diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:33:41 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:33:41 -0700 |
| commit | 7087554552506697c800f99a370288bbdad794fd (patch) | |
| tree | 10e9232acf9463df974e0750621f32dfaec84e1a /9783-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '9783-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 9783-h/9783-h.htm | 11494 |
1 files changed, 11494 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/9783-h/9783-h.htm b/9783-h/9783-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..67bd7cf --- /dev/null +++ b/9783-h/9783-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11494 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + +<head> +<title>Female Scripture Biography, Vol. 2 - by Francis Augustus Cox</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-variant: small-caps } + h1,h2 { margin-top: 2em } + .smallcaps { font-variant: small-caps } + img { border-style: none } + --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II, by +Francis Augustus Cox + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II + +Author: Francis Augustus Cox + +Posting Date: November 15, 2011 [EBook #9783] +Release Date: January, 2006 +First Posted: October 15, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FEMAIE SCRIPTURE BIOS, VOL 2 *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>Female Scripture Biography:</h1> + +<h2>Including an Essay on What Christianity Has Done for Women.</h2> + +<h3>By Francis Augustus Cox, A.M.</h3> + + + +<blockquote>"It is a necessary charity to the (female) sex to acquaint them with their +own value, to animate them to some higher thoughts of themselves, not to +yield their suffrage to those injurious estimates the world hath made of +them, and from a supposed incapacity of noble things, to neglect the +pursuit of them, from which God and nature have no more precluded the +feminine than the masculine part of mankind."</blockquote> + +<blockquote>The Ladies' Calling, Pref.</blockquote> + + + +<h4>VOL. II.</h4> + +<h4>BOSTON:<br /> +LINCOLN & EDMANDS. <br /> +1831.</h4> + + + + + +<h2>Contents of Vol. II.</h2> + + + +<p><a href="#01">The Virgin Mary--Chapter I.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#01-1">Section I.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Congratulation of the angel Gabriel--advantages of the Christian + dispensation--Eve and Mary compared--state of Mary's family at the + incarnation--she receives an angelic visit--his promise to her of a son, + and prediction of his future greatness--Mary goes to Elizabeth, their + meeting--Mary's holy enthusiasm and remarkable language--Joseph informed + of the miraculous conception by an angel--general remarks</blockquote> + +<p><a href="#01-2">Section II.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Nothing happens by chance--dispensations preparatory to the coming of + Christ--prophecy of Micah accomplished by means of the decree of + Augustus--Mary supernaturally strengthened to attend upon her new-born + infant--visit of the shepherds Mary's reflections--circumcision of the + child--taken to the temple--Simeon's rapture and prediction--visit and + offerings of the Arabian philosophers--general considerations</blockquote> + +<p><a href="#01-3">Section III.</a></p> + +<blockquote> The flight into Egypt--Herod's cruel proceedings and death--Mary goes to + Jerusalem with Joseph--on their return their Child is missing--they find + him among the doctors--he returns with them, the feast of Cana--Christ's + treatment of his mother when she desired to speak to him--her behaviour + at the crucifixion--she is committed to the care of John--valuable + lessons to be derived from this touching scene</blockquote> + +<p><a href="#01-4">Section IV.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Brief account of the extravagant regard which has been paid to the + Virgin Mary at different periods--the names by which she has been + addressed, and the festivals instituted to honour her memory--general + remarks on the nature and character of superstition, particularly that + of the Catholics</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#02">Elizabeth--Chapter II.</a></p> + +<blockquote> The angelic appearance to Zacharias--birth of John characters of + Elizabeth and Zacharias--importance of domestic union being founded on + religion, shown in them--their venerable age--the characteristic + features of their piety--the happiness of a life like theirs--the effect + it is calculated to produce on others--the perpetuation of holy + friendship through immortal ages--the miserable condition of the + irreligious</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#03">Anna--Chapter III.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Introduction of Anna into the sacred story--inspired description of + her--the aged apt to be unduly attached to life--Anna probably religious + at an early period--Religion the most substantial support amidst the + infirmities of age--the most effectual guard against its vices--and the + best preparation for its end</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#04">The Woman of Samaria--Chapter IV.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Account of Christ's journey through Samaria--he arrives at Jacob's + well--enters into conversation with a woman of the country--her + misapprehensions--the discovery of his character to her as a prophet her + convictions--her admission of his claim as the true Messiah, which she + reports in the city--the great and good effect--reflections</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#05">The Woman Who Was a Sinner--Chapter V.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Jesus and John contrasted--the former goes to dine at the house of a + Pharisee--a notorious woman introduces herself, and weeps at his + feet--remarks on true repentance and faith, as exemplified in her + conduct--surmises of Simon the Pharisee--the answer of Jesus the woman + assured of forgiveness--instructions deducible from the parable</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#06">The Syrophenician--Chapter VI.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Introductory observations--Christ could not be concealed the + Syrophenician woman goes to him on account of her daughter--her + humility--earnestness--faith--the silence of Christ upon her application + to him--the disciples repulsed--the woman's renewed importunity--the + apparent scorn with which it is treated--her admission of the + contemptuous insinuation--her persevering ardour--her ultimate + success--the necessity of being importunate in prayer--remarks on the + woman's national character--present state of the Jews: the hope of their + final restoration</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#07">Martha and Mary--Chapter VII.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Bethany distinguished as the residence of a pious family, which + consisted of Lazarus and his two sisters--their diversity of + character--the faults of Martha, domestic vanity and fretfulness of + temper--her counterbalancing excellencies--Mary's choice and Christ's + commendation--decease of Lazarus--his restoration to life at the voice + of Jesus--remarks on death being inflicted upon the people of God as + well as others--the triumph which Christianity affords over this + terrible evil--account of Mary's annointing the feet of Jesus, and his + vindication of her conduct</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#08">The Poor Widow--Chapter VIII.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Account of Christ's sitting over against the treasury--he particularly + notices the conduct of an obscure individual--she casts in two mites--it + is to be viewed as a religious offering--the ground on which it is + eulogized by Christ--the example honorable to the female sex--people + charitable from different motives--two reasons which might have been + pleaded as an apology for withholding this donation she was poor and a + widow--her pious liberality notwithstanding--all have something to + give--the most trifling sum of importance--the habit of bestowing in + pious charity beneficial motives to gratitude deduced from the + wretchedness of others, the promises of God, and the cross of Jesus</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#09">Sapphira--Chapter IX.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Mixed constitution of the church of Christ--benevolent spirit of the + primitive believers at Jerusalem--anxiety of Ananias and Sapphira to + appear as zealous and liberal as others--Ananias repairs to the apostles + to deposit the price of his possessions--is detected in deception and + dies--similar deceit and death of Sapphira--nature and progress of + apostasy--peculiar guilt of Sapphira--agency of Satan distinctly + marked--diabolical influence ascertained--consolatory sentiments + suggested to Christians</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#10">Dorcas--Chapter X.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Joppa illustrious on many accounts, particularly as the residence of + Dorcas--she was a disciple of Christ--faith described as the principle + of discipleship--the inspired testimony to the character of Dorcas--she + was probably a widow or an aged maiden--remarks on reproaches commonly + cast upon the latter class of women--Dorcas exhibited as a pattern of + liberality, being prompt in the relief she afforded--her charities + abundant--and personally bestowed: observations on the propriety of + visiting the poor--the charities of Dorcas often free and + unsolicited--wise and conducted upon a plan--the pretences of the + uncharitable stated and confuted--riches only valuable as they are used + in bountiful distribution</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#11">Lydia--Chapter XI.</a></p> + +<blockquote> Account of Paul and his companions meeting with Lydia by the river-side + at Philippi--the impression produced upon her heart by the preaching of + Paul--the remarks on conversion, as exemplified in the case of this + disciple--its seat the heart--its accomplishment the result of divine + agency--the manner of it noticed: the effects of a divine influence upon + the human mind, namely, attention to the word of God and the ordinances + of the Gospel, and affectionate regard to the servants of + Christ--remarks on the paucity of real Christians--the multiplying power + of Christianity--its present state in Britain--efforts of the + Bible Society</blockquote> + + +<p><a href="#essay">Essay</a></p> + + + + +<h1>Female Scripture Biography.</h1> + +<h2>Vol. II</h2> + + + + +<h2><a name="01"></a>The Virgin Mary.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter I.</h3> + + +<h4><a name="01-1"></a>Section I.</h4> + + +<blockquote> Congratulation of the Angel Gabriel--Advantages of the Christian + Dispensation--Eve and Mary compared--State of Mary's Family at the + Incarnation--she receives an angelic Visit--his Promise to her of a Son, + and Prediction of his future Greatness--Mary goes to Elizabeth--their + Meeting--Mary's holy Enthusiasm and remarkable Language--Joseph informed + of the miraculous Conception by an Angel--general Remarks.</blockquote> + + +<p>"HAIL, THOU THAT ART HIGHLY FAVOURED, THE LORD IS WITH THEE! BLESSED ART +THOU AMONG WOMEN!"</p> + +<p>Such was the congratulatory language in which the commissioned angel +addressed the virgin of Nazareth, when about to announce the intention of +Heaven, that she should become the mother of Jesus; and such the strain +which we cannot help feeling disposed to adopt, while recording her +illustrious name, and contemplating this wonderful transaction.</p> + +<p>On Mary devolved the blessing which the most pious of women had for a +long succession of ages so eagerly desired, and which had often created +such an impatience for the birth of children, in some of whom they +indulged the sublime hope of seeing the promised Messiah. In her offspring +was accomplished the long series of prophecy which commenced even at the +moment when the justice of God pronounced a sentence of condemnation upon +rebellious man; and which, like a bright track extending through the moral +night, and shining amidst the typical shadows of the Mosaic dispensation, +fixed the attention of patriarchs, and prophets, and saints, for four +thousand years:--and upon this otherwise obscure and insignificant female +beamed the first ray of that evangelical morning which rose upon the world +with such blissful radiance, and is increasing to the "perfect day."</p> + +<p>Infidels may contemplate the manifestation with unholy ridicule or vain +indifference; but we will neither consent to renounce the evidence +afforded to the historic fact, nor cease to celebrate the mysterious +miracle. We will unite with the impassioned angel, at least in the +sentiment and spirit of his address; and join the high praises of the +midnight anthem, sung by descending spirits in the fields of Bethlehem: +"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN!"</p> + +<p>In the course of Scripture history, we are now advanced to that period +which the apostle emphatically denominates "the last days," in which "God, +who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past, unto the +fathers by the prophets," speaks to us "by his Son, whom he hath appointed +heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." Let us hear his +voice, admit his claims, and bow to his dictates. As truth arises upon us +with greater splendour, we shall find that character is formed to greater +maturity under the immediate influence of "the ministration of +righteousness" which "exceeds in glory." By the unparalleled transactions +of this age we shall see the whole energy of the human mind drawn forth, +and furnished with ample scope for exercise; all the faculties become +ennobled and purified; and the female sex especially, from the days of +Elizabeth and Mary to the close of the sacred record, becomes marked with +a holy singularity. By the starlight of the former dispensation, we have +discovered many women of superior excellence, availing themselves of all +the means they enjoyed, and presenting a pre-eminence of character +proportioned to their comparatively few advantages and imperfect +revelation; but amidst the splendours of the "Sun of Righteousness" we +shall witness, in the females who adorned this new era, a greater +elevation of mind and advancement in knowledge.</p> + +<p>Still it must be recollected, that the day only dawned, the shadows were +not at first entirely dispersed; and although the favoured inhabitants of +Judea and its vicinity saw the age of Christ, not like Abraham, "afar +off," but in its commencing glory, their prejudices and prepossessions did +but slowly melt away. Some degree of dimness remained upon the moral +sight; and we are called to observe, not so much the accuracy of their +conceptions as the fervour of their love.</p> + +<p>The two most extraordinary women that ever appeared in this world were +unquestionably EVE, "the mother of all living," and MARY, "the mother of +Jesus Christ." They occupied respectively the highest stations and the +most critical points of time that ever fell to the lot of mortals; and +they exhibit an instructive contrast. EVE lived at the beginning, and +MARY at the "fulness of time."--EVE saw the glories of the new made world +after creative Wisdom had pronounced it all "very good," and before sin +had tarnished its beauty and disarranged its harmonies.--MARY beheld it +rising from the ruins of the fall, at the moment of its renovation and in +the dawn of its happiest day.--EVE was placed in the most glorious and +conspicuous situation, and fell into a state of meanness and +degradation.--MARY was of obscure origin and lowly station, but was +raised, by a signal appointment of Providence, to the highest +eminence.--EVE was accessary to the ruin of man--MARY instrumental in the +birth of him who came as the Restorer and Saviour of mankind--EVE beheld +the fatal curse first take effect, in overcasting the heavens with clouds, +in withering the blossoms of paradise, envenoming the spirit of the animal +creation, disordering the human frame, and ultimately destroying it, and +introducing all the nameless diversities of wo which fill up the tragedy +of human life.--MARY witnessed the beginning of that long series of +blessings which divine love has for ages dispensed to man "through the +redemption that is in Christ Jesus," and which will eventually replenish +the cup of existence with unmingled sweetness and perfect joy.--EVE +witnessed, with a trembling consciousness of guilt, the awful descent of +those mighty "cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to +keep the way of the tree of life," and which were placed "at the east end +of the garden of Eden." MARY, with feelings of ecstatic rapture, beheld +the angel Gabriel standing before her, with the smiles of heaven upon his +countenance, heard his benedictions, and held "communion sweet" with the +holy messenger. Wretched, wretched Eve! Happy, happy MARY!</p> + +<p>The Jews have been always celebrated for their care in preserving their +genealogies: in consequence of which it providentially happened, that the +evangelists were able from their own authenticated records, to verify the +ancient predictions of the birth of Jesus Christ. Two of the inspired +historians have given a statement of his ancestry; the one tracing it from +Abraham, and the other ascending to Adam; the one pursuing the line of +Joseph, his reputed father, the other the line of Mary, his real mother; +both concurring in the most decisive evidence of his being the Son of +David and of Abraham, and the true Messiah of the prophets. [<a href="#foot1">1</a>]</p> + +<p>Although in her distant ancestry Mary may justly be considered as of an +illustrious descent, yet at the period of the incarnation, this family was +in a very reduced state: the genealogical tree of David was cut down to +its very roots, when the ancient prediction was accomplished respecting +that great Personage who is represented "as a slender twig shooting out +from the trunk of an old tree, cut down, lopped to the very root, and +decayed; which tender plant, so weak in appearance, should nevertheless +become fruitful and prosper."</p> + +<blockquote> "But there shall spring forth from the trunk of Jesse,<br /> +And a cion from his roots shall become fruitful.<br /> +And the spirit of JEHOVAH shall rest upon him:<br /> +The spirit of wisdom and understanding,<br /> +The spirit of counsel and strength,<br /> +The spirit of knowledge, and the fear of JEHOVAH." [<a href="#foot2">2</a>]</blockquote> + +<p>But vain is the "boast of heraldry." It can avail nothing to elevate an +insignificant character to eminence, or screen a guilty one from contempt. +The evangelists have not recorded the lineage of Joseph and of Mary for +the purpose of emblazoning their names, but solely to authenticate the +prophetic declarations respecting Christ, to be connected with whom is +real honour and solid glory. Of past generations, how many names, great in +human estimation, have descended into oblivion, while those only will +obtain an imperishable memorial, who are "written in the Lamb's book +of life."</p> + +<p>It must ever be deemed a noble distinction to have stood related to Christ +"according to the flesh;" more so than to have been the sons and daughters +of the mighty princes of mankind: but to have been his MOTHER was the sole +honour of one happy female; still, however, less happy on this account, +than because of the genuine humility with which she adorned her lowly +sphere, and the lively faith with which she recognized the character +of her Son.</p> + +<p>In reference to the genealogical tables of Matthew and Luke, it has been +admirably remarked, "We observe among these ancestors of Christ, some that +were <i>heathens</i>; and others that, on different accounts, were of <i>infamous +character</i>: and perhaps it might be the design of Providence that we +should learn from it, or at least should on reading it take occasion to +reflect, that persons of all nations, and even the <i>chief of sinners</i> +amongst them, are encouraged to trust in him as their Saviour. To him, +therefore, let us look even from the ends of the earth; yea, from the +depths of guilt and distress; and the consequence will be happy beyond all +expression or conception." [<a href="#foot3">3</a>]</p> + +<p>In the apostolic epistle to the Hebrews, it is intimated as a fact, of +pleasing notoriety, in the history of the church of God, that angels are +"ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs +of salvation." When appointed by the great Supreme to this service, they +usually adopted a human form and appearance, probably for the purpose of +securing that degree of familiarity which the nature of their +communications required, and which a more splendid manifestation would +have precluded; in the scriptural accounts, however, of these remarkable +visits to eminent saints in early ages, whether they appeared in numbers, +as to Abraham, or individually, as on other occasions, no distinct mention +is made of their names or order. But to impress a character of majesty and +dignity upon the message, and upon all the circumstances of the divine +communication to Mary, when an angel is commissioned to announce that she +was selected by the wonderful providence of God as the mother of the +Messiah, the name of the celestial messenger is recorded by the evangelist +in a marked and solemn manner. It was the angel GABRIEL [<a href="#foot4">4</a>] one, as we may +infer, of the highest order of those intelligences that "circle the throne +rejoicing;" and the same glorious spirit who so many ages before had been +sent to Daniel, to specify, in a prophetic enigma, the time of "MESSIAH +THE PRINCE," which he now came to announce as having actually arrived.</p> + +<p>Never did even an angel before convey so important a message, or descend +to this earth with such rapturous sensations. It must ever, indeed, be +considered the felicity of an angel, as well as of a man, to do the will +of God, whether this obedience involve personal difficulty, or be +accompanied with circumstances of peculiar delight. It must have afforded +satisfaction to the mighty spirit who was despatched from heaven to eject +the first parents of our race from the bowers of Eden, and to stretch his +flaming sword across the path of access to the tree of life, as well as to +that favoured angel who now hastened to the cottage of the virgin of +Nazareth; because each was accomplishing a purpose in which he knew that +the divine perfections were pre-eminently displayed; but as, in executing +the will of God, the holiest of men must necessarily experience a +different kind and degree of satisfaction, according to the nature of the +service itself to which they are called; and as we have scriptural +evidence that the inhabitants of the invisible world have peculiar +sensations when sinners of the fallen race are converted to God; it is not +surely an inadmissible sentiment, that, as never spirit was honoured +before with such a message, Gabriel must have felt unusual joy upon +announcing the incarnation of the Son of God. His very language expresses +it. His address is full of pathos and congratulation. It breathes angelic +rapture. With it we commenced this subject, and in some measure +participating the bliss, we cite it again: "Hail, thou that art highly +favoured, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women!"</p> + +<p>There is nothing in the narrative to induce us to think that the angel +assumed any extraordinary splendour of appearance on this occasion; and +judging from the usual mode in which blessed spirits visited the sons of +men in former times, as well as from a consideration of the tender age and +lowly station of Mary, it is probable that he entered the room where she +was, as an ordinary stranger. It is besides stated, that she was troubled +at his <i>saying</i>, not at his <i>appearance</i>.</p> + +<p>This salutation excited in the virgin's breast a sensation of astonishment +mingled with apprehension. Among the Jews it was not lawful for a man to +use any salutation to a woman, not even by a messenger, or her own +husband; in addition to which, the panegyrical and congratulatory terms in +which she was addressed, might well lead her to "cast in her mind what +manner of salutation this should be."</p> + +<p>The benevolent messenger at once relieved her from the embarrassment into +which he perceived she had been thrown, by familiarly calling her by name, +renewing the solemn assurances of divine favour, and predicting the future +glory of that illustrious Son whom she should bear, and whose description, +being, like all the Jews, well instructed in the prophetic Scriptures, she +would immediately recognize. These were his remarkable words: "Fear not, +Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shall +conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name +JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and +the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he +shall reign over the house of Jacob forever: and of his kingdom there +shall be no end."</p> + +<p>Her surprise was now raised to the highest pitch; and, incapable of +comprehending by what means such a declaration could be fulfilled in her +who was at present a virgin, she ventured to inquire of the angel, "How +shall this be?" It is worthy of observation, that she did not instantly +reject the testimony of her illustrious visiter as manifestly absurd and +impossible, but modestly requested an explanation of the mysterious +assurance. She was evidently one of those who "waited for salvation" in +Israel; and who well knew that it was the province of human reason to +submit, with implicit confidence, even to the most inexplicable statements +of revelation.</p> + +<p>It is true, she could not conjecture by what miraculous conception the +angelic prediction would be verified; but she did not hesitate a moment to +allow the apparently incongruous facts of his being her son, and yet the +Son of the Highest, who should rise to the throne of David, and possess an +everlasting kingdom. Her reason was confounded, but her faith triumphed; +and though she knew not the <i>manner</i>, this was no sufficient evidence with +her against the probability of the declared fact. Upon how many inferior +occasions, and under far less mysterious circumstances have we been +incredulous, deeming even the plainest declarations improbable, because +they were unaccountable; and presuming to introduce some arbitrary +alteration into the record of heaven, or some far-fetched comment, rather +than humbly bow to supreme authority.