The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-02-25

III
- to such a friend?
| But think OF the
human kindness and simplicity OF the
Redeemer here displayed! II recalls
the marriage in Cana at which ne was
a guest. That was at the beginning
Of his ministry and this at its close.
How better could he have demonstrat-
ed that he came into the world not to
disturb its social arrangements or mar
its domestic Joys, but to elevate them
TO n higher plane! Blessed be God.
we may have Jesus at our feasts and
festivals as well as at other times.
and what heart, loving Jesus. would
attend feast or festival where he
could not be q guest?
But there 10 practical question
here Of another kind. When we re-
remember that Jesus knew he was to
die within a week. and endure before
hand unprecedented contumely. and
desertion by his dearest friends. and
then look upon him at this friendly
board. receiving happiness from 9th
ers. and dispensing happiness to them,
| must we not regard 1t as a sublime
example of that confidence in God
which knoweth that he doeth all
things well? Death. sorrow. pain. de-
sertion are experiences continually
present. Some OF us attempt to throw
of the thought Of them with the sto-
les plea, What can't be cured must
be endured" Others seek to drown
It in the hilarity and dissipation OF
the world. But how different that
which Jesus knew, and which they
know who have received him. and to
whom he has given power to become
the sons of God? Who would not be
Christian. a real Christian. IL 1t
were only for the sake OF this legacy
of peacee
The Devoted Mary and tho Avarieious
Judas
The central feature of this supper
is the amounting OF Jesus by the de-
voted Mary. The action was not IN
common in eastern lands. where the
heat Is great and the feet exposed to
II by sandals suffer from dryness and
scorching. The motive of Mary was
her love for Jesusu. Love. not only
for what she had learned from him,
but for what he had done for her
brother Lazarus. whom he raised from
the dead. All of which comes out the
stronger In contrast with the fanati-
cism and avarice OF Judas. why was
not this ointment sold for three hun
dren pense. and given to the poor?'
A specimen this of the way worldly
people depreciate actions done for the
love of God only. and especially Civ
ing money for Christs cause. Judas
said this. not because he cared for
the poor" John says, but because he
was a thief and had the bag and bare
what was put therein" He was think
Ing OF himself and not the poor.
The truest friends Of the poor. the
people who do most for them. are
those who do most for Christ. 1T
is" says Bishop Ryle, the SUCCESSORS
OF Mary of Bethany. and not of Judas
Iscariot. who really care for the poor
As another says. even II Judas had
said this from the heart 1t would have
been wrong. 1t does not follow that
TIE pOOT Will uot DC bGHCutSu, UtCAuht
the rich live according to their means
Social Distinctions to Remain.
But how significant that remark of
Jesus. the poor always ye have with
you" How clearly It teaches that
distinctions OF class and rank will
never cease in the present age. II
was never intended that society should
become a macadamized road where
all are on a level. The existence OF
pauperism alone does not prove that
states are ill-governed. or churches
are not doing their duty. This separa-
tion between rich and poor which Je-
sus made was opposed TO the spirit OF
Christ, for In the true veneration OF
his name consists the most effectual
caring for the poor. II Is important
to keep this In mind In this humanlta-
rian age when the gospel OF good
works ESQ called Is so persistently
thrust into the foreground In opposi-
ton to the gospel OF faith. Poverty
is forever at our heels, but Christ In
the meanwhile may be vanishing
away. How significant, Me 20 have
not always" Oh. let us take II to
heartl Him we have no longer when
the wings of death suddenly over
shadow us: or when our senses depart
under the influence Of disease. and the
message of salvation no longer pene-
trates through the crowd OF unbridied
imaginations. We have him no longer
when God gives us up to strong delu-
permanent abode In our minds. be-
cause We have hardened ourselves
against his calls 10 repentance