The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-07-01
Great Personages
of the Bible
By
REV. LEONARD A. BARRETT
Mary the Virgin

1VA descent from David. She was
also a blood relative Of Elizabeth, VINO
was the wife of Zacharias. the priest.
It was an unwritten law that only
members of the royal families were
permitted to unite in marriage with
the priests. Though of royal Diood'
she was poor. Evidence for this is
seen in that Joseph was a carpenter,
which trade did not bring large finan-
cial returns; and also from the value
of the gift Mary and Joseph offered
as a sacrifice when they brought Jesus
into the temple. The sacrifice con-
sisted of a pair of turtle doves and
two young pigeons, small gift as
compared with those of the weather.
class Of her day.
One of the most interesting expert
ences in the biography of Mary was
her attitude of mind and heart when
she was informed by the shepherds of
the important place her son would oc-
cupy in the future history of her ma
ton. To her the information came as
great mystery. She could not COM
prehend why she should be regarded
with such special favor. The writer OF
her biography informs us that instead
Of giving expression to her feeling In
wild excitement and overstrained
nervous tension, she remained elo-
quently silent. MARY kept all these
sayings, bordering them in her heart. "
No one but mother knows the secrets
which she hides away in the sanctu-
airy of her heart.
Not only was the prophecy concern
ing Jesus locked up in Mary's heart {;
She also treasured there the mystery
which surrounded her child Jesus. She
could not altogether adjust herself to
His dual nature. Truly He was her
son, but He was also the Son of God.
Pathetic is the incident for Mary
when she discovered that after leav-
ing the temple she had lost her Son.
She sought for Him diligently, but no.
where could He be found. Upon re-
turning to the temple, hoping that she
might find Him in the crowd, imagine
her CONSERVATION when she discovered
that Jesus, though but thirteen years
of age, was occupying distinguished
place in the temple. He was arguing
with the intellectual men of His day
upon matters of the law. Even more
mysterious was the reply of Jesus
when Mary spoke to Him about His
absence, knew We not that must
be in My Fathers house" After this
incident, He returns to the humble
home in Nazareth, but Mary, perplexed
and bewildered, kept all these things
in her. heart"
a mothers pride and confidence in
her son is beautifully portrayed
through an incident which occurred in
Cana. The occasion is wedding
feast and the refreshments which were
furnished for the feast had given out
Mary interceded with Jesus in behalf
of the guests and the embarrassment
was relieved by the first miracle which
Jesus performed. The confidence
which Mary had in her Son is ex-
pressed in her command to the serv-
ants, whatsoever He saith unto you
do it,"
Upon another occasion Mary, moth
erlike, desired to- speak with Jesus
doubtless upon a subject of vital con
Germ to herself, but which Jesus felt
was not as important as the work OF
preaching and healing. While Jesus
was speaking to the crowds of people
Mary stood outside waiting for an op
portunity to speak with Him. When
Jesus was informed of her wish, He
made reply to His followers which
was frank declaration of His spirit
ual mission. Motherlike, Mary again
"Kept all this in her heart"
At the crucifxion, the concern which
Jesus had for His mother is very beau
tiful and tender. He provides for hel
future care and gives her parting as
surance of His love and devotion. But
Jesus, her Son, whom she perhaps
never did thoroughly understand, was
being crucified. Again, the only place
where Mary could safely hide her scr
row and her pain was In the sanctuary
Of her heart.
This attitude of Mary, Of hiding
things in her heart, stands out as 8
very unique characteristic of her ma
ture. The only safe place Of sure re
treat is the human heart.
The wisdom of the heart Is many
times more valuable than the wisdom
Of the mind. "Out of the heart are
the issues of life" The lamps Of cour
age, sympathy. and strength are III
within the temple of the heart. The
real man is always, 1.-The hidden mar
of the heart"