</p> + +<p>If, however, it were admitted that the question of Mary betrays at least a +momentary incredulity, this was soon dispersed by the angel's reply: "The +Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall +overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of +thee, shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, +she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month +with her who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." +In the exercise of lively faith and joy she answered, "Behold the handmaid +of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed +from her."</p> + +<p>Let us endeavour to imitate the spirit of Mary. She acknowledged the +power of God to accomplish the greatest, and, to her, the most +inconceivable designs; and with unaffected simplicity, blended with humble +and holy satisfaction, she received the divine word. Thus let us resign +ourselves to the will of God, and confide in his most wonderful +declarations. It is for mortals to believe, and not to cavil; when Jehovah +speaks, to hear and to obey. Let us beware of stumbling at the promises +through unbelief; and cherish increasing pleasure in the conviction, that +he who sent his Son into the world to be the Saviour of men, will freely +bestow upon his redeemed people all the blessings of time, and all the +riches of eternity.</p> + +<p>It is observable, that on this occasion a young woman, though at first +overawed by the heavenly manifestation, at length displayed a faith which +shines with peculiar brightness, when brought into comparison with the +sentiments of the aged priest Zacharias, when the same angel appeared to +him a few months before, to communicate a prediction of far less apparent +improbability.</p> + +<p>When this venerable man was burning incense on the golden altar before the +Lord, and therefore in circumstances peculiarly favourable to the most +elevated exercises of faith and devotion, Gabriel appeared to him, and gave +him assurance that his frequent prayer for the redemption of Israel was +heard, and that his aged partner should become in due time, the mother of +a distinguished son, to be named John, who should be "great in the sight +of the Lord," eminently useful in converting many of the children of +Israel, and preparing their minds for the speedy approach of the Messiah; +and yet it is stated, that Zacharias "believed not his words," in +consequence of which he was smitten with dumbness till the birth of the +child. But Mary, though so inferior in age, in situation, and in spiritual +advantages, glorified God by a full acquiescence in his declarations; +thus exemplifying what the grace of God can accomplish, even in the +youngest persons, and the weakest sex. It must not indeed, be overlooked, +that <i>at first</i> the language of Mary indicated a certain degree of +hesitation and doubt, somewhat allied to the unbelief of Zacharias, +although she <i>eventually</i> triumphed over every feeling of fear or of +unbelief; and yet no sign of divine displeasure was given. May we not, +therefore, take occasion to admire the discriminating goodness of God, +who, while he does not "willingly afflict or grieve the children of men," +proportions his chastisements to the demerit of the individual, and the +circumstances of the case? The omniscience of the Searcher of hearts is +perfectly acquainted with the secret workings of the mind, and measures +with perfect discernment the exact delinquency of every thought and deed, +when we can judge only by the appearance or the words of the individual.</p> + +<p>It is peculiarly gratifying to witness the beginnings of faith in the +young, and especially in young females. It becomes their age and sex. It +constitutes their best accomplishment, and their most shining ornament. +Beauty is a fading flower, wealth a perishable treasure, and admiration "a +puff of air;" but religion in the heart is an unfading inheritance. While +so many vain and inconsiderate young women value themselves upon exterior +charms and unmeaning flatteries, upon the symmetry of a face, the elegance +of a form, and the decoration of a ribbon, may every female reader of +these pages aspire after the nobler distinction of Mary, and by her +undissembled piety afford pleasure to her parents, to her friends, to the +church of God, and to those witnessing spirits, "in whose presence there +is joy at the repentance of a sinner!"</p> + +<p>Immediately after the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, perhaps on the +same day [<a href="#foot5">5</a>], she hastened to her cousin Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias, +who resided in that part of Judea called the hill-country, which extended +from Bethoron to Emmaus. The purpose of this visit was to congratulate her +pious relative on the singular mercy which she was informed by the angel +she had experienced, in the promise of a son at her advanced period of +life, and to communicate an account of the heavenly intercourse with which +she had herself been favoured.</p> + +<blockquote> "Now theirs was converse such as it behoves<br /> +Man to maintain, and such as God approves"--</blockquote> + +<p>worthy of the excellent characters who met, and calculated to confirm each +other's hopes, and awaken mutual gratitude:</p> + +<blockquote> "Christ and his character their only scope,<br /> +Their object, and their subject, and their hope."</blockquote> + +<p>If, when pious persons associate together, they have not to relate the +visits of angels, or the miraculous interferences of Providence, it is +surely in their power to diversify, enliven, and improve their social +interviews, by some allusions to experimental religion, and some +interchange of pious sentiment. The Christian world suffers incalculable +loss by neglecting suitable opportunities for such communications, which +might be eminently conducive to the great purposes of mutual comfort and +instruction; for</p> + +<blockquote> "------What are ages and the lapse of time,<br /> +Match'd against truths, as lasting as sublime?<br /> +Hearts may be found, that harbour at this hour<br /> +That love to Christ, and all its quickening power;<br /> +And lips unstain'd by folly or by strife,<br /> +Whose wisdom, drawn from the deep well of life,<br /> +Tastes of its healthful origin, and flows<br /> +A Jordan for the ablation of our woes.<br /> +Oh days of heaven, and nights of equal praise.<br /> +Serene and peaceful as those heavenly days,<br /> +When souls drawn upwards, in communion sweet,<br /> +Enjoy the stillness of some close retreat,<br /> +Discourse, as if releas'd and safe at home,<br /> +Of dangers past and WONDERS YET TO COME,<br /> +And spread the sacred treasures of the breast<br /> +Upon the lap of covenanted rest."</blockquote> + +<blockquote>COWPER.</blockquote> + +<p>As soon as Mary had reached the residence of Elizabeth, and saluted her, +the babe, which the latter had conceived, leaped with unusual and +supernatural emotion; and she became so filled with the Holy Spirit, as +instantly to burst out in the most impassioned language, indicative of the +glorious discovery, that Mary was the long predestined mother of Messiah. +Although it seems probable that her husband, upon his return home, had +informed Elizabeth (perhaps by means of writing, for he was still +suffering that temporary dumbness which his unbelief had occasioned) of +the vision he had seen at Jerusalem, and of the promise of the angel that +he should have a son remarkably distinguished, especially as the precursor +of the Saviour; yet till this moment she had no suspicion that her beloved +relative was to be that illustrious mother, who should inherit the +blessing of all future ages. Now a ray from heaven breaks upon the +mysterious subject, and "the glory of the Lord" is risen upon this +venerable matron. She pours forth unusual benedictions upon Mary, and +congratulates herself upon the felicity of her own circumstances.</p> + +<p>The generous nature of this joy is truly admirable, and worthy of +imitation. Exempt from that envious spirit which is so predominant in the +world, and so utterly subversive of the real interests and happiness of +those who cherish it, Elizabeth congratulated her young relative upon the +superior favour which Heaven had conferred upon her; and murmured not at +the will of Providence, in assigning her so unexpected a pre-eminence. Her +words were as follows: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the +fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord +should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded +in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that +believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told +her from the Lord."</p> + +<p>The same spirit which dictated the language of Elizabeth, animated the +bosom of Mary with inspirations of a still higher order. Unable to +restrain the vehement enthusiasm of her mind, she thus began:--</p> + +<p>MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD, AND MY SPIRIT HATH REJOICED IN GOD MY +SAVIOUR.</p> + +<p>The mother of Jesus here adopts the prophetic style, speaking of the +future character of her illustrious Son as though he were already born, +and had attained to that eminency to which he was predestined. She extols +him as "God her Saviour," more enraptured with the hope of salvation +through his name, than with the honour of her maternal connexion with him. +We need feel no surprise at her assigning this title to her anticipated +offspring, when we recollect that she was at the moment divinely inspired, +and that she had been previously informed by the angel Gabriel of his +being "the Son of the Highest." This was no doubt understood by the Virgin +Mary as expressive of his divine personality. He did not, indeed, +<i>become</i> the Son of God by his miraculous conception; but it was the +reason of his being called so. Thus he is <i>called</i> the Son of God as +raised from the dead, no more to return to corruption, but he was not +<i>constituted</i> such by these events. It was a <i>declaration</i> of what he was +antecedently to his conception by the overshadowing influence of the +Holy Spirit.</p> + +<p>In Mary's exclamation, "magnifying the Lord," and "rejoicing in God her +Saviour," are used as convertible terms, denoting the same sentiment and +source of joy. And how rational and noble was this feeling! Where should +an immortal creature seek happiness, but in God the Saviour? What are all +the fleeting possessions and enjoyments of time, in comparison with the +"pleasures" which are at his "right hand for evermore?" How awfully +infatuated are those who aim to attain real felicity independently of the +sovereign good!--Mary continues,</p> + +<p>FOR HE HATH REGARDED THE LOW ESTATE OF HIS HANDMAIDEN: FOR, BEHOLD, FROM +HENCEFORTH ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED.</p> + +<p>This is the language both of piety and inspiration. It implies that sense +of the divine condescension which characterizes humility, intimating the +unmerited nature of the mercy she had experienced, as well as her +unexpected elevation from the lowest condition. She states, that it is her +<i>happiness</i>, and not her <i>excellences</i>, for which she anticipated the +congratulations of succeeding times. She was conscious that the honour and +the glory belonged to God, and that the felicity of her circumstances, not +the merit of her character, deserved admiration. It was neither the glory +of her descent, nor the multitude or splendour of her virtues, that +attracted the regards of Heaven, and influenced the movements of +Providence in passing by the palaces of greatness to the cottage of Mary: +but "so it seemed good in his sight:" and while, with impious vanity of +spirit, many are flattering themselves that their imaginary virtue will +recommend them to the notice, and secure the favour of Omniscience, it +will be found, to their ultimate confusion, that "this" only "is life +eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou +hast sent."</p> + +<p>FOR HE THAT IS MIGHTY HATH DONE TO ME GREAT THINGS; AND HOLY IS HIS NAME.</p> + +<p>There is a singular propriety, in thus introducing the sanctity of the +divine nature and character. In the production of that body which was +"prepared" for the Son of God, nothing of the infection of sin, which +attaches to the corrupt nature of man, was suffered to stain "the holy +child Jesus." He was, indeed, "in all things made like unto his brethren, +yet without <i>sin</i>." Although his miraculous conception did not exempt him +from human infirmities, it prevented the possibility of his being +contaminated by human guilt.</p> + +<p>The <i>name</i> of God is frequently mentioned in Scripture; and, in general, +we are to understand by it the revelation of his character, by whatever +methods, to his intelligent creation; and to <i>hallow</i> or pronounce it +holy, is devoutly to adore every such discovery. His name is written on +the works of nature, but shines with pre-eminent lustre in the wonders of +redemption; and the spirit of ardent devotion traces all these +manifestations in order to pay a suitable homage to them. To pronounce the +name of God <i>holy</i>, is then virtually to attribute to the Supreme Being a +grandeur and a majesty perfectly unique, and which distinguishes him from +all other beings in the universe.</p> + +<p>AND HIS MERCY IS ON THEM THAT FEAR HIM, FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.</p> + +<p>The spirit of Mary takes an elevated station, looking back upon past ages, +and anticipating the glory of future times. The incarnation of Christ is +represented as an act and an evidence of divine mercy, not only to her, +but to all who by the fear of God are interested in this new dispensation. +The promise of a Saviour was almost coeval with the world; and during the +long succession of ages which had since elapsed, and the infinite +diversity of events, so perplexing to the human eye and so apparently +fortuitous, the love of God was pursuing its high purpose. The frequent +intimations given to the ancient patriarchs, and to the prophets of +Israel, proved that the eternal Ruler of the universe was producing, by a +vast series of preparatory means, the last and best days of time, when the +"Sun of Righteousness" should rise upon the world "with healing beneath +his wings." An omnipotent arm was incessantly accomplishing the +determinations of an omniscient mind. No power could impede the march of +his mercy to the predestined point; no casualties defeat his great design; +and no lapse of years, or revolution of centuries, diminish the ardour of +infinite love, to secure the felicity of his people. The Lord was never +"slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;" for it must +never he forgotten, in estimating the movements of eternal Providence, +that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years +as one day."</p> + +<p>But this language is not merely, nor, perhaps, chiefly retrospective. +Those who fear God in all ages, participate the mercies dispensed to man +through an incarnate Redeemer. Under the Christian dispensation in +particular, they are fully communicated, and will enrich the people of +God to the end of time. The thousands and myriads of the human race, that +apply to "the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness," cannot diminish +its efficacy or exhaust its fulness; but the last preacher that exists +upon the earth previous to that final hour, when "the trumpet shall sound +and the dead shall be raised incorruptible," will be able to proclaim the +blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, as cleansing "from all sin," with +equal confidence to that which inspired the first herald of these "glad +tidings to perishing sinners." + +HE HATH SHOWED STRENGTH WITH HIS ARM; HE HATH SCATTERED THE PROUD IN THE +IMAGINATION OF THEIR HEARTS.</p> + +<p>The omnipotence of God has been manifested in many remarkable instances +during past ages, but in no case so illustriously as in the birth of +Christ. All the other mighty operations of Jehovah are surpassed in this +unparelleled event. The haughty Jews, who fondly but foolishly cherished +the expectation, that the Messiah would be born of some one of the most +opulent families in Judea, and conduct them to conquest and dominion, will +be inexpressibly disappointed to find him the child of an obscure virgin, +betrothed to a carpenter, and an inhabitant of the contemptible town of +Nazareth in Galilee. So wonderfully "are the ways of God above our ways, +and his thoughts above our thoughts!"</p> + +<p>HE HATH PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR SEATS, AND EXALTED THEM OF LOW +DEGREE. HE HATH FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS, AND THE RICH HE HATH +SENT EMPTY AWAY.</p> + +<p>The providence of God has been often displayed in the depression of the +most distinguished from their temporal elevations, and in the advancement +of the most despised to dignity and renown. The necessitous have been +liberally supplied: while those who have been possessed of the most ample +and enviable abundance, have sometimes, by unexpected reverses, become +destitute. This sovereign disposal of human affairs has been apparent, +both in temporal and spiritual concerns. The Virgin Mary was herself, as +she intimates a remarkable exemplification of such an interposal; while +those who in Israel were "hungering and thirsting after righteousness," +beheld in her infant son, that child whose name was to be called +"Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the +Prince of Peace," and whose manifestation in the flesh afforded the +sublimest satisfaction to their waiting spirits.</p> + +<p>HE HATH HOLPEN HIS SERVANT ISRAEL, IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCY; AS HE +SPAKE TO OUR FATHERS, TO ABRAHAM, AND TO HIS SEED FOR EVER.</p> + +<p>All the true Israel of God are now admitted into his paternal protection, +whether Jews or Gentiles; for the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and +Jacob, and to David, of whose family was Mary, could never be forgotten by +him who "rejoiced in the habitable parts of his earth, and his delights +were with the sons of men." Never can the pious mind recur, without +emotions of the liveliest gratitude, to such predictions as the following, +which now seem to approach their glorious accomplishments; "I will make of +thee (Abraham) a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name +great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless +thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of +the earth be blessed.... And I will establish my covenant, between me and +thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting +covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."</p> + +<p>Mary prolonged her visit to her aged friend and relative, three months; a +period of their lives to which, no doubt, each would ever after recur with +peculiar satisfaction. The family of Zacharias was not dulled by the +formalities of ceremony, or disturbed by the riot of folly, but +delightfully animated by the cheerfulness of religion. Their time, we may +readily admit, was wisely employed; and their daily converse such as +befitted those favourites of Providence, who knew the truth of God, and +had enjoyed the honour of angelic visitations.</p> + +<p>The improvement of time ought to be our great and immediate concern. To +this important duty we are urged by a consideration of the rapidity of its +flight--the impossibility of its return--the bright examples of its proper +use, which the records of inspiration furnish--the fatal consequences of +squandering it away in useless, frivolous and criminal pursuits--the voice +of reason--of conscience--of Providence--of Scripture--of disappointed +infidelity and of triumphant faith--and the vast interests of eternity, +with which the use of it is essentially connected. "Lord, so teach us to +number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."</p> + +<p>During all this time, Mary was only the betrothed wife of an obscure but +conscientious person, named Joseph. This was a circumstance which +occasioned <i>him</i> extreme perplexity, but tended to exhibit the strength of +<i>her</i> faith. Joseph was fearful of her reputation, and meditated some plan +of concealing what he supposed would be deemed the disgrace of his beloved +partner; for the Jews, whose laws of marriage were very precise, +considered infidelity to a betrothed husband in the light of adultery, and +as therefore subjecting the person to its usual punishment. [<a href="#foot6">6</a>]</p> + +<p>It does not appear that Mary explained to him the manner or occasion of +her mysterious conception; but judging, perhaps, that it would seem +incredible, she leaves the whole affair in the hands of Divine Providence. +"Thus," as archbishop Leighton excellently remarks, "silent innocency +rests satisfied in itself, when it may be inconvenient or fruitless to +plead for itself, and loses nothing by doing so, for it is always in due +season vindicated and cleared by a better hand. And thus it was here; she +is silent, and God speaks for her."</p> + +<p>This inexplicable mystery was revealed to Joseph in a dream. He was +assured by an angel, that Mary should bring forth a son, and commanded to +call his name JESUS, for he was to "save his people from their sins." His +apprehensions being immediately dispersed, he obeyed the heavenly +intimation, "to take unto him Mary his wife."</p> + +<p>This miraculous conception has ever proved the stumbling-block of +infidelity; while, in the just convictions of Christians, it is to be +regarded as one of the most glorious and indispensable peculiarities of +our faith. Christianity is not answerable for those misrepresentations of +this doctrine which result from the weakness or the wickedness of mankind, +and which have so often exposed it to ridicule; but let the statement of +Scripture be taken simply as it is--plain, perspicuous, untangled with the +perplexities of controversy--and it will approve itself to the pious mind, +not only as a fact, but as one of prime importance and obvious utility.</p> + +<p>In demanding an explication of the manner in which the divine and human +natures became united, or continue to subsist in indissoluble connexion in +person of the Son of God, reason claims a prerogative to which she is by +no means entitled; especially if the alternative be, either that reason +shall be satisfied, or the statements of Scripture rejected. There exist +facts relative to our own constitution as incomprehensible and +contradictory to what, independently of experience, we should be induced +to believe, as the miraculous conception and mysterious nature of Jesus +Christ. The soul and body, distinguished for properties not only peculiar +to each, but dissimilar, heterogeneous, and seemingly inconsistent, yet +constitute one person. A man is at once material and immaterial, mortal +and immortal.</p> + +<p>It was expedient that the Son of God should become man, that he might set +us an example, sympathize with our griefs, vanquish our enemies, and +abolish death: and equally so that he should be coequal with God in order +to procure salvation for the lost world by the merit of his atonement; +otherwise his obedience must have been imperfect, his sufferings +unsatisfactory, and his mediatorial character, by which he was allied to +both parties, incomplete.</p> + +<p>This doctrine is practical, and not an abstract speculation, or an article +of faith intended merely to fill up the outline of a system, and +unconnected with any moral results. It is calculated to awaken our +gratitude and kindle our love, by showing us the infinite goodness of God, +who "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all"--"who made +him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the +righteousness of God in him." It should further engage us to cultivate +humility and patience. A view of the abasement of the Son of God should +impress upon us a sense of the insignificance of all earthly glory, and +the propriety of sustaining all the trials and deprivations of life with +unrepining fortitude. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ +Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal +with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of +a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion +as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the +death of the cross."</p> + +<p>This view of the incarnation of Christ is adapted also to promote charity; +for, "though he <i>was</i> rich, yet for our sakes he <i>became</i> poor; that we, +through his poverty, might be rich;" and it tends to elevate us above the +meanness of temporal compliances, and the degradation of worldly lusts, by +pointing out the dignity to which our nature is advanced, through having +been assumed, and still being retained in its purified state by the Son of +God. Let a holy ambition prevail, to live as those who possess such a +relationship; and who, though at present disguised in the dress of +poverty, are born to an inheritance of which no enemy can prevent your +possession--"an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth +not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God +through faith unto salvation."</p> + + + +<h4><a name="01-2"></a>Section II.</h4> + + +<blockquote> Nothing happens by Chance--Dispensations preparatory to the Coming of + Christ--Prophecy of Micah accomplished by Means of the Decree of + Augustus--Mary supernaturally strengthened to attend upon her new-born + Infant--Visit of the Shepherds--Mary's Reflections--Circumcision of the + Child--taken to the Temple--Simeon's Rapture and Prediction--Visit and + Offerings of the Arabian Philosophers--general Considerations.</blockquote> + +<p>Chance is a word which ought to be banished from the Christian vocabulary. +It is utterly contradictory to reason, opposed to experience, and +subversive of revelation. To suppose that he who created the world has +wholly and forever abandoned it, is improbable; and to imagine that the +regular movements of nature, and the course of events--the whole train of +causes, and the incalculable variety of dependent consequences, are merely +fortuitous, seems absurd as well as impious. Uncertain and confused as +were the opinions of the pagan nations of antiquity, few of them totally +denied some kind of superintending providence; and many of their ablest +writers reasoned in defence of it in the most forcible manner. "What," +said the emperor Marcus Antoninus, "would it concern me to live in a world +void of God and without Providence?"