The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-15
LESSONS FROM
 ENDURING LOVE Dr. J. s. Foster Breaches
 Fervent Sermon
IN HOME OF SIMON
Draws Attention to Growing Rarity of Old School Gentleman With Del icate Regard for Feelings
 of Others

At the First Presbyterian church yes- terday morning the pastor, the Rev. Dr. John S. Foster, preached glowing ser mon, selecting as his topic Some les sons from enduring Memorial from Mat thew 2613. "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in all the world, there shall also this, that tnis woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
 pr. Foster in his clear and well modu- lated voice beautifully described the sim pie scene in the home of Simon and continued in part as follows:
 "One of the remarkable features of what seem ordinary incidents in the life of Jesus is the deep insight they af- ford into the profound realities of spir- nua life Under the influence of his spiritual touch the life of the soul is laid bare. Not aloMe the character of the eulogy he spoke following the conduct of this woman, but the tenure of life as- signed to it-that of perpetual memorial indicates this desire to reveal to His fol- lowers some of the vital principles of His gospel
 Fundamental Things
 Fundamental things should always be first. To build on a false foundation is to- build on weakness and however beau tiful for a time may seem the superstruc- ture in the end it will fall. Hence one of the most vital questions is in reference as to what constitutes a bond of union between God and man. There have been various replies given to the question with which you are more or cess familiar. No ble minds in every generation have sought to establish the bond by cultivating es- teemed graces of character. Sometimes ha the soul moved, a way marked by self inflicted injuries.
 But most pronounced to the general mass of mankind has been the effort to secure the assurance of acceptance with God through the performance of charit- able and benevolent deeds. A tinge of this sentiment is shown by the attitude of the disciples toward this woman who poured her costly ointment upon the Saviour as a mark of her devotion. Some have insisted that religion Is the fulfill ment of duty Some argue that it is the acceptance of revealed truth Others plead that religion Is a state of feeling. Not one of these affirmations is exclu- sive of the others and true religion in cludes them all and more. The essence of true religion is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost One may have beautiful creed, but no love; an attractive outward life laden with good works but no affection for God; morbid emotionalism without union between God and man is love of the Saviour. N
 Recognized It In Woman
 Jesus recognized thss in the woman and therefore the highly commended her. Tn her conduct Jesus read her love, dis cerned her devotion and interpreted her enthronement of Himself as the Christ of God There Is no true religion where there Is no love for the personal Saviour. There is no true relig.on where there is not personal devotion to Jesus.
 Tn his enduring memorial of this wom- an who so lavishly expressed her devo- ton to her Lord, Jesus also places his disapprova upon the sole honoring of utilitaran spirit He recognized the worth of things which could not always find expression in commercial terms. The disciples had in view only the mer- eenary aspect of this woman's offering. To them 1t was worth three hundred pence and nothing more. Such spirit did not meet the approval of Jesus. He was not defending extravaganza nor manifesting indifference to the needs of the poor But He was welcoming spirit which could not find adequate express sion In monetary terms.
 'sThe fragrance of the love of a devoted soul that strengthened HirD on the eve of His death had no value that could be translated into money. but an aroma that reached into heaven Here Is the side of our natures and duty of our religion that oft escapes us through the commer- cializing of our souls. We are prone to discount the value of everything that can not be converted into money. As a con sequence true culture of the heart, ten- derness of sympathy. the beauty of true refinement which seeks it's manifestation te courtesy and gentleness and delicate regard for others feelings is fast becom- ing obsolete.
 Old School Gentleman Is Rarity
 "A gentleman of the old school Is rarity. In his place is appearing the practical man who has little regard for any expenditure that may not yield d cash dividend. We are cultivating the habit which banks the grave with flow CTS and pours into living ears the tender words of eulogy for the dead, while with holding the sweetness of the flower from the same one amid the burden of the day and the helpful words of kindness from ears that could have heard and been refreshed. One element in the Lords commendation of this woman was design cd to impress the value of kindness of tho coul not capable of being trans la ei into terms of commercial life.
 "In Ills enduring memorial of this woman Jesus was further teaching the basis of true charity and phlantrophy. and through this incident Christ invites and puts His approval upon the doing of large things for Him. Was it waste to give the contents of this precious box of oirtrreut as q tribute to Him? In ar unmistakable manner He revealed His Die sure in what was done.
 ''The visible Christ is no longer with