the singing
0. a sweet hymn of praise. which. though
directed to one. all hear and enjoy; for the
house is filled with the odor of the ointment.
See the lavish nature Of love! Part OF the
ground" would have been ample; but
Mary gives 1t all. Not a drop al a time;
but she pours it out at once. For her and
Jesus 1t IS the rich luxury OF brief mo-
ment. She elavates the custom to the high.
esq point OF honor when the feet and the
head are alike anointed How quick the
ntuitions Of a womans heart! a man would
have though of this gentle courtesy the
strange. but this good deed goads one OF
the guests to an ugly one! 1t is the inevi-
table clash OF the Christ-llke and the anti
crrlstllke spirit Judas demonlcally-
klndled nvarice is famed to a flame as lurd
az hell. But we can forgive him for the
Villains part he plays in simon's house, He
gives us a first clue to hs8character. the
devious windingsa Of which are confessedly
difficult to trace. Further. he quotes the
market value OF the nard. which Is an aston
ishlngly high figure ts5O, or. in correspond
ing purahasing power to.day +soGs Is It
since lie was "a thief and having tho bag.
took away what WAS put therein" He was
in "a frenzy at the thought OF such utter
we be surprised that the poor Galleans who
followed Jesus. ana We're unaccustomed to
| any luxury, were amazed at this? Judas,
taking the mask OF charity. and Stimulating
anger that the poor We're forgotten, mani
pulated these unsophisticated folks for
awhile.
Ihero are not wanting self-apponted
| npologlsts for Judas The criminal lawyer
has pleaded hard and skilfuly for him. But
what recks 1t? He himself pleaded guilty
and inflicted capital punishment upon
| himself. It would take more than Mary's
pound OF liquid perfume to offset the un-
pleasant odor of his rotting name. But
even Jesus tolerated Judas until only he en-
Guided himself by an act of self-reproba-
| ton, However. Iscarlot ewas desperately
1 human after all. He first blinded himself
with false pretexts-sympath y for the poor,
| and what not. Under this opiate to his
co,.sclence he almost lost nscousness. and
/ in his delirium made himself behave he was
5|Gcng God. service. Ana history Is peopled
i with the like. But we further thank Judas
i fotShs Interested criticism, because ~ brings