</p> + +<p>In order to form clear conceptions of this, and of every other subject +connected with the peace of our minds and the immortal interests of man, +we must apply to the Scriptures for information. Hope, conjecture, +plausibility--all became pleasingly absorbed in the splendour of truth; +which, with the brightness of a sun beam, writes upon the inspired page +the doctrine of an universal and particular providence. It appears, +indeed, so fundamental to the system of Christianity, and so consonant to +the wisdom and goodness of God, that if it were possible to adduce "solid +objections against its reality, one of the richest sources of consolation +to the human race would be forever lost--some of our dearest hopes would +be undermined, and despondency shed disastrous gloom over the whole scene +of life. It is the happiness of Christians to know, that nothing can +escape the eye, nothing can disarrange the schemes, or thwart the +purposes, of the eternal mind; and that the same general law which +regulates the flight of an angel, or the affairs of an empire, connects +even the fall of a sparrow with the plans of heaven. It is their privilege +to feel assured, that the events which appear contingent or accidental to +us, are equally ordained with those which seem the most orderly and +regular. The arrow may be shot at a venture, but the Supreme Ruler guides +it through the air. So sings the poet;</p> + +<blockquote> "Through all the various shifting scene<br /> +Of life's mistaken ill or good,<br /> +Thy hand, O God, conducts unseen<br /> +The beautiful vicissitude.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>All things on earth, and all in heaven,<br /> +On thy eternal will depend;<br /> +And all for greater good were given,<br /> +And all shall in thy glory end."</blockquote> + +<p>These sentiments will receive additional illustration from the remarkable +facts respecting the birth of Christ, which it will be now proper to +notice. He who can imagine the correspondence observable between ancient +predictions and the occurrences which mark the singular history before us +to be mere casual or undesigned coincidences, must possess a mind +strangely perverted by prejudice or mean in its conceptions--he must in +reality believe greater miracles than he denies, and, in his zeal to be +thought rational, become enthusiastic and fanatical, in admitting the most +inconceivable absurdities. We hesitate not to say, that even upon the +principles of reason there are more difficulties in denying a providence +in all the circumstances connected with our Saviour's incarnation, than in +allowing its active agency; and that here, the doctrine which is most +consolatory is most true. Sophistry may attempt to poison or to stop the +streams of spiritual comfort, but they will nevertheless flow with +undiminished sweetness and abundance.</p> + +<p>The whole period of the past time ought to be considered as a vast +preparatory dispensation; every circumstance in the history of the people +of Israel essentially depended on each previous occurrence, and stood +connected with each succeeding one. We perceive sometimes more distinctly +by a prophetic light, sometimes more obscurely through the hieroglyphical +characters of the Mosaic economy of types and shadows, a wonderful series +of events, that guides the devout inquirer to "God manifest in the flesh;" +and, if human penetration cannot always discover the bright concatenation, +we feel assured that it exists, and is regularly maintained by supreme +wisdom; as we infer from observing the commencement, or discovering some +parts of the course, which a mighty river pursues through provinces and +empires, that, although the whole may not be accurately ascertained, yet +each part, whether it traverses subterraneous passages or pathless +forests, is certainly and necessarily connected.</p> + +<p>The links of this marvellous chain of providence become more distinctly +visible as we approach the last, and witness its glorious termination. +Amongst other ancient prophecies, we have this very express declaration of +Micah respecting the birth of Christ--a declaration which, after the lapse +of seven hundred years, we are now to see verified: "Thou, <i>Bethlehem +Ephratah</i>, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet <i>out of +thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel</i>, whose +goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."</p> + +<p>It has been related, that at the time of the miraculous conception, Joseph +and Mary lived at Nazareth in Galilee, and still continued this residence. +If the predicted child had been born in Nazareth, it is obvious that +either he could not be the Messiah, or the prophet was not correct. The +virgin mother, however, neither disbelieved the communications of Heaven, +nor took any extraordinary measures, by a removal of her dwelling-place, +to aid the accomplishment of a divine oracle. How she, an inhabitant of +<i>Nazareth</i> was to be the mother of him whom so many ages had expected in +<i>Bethlehem</i>, was indeed mysterious; and yet like Abraham, she hoped +against hope; allied in faith, as well as by descent, to that eminent +patriarch. Nothing could be more contradictory, to her anticipations than +external appearances; but nothing could be more humble, more patient, or +more indicative of lively faith in God, than her spirit and conduct. She +believed the angel, and she left the event. What an illustrious example to +her sex! what confidence in Providence! what trust in God! what a +resignation of reason to revelation!</p> + +<p>Mark the event. Augustus, at this time emperor of Rome, suddenly published +an edict for the registry, or enrolment of the empire; probably with a +view to ascertain the state of his dependencies, to exact an oath of +fidelity, and perhaps, to determine the amount of money which might be +reasonably expected from each province in case of any future taxation. The +whole empire being included in this decree, all the families were required +immediately to repair to their respective cities, for the purpose of +having their names distinctly recorded; and, as Joseph was lineally +descended from David, he, with his espoused wife, went into Judea to +Bethlehem, because it was the birth place and residence of their +illustrious ancestor.</p> + +<p>At this remarkable crisis Mary was detained by the full accomplishment of +the time for her delivery; "and she brought forth her first born Son, and +wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there +was no room for them in the inn." Here then were fulfilled the prophetic +descriptions of the place and circumstances of the Redeemer's incarnation. +A virgin produces a son--a son who, by the exclusion of his parents from +the accommodation of the inn, already began to realize the inspired +declaration, "he is despised and rejected of men"--a son identified as the +promised Messiah by every thing connected with his birth. Augustus issues +a decree which brings Mary to Bethlehem at the precise moment when this +removal was requisite; and yet Augustus, ignorant of the designs of Heaven +or the condition of Mary, considers only his personal glory and the +security of the imperial dominions. He has one purpose, and Providence +another; but they both concur to the predestined end. Augustus knew not +that his edict was to prove the appointed means of accomplishing the most +important event that had ever transpired since the commencement of time, +and was, in fact, the wonderful hinge upon which the numerous and +concurring prophecies of past centuries were destined to turn. He knew not +that his imperial edict for an universal enrolment, was the last of a +series of preparatory means by which the great purposes of infinite mercy +were to be developed and displayed. Why was not the same policy pursued by +the emperor, when it was determined upon seven-and-twenty years before at +Taracon in Spain? and why, if he were diverted at that period from the +immediate execution of this project by some disturbances in the empire, +was it forgotten or neglected for so many years, and revived at so +critical a moment? Let infidelity stand abashed, and listen to the voice +of revelation: "He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."</p> + +<p>How often has the supreme Disposer made use of those agents to accomplish +his purposes, who were themselves the last to acknowledge his +superintendence, or perhaps the first to oppose his will! How consolatory +to the Christian to reflect, that the passions of the human mind, the +madness of ambition, the rage of envy, the misrule of tyrannic power, the +animosity of persecution, the decrees of princes, the events of war and of +peace, the elements of nature, and the powers of the invisible worlds, are +under the perfect control of God! A Pharaoh shall cause his "name to be +declared throughout all the earth," by giving occasion to the most +transcendent miracles, and the most direct and indisputable interference +of Omnipotence--a Cyrus shall pursue a wonderful career of conquest; +victory after victory shall enhance his fame; nations shall be subdued, +and gates of brass broken before him, for the sake of Israel the elect of +God, and Jacob his servant--an Augustus shall unconsciously fulfil a +divine decree by means of an edict of his own--the Roman empire shall be +enrolled, that Jesus may he born in Bethlehem.</p> + +<p>It appears that Mary was supernaturally strengthened to perform the +necessary duties to her infant charge, in the cold and comfortless +situation in which she was thrown. No one seemed at hand to commiserate +her sufferings, to supply her wants, or to assist her weakness. Her own +life was endangered; but maternal tenderness struggled for the life of her +firstborn, and a divine faith in God and his promises sustained her amidst +the privations of her desolate abode. Let not his people permit +despondency to becloud their days or extinguish their hopes; but, relying +on his assurance, "As thy day is, so thy strength shall be"--an assurance +so remarkably verified in the mother of Jesus, and so often corroborated +by the experience of Christians--let them imitate the patience and faith +of this illustrious woman, who was at once the ornament of religion and +the glory of her sex.</p> + +<p>Every thing is marvellous in this sacred story. No sooner was this child +introduced into the world, than his virgin mother received an unexpected +visit in her lonely dwelling. A company of shepherds came, with +unceremonious eagerness, to her asylum. Mary and Joseph were together in +the stable, conversing doubtless, upon this astonishing birth; and +probably might have been alarmed at the intrusion of strangers. Were they +come to remove them from this poor lodging, as they had been already +excluded from the inn, and occupy their places?--were other barbarians +come to pour the last drop into the cup of maternal wo, by expelling Mary, +her husband, and her offspring, from their wretched, but still acceptable +shelter? If this were the case--if, when the strangers obtruded, these had +been the just apprehensions of the afflicted family, they knew where to +find consolation; and she who held the babe in her arms, and pressed it +to her bosom, was no doubt prepared to adopt a similar strain with that by +which Simeon afterward proclaimed his ecstasy--"Lord, now lettest thou +thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." But +fear not, Mary! It is no ruffian band that approaches thee! These are no +idle strangers, impelled by a vague curiosity; but they are the +commissioned messengers of Providence and the ambassadors of peace! They +have heard "glad tidings," and they are come to verify the visions they +have seen, and to renew the joys they have felt!</p> + +<p>In the neighbouring fields these shepherds were watching their flocks by +night; when suddenly an angelic messenger made his appearance in a blaze +of celestial light. They were of course astonished and alarmed; but, from +the first, perceived it was no illusion of the senses, since all +distinctly saw, and were equally affected by the splendid reality. The +benevolent spirit bade them dismiss every apprehension, and proceeded to +open his glorious commission. It consisted of an assurance, that in the +city of David the long-predicted Messiah was actually born, and on that +very day; [<a href="#foot7">7</a>] and that this was the sign by which they should discover the +truth of this revelation, that if they went immediately to Bethlehem they +should find the Babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. This +angel, probably Gabriel, who had already appeared to Zacharias and Mary, +was in a moment joined by a multitude of the heavenly host, whose +enraptured bosoms could no longer repress the intensity of joy, and who +were permitted to strike their golden harps and unite their angelic voices +in those ever memorable strains, "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON +EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN."</p> + +<p>The shepherds instantly hastened to Bethlehem. They beheld the heaven-born +Babe. They explained to Joseph and the virgin what they had seen and +heard; and then circulated the wonderful news in every direction. +Astonishment filled the whole vicinity; but it is probable a great +diversity of opinion prevailed respecting the degree of credit due to the +testimony of these witnesses; and the impression would soon vanish from +those whose prejudices, whose ignorance, or whose temporal interests, +prevented their immediate acknowledgment of the mighty fact. And must we +not deeply lament, that to this hour similar reasons operate to produce a +similar infidelity or rejection of the well-substantiated claims of the +Son of God upon the affections and obedience of mankind?</p> + +<p>In the mean time, as the evangelist states, "Mary kept all these things, +and pondered them in her heart." With a modesty and a piety so truly +characteristic of this eminent woman, she left it to others to publish to +the world the extraordinary manifestations of divine favour which she had +received, content to observe in silence the movements of Providence, and +to allow the mysterious fact to be gradually developed. As she took no +measures at first to screen herself from reproach, but left the defence of +her integrity to him whose wisdom was working all these wonders; so she +did not avail herself of the present opportunity to extend her fame. From +the astonishment or the applauses of the multitude she willingly retired +into the shades; and instead of indulging vanity, gave herself to solemn +meditation. Connecting together the vision of Zacharias, the language of +Elizabeth, the visitation of the celestial spirit to herself, the +miraculous conception, the unexpected occasion of her removal at this +crisis to Bethlehem, the recent account of the shepherds, the language of +ancient prophecy respecting the lowly birthplace of the Saviour of +mankind, and the peculiar accordance of its minute descriptions with her +present circumstances; she perceived the amazing conclusion to be drawn, +and humbly adored the God of her salvation.</p> + +<p>We must pronounce Mary, then, a thoughtful observer and a humble inquirer, +free from the levity of her age, and superior in mental character to the +poverty of her condition. She had, indeed, superior advantages, and was in +a sense placed under divine discipline and instruction: but she possessed +a docility of spirit which rendered these singular means so conducive to +her rapid improvement in knowledge and piety. Happy for us if we make a +proper use of whatever religious privileges we enjoy, so that the +spiritual opportunities and blessings which enhance our responsibility, do +not, by our negligence, aggravate our condemnation!</p> + +<p>It is probable that we forfeit much enjoyment, and lose much attainable +wisdom, by suffering the events of providence to pass unnoticed. The habit +of investigating their connections, and tracing their consequences, would +no doubt both improve the faculty of observation, and spare us many +perplexities. Diligence in this sacred study would be repaid by pleasure +and profit. We should "know," if we "followed on to know the Lord." The +deep shadows which overcast the scenes of life, and are so impervious to +the human sight, would be easily penetrated by the eye of faith; a new and +glorious scene would present itself; objects and arrangements, before +unseen, would gradually become visible; what was previously obscure in +form and shape, would appear in just proportions; and many of the sources +of our present anxiety might become the means of our richest +satisfaction. Let us imitate the noble examples upon record; remembering +that no place or time is unsuitable to a devout temper, or impossible to +be improved to pious purposes. Isaac meditated in the <i>fields</i>, and Mary +in the <i>stable</i>; and a devout spirit will transform either into a temple +of praise and prayer.</p> + +<p>On the eighth day after his birth, this immaculate Child was circumcised, +both because he was a Jew, and the predicted Messiah. All the descendants +of Abraham were required to submit to this institution; and, therefore, +the parents of JESUS, for so he was named on this occasion, according to +the previous intimation of the angel, could not omit this service without +forfeiting their privileges; and as he was afterward to become the great +preacher of righteousness to his own nation, it was necessary that he +should not be exposed to the punishment of excommunication as a stranger. +Thus, according to the apostle's allusion, he was "made under the law," +and evidently partook of flesh and blood.</p> + +<p>At the expiration of forty days, the parents of Jesus went up to +Jerusalem, to present their Infant before the Lord in the temple, +conformably to the Mosaic law, to offer the sacrifices required upon such +an occasion, and to pay the stipulated sum of five shekels for the eldest +son. [<a href="#foot8">8</a>] Led by a divine impulse, a certain venerable saint, named Simeon, +came into the temple at this moment; and taking the wondrous Child into +his aged arms, exclaimed, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in +peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which +thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the +Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel!" Some have, with useless +curiosity, inquired into the birth, parentage, and station of this +enraptured believer; and with that mistaken prejudice so common to the +world, by which greatness of character is perpetually associated with +eminence of rank, and nobility of birth, they have endeavoured to prove +him to have been a priest, or the son of Hillel, who was chief of the sect +of the Pharisees, and president of the sanhedrim forty years; and he has +even been represented as the father of that Gamaliel who brought up the +apostle Paul. Whereas the narrative of Luke introduces him as a person of +no considerable notoriety, but as one who possessed an infinitely greater +claim to distinction in the inspired page, a man of exemplary conduct and +piety, who was waiting for him who was so long expected as 'the +consolation of Israel.' He was not the favourite of princes, but the +servant of God; and this was his best distinction, that "the Holy Ghost +was upon him; and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he +should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Growing +infirmities might have awakened, in an ordinary mind, some suspicion of +the reality of that assurance which he had received. Delay seemed to mock +his patience, time dimmed his eyes, and suspense might well have sickened +his heart--but at last the hour arrives, the ancient oracles are +fulfilled--celestial revelations, after the lapse of four hundred years +from the days of Malachi, relume a benighted world--Zacharias, Mary, +Simeon, received the prophetic spirit; and death becomes disarmed of his +terrors, amidst the bright gleamings of approaching day.</p> + +<p>Turning to the astonished parents, and addressing himself particularly to +his virgin mother, he said, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and +rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign, which shall be spoken +against, (yea, and a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that +the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Anna, an aged prophetess, at +the same instant joined this happy group, and "gave thanks, likewise, unto +the Lord:" the glad tidings were circulated, and the parents returned +into Galilee.</p> + +<p>The <i>accomplishment</i> of that event, which in former ages was only the +subject of <i>prediction</i>, constitutes part of the happiness of gospel +times. True, indeed, as those predictions proceeded from God, there +existed from the beginning a certainty of their being fulfilled. It was as +impossible that God should lie, as that he should cease to exist; and +having declared the decree, that his Son should "sit upon his holy hill of +Zion," no human violence, no providential vicissitudes, no Satanic +devices, could prevent it. No one of them, nor all of them combined, could +effectually obstruct the march of omnipotent goodness to the completion of +its purposes. But the saints of old suffered a material disadvantage from +"his day" being as yet "afar off;" a disadvantage which could not possibly +be remedied. It is evident that, except in cases of immediate inspiration, +a suspicion might exist in the pious mind, that the prophecy might be +partially, if not entirely misunderstood, as the most penetrating mind +cannot, at this day, with the longest line of research, fathom the deeps +of futurity. Time alone can, with perfect certainty, interpret the visions +of prophecy.</p> + +<p>It is also plain that no description, however minute and glowing, could +perfectly represent the life and love of the Redeemer, as displayed in his +own person. The imperfection of language rendered it impossible to portray +the glorious reality. What inspired or seraphic pen, though dipped in +heaven, could display all that was seen when they "beheld his glory?" Had +Omnipotence remanded back the flood of ages, and recalled from the +invisible state the illustrious saints that had been carried down the +stream, from the time of Adam, in order to have witnessed the incarnation, +the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus; with one voice they +would have exclaimed, "The half was not told me."</p> + +<p>In proportion to the approach of the Messiah, hope glowed with increasing +ardour. Standing on the mount of prophecy, the pious Jews eagerly waited, +and triumphantly hailed the rising of this bright day of grace. How many +"prophets and righteous men" desired to behold this eventful period, but +"died without the sight!" With what sacred pleasure did Moses record the +first promise, though at the distance of many centuries! What rapture +thrilled through the patriarch's veins, when he spake of the coming of +<i>Shiloh</i>, "unto whom the gathering of the people should be;" and how did +his languid eyes brighten with new lustre in the dying hour, when he +exclaimed, "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord!" In what strains of +holy joy did the "sweet singer of Israel" declare, "My heart is inditing a +good matter; I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; my +tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of +men; grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee for +ever!" How did Isaiah's heart glow with transport, while his lips were +touched with inspiration, and triumph played on his prophetic harp, "Unto +us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be +upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the +mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase +of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of +David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with +judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the +Lord of hosts will perform this!" But neither the sacred pleasure of +Moses, when he recorded the first promise, nor the rapture that thrilled +through the patriarch's veins, nor the holy joy of the sweet singer of +Israel, nor the glow of transport that animated the heart of Isaiah, and +inspired his lays, can equal the joy of the Christian church. Hope, +indeed, presented to the early ages a lively <i>picture</i> of future times, +and prophecy described them; but "blessed are our eyes, for they see; and +our ears, for they hear ... many prophets and righteous men have desired +to see those things which we see, and have not seen them; and to hear +those things which we hear, and have not heard them."</p> + +<p>The visit of the shepherds to Mary, already recited, was succeeded by +another, perhaps equally remarkable. A company of Magi, or Magians, [<a href="#foot9">9</a>] +probably from Arabia, having seen a remarkable light, resembling a star, +suspended over Bethlehem, hastened to pay suitable homage to the +illustrious personage whose birth it indicated. These philosophers, who +were particularly addicted to the study of astronomy, being doubtless +incited by a divine influence to repair to the country over which this new +star or meteor seemed to shed its glory, immediately went to Jerusalem, +where they began to make the most anxious inquiries. The news of their +arrival soon reached the ears of Herod, a man whose cruelties had often +exasperated his subjects, and kept him in a state of constant suspicion; +so that he naturally apprehended fatal consequences to his crown, from +this report of the birth of a king. Having first consulted the priests +and scribes respecting the birthplace of Christ, he procured a private +interview with the Magians, for the purpose of ascertaining the time of +the meteoric appearance; and, with all the policy of all experienced +statesman, requested them to go and find out the extraordinary Child, then +return to bring him word, that he might come and worship him. This was a +contrivance, by which he expected to accomplish, with greater certainty, +the destruction of Jesus.</p> + +<p>The Arabian philosophers instantly proceeded on their journey--the star +moved before them, as the cloudy pillar once guided the marches of Israel +in the wilderness; till at length it became stationary over the place +where the Infant lay: then, having fulfilled the design of its creation, +totally and forever disappeared.