Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-03
Justification.

Justification.
Let us turn TO the more cheerful side
OF the story
Christ Immediately defends the wom-
an. who must have been almost over
powered by the criticism. Mary's act
was its own Justification. Prompted by
love. perhaps forseeing what the others
did not see, His death and burial, she
did not count the cost. Love never
does. II We stop to scale down the
price of. our gifts or to count their
costs in money, we may be sure we
are not giving a gift of love.
AS He pronounced those words: she
hath done what she could the harsh
criticism of the disciples is forgotten
and she feels amply repaid for the
sacrifice.
But note the attitude of the Master
Could 1t be possible that the One who
fed the multitude when the disciples
was neglectful Of the poor?
No. His whole thought was ever for
the poor and needy. Clearly He points
out that this was the opportunity for
The poor could be helped in thousands
of ways and at all times. but to anoint
the Son of God for burial, there was
just one time. Our lives are filled with
opportunities AS we grasp their rel
alive Importance. as we diferentiate
between the ordinary and the extra
ordinary, we show that We have be-
come possessed with christ's viewpoint.
as had Mary.
There Is another sense in which
Mary's act was justifa Bile. and not
When Edward Everett delivered his
famous address in connection with the
Bunker Hill monument. the turning
point of his address was the question:.
What good does this monument repre-,
sent?"
Eloquently he showed we are not toi
measure the highest forms of utility By
mere material advantage; whatever.
ennobles the mind with higher eoncep-;
tons, enriches the heart with more, ,
unselfish ambitions. whatever refines
our sensibilities, invigorates the con-
science and Strengthens the will, has
for these reasons the highest possible
value.
Apply the same principle to the story,
of the lesson. The 900 shillings wouldi
have afforded the poor only tempo,
rary relief. The limit Of its valuos
would soon have been reached. The,
influence OF her act is eternal En-x
shrined in the testimony OF the Holy
Word, 1t has been an Inspiration to
countless millions. Its influence has
been felt by every race and every.
age. Not until the day of Judgment
will 1t be possible to compute its true
value. For many an unheralded sacri-
poor has had it's source in the act
of this woman Of 1000 years ago.
This IL q most practical lesson.
Just as the stone dropped into tho
water makes its influence felt in ever
widening circles, we may speak word
or do some act whose importance will
only be emphasized after Its results
are seen.
The Sunday school teacher who won
''wee Bobby" MONT for Christ, buiIded
better than he knew. The work of that
hero will never die. Yet that Scotch
teacher has a rightful claim to a share
IN that great work. Mary probably
did not realise the full Significance OF
her act But she did what she could.
Therefore, her act is among the inl-
mortal acts of history. for there is
Immortality IN acts as well as in
actors.
In conclusion, let US try to get Wis
ion of the spirit that prompted her in
her sacrifice. II WAS a love that knew,
no bounds.
Today we organize great movements.
There IL a call for help from the poor
for service were never.
so abundant. The motive power. how.
ever, 10 lacking. We find it exemplffecl
in the lesson. Only as we grasp 1t anct
cultivate this spirit within our own
lives will we accomplish great things2
and win from Christ the commenda-I
tion that we have done what we could
It 10 truly q worthy ambition.