</p> + +<p>Is it for us to question the wisdom of God in any of the productions of +nature, because <i>we</i> do not perceive their utility? Shall we venture to +arraign his goodness, because he has not only supplied the necessities of +man, but filled the caves of ocean, and spread the pathless wilderness +with a rich variety of existence, the specific purposes of which the +researches of man have hitherto failed to discover? Shall we dare to say +that the impenetrable forest, or the untenanted island, was made in vain? +or that the grass grows, in the valley, the shrub sprouts on the +inaccessible height, or the flower expands its beauties and diffuses its +fragrance over the desert uselessly, because <i>we</i> have not discovered the +reasons of their formation? Who, excepting the philosophers of Arabia, +that had seen the new luminary shine for a few days and expire, but would +have disputed the necessity or questioned the design of such a phenomenon? +The ignorant, vulgar, and even the rest of the sages of Arabia, might +have surveyed it with idle wonder or incurious eye; very few followed the +splendour, or knew the intention of its appearance. And may not other +beings be acquainted with many of those mysteries of nature which we fail +to penetrate? or may not secret connexions and combinations, both in the +animate and inanimate creation, exist, which, however important, it is not +necessary for us to know? In reference both to nature and providence--</p> + +<blockquote> "One part, one <i>little</i> part, we dimly scan,<br /> + Through the dark medium of life's feverish dream;<br /> +Yet dare arraign the whole stupendous plan,<br /> + If but that little part incongruous seem."</blockquote> + +<blockquote>BEATTIE.</blockquote> + +<p>The figure of Balaam, in predicting the birth of a Saviour, probably +contained a prophetic allusion to the phenomenon in question; "There shall +come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel;" and +with similar reference, we read in the apocalyptic vision, "I am the +bright and morning star."</p> + +<p>As soon as the Magians saw the young Child, with Mary his mother, they +"fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, +they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And +being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they +departed into their own country another way."</p> + +<p>This narrative suggests many instructive considerations, some of which we +shall briefly notice.</p> + +<p>1. Many of those who have possessed the fewest means of moral and +spiritual improvement, will appear in judgment against multitudes who +enjoy the greatest variety of religious advantages. These Arabian sages +acted up to what they knew, and followed the light which was afforded +them; in consequence of which they made discoveries of the most valuable +description, such as could have been attained by no other proceeding, and +such as were totally concealed from the unobservant mass of mankind. It +was indeed a small "star" that first attracted their notice, but it led to +the "Sun of Righteousness." O that we were equally wise and diligent in +the use of our opportunities and privileges--we should then be equally +successful!</p> + +<p>2. A specimen is here presented to us of the discriminating proceedings of +the grace of God. Those who were "far off" were "brought nigh," while +those who were "nigh" really, were placed "far off." These Pagans were +conducted to Jesus; while the infatuated Jews, unaffected by his +appearance and subsequent miracles, opposed his influence, and gloried in +their shame. Thus was fulfilled the ancient oracle, "I am found of them +that sought me not." The star which failed to excite attention in Judea, +darted an attractive and effectual splendour into Arabia.</p> + +<p>3. It is truly deplorable, that those signs and wonders of Almighty mercy, +which will fill eternity with praise, should be so little observed or +appreciated by the great proportion of mankind. How different were the +engagements that occupied the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from those of the +Arabian philosophers! The star of Bethlehem excited the respectful +attention only of a few strangers, who saw and followed it, and "found the +Messiah." The Saviour they sought was despised and rejected of men, when +emerging from the obscurity of his early life, he dwelt amongst them, +distributing blessings, and imparting salvation.</p> + +<p>Is not this the case to the present hour? Where are the travellers to +Zion? Where are the followers of Christ? Where are those happy individuals +to be found, who, renouncing the speculations of philosophy, and the +suggestions of a depraved and perverted mind, are led by the star of +divine revelation to Jesus? Where are those who forsake ALL for him? Where +the company of inquirers, whom no frowns and no flatteries can induce to +relinquish the pursuit? Alas, how thinly scattered! The multitude, +attracted by the glare of worldly glory, can see, indeed, the glitter of +gold, and hear with approving readiness the accents of pleasure; but are +unable to discern the excellencies of Christ, and will not listen to his +voice! They are enchanted by other charms, and lulled into dangerous +repose by other music!</p> + +<p>4. Though the star of Bethlehem, which guided the Arabian sages to the Son +of God, be extinguished, the clear light of truth still shines as in a +dark place, and points us to the same object. "Thy word is a lamp unto my +feet, and a light unto my path." Whoever follows this light, will be led +to Jesus; whoever neglects it must wander in the wilderness of error and +perplexity. It sheds the clearest radiance on the path of the traveller, +who is pressing to the "Prince of Peace." Let us not pay attention to +those deceptive lights which the world holds out to allure and destroy. +This only is from heaven, and will guide the inquirer thither, where the +illumination it has diffused over the path of life, will be lost amidst +the splendours of eternal day.</p> + + + +<h4><a name="01-3"></a>Section III.</h4> + +<blockquote> The Flight into Egypt--Herod's cruel Proceedings--and Death--Mary goes + to Jerusalem with Joseph--on their Return their Child is missing--they + find him among the Doctors--he returns with them--the Feast of + Cana--Christ's treatment of his Mother when she desired to speak to + him--her Behaviour at the Crucifixion--she is committed to the care of + John--valuable Lessons to be derived from this touching Scene.</blockquote> + +<p>Christians, in their times of trial, are usually favoured with adequate +supplies from heaven; so that if they have been overtaken suddenly, or +attacked fiercely, their afflictions have neither found them unprepared, +nor left them overwhelmed. It seems to have been the design of God, in +some of his most painful dispensations, not only to purify the individual +character, but to evince in general, by means of the sufferer's patience, +humility, and other virtues, the reality of religion, and the power of +faith; and thus to furnish an example for the imitation of mankind. This +consideration may serve to explain a part of that <i>mysteriousness</i> which +has characterized many instances of remarkable tribulation, and to prevent +those hasty decisions upon the conduct of Providence which we are too apt +to adopt. On all occasions, we may safely conclude, that whatever be the +nature of our affliction, the goodness of our Father in heaven will both +proportion it to the necessity of the case, and enable us to sustain it, +by preparatory consolations.</p> + +<p>The story of Mary and her family illustrates this representation. The +balance of her lot, so to speak, was poised by a divine hand; and the +equilibrium was mercifully and almost constantly preserved, by a +proportionate share of joy and sorrow. The danger of reproach and +proscription by the Jewish law, was compensated by the circumstances of +the miraculous conception; the meanness and misery of her condition in the +stable at Bethlehem, were counterbalanced by the visit of the shepherds, +and the equally wonderful journey of the eastern Magi; and the whole +train of previous manifestations, tended to prepare her for the new +distresses which were destined to attend the flight into Egypt.</p> + +<p>Herod was arranging his plans with malicious skill, and as he imagined, +with secrecy; but there was an eye that watched his movements with +unsleeping vigilance, and a wisdom invisibly operating to counteract his +purposes. The Magi were forewarned, by a heavenly vision, not to return to +this foe of the holy Jesus; and an angel appeared to Joseph, directing him +to escape with the mother and child into Egypt; and thus did Herod himself +unconsciously fulfil the ancient oracle; "Out of Egypt have I called my +Son." The cruel archer shot at the Saviour's life, but the arrow rebounded +and took his own.</p> + +<p>Behold, then, Mary and Joseph, with their infant charge, hastening, in +obedience to the divine command, to a distance from the persecutor's fury! +See them under the covert of darkness, and amidst the silence of night, +flying to their appointed place of exile; still under the guidance of that +hand which regulated all the events of their lives, with no less wisdom +and constancy than it directed the movements and fixed the positions of +the planetary and starry orbs, which glittered upon their adventurous +path. Observe them trembling with human fears, but sustained by spiritual +consolations! Mary presses the infant fugitive to her maternal breast, +still "keeping all these things, and pondering them in her heart;" +incapable of fully penetrating the cloud that obscures their present +destiny, but looking through the tears of anguish to her divine Protector +and Guide, believing that the light of Israel cannot be extinguished. In +some respects, they "knew not whither they went;" but each was, no doubt, +inspired by the devout sentiment of the poet:</p> + +<blockquote> "I hold by nothing here below,<br /> +Appoint my journey and I go;<br /> +Though pierced by scorn, oppress'd by pride,<br /> +I feel thee good--feel nought beside.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>No frowns of men can hurtful prove<br /> +To souls on fire with heav'nly love;<br /> +Though men and devils both condemn,<br /> +No gloomy days arise for them.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>While place we seek, or place we shun,<br /> +The soul finds happiness in none;<br /> +But with a God to guide our way,<br /> +'Tis equal joy to go or stay.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>Could I be cast where thou art not,<br /> +That were indeed a dreadful lot:<br /> +But regions none remote I call,<br /> +Secure of finding God in all." <i>Mad. Guion</i>.</blockquote> + +<p>Herod, whose cruelty and duplicity were equally conspicuous, finding that +the young child had by some means eluded his grasp, meditated the deepest +revenge, which, like a smothered flame, the longer it is confined, the +more violently at last it blazes.</p> + +<p>For a time he concealed his feelings, with a view of the better securing +ultimate success; but, on perceiving that his secret intentions were +frustrated, he resolved on open war. Animated with a tyrant's spirit and a +demon's rage he determined on the destruction of Jesus, though the +accomplishment of his purpose should deluge Judea with blood. He issued +his murderous decree, and despatched his executioners to Bethlehem and +"all the coasts thereof," to slay "all the children from two years old and +under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the +wise men."</p> + +<p>What language can express the barbarity of this conduct! The most savage +of mankind have spared children, even when their parents have been guilty. +The innocence and weakness of their age have preserved them from the +sword, even of a victorious and exasperated enemy; and yet these little +innocents, whose parents were not implicated in any plot to deceive the +tyrant, whose yoke was endured with extraordinary patience, were given to +the murderous sword, and Bethlehem suddenly converted into one vast +slaughter-house. "Then," remarks the evangelist, "was fulfilled that which +was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, +lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her +children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."</p> + +<p>"The innocents were martyrs indeed, but not in will, by reason of their +tender age. Of these, however, it pleased the Prince of martyrs to have +his train composed, when he made his entry into the world, as at this +season; a train of infants, suited to an infant Saviour; a train of +innocents, meet to follow the spotless Lamb, who came to convince the +world of sin, and to redeem it in righteousness. They were the +first-fruits offered to the Son of God after his incarnation, and their +blood the first that flowed on his account. They appeared as so many +champions in the field, clad in the King's coat of armour, to intercept +the blows directed against him.</p> + +<p>"The Christian Poet, PRUDENTIUS, in one of his hymns, has an elegant and +beautiful address to these young sufferers for their Redeemer [<a href="#foot10">10</a>]; Hail, +ye first flowers of the evangelical spring, cut off by the sword of +persecution, ere yet you had unfolded your leaves to the morning, as the +early rose droops before the withering blast. Driven, like a flock of +lambs to the slaughter, you have the honour to compose the first sacrifice +offered at the altar of Christ; before which methinks I see your innocent +simplicity sporting with the palms and the crowns held out to you from +above." [<a href="#foot11">11</a>]</p> + +<p>The parents of the infant Saviour remained in Egypt until the death of +Herod [<a href="#foot12">12</a>], an event which was announced to Joseph in a dream, who was +directed to return with Mary and her child into the land of Israel. When +he heard that Archelaus, a prince no less sanguinary in his disposition +than his infamous predecessor, reigned over Judah in the room of his +father, he was afraid of returning; but being again divinely admonished, +withdrew into Galilee, under the government of Herod Antipas. He took up +his residence at Nazareth, a small city where he had formerly lived; by +which the ancient oracle was fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."</p> + +<p>We may he allowed a momentary interruption of the narrative, by one +observation on the death of Herod. How easily God can remove out of the +way whatever opposes the designs of his wisdom! He lays his finger on the +tyrant's head, and he sinks into the dust! Thus it has been, and thus it +ever must be, with the adversaries of Christ. Every Herod must die. On the +banners of the church is inscribed, "If God be for us, who can be against +us?" Where are the Neros, and Domitians, and Caligulas, that have sought +the life of Christianity?--They are <i>dead</i>! but his cause survives. "He +must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet." The Gospel, in +pursuing its course through the world, resembles a mighty river, here and +there meeting with powerful obstructions; but not prevented by these, it +takes a circuitous course, and leaves them to be gradually overflowed or +undermined, and buried in the stream. Thus superstition, idolatry, +infidelity, Popery, Mahometanism, constitute so many obstructions to this +celestial stream; but while it makes glad the city of God, it is gradually +diffusing itself around, and sapping by degrees the foundation of these +impediments, till being broken down and forgotten, an angel shall +proclaim, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen!" Then shall "the kingdoms of this +world become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall +reign for ever and ever." Then all that "sought the young child's life," +all that opposed the interests of Jesus, being dead and vanquished, "the +whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, +as the waters cover the sea."</p> + +<p>The law of Moses commanded all the adult males of Israel to go up to +Jerusalem three times in a year, to celebrate the feasts of the passover, +pentecost, and tabernacles. Women were under no obligation to undertake +these journeys; [<a href="#foot13">13</a>] but it was not unusual for such as were eminent for +piety, to accompany their husbands and friends upon annual occasions. +Mary, who set the highest value upon the ordinances of God, and who would +not be disparaged by a comparison with the greatest characters of Israel, +went up with Joseph year after year. In the exemption by which the law +permitted females to remain at home, the weakness of their sex was +regarded; but the strength of Mary's piety surmounted every obstacle, and, +like her illustrious ancestor, she was "glad when they said, Let us go up +to the house of the Lord." How dissimilar was her spirit to that of +multitudes, whose reluctance renders religious duties so irksome and so +formal; who call the Sabbath a weariness; and who, instead of hailing the +hour of sacred solemnities, are eager to escape from spiritual restraints +to replunge into the cares,--perhaps into the dissipations, of the world!</p> + +<p>The original constitution of the woman was that of a help meet for man; +and it should be her pleasure to prompt to holy duties, and to associate +with her beloved partner and children in them. Never does she appear so +lovely, as when occupied in this pious service, avoiding all those +needless cares which might preclude her own attendance upon +appointed means.</p> + +<p>The passover was intended as a commemoration of the deliverance wrought +for the people of Israel when they were brought out of Egyptian slavery, +and the destroying angel, who inflicted death upon the first born of their +oppressors, passed over untouched the blood-besprinkled doors of the +people of God: but, under the Christian dispensation, we are invited with +our households to celebrate a more glorious release from a more tremendous +bondage. The sacramental festival of the church of Christ records our +emancipation from sin, both from its consequences and its dominion, +through the atoning blood of the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the +world," sprinkled upon the consciences of all believers. Mary, while +keeping the typical feast, embraced the real Lamb, and devoutly enjoyed +the festival of faith. So let us hasten to this institution, and +participate this divine joy.</p> + +<p>It is probable that the parents of Jesus were in the habit of taking their +son with them every year to Jerusalem, that they might, as it became +religious characters, "train him up in the nurture and admonition of the +Lord;" we are at least certain that he accompanied them at the age of +twelve, when a memorable and instructive incident occurred.</p> + +<p>At the expiration of the seven days of unleavened bread, they began their +return homeward; but the child Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, to make +inquiries, and to listen to the instructions of those who publicly +explained the sense of Scripture, and the traditions of the elders. His +mother and Joseph were ignorant of this delay, till the end of the first +day's journey; for as it was customary on these occasions to travel in +very large companies, and these perhaps often separated into groups at +considerable intervals, they took it for granted that he was with some of +his friends or kindred, who were no doubt often charmed with his lovely +company, and expected him to rejoin them in the evening. The day closed, +the different parties assembled--but, to the inexpressible concern of Mary +and Joseph, Jesus was not to be found! They searched and searched again, +but in vain! The anxious father, but the still more anxious mother, flew +to every friend, to every fellow traveller--no tidings were to be heard! +Ah, Simeon, thy sword is beginning to pierce this maternal breast! What a +night of sleepless anxiety passed, and with what haste did they retrace +their steps to Jerusalem! What could they imagine, but that some evil +beast had taken their Joseph! The weeping mother chides her negligence, +stops every passing stranger, fancies perhaps that some emissary of +persecution had seized him, and that Archelaus had accomplished what Herod +had begun, searches every house where they had visited or lodged--O what +must the mother feel--such a mother--and of such a child!</p> + +<p>But--he is found! On the third day, he was seen in one of the courts of +the temple appropriated to the Jewish doctors, where they were accustomed +to lecture to their disciples. It might be, perhaps, in the room of the +great sanhedrim, where they assembled in a semi-circular form. In front of +them were three rows of the scholars, containing each three-and-twenty. It +is probable, that Christ sat in one of these rows; and, perhaps, the +questions he put, and the answers he gave, excited so much notice amongst +the doctors, that they called him into the midst of them, which was +occasionally done. Thus the Jews state, that "if one of the disciples or +scholars say, I have something to say in favour of him (one that is put on +his trial) they bring him up and <i>cause him to sit in the midst of them</i>; +and he does not go down from thence the whole day." [<a href="#foot14">14</a>]</p> + +<p>At the moment when his parents discovered the holy child Jesus, he was +hearing and asking questions of the doctors, in which he displayed so much +understanding, that they and their disciples were astonished. This is a +lesson to youth, who should, gladly and submissively receive instruction, +and may with respectful eagerness question their superiors. Let them avoid +all offensive forwardness and conceit of their knowledge and attainments; +remembering that he who could have taught the wisest of the Jewish +doctors, sat at their feet <i>listening</i> and <i>asking them questions</i>!</p> + +<p>Feeling as a mother, but ignorant of the cause of this singular +proceeding, Mary ventured, as soon as opportunity permitted, to +remonstrate in these words, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? +Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing!" We are to consider +this language as rather expressive of anxiety, that of anger; yet, +perhaps, it may be admitted to contain a mixture of both. His mysterious +and unauthorized disappearance might seem to her contrary to the obedience +he owed, and was so uniformly accustomed to manifest to his parents. Why +did he tarry? Why did he not, at least, <i>inform them</i> of his wishes to +remain, and thus spare them the wretchedness which they had suffered +during the past three days? Did he not know the tender love of his +maternal parent? Did he not know the bitter tears she would shed, and the +agonies she would suffer? Did he not feel the claim which she had upon his +early years, and the reverence due to her character and piety?</p> + +<p>Yes: these were considerations which he never overlooked; but he was +absorbed in sublimer thoughts. Jesus was an extraordinary being, and the +whole of this transaction ought to be viewed in connexion with the +subsequent development of his designs, and the glory of his future +actions. In it we have a glimpse of his superiority as the Son of God, and +it was, doubtless, intended to attract the attention of his thoughtful +mother, and to renew those meditations in which she had formerly exercised +her mind, during the miracles of his nativity. His reply, "How is it that +ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business," or, +at my Father's? [<a href="#foot15">15</a>] would upon any other supposition, seem strange and +unintelligible; and, accordingly, his parents did not comprehend him, +being at present imperfectly versed in the mysteries of his kingdom. It +was, however, perfectly in point, and full of meaning. Mary complained of +having been so troubled to find him, and at the same time called Joseph +his father. To which he replies, that she might surely have recollected +that the temple was the most proper place to inquire for him, who, she +knew, though a child, was already consecrated to so divine a work; that he +was, in fact, where he ought to be, and about the proper business to which +his life was to be devoted; and that, although Joseph were his reputed +father, he possessed a higher relationship, and a nobler character than +could distinguish mere mortals. God was his father--this was his +house--and nothing must impede his purposes. Still, however, he instantly +complied with the wishes of his parents, went with them to Nazareth, and +during many succeeding years veiled the splendours of his character in the +obedience and concealment of his childhood. Mary, in the mean time, "kept +all these sayings in her heart."</p> + +<p>In detailing the life of Christ, the inspired evangelists do not often +introduce his mother; and whenever she is mentioned, it is rather to +illustrate <i>his</i> character than <i>hers</i>; but we feel pleasure in collecting +even the smallest fragments of this divine record, that nothing may be +lost; and while searching for MARY, let us rejoice that we are, at the +same time, conducted to JESUS.</p> + +<p>The next circumstance that demands our notice, is the history of the +wedding-feast at Cana in Galilee. Here the Saviour and his mother appear +as the most conspicuous characters. These, with the disciples of Christ, +at present few in number, were expressly invited; whence it has, with +sufficient probability, been thought that it was the marriage of one of +his own relations.</p> + +<p>It seems highly becoming the dignity of the Saviour to sanction, by his +holy presence, the institution of marriage in general, and to sanctify its +observance on the present occasion in particular. Its utility, in +reference to individual comfort and to the interests of society at large, +renders "marriage honourable in all;" and while it would be ungrateful to +Providence, not to accept with suitable emotions of cheerfulness the +blessing which has been so long and so eagerly sought, it must always be +injurious to character to indulge in extravagant merriment or indecorous +festivity. Let persons forming such a connection aim to chastise their +mirth with a solid piety, recollecting that while they are allowed to be +cheerful, they must not be intemperate.</p> + +<p>At the feast of Cana, the wine failed. The poverty of the family might not +admit of a very liberal supply, or a larger number of visiters might come +than had been expected. Mary immediately informed her Son. She saw that +this circumstance occasioned confusion, she knew the power of Jesus, and +she wished to spare the feelings of the new-married pair, who might have +been exposed to censure for the scantiness of the supply. If these were +her real sentiments, they were worthy of her character and sex. Let this +example of amiable concern for the reputation of another, and the general +comfort of the guests at this nuptial feast, stimulate us to an imitation +of her kindness. How common is it for persons to depreciate and ridicule +each other, availing themselves of trifling mistakes or unimportant +oversights, to awaken prejudices and to exasperate dislikes! Envy is so +prevalent in the world, so natural to the human heart, and so +inconceivably diversified in its methods of operation, that we cannot be +too much warned against it, especially as its venom lies concealed, hut +often works effectually.</p> + +<p>The female sex, of which we have before us so fine a specimen, are +naturally attentive and kind, skilful to discern, quick to feel, and +prompt to relieve the wants of others. They seem endowed with a +generosity, in which it is their honour to excel, while it is their duty +to cultivate and indulge it. Are comforts needed? Their ready hands will +supply them. Is pain suffered? Their tender hearts will sympathize and aim +to alleviate it. They are officious to replenish the cup of joy, and no +less prompt to sweeten and mitigate the bitter draughts of sorrow. To them +we look to increase our pleasures in the days of prosperity--for them we +do not ask in vain to sustain our aching head, and to smooth the pillow of +sickness and of death!</p> + +<p>But if the views we have imputed to Mary really dictated the intimation +which she gave to Jesus, respecting the deficiency of wine, it may be +asked, how came she to meet with so austere a reply, as "Woman, what have +I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." This requires some +attention.</p> + +<p>In the first place, notwithstanding the feeling of kindness which dictated +this interference, Christ might have thought it necessary to assert his +divine prerogative. It is evident, from her immediately directing the +servants to do whatever he commanded them, she expected some miracle; for +she was, no doubt, fully persuaded by this time of his being the Messiah. +But, though endowed with maternal authority, it was not her province to +point out the course of his proceeding as Lord of all. He was willing, +however, to grant her wishes; but, by this language, imposed secrecy. He +would choose the moment and the proper manner of imparting the necessary +supply. One would almost infer from the injunction of Mary to the +servants, that he had informed her of his intentions; and that while he +felt no displeasure at her request, it was necessary to wait his +divine will.</p> + +<p>In the next place, the words were, probably, not so disrespectful as they +at first appear. Some have thought the original phrase might be rendered, +"What is that to thee and me?" meaning, "What concern have we in this want +of wine? it is the duty of others to provide, and not ours." It must be +admitted, however, that this interpretation is not so honourable to the +benevolent character of Christ, nor so natural, under all the +circumstances, since Mary was evidently and properly concerning herself, +as a relative in this affair, and the use of similar expressions in other +parts of Scripture imply some degree of reproof. [<a href="#foot16">16</a>] Considering the +divine character of our Lord, this phraseology was not improper, because +in what concerned his office she had no authority over him; and Mary, +impressed with a sense of his extraordinary character, which was every day +increasingly developing himself, withdrew in reverential silence to enjoin +the necessary obedience upon the servants. She felt, and let us never +forget, that the endearments of friendship and the tender ties of +consanguinity must not interfere with the superior claims of religion and +of Christ.</p> + +<p>The greatest objection seems to attach to the use of the abrupt and +disrespectful term "woman;" but the usages of antiquity prove that this +mode of address was quite different in meaning from what it appears in +English. The politest writers, and most accomplished princes, adopted it +in addressing ladies of quality; and even servants sometimes spoke to +their mistresses in this manner. [<a href="#foot17">17</a>] In the last and tender scene of the +cross, it is not to be imagined that the dying Son should intentionally, +or even inadvertently, wound the feelings of a weeping mother, and at the +very moment too when affectionately commending her to the care of his +surviving friend and disciple; and yet his address is precisely similar: +"<i>woman</i>, behold thy Son!"</p> + +<p>Jesus soon issued his orders to the servants to fill six water-pots of +stone, which were at hand, and were commonly used for washing cups and +other vessels, and the hands and feet of the guests, according to the +Jewish custom of purifying. [<a href="#foot18">18</a>] The water, to the astonishment of all +present, be turned into wine of so excellent a flavour as to excite +particular notice. This was the beginning of his public miracles, a +wonderful display of his glory, and a means of confirming the minds of his +disciples.</p> + +<p>"There is a marriage whereto we are invited; yea, wherein we are already +interested; not as the guests only, but as the bride; in which there shall +be no want of the wine of gladness. It is marvel if in these earthly +banquets there be not some lack. 'In thy presence, O Saviour, there is +fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.' +Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb." [<a href="#foot19">19</a>]</p> + +<p>As the extraordinary character of Christ became from this moment +increasingly apparent, it is easy to believe that the strong feelings of +maternal tenderness in the bosom of Mary blended themselves more and more +with a spiritual affection. She was indeed, in one sense, the mother of +our Lord, but she was also his disciple--she had been guide of his +childhood, but she sat at the feet of his maturity. As he ascended to an +immeasurable elevation above every other being of the human race, she must +feel that the authority of the earthly parent, although it were never +disregarded or disavowed, but, on the contrary, must have impressed a +peculiarity both upon his affection and hers, was, however, absorbed in +the superiority of his heavenly commission. He obeyed her as a child, but +she submitted to him as the Lord.</p> + +<p>Does the observant eye of a mother watch with unutterable solicitude the +progress of her beloved offspring, tracing the improvement of his mind, +the development of his faculties, the career of his life, sympathizing +with his sorrows and participating with his joys, taking a fond share in +all that concerns him--his prospects, his pursuits, his whole +character;--does the maternal heart, even in ordinary cases, feel so much +and so long, cherishing such undiminished interest in every vicissitude +that affects the son of her love? With what lively sensibility must Mary +have contemplated the rising glory of the inimitable Jesus! What a track +of majesty must have marked his footsteps! What a winning singularity must +have distinguished his actions! What purity must have adorned his conduct! +What "grace was poured into his lips!" Who can express the deep interest +that his thoughtful mother must have felt in the discourses she heard, the +wisdom with which he silenced gainsayers, penetrated human hearts, exposed +secret motives and purposes, confounded the most wise and artful, and +communicated the sublimest truths in the most commanding and lucid manner! +How must she have felt to have been the witness of his astonishing +miracles, to have seen the flashes of unearthly dignity breaking through +the concealment of a human exterior, and to have traced the accomplishment +of all that prophets had foretold and angels announced! O, what an honour +to have been the <i>mother</i>, but still more so to be the <i>disciple</i> of him +who was predicted by prophets, prefigured by types, attended by +ministering angels, celebrated by the most eminent of the Jewish church, +obeyed by all the elements of nature, the principalities of darkness, and +the powers of heaven;--who, "being in the form of God, thought it not +robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took +upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men!"</p> + +<p>The sacred history, which is chiefly occupied in the life of Christ +himself, and the detail of his actions, does not explain how often his +mother accompanied him. The incidental mention of her and his brethren +upon one occasion shows, however, what we cannot but infer, that she was +one of his frequent attendants. He was talking "to the people" in a +private house, with the instructive familiarity for which he was so +remarkable, when "his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to +speak with him." They had something of importance to communicate, +otherwise it cannot be supposed they would have interrupted his +conversation; but, being unable to reach him on account of the multitude, +their wishes were conveyed from one to another, till the person who stood +by him intimated that his mother and brethren were waiting to speak with +him. Availing himself of the circumstance to impress his admonition upon +the assembled crowd, he said to the person who informed, "Who is my +mother? and who are my brethren?" Then addressing the people as he pointed +to the disciples, he exclaimed, "Behold my mother, and my brethren! For +whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is +my brother and sister and mother."</p> + +<p>Did he then intend to pour contempt upon these near relatives? Did he +disclaim the ties of kindred? Did he exclude Mary, James, and Joses, +Simeon and Judas, from the honour and the happiness of participating those +spiritual blessings which he so liberally dispensed to others?--Surely +not. Applying to this the same principle of interpretation which was +adopted in explaining his words at the feast of Cana, we infer that he +meant to intimate that they who called him brother according to the flesh, +and even she who bore him, need not be envied by those whom he admitted to +the intimacy and happiness of a spiritual relationship; and that whatever +of love and kindness could be supposed to arise from the natural +connexion, was enjoyed in a nobler sense by virtue of a spiritual union. +Every thing that can consummate the happiness of man, every thing that can +secure the most glorious and permanent distinction, arises from being the +disciple of the blessed Jesus, and "doing the will of his Father." Let +such an one envy no more the possessions of time, for he is heir to the +inheritance of heaven; let him not value at too high a price any human +honour, title, or relationship, for he is a member of the "household +of God."</p> + +<p>We now hasten to a scene calculated at once to excite our liveliest +sensibilities and our warmest gratitude--a scene upon which the eyes of +the remotest ages were fixed with holy anticipation, and which all future +generations will contemplate with retrospective joy--a scene distinguished +by the most affecting incidents--in one of which, not the least +remarkable, the mother of our Lord appears conspicuous.</p> + +<p>It is observable, that whenever he alluded to the circumstances of his own +death, Christ adopted a mode of speaking which is expressive of the most +dignified composure of mind, united with an irresistible firmness of +purpose. He advanced to the cross of martyrdom like one who, "for the joy +that was set before him, despised the shame." His love to man annihilated +the terror of death, and rendered him solicitous to shed his blood. "I +have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be +accomplished." In the hour of previous conflict he intimated that this was +the tragical but necessary design of his coming into the world. From his +radiant throne in glory, he saw, in awful perspective, the afflictions +which were destined for his incarnate state; and, instead of a train of +angels, he prepared to be attended by a retinue of sorrows, during his +abode in the world. Above all, he beheld the CROSS, surrounded with awful +clouds, raised amidst the scorn of human and the triumph of infernal +enemies. He saw the full tide of misery set in against him; but, with +unabating love to man, and perfect obedience of spirit to the +Father--melting with pity and glowing with zeal--he prepared to encounter +the billows and the storms of death. He was not overtaken by a calamity +which he neither foresaw nor could prevent, for ten thousand angels at his +word would have hastened to pluck him from the waves; but in fulfilment of +the everlasting covenant, to glorify the Father and to redeem a perishing +world, he was "led to the slaughter."</p> + +<p>At this period all Judea was present to celebrate the paschal festival; +the great council of the nation was convened; Herod, the governor of +Judea, and Pilate, the tetrarch of Galilee, with their attending armies, +displayed the grandeur of the empire; and on the mount of crucifixion a +vast concourse of people assembled to witness this tragical scene. What +must have been their sensations when nature became convulsed--when +darkness veiled the sun--and the inhabitants of the invisible world burst +through the trembling earth, and reappeared to many in Jerusalem! Never +did an hour revolve since the beginning of time that laboured with such +great events. The fate of the moral creation was now weighing in the +scales--the happiness of millions was at stake--the interests of eternity +were deciding--and the victory over sin, death, and hell, was proclaimed +by the expiring Redeemer, when he said, "IT IS FINISHED."</p> + +<p>Amidst this scene of wonders, behold a group of females, no less similar +in character than in name; Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife +Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Many women are honourably conspicuous in the +records of the New Testament, but never did they appear with greater +advantage than at this moment. All the disciples were fled, with the +single exception of John, who had overcome his temporary apprehensions, +and was returned to the field of danger. These pious heroines, although +incapable of affording the glorious Sufferer any assistance, and although +surrounded by an infuriated enemy, rose superior to the fears of their +sex, and pierced through the crowd, to testify their sympathy, to listen +to his dying words, and to watch the expiring flame of life to the moment +of its extinction.</p> + +<p>What a scene was this for his MOTHER! How could she sustain the horrible +spectacle? How could she survive this fiery trial? What inconceivable +anguish must it have occasioned to witness the death of her <i>Son</i>! Say, ye +mothers who have watched the infant days and progressive maturity of a +firstborn, what distress ye have felt at his early loss! The flower +perhaps had just expanded to the day, when the pestilential wind blew from +the desert of death and withered its beauties! It is gone--but has left +behind a sense of unspeakable desolation. How were your most delightful +hopes annihilated in a moment, and ye were ready to adopt the language of +David in his agony, "O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I +had died for thee, O Absalom! my son, my son!"</p> + +<p>But this was a death of the most ignominious and painful description. Mary +beheld her Son suffering the shame of a <i>public execution</i> and the torment +of <i>a cross</i>. She saw him suspended between heaven and earth, as if +unworthy of either, crucified between two malefactors, and insulted by an +outrageous mob. She heard the revengeful speeches of that infatuated +multitude, and the mutual congratulations of those by whom they were +instigated, and who ridiculously imagined they had obtained a decisive +victory! The terror of this hour and power of darkness pervaded her own +spirit, and she lived to feel a greater horror than it is in the power +even of the king of terrors himself to inflict.</p> + +<p>This was the crucifixion of an <i>innocent Son</i>! He had experienced indeed +the mockery of a judicial proceeding, but had been sacrificed to the +ravings of a despicable and infatuated mob, the asseverations of perjured +witnesses, the timidity of Pilate, and the hatred of every class of Jews. +No guile was found in his mouth, no recrimination in his language, no +impatience in his conduct. Conscious of perfect innocency, he yet +submitted to condemnation and death as a notorious offender; and, with all +things under his control, he did not lift a finger to stop the career of +injustice, or arrest the course of infernal rage. If the mothers of his +two associates in suffering were present on this occasion, whatever +bitterness of anguish they had felt to see the mournful end of their own +offspring, they could not but admit that public crime demanded public +punishment, and sentiments of commiseration must have blended themselves +with those of censure when they viewed their fate. But the mother of Jesus +saw her beloved Son condemned without reason, and suffering in defiance of +justice. In proportion as she knew his innocency she must have felt +his loss.</p> + +<p>But his character was more than innocent; this, as the astonished +centurion exclaimed, "Truly, this man was the <i>Son of God</i>!" Well might +she wonder that no angel appeared to rescue the expiring Redeemer, and +that he who had saved others did not save himself! Well might she have +been confounded at the mysterious circumstance, that he whom winds and +waves obeyed, and whose presence on earth was felt by universal nature, +should die in apparent disgrace, exposed to the raillery of his +inveterate enemies!</p> + +<p>This afflicted mother was also a <i>widow</i>! Long since the evangelical +narrative has dropped the name of her husband, doubtless because Joseph +was no more; but Jesus survived to console her amidst domestic +misfortunes, to cheer her declining days, to prop her falling house, to +pour the wine of consolation into her cup of sorrow, and the light of +celestial truth into her mind. He was all goodness, all perfection, who +could never forget a mother--a <i>widowed</i> mother, wherever "he went about +doing good"--was to this awful hour her staff and comfort. How keen was +the edge of that piercing sword of which Simeon spake, and what +unparralleled grief was hers when she saw the cross, and the tortures, and +the blood of her Son!</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all, Mary is not seen wringing her hands and tearing her +hair in distraction; nor is she heard to utter intemperate language +against his persecutors, or to manifest resentment at the dispensations of +Heaven: she neither curses man, nor blasphemes God; nor do we observe her +fainting beneath the pressure of accumulated woes; but she stands near the +cross, in solemn silence, pondering, in an attitude of profound +meditation, and submitting to the purposes of Providence.</p> + +<p>Let us admire the power of that "grace" which is promised to Christians, +"to help them in time of need," and of the efficacy of which the present +scene furnishes so substantial an evidence. Is it possible that after such +a record as this we should ever doubt or forget the divine assurances--"My +grace is sufficient for thee"--"When thou passest through the waters I +will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; +when thou walkest through the fire thou shall not be burnt, neither shall +the flame kindle upon thee?" Should thy desponding heart be ready to +distrust the wisdom or deny the goodness of thy "Father who is in heaven," +when sorrows, diversified and oppressive, burden thy spirit, think of the +mother of Jesus at the cross of her Son!</p> + +<p>If the sublime sympathy of Mary prevented the recollection of her personal +condition, Jesus was not so overwhelmed with affliction as to be unmindful +of the future lot of his poor, pennyless, helpless, widowed, and weeping +mother; but committed her to the care of his disciple JOHN, directing him +to regard her henceforward as a mother, and her to consider him as a son. +<i>Woman, behold thy son</i>--"My beloved disciple will fulfil every office of +filial tenderness, and at my request he will receive and provide for my +destitute parent." <i>Behold</i>, said he, addressing John, <i>behold thy +mother</i>; "take her to thy house, allow her to share thy means, respect and +supply her as the most endeared relative of thy dying Lord. I have no +property to leave, no silver or gold to distribute: this is my fond and my +only bequest. I have confidence in thy attachment, and when thou dost +minister to <i>her</i> thou wilt remember <i>me</i>."</p> + +<p>From this exquisitely touching and instructive scene we must take a lesson +of <i>dependence on the providence of God</i>. If he inflict unexpected trials, +he affords unexpected supplies. His resources are numberless; and he who +raised up John to supply the place of an endeared Son to Mary, can never +be at loss for expedients when his people are in distress. One prop is +removed, another is substituted. "O fear the Lord, all ye his saints, for +there is no want to them that fear him." Earthly cisterns may indeed be +broken, and temporal streams of enjoyment may cease, but "the fountain of +living waters" is inexhaustible.</p> + +<p>Take a lesson <i>of filial piety</i>. Children are under an indispensable +obligation to succour their aged parents. If amidst the agonies of +crucifixion, Jesus so carefully provided for the future comfort of his +maternal parent, be assured "he has set an <i>example</i> wherein we should +follow his steps;" and disrespect to such claims is a dereliction of our +character, and a forfeiture of our profession as the disciples of Christ.</p> + +<p>Learn to <i>be prompt in your obedience to every requisition of your Lord</i>. +It is an honour to be employed by him in any service, whatever it may cost +us. John did not hesitate, or indulge in surmisings; he did not think of +the trouble, the expense, or the possible danger of harbouring the mother +of one who was executed as an enemy to Cesar; but "from that hour that +disciple took her unto his own home." If the sacred history had followed +him to his lowly habitation, where our imaginations are ready to accompany +John and his venerable charge, it would doubtless have exhibited a +specimen of tender friendship and unwearied assiduity. What could John +deny to the mother of his Lord? How eagerly would he promote her comfort! +What "sweet converse" would they "hold together" upon the life, the +miracles, the doctrines, the precepts, the death of Jesus! What a gleam of +light and joy would the remembrance of one so dear throw upon the darkest +scene of their lives, and how would the glory of his subsequent +ascension, and dignity in the invisible world, occupy their daily +intercourse and their most devotional moments! "The sweet hour of prime," +and the serenity of "evening mild," and "twilight gray," would still find +them amidst the wonders of the cross or the triumphs of the resurrection.</p> + +<p>Nothing more is said of Mary till we come to the Acts of the Apostles, +where a brief but honourable notice closes her history. In an upper room +at Jerusalem "abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and +Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon +Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one +accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and <i>Mary, the mother +of Jesus</i>, and with his brethren."</p> + +<p>It is supposed that John took her with him to Ephesus, where she died in +an extreme old age. There is a letter of the oecumenical council of +Ephesus, importing, that in the fifth century it was believed she was +buried there; but some authors think she was buried at Jerusalem.</p> + + + +<h4><a name="01-4"></a>Section IV.</h4> + + +<blockquote> Brief Account of the extravagant Regard which has been paid to the + Virgin Mary at different Periods--the Names by which she has been + addressed, and the Festivals instituted to honour her Memory--general + Remarks on the Nature and Character of Superstition, particularly that + of the Catholics.</blockquote> + +<p>After reviewing, as we have done in the preceding pages, the <i>facts</i> +which are stated by the evangelists respecting the life of the mother of +Jesus, the reader perhaps will not be displeased if he be presented with +some of the <i>fictions</i> with which the fancy and the folly of the human +race have combined to embellish her history. That she has a claim upon the +respect of every age and nation, will not be disputed: but we must condemn +as well as compassionate that weakness which has exalted her into an +object of worship, and filled the temples, which ought to have been +devoted to the service of God, with unauthorized addresses, unscriptural +rites, and idolatrous disfigurements.</p> + +<p>The first notice we have in history of undue honour being rendered to the +Virgin Mary is about the close of the fourth century, when the +<i>Collyridians</i> adored her as a goddess; and by various libations and +sacrifices sought her protection, and hoped to avert her displeasure.</p> + +<p>Soon after this period corruptions multiplied in the church to an +extravagant degree, and mankind departed more and more from the simplicity +of religion. A disposition to pomp and parade usually marks a decline in +piety; for wherever "the beauty of holiness" is preserved, gaudy +decorations and splendid formalities will be deemed unnecessary. Surely +God is not honoured by a service which he has never instituted, and which +is only calculated to divert the mind from the proper business of devotion +and the supreme object of religious homage! In the fifth century, +therefore, as piety languished, magnificence, with all her costly train, +obtruded into notice. The riches of the church increased to an amazing +extent; the altars, and chests for the preservation of relics, were made +of silver; images adorned, or rather defiled, every niche; and the Virgin +Mary, holding the child Jesus in her arms, every where occupied a +conspicuous place. She had, besides, universally acquired the title of +Θεοτουος, or <i>mother of God</i>, which occasioned the Nestorian +controversy.</p> + +<p>The idolatrous service of Mary assumed, in the tenth century, new forms of +extravagance and absurdity. Among the Latin churches, masses were +celebrated every sabbath; and afterward, what is termed the <i>lesser +office</i> was performed in honour of St. Mary. There are also indications of +the institution of the <i>Rosary</i> and <i>Crown</i>, by which her worshippers were +to calculate the number of prayers offered: the former consisted of +fifteen repetitions of the Lord's prayer, and a hundred and fifty +salutations of the Virgin: the latter, of six or seven repetitions of the +Lord's prayer, and six or seven times ten salutations, or Ave Marias.</p> + +<p>About the year 1138 a solemn festival was instituted to celebrate the +immaculate conception of the Virgin, of whom it was pretended, that her +own birth partook of a similar purity to that which attached to her divine +offspring. This doctrine was opposed by St. Bernard; but the French +churches adopted it, and the superstition of the people contributed to its +establishment. The subject was again debated with extreme virulence in the +seventeenth century, between the Franciscans and Dominicans, in which the +pope interposed a mediatorial power. The opinion of the former, who +maintained the doctrine, was declared to have a high degree of probability +in its favour, and the latter were required not to oppose it publicly; +while the Franciscans were prohibited from treating the Dominican doctrine +as erroneous. [<a href="#foot20">20</a>]</p> + +<p>It is lamentable to see the profusion of eloquence and ingenuity which +some of the most penetrating minds have expended on this subject. In all +the Catholic writings we meet with impassioned addresses to the Virgin, +appeals on her behalf to the feelings of piety, and a frequent celebration +of her matchless perfections. The theological oracle of the French church +distinctly states that "as the innocence of Jesus Christ is the life and +salvation of sinners, so, through the innocence of the holy Virgin, he +obtains pardon for the guilty," exhorting his hearers to "cleanse away +their sins in the glorious splendour of her incorruptible purity," and +adding, that "to undertake to describe the perfections of Mary, would be +to fathom a bottomless abyss."</p> + +<p>After representing the Saviour as making particular choice of Mary for +himself, Bossuet bestows upon her the epithets of <i>beloved creature, +extraordinary creature, unique and privileged creature</i>; and continues +thus: "The Saviour imparted to his apostles and ministers whatever was +most adapted to promote the salvation of mankind; but he communicated to +his holy mother whatever was most pleasing, most glorious, and most +delightful to himself; consequently, I doubt not that he made Mary +innocent. She is his unique, and he is hers. <i>Dilectus meus mihi et ego +illi</i> ('my beloved is mine and I am his.') I have only him, and he has +only me." I know well that innocence ought not to be easily lavished on +our corrupt nature, but it is no profuse expenditure to bestow it upon his +mother only: while to refuse to her would surely be too great a reserve.</p> + +<p>"No, my brethren, this is not my Saviour's conduct: on Mary, from the +moment of her birth, I behold the innocence of Jesus Christ shining and +adorning her head. O honour this new ray of light which her divine Son +already sheds upon her! 'The night is far spent, the day is at hand;' +Jesus will quickly bring this day by his own blessed presence. O happy +day! O day without cloud! O day, which the innocence of the divine Jesus +will render so serene and pure, when wilt thou come to illuminate the +world?--Christians, it approaches; let us rejoice in already discovering +its dawn in the birth of the holy Virgin--<i>Natâ Virgine surrexit aurora</i>, +says the pious father Damien. Can you be astonished after this, if I +assert that Mary was without spot from the first moment of her appearance +in the world? As the great day of Christ was to be so clear and splendid, +was it not proper that even its commencement should be beautiful, and that +the serenity of the morning should indicate that of the day? 'It is on +this account,' as father Damien observes, 'that Mary, who introduced this +illustrious day diffused a brightness over the morning by her +nativity--<i>Maria, veri proevia luminis, nativitate suâ mane clarissimum +serenavit</i>.' Hasten then, brethren, hasten with joy to behold the +beginnings of this new day: we shall see it shine in the attractive light +of an untarnished purity!"......<i>Bossuet's Sermon</i>.</p> + +<p>Bossuet had sufficient ingenuity to construct a plausible defence of a +sentiment which, however adapted to supply a theme for eloquent +declamation, is not to be found in Scripture. "It must be admitted," says +he, "that Mary would have been involved in the general ruin of mankind, +had not the merciful Physician who heals our diseases determined to imbue +her beforehand with his preventing grace. Sin, which like a torrent +overflowed the world, would have polluted this holy Virgin with its +poisonous waves; but Omnipotence can stop, whenever he pleases, the most +impetuous force. Observe with what ardour the sun pursues the vast circuit +which Providence has assigned him; and yet you cannot be ignorant that God +once caused him to stand still in the midst of heaven at the voice of a +man. Those who inhabit the vicinity of Jordan, the celebrated river of +Palestine, know with what rapidity it discharges itself into the Dead Sea, +if I am correct as to the place; nevertheless, the whole Israelitish army +saw it roll back to its source to form a passage for the ark, where their +omnipotent Sovereign resided. Is any thing more natural than the consuming +effect of heat in fire issuing out of a furnace? And yet was not the +impious Nebuchadnezzar surprised with the sight of three happy individuals +rejoicing in the midst of the flames which his merciless minions had +kindled--but kindled in vain? But notwithstanding all these examples, may +we not truly say, that there is no fire which does not burn, that the sun +performs his course with unceasing progress, and that no river flows back +to its source? We are accustomed to a similar mode of speaking every day, +without being checked by these extraordinary occurrences, of which no one +is ignorant. Whence does this arise, Christians? Doubtless from the habit +of conversing according to the ordinary course of things; though God +chooses sometimes to act conformably to the dictates of his own +omnipotence, independently of human notions.</p> + +<p>"I am not astonished, therefore, that the apostle Paul has expressed +himself in such general terms respecting the sin of our first parents' +having occasioned the death of all their posterity. According the natural +course of things, which the apostle is stating in that place, to be born +of the race of Adam necessarily includes, in the ordinary sense of the +word, being born in sin. It is not more natural for fire to burn, than for +this accursed depravity to infect every one it touches with corruption and +death. No poison is more active, no plague more powerful and penetrating. +But I maintain, that this curse, however universal, that all these +propositions, however general they may be, do not preclude the exceptions +which may be made by the Supreme Disposer, or particular interpositions of +his authority. And on what occasion, great God, could thine unlimited +power, which itself is law, be more properly employed than in conferring +peculiar favour upon Mary?" [<a href="#foot21">21</a>]</p> + +<p>In the Litanies the Virgin is denominated "the Mother of God, the Queen of +Angels, the Refuge of Sinners, the Mother of Mercy, the Gate of Heaven, +the Mystic Rose, the Virgin of Virgins," &c. [<a href="#foot22">22</a>]</p> + +<p>Father Barry, in his "Paradise opened to Philagia by a hundred Devotions +to the Mother of God, of easy performance," says, "It is open to such as +confine themselves to their chambers, or carry about them an image of the +Virgin, and look steadfastly upon it--who, night and morning, beg her +benediction, standing near some of the churches dedicated to her, or +contribute to the relief of the poor for her sake--who, out of a pious +regard for her, avoid pronouncing the name of Mary when they read, but +make use of some other instead of it--who beg of the angels to salute the +mother of God in their name, who give honourable appellations to her +images, and cast amorous glances at them," &c.</p> + +<p>In this work it is expressly stated, that "as many separate devotions to +the mother of God as you find in this book, are so many keys of heaven, +which will open all paradise to you, provided you only practise them;" and +afterward it is added, that "any <i>one</i> of them is sufficient." Take the +following specimen: "Salute the holy Virgin wherever you meet her image; +repeat the little chaplet of the ten pleasures of the Virgin; often +pronounce the name of <i>Mary</i>; commission the angels to give your duty to +her; cherish a desire to build more churches to her than all the kings of +the world put together; wish her a good day every morning, and a good +night every evening; say the <i>Ave Maria</i> every day, in honour of the heart +of Mary." [<a href="#foot23">23</a>]</p> + +<p>In the earliest ages she was called Queen of angels and Mother of God; +afterward, the spirit of controversy induced her advocates to adopt every +possible device to make her considerable among heretics, and to accustom +her devotees to extravagant expressions. She has been represented as the +<i>disposer and depository of God's favours, the treasurer and queen of +heaven, the spring and fountain of salvation and life, the mother of +light, the intercessor between God and man, the hope of mankind, the ocean +of the Deity</i>! Almost an absolute and sovereign power over her Son our +Saviour has been ascribed to her. The psalter, nay the whole Bible, has +been applied to her, and proofs by miracles and apparitions furnished, +that the virgin appeases the wrath of Christ against sinners, and +possesses the power of absolving, binding, and loosening. Temples and +altars have been erected, and invocations addressed to her.</p> + +<p>The Jesuit, who published the Psalter of our Lady, in French, exhorts the +devout Christian who pronounces these words in the introduction, <i>Holy +Lady, open thou my lips</i>, &c. "to make two signs of the cross when he +repeats them, one upon his lips with his thumb, and the other upon himself +with his hand, as the priests do when they begin their canonical hours." +This method, he assures us, will procure the devotee the honour and +happiness of being canon or canoness of heaven; and our lady, to reward so +conspicuous and instructive an act of devotion, will admit him into +paradise. He gives a pattern of the vows which the devotee is to make "for +Jesus and Mary's sake, and for all the lovers of them both, whether male +or female." He describes the alliance to be made by him with the <i>most +amiable and honourable mother of all mothers</i>, the act of repentance and +contrition for the reconciliation of himself with her, and all the +ceremonies, great and small, by which he may devote himself to the +blessed Virgin.</p> + +<p>Whoever hopes to obtain the benedictions of the Virgin, must salute her +every day, both at his going out and coming in. The legends have +transmitted several remarkable instances of the advantages arising from +the repetition of the <i>Ave Maria</i>--not to mention a thousand day's +indulgence granted by some of the popes (Leo X. and Paul V.) to those who +shall repeat it at the hour of the <i>Angelus</i>.</p> + +<p>St. Margarite, of Hungary, said an Ave kneeling before every image of the +Virgin she met in her way--St. Catharine, of Sienna, repeated as many Aves +as she went up steps to her house.</p> + +<p>Fasting on <i>Saturday</i>, in honour of the Virgin, is looked upon as a +treasure of indulgences and delights, and as an excellent preservative +against eternal damnation.</p> + +<p>Various festivals are instituted to commemorate her, such as the +Purification, the Annunciation, the Visitation, and others.</p> + +<p>The fifth of August is the festival of <i>our Lady of the Snow</i>. We are +informed that the solemnization of it was owing to a miracle. When +Liberius was pontiff, a patrician, or Roman nobleman, finding himself old +and childless, resolved, with his wife's approbation, to make the blessed +Virgin his sole heiress. The vow being made with great devotion, their +principal concern, in the next place, was to employ their inheritance +conformably to our Lady's will: and accordingly they applied themselves to +fasting, praying, giving alms to the poor, and visiting the sick, to know +her pleasure.</p> + +<p>The Virgin at length appeared to each of them in a dream, and told them +"it was her and her Son's will, that they should employ their effects in +erecting a church for her on a particular part of the <i>Mons Esquilinus</i>, +which they should find covered with snow." The pious husband first +communicated the revelation to his wife, who told him, with great +surprise, that she had had the same revelation that very night. But, +supposing the two dreams had not proved alike, an excess of zeal would +have been sufficient to have given them all the <i>conformity</i> that was +requisite; These two devotees went immediately and declared their dreams +to the pope, who perceived that he was a third man in the revelation; for +his holiness had been favoured with the same vision. It was no longer +questioned, but that heaven was engaged in this affair. The pontiff +assembled the clergy together, and there was a solemn procession to Mount +Esquiline, on purpose to find out whether the miracle were real or not; +when the place specified in the dream was found covered with snow. The +ground was exactly of a suitable extent to erect a church upon, which was +afterward called <i>Liberius's Basilica</i>, and <i>St. Mary ad præcepe</i>, +(because the manger, which was used as a cradle for our Lady, was brought +thither from Bethlehem,) and is now called <i>St. Mary Major</i>. Every +festival day, the commemoration of this miracle is revived, by letting +fall white jessamine leaves, after so artificial a manner, as to imitate +the falling of snow upon the ground. [<a href="#foot24">24</a>]</p> + +<p>It has even been asserted, that the apostle Peter consecrated a chapel to +the Virgin, a story which accords perfectly well with other absurdities. +The Spaniards attribute a similar act of devotion to James at <i>Saragossa</i>; +and some add, that the angels were the architects of the chapel. It is +decorated in the most costly manner with silver angels, lamps, and other +furniture, with the Virgin magnificently dressed on a marble pillar. The +walls are hung with feet, arms, hands, and other parts of the human body, +as grateful oblations to the Virgin, for the miraculous cures she is +supposed to have performed upon these members.</p> + +<p>At <i>Madrid</i>, our lady of Atocha resides in a chapel which blazes with a +hundred lamps made of gold and silver, and is celebrated for as many +miracles as at Loretto and other places. The history of her first +settlement at <i>Liesse</i>, in Picardy, is thus related. During the crusades, +an Egyptian princess resolving to have an image of the Virgin, addressed +herself to three gentlemen of Picardy, who were prisoners at Cairo, one of +whom made an attempt to paint her, though ignorant of the art. Having +failed, he and his companions presented earnest supplications to the +Virgin, after which they fell asleep. As soon as they awoke, they found +an image of our Lady, accurately performed, which they transmitted to the +princess; who, in return, set them at liberty. She was, of course, +converted to the Christian faith by this image; and the three gentlemen +miraculously escaped out of Egypt, and on a sudden found themselves, by a +continuation of the miracle, in Picardy, on the very spot where the church +of <i>our Lady of Liesse</i> is now erected.</p> + +<p>Her devotees carry representations of the Virgin about them, deck her +images with flowers, dress them in silks or other costly ornaments, burn +tapers before them, kiss and look upon them with a languishing eye, touch +them with their chaplets, rub their handkerchiefs upon them, and salute +them with the profoundest veneration.</p> + +<p>Her relics are innumerable--such as her wedding ring, handkerchiefs, +combs, slippers and goods of every description, as kitchen furniture, +toilette, earthenware, lamps; and even, as it is pretended, her gloves, +bed, chair, head-clothes, with other rarities.</p> + +<p>"Surely," says archbishop Tillotson, "if this <i>blessed among women, the +mother of our Lord</i>, (for I keep to the titles which the Scripture gives +her,) have any sense of what we do here below, she cannot but look down +with the greatest disdain upon that sacrilegious and idolatrous worship +which is paid to her, to the high dishonour of the great God and our +Saviour, and the infinite scandal of his religion. How can she, without +indignation, behold how they play the fool in the church of Rome about +her; what an idol they make of her image, and with what sottishness they +give divine honour to it; how they place her in their idolatrous pictures +in equal rank with the blessed Trinity, and turn the salutation of the +angel, <i>Ave Maria, hail Mary, full of grace</i>, into a kind of prayer; and, +in their bead-roll of devotion, repeat it ten times, for once that they +say the Lord's prayer, as of greater virtue and efficacy? And, indeed, +they almost justle out the devotion due to Almighty God and our blessed +Saviour, by their endless idolatry to her.</p> + +<p>"So that the greater part of their religion, both public and private, is +made up of that which was no part at all of the religion of the apostles +and primitive Christians; nay, which plainly contradicts it: for that +expressly teacheth us, that there is but one object of our prayers, and +one Mediator by whom we are to make our addresses to God. 'There is one +God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus,' says St. +Paul, when he gives a standing rule concerning prayer in the Christian +church. And yet, notwithstanding all the care that our blessed Saviour and +his apostles could take to prevent gross idolatry of the blessed mother of +our Lord, how blindly and wilfully have the church of Rome run into it! +and, in despite of the clearest evidence and conviction, do obstinately +and impudently persist in it, and justify themselves in so abominable a +practice."</p> + +<p>In the homage rendered to the Virgin Mary by the Catholics, the servility +of superstition appears blended with the zeal of enthusiasm. Having +departed from Scripture, that only light which shines upon the path of +obedience, and conducts to God, they naturally lose themselves amidst the +perplexities of error and the mazes of falsehood: it need not, therefore, +occasion surprise though their course should be eccentric, or their +conduct preposterous. The passions being chiefly engaged in this service, +and kept in exercise by fear or fondness, reason retires; and imagination, +supported by these auxiliaries, sways the sceptre. The absurdities, +however, to which under such circumstances the human mind becomes +addicted, would seem utterly unaccountable, were it not for the gradual +manner of their influence. The victory over judgment and common sense is +not secured at a blow, but by perpetual insinuation. The hopes or fears of +mankind are wrought upon <i>individually</i> from the period of infancy, long +previous to the age when reason attains its vigour and maturity,--and +<i>nationally</i> by a slow and almost insensible accumulation of frivolous or +ridiculous observances from century to century. A natural consciousness of +weakness renders man the dupe of deception, and an equal sense of guilt +makes him the slave of terror. Hence he readily avails himself of every +means which he fancies capable of alleviating his anxieties, and in his +eagerness to escape the wretchedness of apprehension or the suffering of +evil, flies to unscriptural resources.</p> + +<p>The pre-eminence of man over the brute creation arises chiefly from his +capacity of knowing God and serving him in the appointed exercises of +religion; and yet the perversion of this capacity, by the invention of +superstitious ceremonies, has rendered him utterly contemptible. In the +services of real piety, he appears elevated to the summit of creation, his +nature seems ennobled, and his character encircled with glory; but, in the +practices of superstition, he is degraded to the lowest depth of meanness +of which an intellectual and immortal being is capable. By the former he +soars to "glory, honour, and immortality;" by the latter he sinks to +wretchedness and ruin. In the one case he is useful and happy; in the +other, inactive, isolated, and full of disquietude; and thus either rises +into grandeur or falls into littleness,--is an angel or a brute!</p> + +<p>Whoever reviews the several religious errors of the Pagan, Jewish, and +Christian communities, will admit, that the history of superstition +constitutes one of the most offensive pages in the annals of mankind; he +will see the object of worship misrepresented, the universe partitioned +into petty sovereignties, and Deity divided, contracted, and localized; +religion turned into mockery, and mockery into religion.</p> + +<p>It is somewhat difficult to trace the operations and to ascertain the true +character of superstition, although it has prevailed so extensively in the +world, and produced such extraordinary effects. Amongst other anomalies, +this is observable, that it not only has led captive weak and ignorant +minds, which being unable to detect a specious sophism, or to depart from +a general practice, may easily be supposed incapable of resisting its +fascination; but it has been known to seduce and enchain some of the +noblest orders of intellect, and the most cultivated of human +understandings. Whole nations and successive generations have been +subjected to its influence, furnishing ample evidence of that statement, +which, if it be not repeated in every page of Scripture, lies at the +foundation of all its truths; and into which many of the peculiarities of +this principle may be resolved: "The world by wisdom knew not God."</p> + +<p>Superstition is unquestionably founded in mean and absurd ideas of the +moral attributes of the Deity, which produce corresponding actions, and in +assigning to him an arbitrary character, deriving pleasure from what has +no connexion with the happiness of the worshipper. A consistent and +dignified conduct can only result from a just estimate of the divine +perfections, and a correct view of moral obligation. The worship we render +to a superior being, must necessarily be shaped and regulated by our +conceptions of the nature of God; consequently, mankind will degenerate +into error and folly, proportionate to their departure from the +representations of Scripture respecting the spirituality of his essence.</p> + +<p>To this source may be traced especially the principles and practices of +the Romish church, in which reason is outraged, religion caricatured, and +God dishonoured. Transubstantiation is a doctrine manifestly absurd and +impious; and the practice of presenting those supplications to dead +saints, which the Supreme Being alone can hear and answer, is no less +ridiculous, as well as subversive of true piety. Perhaps, however, no +deviation from common sense is more remarkable than those extravagancies +of the Catholics which respect the Virgin Mary; and yet these have not +only been practised by the multitude, but defended by men of learning with +the utmost subtlety and the warmest zeal. In fact, she has been praised by +every Catholic pen for ages; and every term that language could supply has +been put in requisition to extol her merits.</p> + +<p>Let the view we have given of these misstatements excite us to +self-examination, in order that we may discover any incorrectness or +deficiency in our own apprehensions of religion, and become vigilant over +those errors into which we may be apt to deviate. It will be studying man +to some purpose, if the better we are acquainted with the history of the +human mind, the greater the circumspection we exercise over ourselves. We +shall then be less imposed upon by the speciousness of falsehood, and less +betrayed by the weakness of our passions; we shall be led to "present our +bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," and feel that it is +our "<i>reasonable service</i>."</p> + + + +<h2><a name="02"></a>Elizabeth.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter II.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> The angelic Appearance to Zacharias--Birth of John--Characters of + Elizabeth and Zacharias--Importance of domestic Union being founded on + Religion, shown in them--their venerable Age--the characteristic + Features of their Piety--the Happiness of a Life like theirs--the Effect + it is calculated to produce on others--the Perpetuation of holy + friendship through immortal Ages--the miserable Condition of the + irreligious.</blockquote> + +<p>Obscure as were the circumstances in which Christ appeared, Infinite +Wisdom saw fit to furnish miraculous attestations to his character and +mission. This evidence attended him during the whole of his career, +investing him with a heavenly glory, and rendering his pre-eminence +distinctly visible to the eye of faith, notwithstanding his assumed +inferiority.</p> + +<p>It was in unison with this scheme of Providence to send the most exalted +of angelic beings to announce the birth of Messiah, and to prepare the +minds of Mary his mother, of the shepherds who were to circulate the +intelligence, and of others more nearly or more remotely interested in the +event, by celestial visitations. For similar reasons it comported with the +nature of this wonderful event, to attach something peculiar and even +miraculous to the birth of his precursor, whose destined office it should +be to "prepare the way of the Lord," by uttering his "voice in the +wilderness," and intimating to mankind the mighty transformations about to +be effected in the moral state of the world. Six months, therefore, +previously to the annunciation to Mary, the angel Gabriel descended to +proclaim "glad tidings" to Zacharias. In the performance of his customary +service as a priest, he had gone into the temple to burn incense, while +the people were praying without the holy place. On a sudden, he perceived +an angel standing on the right side of the altar, and became exceedingly +agitated, till the benevolent spirit addressed him in affectionate and +congratulatory terms. Ah! <i>they</i> have no reason to dread a message from +the world of spirits, or to be filled with apprehensions at the sight of +other orders of beings than those with which they are conversant, who are +engaged in the discharge of their duties, and live under the influence of +religion! However new or extraordinary such revelations, they never could +have been real causes of alarm to the servants of God; and were they not +at present suspended, in consequence of the completion of the intended +communications of truth to mankind, piety ought rather to welcome than to +dread them.</p> + +<p>Zacharias was assured that his prayer was heard, and that his wife +Elizabeth should have a son to be named John. As a sign of the +accomplishment of this prediction, and as a chastisement of the doubt with +which the message was at first received, he was struck with dumbness, +which continued only till the birth of his child.</p> + +<p>The interview between Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of our Lord, has been +already adverted to in the preceding narrative, where the salutations of +these favoured relatives were recited. At the expiration of the appointed +time, Elizabeth bare a son whom they would have called after the name of +Zacharias, but his mother interposed; and the affair being finally +referred to his father, he wrote, to the general astonishment of their +neighbours and relatives, who had remonstrated in vain, "His name is +John." Immediately his speech was restored, and he broke out in +impassioned strains of praise: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he +hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of +salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the +mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we +should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; +to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy +covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would +grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies +might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, +all the days of our life. And thou, child, shall be called the prophet of +the Highest: for thou shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his +ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of +their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring +from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness +and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."</p> + +<p>Reverting to the commencement of this history by the evangelist Luke, we +shall be led to notice the domestic characters of Zacharias and Elizabeth, +particularly as they illustrate the excellence of a life of piety. While +religion adorns every station, it teaches us to fulfil every relative +duty; and acting under its influence, a person becomes a light in the +world, diffusing through the family, the social circle, and the more +extended sphere of busy life, a mild and beneficent radiance.</p> + +<p>Our attention is first directed to the office of Zacharias, and the +descent of his wife. He was a <i>priest</i>, and she "of the daughters of +Aaron." The world affords too many evidences, that piety is neither +created by station, nor hereditary in its transmission. As Zacharias was a +minister of the sanctuary, it was both to be <i>desired</i> and <i>expected</i> that +he should not approach the altar with a hardened and unsanctified heart. +"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his +holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lift +up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the +blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." +Yet, alas! it is not always to be presumed that real religion accompanies +either the brightest profession or the most dignified office! Korah, +Dathan, and Abiram, offered "strange fire," Judas betrayed the Son of God, +and Paul expresses an apprehension "lest, having preached to others," he +should himself "be a castaway." The admonition, therefore, of God by +Isaiah is appropriate and striking: "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of +the Lord." It is possible to be a preacher of righteousness, and yet a +child of Satan--a priest, and yet a demon--a worker of miracles, and yet a +"worker of iniquity:" but a pleasing exception to this remark occurs in +the history of Zacharias, who was "a <i>priest</i>, and <i>righteous</i> before +God." His <i>office</i> and his <i>character</i> accorded, and the light of his +example shone with unclouded brightness and attractive glory.</p> + +<p>It is observable, that Elizabeth, the wife of this holy priest, was +equally distinguished with himself for a sincere and active piety. "They +were BOTH righteous before God;" and it was their privilege to live at +that eventful moment when the clouds that obscured the past dispensations +of Providence were tinged with the rising glory of the day which was just +breaking upon the nations of the earth, and which lighted these pilgrims +home to their eternal rest. They were some of the last of the Jewish and +the first of the Christian economy, and their life seemed to form the +bright line which bordered the typical ages and those of unshadowed truth +and Christian revelation.</p> + +<p>Zacharias and Elizabeth exhibit an attractive picture of union both +natural and religious; the hymenial tie was intertwined with celestial +roses, which diffused a fragrance over domestic life; their love to each +other was strengthened and sanctified by their love to God.</p> + +<p>The perfection of conjugal felicity with every good man depends upon the +existence of similar religious principles and feelings with those which +influence himself in the partner of his life; consequently, it will ever +be his concern "to marry in the Lord." No language can express the +bitterness of that pang which rends his heart when a dissimilarity of +taste prevails in so important an affair. It is a worm for ever gnawing +the root of his peace, and will prevent its growth even under the +brightest sun of worldly prosperity. Let those especially who are forming +connections in life, and who "love Christ in sincerity," reflect on the +fatal consequences of devoting their affections to such as can never +accompany them to the house of God but with reluctance, or to the throne +of grace but with weariness and aversion. If the object of your fondest +regard be an unbeliever, what a cloud will darken your serenest days, what +unutterable grief disturb your otherwise peaceful sabbaths! Your pleasures +and your pains of a religious kind, which are the most intense, will be +equally unparticipated. You must walk alone in those ways of pleasantness +which would be still more endeared by such sweet society; and you must +suffer the keenest sorrows of the heart--<i>perhaps</i> without daring to name +them, and <i>certainly</i> without one tear, one word, one look of soothing +sympathy. How could you endure it that the very wife of your bosom should +manifest the temper of those assassins that murdered your Lord, while in +the exercise of a lively faith you hailed him as "the chief among ten +thousand, and altogether lovely?" Would it not agonize your heart that she +should be <i>indifferent</i> only, not to say inimical, towards him in whom you +daily "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory?"</p> + +<p>In proportion to the wretchedness of such circumstances must be the +felicity of the reverse, of which this narrative furnishes a pleasing +exemplification. Zacharias and Elizabeth were <i>both</i> righteous, and this +union of spirit diffused a holy and gladdening radiance over all the +scenes of life. In the family, in the social circle, in the house of God, +they were ONE. Together they could bow the knee at the throne of grace, +together go up to the temple! The grief or the joy of one was the grief or +the joy of both; they could sing the same song, unite in the same prayer, +feast on the same spiritual food! This was the perfection of love--this +was the triumph of friendship! No contrary current of feeling on either +side ruffled the pure stream of domestic and religious pleasure, but it +flowed along in a clear, noiseless, and perpetual course. In this case the +language of David might be applied with emphatic propriety: "Behold, how +good and pleasant a thing it is to dwell together in unity."</p> + +<p>Elizabeth and her partner were "both well stricken in years." There is +something venerable in hoary age, especially when adorned with the graces +of the Spirit. The mind reposes with peculiar complacency on those who, +having long "adorned the doctrines of God their Saviour in all things," +are waiting quietly and confidently for their admission to heaven. They +can see the shadows of the evening deepen upon them without a sigh; and +while death is unlocking the doors of their appointed house, can sing, +"Thanks be to God, that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus +Christ." While the mind of a wicked man, in the near prospect of +dissolution, is filled with distraction, and "a fearful looking for of +judgment--while his</p> + +<blockquote> "------frantic soul<br /> +Raves round the walls of her clay tenement,<br /> +Flies to each avenue, and cries for help--<br /> +But cries in vain;------"</blockquote> + +<p>conscious that he is the enemy of God, the abhorrence of saints; the +confederate, and will soon become the companion, of evil spirits; the +dying Christian looks beyond the confines of mortality into the eternal +world, without one sensation but that "of a desire to depart and to be +with Christ." In quitting the present world, he expects a transition from +sorrow to joy--from the region of shadows to that of realities--from the +habitations of sin to the abodes of purity. Embracing Jesus by faith, he +exclaims with Simeon, "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for +mine eyes have seen thy salvation;" or with Paul, "I have fought a good +fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth is +laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous +Judge, shall give me in that day."</p> + +<p>It is pleasing to see the youthful mind impressed with the concerns of +religion, devoting its powers to the Saviour, and despising the +solicitations of sinful pleasure; but ah! how many cloudless mornings are +succeeded by gloomy days--how many false and fruitless blossoms adorn the +smiling spring--how many seeds spring up, but perish because they have "no +depth of earth!" Early piety, therefore, however gratifying, cannot be +contemplated without anxiety, if not suspicion; the force of temptation +has not yet been endured--the world has not half exhausted its quiver of +poisoned arrows--Satan has not yet tried all his arts and +machinations--the race is not yet run!--but in those who, like Zacharias +and Elizabeth, are "well striken in years," we witness the stability of +principle, the triumph of perseverance, and the reign of grace. Dear and +venerable companions in the ways of God, ye have borne the burden and heat +of the day! Like a shock of corn, ye shall soon be "gathered in your +season;" ye shall soon drop the infirmities of humanity, and be clothed in +the robes of light! "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they +may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates +into the city."</p> + +<p>The brief, but comprehensive notice of these venerable saints, in the +commencement of the Gospel according to Luke, exhibits at once the +characteristic features of their piety.</p> + +<p>1. It was of a quality approved by God himself: for they are represented +as "righteous <i>before God</i>," that is, in the divine estimation. It is +this only which can determine our genuine character; for, however +"outwardly virtuous <i>before men</i>," the internal spirit and character may +be marked by moral deformities which the eye of Omniscience cannot but +view with detestation. The most eminent Christians, indeed, are aware that +perfection in righteousness is not attainable in the present state, and +that when "weighed in the balances," they are in many respects "found +wanting:" but while they look for acceptance through the righteousness of +Christ, instead of "going about to establish their own," they possess a +rectitude of <i>principle</i>, though the <i>degree</i> of holiness be imperfect. +They are sincere, habitual in their aim to please God, cherishing a +supreme attachment to his name and character, and determined in their +resistance of every influence that would seduce them from his service or +impel them to commit sin.</p> + +<p>2. Elizabeth and her venerable partner regulated their conduct by divine +authority, irrespective of the opinions of men. They are said to "have +walked in the <i>commandments and ordinances of the Lord</i>." The Jews were +accustomed to blend the traditions of the elders with their religious +services; but these believers consulted and obeyed the oracles of Heaven. +They repaired at once to the spring-head of wisdom, deriving their faith +and obtaining direction with regard to their practice from Him who alone +possesses the authority of a master.</p> + +<p>This was a very decisive evidence of their religion, and is a test which +is capable of being applied to every case and to every sphere of life. If +the only certain evidence of true piety consisted in becoming martyrs, few +could have an opportunity of evincing it, through not being called to this +high and holy service; or, if the test were the distribution of ample +charities, or self-devotement to the labour of the Christian ministry, the +poor, and the ungifted, and ineloquent, would be excluded from the +prescribed means of testifying their love to God: but obedience to his +commands may be practised in the humblest circumstances, in the lowliest +station, and by the most obscure individual. Any where and every where it +is possible "to take up our cross," to "deny ourselves," to "mortify the +flesh," to "walk in the Spirit."</p> + +<p>3. The obedience of Elizabeth and Zacharias was universal--not partial or +restricted; for they "walked in <i>all</i> the commandments and ordinances of +the Lord."</p> + +<p>An insincere profession will be distinguished by partiality in its +observances. It will practise some duties and reject others, believe some +doctrines and hesitate to admit others. Influenced by many subordinate +considerations, it will select those requirements which are most easily +performed, most calculated to attract public attention, or most +conformable to natural prepossessions. It will dispense with some things +as difficult, and with others as unnecessary or unimportant. "Then," +exclaimed the Psalmist, "shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto +<i>all</i> thy commandments."</p> + +<p>4. Elizabeth and her aged companion were distinguished also for a piety +which was <i>blameless</i>. It is possible to merit blame even in our very acts +of religious obedience. How seldom do we attain that purity of <i>motive</i>, +that unostentatious simplicity of <i>manner</i>, that <i>uniformity</i> of conduct, +which constitute a <i>blameless</i> piety! In this respect we have daily +reason, at the footstool of mercy, to deplore our deficiency, our lanquor, +our lukewarmness of spirit, our unprofitableness and vileness. "If thou, +Lord, wert strict to mark iniquity, O Lord, who could stand?" There is not +a prayer we utter but would be rejected, were it not for the prevalence +of the Redeemer's intercession, nor a service we perform, but is so +defiled with guilt that it would be an abominable offering, but for the +efficacy of that blood which "cleanseth us from all sin." Nor, indeed, was +the piety of Zacharias and Elizabeth in itself "<i>blameless</i>," irrespective +of this atonement; nor were they "<i>righteous</i>," but as accepted and +justified "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." To a lively +faith they, however, united a holy conversation, and an habitual +obedience: their life was a perpetual sacrifice to God, and diffused +around a sweet savour of piety.</p> + +<p>Let us contemplate the <i>happiness of such a life</i>. It is common to +represent religion as incompatible with true enjoyment, and to describe +those who are under its influence as gloomy fanatics, dragging out a +miserable existence--the dupes of prejudice and the slaves of melancholy. +If a perpetual sense of the divine presence, a well-founded confidence of +pardoned sin, free access to the throne of mercy, abundant communications +of spiritual good and lively anticipations of a felicity beyond the grave, +commensurate with the capacities of an immortal spirit, and with the +everlasting ages of eternity; if these produce wretchedness, then, and in +no other case, is religion a source of misery. Be not deceived; such +allegations result from ignorance and depravity. Zacharias and Elizabeth, +joined together by the dear bonds of mutual affection, and the still +dearer ties of grace, present a picture of happiness unrivalled in the gay +and thoughtless world. We appeal to them, and to those who resemble them, +as "epistles" of God, that teach the efficacy of genuine religion. Read +them, ye profane, and blush for your impieties! Read them, ye sons and +daughters of strife, and banish discord from your houses! Read them, ye +fearful, hesitating, lukewarm professors, and learn to walk in "<i>all</i> the +commandments and ordinances of the Lord!" Read them, ye worldly wise, ye +ambitious, ye "lovers of pleasure," and confess ye have mistaken the true +means to happiness, and have "forsaken your own mercies!"</p> + +<p>It is a supereminent excellence of the religion of Jesus, that "the peace +and joy in believing" which it inspires do not depend on external +circumstances. As no worldly condition can <i>create</i>, so neither can it +<i>destroy</i> the Christian's felicity; it is firm and immoveable amidst the +changes and revolutions of human affairs--in the bright or cloudy day. +Like the mariner's compass, which continually points in the same direction +amidst changing seasons and varying climes, the most extraordinary +vicissitudes of the "present evil world," cannot "move" the mind of a +believer from the "hope of the Gospel."</p> + +<p>Reflect further, on the <i>effect which such a life is calculated to produce +on others</i>.</p> + +<p>A holy life is a powerful argument for the "truth as it is in Jesus;" and +that suspicious eagerness with which the wicked watch the conduct of +professors, that patient malignity with which they wait for their halting, +and that Satanic joy with which they exult over their misconduct, prove +their own convictions of the strength of such an argument. Let us then be +concerned to falsify their predictions and disappoint their enmity by +"walking in <i>all</i> the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." +Consider the impressive appeal of the apostle: "Only let your conversation +be as becometh the gospel of Christ." Shine, ye professing Christians, for +"ye are the lights of the world"--shine with a holy and steady radiance in +the church of God, and pray for daily supplies of the oil of grace, that +your light may not degenerate into a feeble glimmering or totally expire; +otherwise you may become accessary to the fall and ruin of others, and +"their blood may be upon <i>you!</i>" Such a pious union, such holy friendship +as that of Elizabeth and Zacharias, will be <i>perpetuated through infinite +ages</i>. It is not a transient but an everlasting union; it shall survive +the grave and defy the stroke of mortality. They who "sleep in Jesus" will +God bring with him. The sepulchre, to such as die in the faith of Christ +and in a state of holy friendship with each other, only resembles a vast +prison, in which dearest friends are separated only for a time in +different cells, and from which they shall be released when the gloomy +keeper resigns his keys, when "death is swallowed up in victory." Those +humble and affectionate disciples who have "walked together in all the +commandments and ordinances of the Lord, here, shall take sweet counsel +above, and walk together in the fields of immortality." In a nobler sense +than the original application of the words, it may be said of all +Christian friends, "they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in +their deaths they were not divided."</p> + +<p>This perpetuation of Christian society and love, is intimated in the most +striking manner by our Redeemer when on the point of departure from his +disciples, whom he called his "<i>friends</i>." "I will not henceforth drink of +this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my +Father's kingdom." Who can describe the joys of that "marriage-feast," the +felicities of that endeared spiritual and eternal intercourse, that union +of hearts, that concourse of affections, that flow and mingling of souls! +These are some of "the mysteries of godliness"--this is what "eye hath not +seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to +conceive."</p> + +<p>Let these glorious expectations revive our failing courage amidst the +conflicts of life. Let us not despair, though we may weep over the +companions of our pilgrimage, slain at our side by the irresistible stroke +of death. The separation is transitory--the reunion will be eternal. "But +I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are +asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we +believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in +Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the +Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, +shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall +descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and +with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we +which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the +clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the +Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."</p> + +<p>Such as are opposite in character to Zacharias and Elizabeth, and who are +"walking in <i>none</i> of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord," should +reflect on the misery of their condition, as utterly destitute of all +those hopes and privileges which have been described. Who instituted these +ordinances?--who gave these commandments?--whose authority is it you dare +despise?--or who has released you from your obligations to this +authority?--what madness induces you to fly in the face of God--to measure +your power against the sword of Omnipotence? O, remember--"the wages of +sin is death!"</p> + + + +<h2><a name="03"></a>Anna.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter III.</h3> + + +<blockquote> Introduction of Anna into the sacred Story--inspired Description of + her--the aged apt to be unduly attached to Life--Anna probably Religious + at an early Period--Religion the most substantial Support amidst the + Infirmities of Age--the most effectual Guard against its Vices--and the + best Preparation for its End.</blockquote> + +<p>Two illustrious women have already been presented to the reader as +adorning the era of our Saviour's incarnation; the one, the mother of his +humanity, the witness of his miracles, and the weeping attendant upon his +crucifixion; the other, her venerable relative, the wife of Zacharias, and +the parent of John, who was the destined precursor of the "Desire of all +nations." We are now to contemplate another female, whose age superadds a +charm to her excellences, and whose privilege also it was to witness the +commencing brightness of the evangelical day. Like Elizabeth, her +"memorial" is short, but it does not "perish with her." She has a place in +the chronicles of the redeemed, a name before which that of heroes and +heroines fades away, and which it requires no "storied urn nor animated +burst" to perpetuate.</p> + +<p>Anna is introduced to our notice on the memorable occasion which has been +already mentioned, when the parents of Jesus took him after his +circumcision to Jerusalem, to "present him to the Lord." Then it was that +Simeon broke forth in eloquent and prophetic congratulations, expressive +at once of his own triumph over death, in consequence of having witnessed +the accomplishment of those prophecies which had so long and so often +filled him with delightful anticipations, and of the "glory" which he +foresaw would irradiate Israel and enlighten the Gentiles. Scarcely had he +finished his address, when Anna, a prophetess, remarkable for her extreme +age and exemplary piety, entered the temple, and not only united with +Simeon and the rest of the interesting group in "giving thanks unto the +Lord," but "spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in +Jerusalem."</p> + +<p>It was benefiting the majesty of the event which had occurred, that the +spirit of prophecy should revive after being dormant for about four +hundred years. Since the days of Malachi no such inspiration had been +afforded; but the new and glorious period commencing with the incarnation +was marked by this as well as other signs and wonders. When Simeon held +the infant Saviour in his arms, the Spirit of God touched his tongue with +a live coal from the altar; and when the aged "daughter of Phanuel" +approached, she caught the glow of kindling rapture, and blended with his +her praises and predictions. This eminent woman is represented as "of a +great age," as having "lived with a husband seven years from her +virginity," and as being "a widow of about four-score and four years, +which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and +prayers night and day." This form of expression does not seem to furnish +decisive evidence whether her entire age was eighty-four, or whether she +was a widow during that period; if the latter, the seven years in which +she had lived with a husband, together with the probable number which +constituted her age at the time of her marriage, must be added to the +calculation, which would produce considerably more than a hundred years; +in either case she must be allowed to occupy a conspicuous place in the +records of longevity.</p> + +<p>It has been observed of the aged, that although existence, when extended +beyond the usual period of "threescore years and ten," is nothing "but +labour and sorrow," they still adhere to life with the utmost tenacity, +and are even less disposed to relinquish it than those whose more vigorous +powers and undecayed youth capacitate them for its enjoyment. But however +surprised we may be to witness this anxiety to live in those who are +bending beneath the pressure of years and the load of decrepitude, and to +see that this anxiety rather increases than diminishes, there is something +in it by no means unnatural. In addition to the love of life which is +implanted in every human bosom for the wisest purposes, the aged person +cannot but feel that he is nearer than others to that hour of separation +from all the connexions and interests of time than the multitude around +him--an hour at which nature instinctively shudders, and which is always +regarded as painful, whatever may be the result. Corporeal suffering may +be considerable; and that change of being which the mortal stroke produces +has always something about it awful, mysterious, and terrific. There are +few instances in which it can be approached without some degree of dread, +some shrinking of mind, whatever be the state of detachment from the +present world, and whatever pleasing anticipations may exist with regard +to another: as the patient, however assured of the necessity of the +measure and the importance of the result, trembles while preparations are +making to amputate his disordered limb. It may be observed also of the +young, that while they compassionate their aged friends as the prey of a +thousand imbecilities both of body and mind, and lament over a state in +which man is reduced to a second childhood, there is scarcely an +individual who does not harbour in secret the wish to attain an age equal +at least, if not superior, to any of his cotemporaries. The reason is +similar to that which influences persons at an advanced period of life; +the thought of death, with all its concomitant evils, is unwelcome at any +time, and consequently it is grateful to the mind to place it at the +greatest conceivable distance; so that, were it now within the +appointments of Providence or the bounds of probability, little doubt can +be entertained that the great proportion of mankind would readily accept +as a blessing a patriarchal or antediluvian age.</p> + +<p>Anna is particularly noticed as the daughter of Phanuel, of whom we have +no other information; and as belonging to the tribe of Asher, which was +situated in Galilee. This, whether recorded for that purpose or not, might +serve to refute the charge, that "out of Galilee ariseth no prophet," +since from that quarter proceeded the very first inspirations upon the +revival of the prophetic spirit. Asher was a very inferior tribe, and one +of the ten carried captive by the Assyrians, having departed from the +worship of the true God, and from the house of David, under Jeroboam. But +notwithstanding this general defection, there were individuals who +returned and reunited themselves with Judah, that they might enjoy the +ancient privileges of the people of God. Thus even in the worst of times, +and amidst the least favourable circumstances, some portion of true +religion has always been preserved in the earth. Though the watchful eye +of Providence has occasionally suffered the flame of devotion to languish +and almost expire, yet its total extinction has been prevented, and +unexpected coincidences have frequently excited it into new and more +vigorous action.</p> + +<p>We have in the history before us a specimen of a pious old age, remarkable +in itself, and calculated to suggest a variety of useful considerations. +This holy woman probably lodged in the immediate vicinity, if not in some +of the outward apartments of the temple, which gave her an opportunity of +indulging in those constant devotions which accorded with her wishes and +comported with her age. On every occasion she was present at appointed +services, and so entire was her self-devotement to religion, that she was +incessantly engaged in fasting and prayers. The world had no claims upon +her, being alike unfitted for any of its avocations and indisposed to any +of its pleasures: she had bid it a final farewell, and had withdrawn +behind the scenes of this vast theatre, which are so artfully painted as +to allure and deceive the imaginations of mankind, into the secrecy of +devotion and the sanctuary of her God. Peace was the companion of her +retirement, and piety shed its serenest ray upon the evening of her mortal +existence.</p> + +<p>It may be presumed that the religion of Anna was by no means of recent +date, but that the seeds of so rich a harvest were sown "in the fields of +youth." Whatever is great or eminent is usually the work of time. <i>Nature</i> +does not produce the oak, with its spreading branches and solid trunk, in +a day or a twelve month; and, in general, a rapid luxuriancy is connected +with corresponding weakness and quick decay. The plans of <i>Providence</i> +require the lapse of years or ages to accomplish: events of importance +seldom burst suddenly upon the world, and without a previous course of +preparatory dispensations, tending to point out the purposes of such +occurrences, and to awaken human expectations. Nor can <i>excellence of +character</i> be formed without the use of means, opportunities of +progressive improvement, and that experience which must be slowly gained.</p> + +<p>Far be it from us to limit the operations of divine grace: it <i>can</i>, +indeed, and in some instances <i>has</i>, produced effects of a nature to which +no general rules and principles are applicable: it has instantaneously +converted a furious persecutor into a faithful, laborious, and eminent +preacher of "the faith which once he destroyed;" it has transformed a +malefactor into a saint, and in one hour raised the criminal from the +depths of infamy and the agonies of crucifixion to the dignity of a +believer in Christ and the joys of paradise. But these surely ought not to +be regarded as the ordinary methods of its operation, but rather as +miraculous interferences. In general, religious ordinances are to be +constantly and perseveringly attended, in order to the acquisition of +eminence in religion: holy vigilance must concur with devout and fervent +prayer, day by day, to check and finally vanquish the power of depravity, +to elevate the mind above the world, and prepare the Christian for his +future bliss; as the child must commonly be "<i>trained up</i> in the way he +should go," if we hope that "when he is old he will not depart from it." +Impressions deepen and acquire the force of principles by degrees, +knowledge is obtained by perpetual accumulation, and faith is increased by +constant exercise. It would be as vain to look for the wrinkles of age in +the face of youth, or the strength of maturity in the arm of an infant, as +to expect the experience which can only result from the witness of changes +and the operation of circumstances, with its corresponding stability of +character, in him who has but just commenced a life of piety. As "the +husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth, and hath long +patience for it until he receive the early and the latter rain," so we +must in general look for a slow and gradual formation of the character to +eminence and spiritual luxuriancy. The account given of Anna would +therefore lead us to infer that she had been many years, and in all +probability from her youth, devoted to the service of God.</p> + +<p>She had not to regret that her best days were spent in riot and +dissipation, in opposition or indifference to religion, by which so many +debase their nature, offend their Maker, and ruin their souls: but while +she contemplated the future without alarm, and perhaps with joy, she could +review the past with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>As memory predominates over the other faculties of the mind in declining +life, and as so much of our happiness or misery at that period must +necessarily result from its exercise, it is of the utmost importance to +lay up in store a good provision in the "sacred treasure of the past." +Nothing can be more desirable than to leave the mind filled with pleasing +recollections; and this can arise only from a life of holiness and purity. +How awful is it to think that the last hours should be disturbed by images +of crime unrepented of, the intrusion of which into the dying chamber no +force can prevent! How lamentable to see the terrors of death aggravated +by the remorse and horrors of retrospection! "Life," says a profound +writer, [<a href="#foot25">25</a>] "in which nothing has been done or suffered to distinguish +one day from another, is to him that has passed it as if it had never +been, except that he is conscious how ill he has husbanded the great +deposit of his Creator. Life, made memorable by crimes, and diversified +through its several periods by wickedness, is indeed easily reviewed, but +reviewed only with horror and remorse.</p> + +<p>"The great consideration which ought to influence us in the use of the +present moment, is to arise from the effect which, as well or ill applied, +it must have upon the time to come; for, though its actual existence be +inconceivably short, yet its effects are unlimited, and there is not the +smallest point of time but may extend its consequences, either to our hurt +or our advantage, through all eternity, and give us reason to remember it +forever with anguish or exultation." We may take occasion from the +account of Anna to remark, that true religion is the most substantial +support amidst the INFIRMITIES of age. This is emphatically the period of +"evil days," when diseases prey upon the constitution, and the faculties +both of body and mind decay. Then "the sun and the light, the moon and the +stars are darkened;" the greatest change takes place in the outward +circumstances of gladness and prosperity, the countenance of the man is +altered, his complexion faded, and his intellectual faculties, as the +understanding and the fancy, weakened. It is at this time "the keepers of +the house tremble, and the strong men how themselves; the grinders cease, +because they are few, and those that look out of the windows are +darkened;" the strongest members of the body fail, the limbs bend beneath +the weight of decrepitude and the effects of paralytic distempers, the +teeth drop away, while the eyes grow dim and languid; "the doors are shut +in the streets when the sound of the grinding is low," the mouth becoming +sunken and closed; they "rise up at the voice of the bird," awakened from +imperfect slumber when the cock crows or the birds begin their early +songs; and "all the daughters of music," the tongue that expresses and the +ears that are charmed with it, are "brought low;" they are "afraid of that +which is high, and fears are in the way," alarmed at every step they take, +lest they should stumble at the slightest obstacle, and especially +apprehensive of the difficulties of any ascent. At that age their gray +hairs thicken like the white flowers of the "almond tree" when it +"flourishes," and even the very "grasshopper is a burden," for they cannot +bear the slightest inconvenience, not even the weight of an insect, and +"desire fails:" then is the "silver cord loosed, the golden bowl broken; +the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel is broken at the +cistern;" all the animal and vital functions at length cease, and every +essential organ of life decays; "then shall the dust return to the earth +as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."</p> + +<p>Reduced to the state of feebleness and incapacity, which the sacred penman +so beautifully describes, man becomes an object of compassion; and it is +affecting to see him struggling amidst the ruins of his former self. The +sight becomes increasingly painful from the consideration that this is one +day to be our own condition; that we too are destined to grow old, to quit +the busy scene and the social circle for the solitude of age, and in our +turn to be pitied--perhaps forsaken! But there is one thing capable not +only of preserving the old from contempt, but of raising them to grandeur +and diffusing lustre over their years of decrepitude. In contemplating +Anna we do not think of her infirmities when we observe her piety: the +meanness of the <i>woman</i>--tottering, crippled, dying--is lost amidst the +majesty of the <i>saint</i>, incessantly serving God in his temple, and +advancing to the grave "in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in +his season." The dawning of a heavenly day seems to arise upon her "hoary +head:" which, "being found in the way of righteousness," is a "crown +of glory."</p> + +<p>Anna's history further suggests, that religion is the most effectual guard +against the VICES of advanced age. One of these is a spirit of +<i>querulousness</i>. It is the common practice of those who believe themselves +entitled to veneration on account of their years, to complain of the +arrogant disregard of their counsels, which they impute to the rising +generation. Cherishing the highest opinion of their own sentiments, to +which they attribute a kind of infallibility, as being founded upon +experience, they naturally expect implicit submission to their dictates +and an exact conformity to their views: they require not only to be heard, +but obeyed, and are impatient at the folly of those who rebel against +their wisdom. Hence originate the often repeated tales of the degeneracy +of the present times, and the growing insolence of the young. It may, +indeed, be admitted, that, other things being equal, the aged have a just +claim upon the attention of the young, whom they are sometimes qualified +to instruct; but surely they are not always entitled to the same +reverence, and age does not necessarily confer wisdom. Genuine humility, +however, tends to correct the spirit of dictation, while it combines with +an affectionate concern for the interests of those who are newly come into +life; and genuine humility is the product of religion, which supplies +motives to give advice with kindness, and to endure the rejection of it +without anger.</p> + +<p>Another fault of age, is the indulgence <i>of useless regrets for the past</i>. +In reviewing life, it is easy to discover instances of our own incaution +or negligence, which have possibly influenced our affairs and been +connected with many subsequent disappointments. We have not availed +ourselves of fortunate conjunctures, or we have rejected profitable +offers; one scheme has failed by our precipitancy, another by our +procrastination--some persons, perhaps, have been foolishly trusted, and +others as foolishly suspected--we have occasionally listened to advice +which should not have been taken, or rejected what would have proved +advantageous; and the consequence has been some diminution of fortune, +some disappointment of our expectations, some failure in the crop of +earthly enjoyment which we had anticipated. If it were possible to recall +the years which have for ever rolled away, or if the felicity of a +rational and immortal being consisted in the possession of temporal +abundance, worldly honour, or corporeal gratification, these regrets would +have some show of propriety, and might at least secure a patient hearing; +hut it is certain, they only betray a weak or a wicked mind; it is perhaps +equally certain, they will generally continue to occupy the thoughts of +the aged. There is, in fact, but one remedy, "pure and undefiled +religion." It is this alone which can fix in the mind a full persuasion of +the <i>nothingness</i> of terrestrial pleasures and possessions. This only can +console us after our ineffectual efforts to "gain the whole world," or +amidst the loss of riches which have "taken to themselves wings," and long +since "fled away," by the assurance, that nothing we ever possessed was +adequate to render us happy, without other and better enjoyments--that +upon a fair estimate, it is questionable whether the perplexities it +occasioned did not counterbalance the advantages it either bestowed or +promised--and that could we <i>now</i> call our own whatever we have most +valued or desired of worldly good, it would prove incapable of making us +substantially happy. <i>He</i> need not wish to renew life, who has the hope of +a better existence--nor regret the loss of temporal advantages, if he have +immortal good. He who "lays up for himself treasures in heaven," may defy +the storms of time, and adopt the triumphant language of the apostle, +amidst the wreck of earthly good, "having nothing, yet possessing +all things."</p> + +<p>Similar views and principles alone can correct a third error of age, +namely, the aim to <i>prolong juvenility to an unnatural period</i>. "To secure +to the old that influence which they are willing to claim, and which might +so much contribute to the improvement of the arts of life, it is +absolutely necessary that they give themselves up to the duties of +declining years; and contentedly resign to youth its levity, its +pleasures, its frolics, and its fopperies. It is a hopeless endeavour to +unite the contrarieties of spring and winter; it is unjust to claim the +privileges of age, and retain the playthings of childhood. The young +always form magnificent ideas of the wisdom and gravity of men whom they +consider as placed at a distance from them in the ranks of existence, and +naturally look on those whom they find trifling with long beards, with +contempt and indignation, like that which women feel at the effeminacy of +men. If dotards will contend with boys in those performances in which boys +must always excel them, if they will dress crippled limbs in embroidery, +endeavour at gayety with faltering voices, and darken assemblies of +pleasure with the ghastliness of disease, they may well expect those who +find their diversions obstructed will hoot them away; and that if they +descend to competition with youth, they must bear the insolence of +successful rivals." [<a href="#foot26">26</a>]</p> + +<p>Religion also must be regarded as the best preparation for that END of +life, with which old age is so closely connected. However proper it may be +to realize this eventful time, at every period from our earliest to our +latest day, it cannot but be regarded as more certainly and evident near +at an advanced age. Anna, after the lapse of a century, had greater +reason, surely, to apprehend her dissolution, than in the bloom of youth, +or at the commencement of her widowhood; and how appaling the prospect!</p> + +<p>It would diminish the impression we have of the terror of death, if his +dominion were limited to a part of the world, or to any ascertainable +extent of years; but, while his authority continues unimpaired and his +stroke irresistible, the power he is permitted to exercise over humankind +is universal. In visiting the repositories of the dead, it is calculated +to awaken our liveliest sensibilities to trace the reign of the "king of +terrors" upon the sepulchral stone, or the marble monument. In characters +which time has almost erased, we read the records of the past, and by a +more than probable analogy penetrate some of the mysteries of the future. +Here and there occur the names of those who were venerable for age, +remarkable for their exploits, conspicuous by their station, rank, or +talent--GREAT by the consent of their cotemporaries--who once figured upon +a stage which is now decayed, or where illustrious in an empire which is +now passed away. Some have been smitten by death's withering hand at an +earlier, some at a later period of life. Adjoining the grave of age is the +tomb of youth. There you see the stone half buried in accumulating heaps +of earth, and the inscriptions of love and tenderness obscured by +collecting moss; while the hand that wrote them has long since become +motionless, and the heart that dictated them ceased to beat.</p> + +<p>It is affecting to visit places of public resort, under the full influence +of the consideration, that this busy and anxious crowd will soon +disappear--their race will be run, and the immortal prize +gained--or--lost! These possessors of the soil will, in a little time, be +disinherited--these tenants of a day exchanged--the funeral pall will +cover the most ambitious and the most active of them all, and the motley +multitude be succeeded by others equally busy, equally anxious, equally +thoughtless of another state of being--and equally <i>mortal</i>!</p> + +<p>But these sentiments, however calculated to fill irreligious persons with +dread and melancholy, can produce no despondency in those who, like Anna, +are accustomed to the truths of religion, and derive the chief pleasure +both of their youthful and decrepit age from the services of religion. +With regard to <i>death itself</i> they are taught that his power is limited to +the body, and that it is restricted even to a short period over this +inferior part of our nature; and as to its <i>consequences</i>, they cannot +incessantly frequent the temple, and be occupied in devotion, without +learning the value, as well as the reality, of those considerations which +are drawn from eternity. They know that "this corruptible shall put on +incorruption, this mortal put on immortality," and that then "there shall +be no more death." And what do these expressions imply, but, <i>the entire +renovation of our nature?</i>--Man is mortal, because he is sinful; and, +consequently, the removal of sin will prove the extinction of death. It is +only by the introduction of moral evil that the earth has been converted +into a vast cemetery, and life become a short and rugged passage to the +sepulchre; but when it shall no longer prevail, our sanctified nature will +inherit the abodes of purity and undecaying existence. It is this +consideration which endears celestial felicity. Exemption from death +implies deliverance from sin, and the Christian wishes to possess a +character which God shall approve, and to be cleansed from those stains of +guilt which infect his present being, and render him offensive to his +Father in heaven. Were he destined always to be unholy, he would scarcely +contemplate immortality as a blessing; but because he has reason to +anticipate "a waking" from the sleep of the grave, in the divine +"likeness," he realizes a period in the bright annals of his future being, +when he shall no longer have occasion to exclaim, "O wretched man that I +am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" The pains of +<i>separation</i>, too, which afflict this mortal state, cannot exist in that +"better country." Society will unquestionably prove one considerable +source of the happiness of heaven, where immortal beings will be so +circumstanced and capacitated, as both to receive and impart enjoyment. +The very nature of man is constituted social; and though our circumstances +in this life often render temporary separations unavoidable, in a perfect +state of society they must be needless; consequently they will not be +suffered to impair the joys of paradise.</p> + +<p>The most afflictive of all separations, is that which is occasioned by +death. In all other cases, a lingering hope may exist of a reunion at some +period however distant; at least <i>the possibility of</i> it is cheering: but, +even if there be no reasonable expectation of this, the very consciousness +that our friend is still alive, still on earth, still capable of receiving +and performing acts of kindness, still able to communicate with us by +letter or by message, to participate our pleasures, to sympathize with our +sorrows, and to pray for our welfare, is consoling in every +vicissitude;--but when death sets his awful seal upon our companion, +relative or friend, we cherish a deeper feeling of grief, and cannot look +to any <i>earthly</i> means of consolation--but we <i>can</i> look to a <i>heavenly</i> +one! Whatever resource fails, the religion of the Bible supplies +inexhaustible springs of comfort. God is on high--Jesus "ever +lives"--Christians know they shall soon pass into a world where the happy +circle will never be broken, the communion of kindred spirits never cease, +the day of blessedness never decline, the sabbath of immortality never +terminate.</p> + +<p>It is in the temple also, that those who like Anna receive just +impressions from its services, and live in a state of holy intercourse +with God, learn to appreciate the capacities of a spiritual mind for +progression in wisdom and felicity, and by consequence to cherish the +noblest anticipations of their own future possible elevation of character. +How many unfinished schemes are frustrated by death! Our plans of +futurity, our purposes of gain, or our resolves of usefulness, may be +ended in one short hour. Here the labours of the industrious, the studies +of the learned, the investigations of the philosopher, and the career of +the pious, close. The grave silences the voice of the preacher, and +paralyzes the hand of the charitable. Here the arguments of a Paul +end--here the silver tongue of an Apollos is speechless--here the hands of +a Dorcas cease to manufacture for the poor, whose unavailing tears cannot +recall departed piety.</p> + +<p>But who will define the limits of possible attainment in knowledge and +excellence in a state of deathless existence? Society is always improving, +even in the present world, amidst all its imperfections. The researches of +past ages have transmitted a vast stock of wisdom to their successors, +both in reference to natural science and religious truth. Who can tell +what discoveries a Newton might have made, had he possessed a terrestrial +immortality? or who can conceive what heights and depths of divine +knowledge might have been disclosed, had the apostles of Christ been +permitted to live to the present period, and had it been the will of God +that they should have received a constant succession of revelations?</p> + +<p>In both these cases, not only has death terminated this series of bright +discovery, but this earth is not the destined place, nor time the destined +period, for those manifestations of eternal wisdom, which we have reason +to believe will take place in another world. Those impediments to +knowledge, and those reasons for concealment, which at present exist, will +be removed, and truth open all her treasures to immortalized and +sanctified spirits. The consequence of the progressive disclosure of +spiritual things, of the works and ways of God, will be progressive +improvement: and, as in consequence of the clearer development of truth +in the Gospel, "he who is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than +John the Baptist;" so when all the shadows and clouds that bedim our +present existence shall have disappeared, and a ray of heaven pours its +glorious illumination upon the mysteries of time, the least in the +paradise of God will be greater than the most distinguished in his church +on earth. And as we never shall cease to improve in knowledge--for there +will be no termination to our spiritual researches--there will probably +arrive a period in eternity, when he who at the resurrection will be least +in the heavenly world in capacity and glory, will become greater in +consequence of ever new discoveries, than at that moment will be the +greatest of the redeemed universe. And the meanest Christian on earth may +indulge the hope that, at a future age, even he may become superior in +knowledge, in love, in capacity, and in glory, to what the brightest +seraph or the tallest archangel, is at present in the heaven of heavens; +for who can tell what God may do for beatified souls? who dare limit the +operations of his mercy, or who can imagine to what an elevation of wisdom +and felicity an emparadised believer may attain?</p> + +<p>Progression is the law of a thinking being. And why should it not operate +upon holy intelligences in the future state, as well as in the present? +and why not when "there shall be no more death," to an incalculably +greater extent? Why should not every new idea acquired in that world +become a seed of truth in the mind, that shall spring up and bear fruit, +multiply and expand, without restriction and without end?--</p> + +<p>There is not in religion a nobler or a more animating sentiment, than this +perpetual advancement of the soul towards perfection. Life has its +maturity and decline, nature its boundaries of beauty, human affairs their +zenith of glory; but, in "the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth +righteousness," every thing will be eternally upon the advance--there will +be no end to the path of knowledge--present acquisitions will be the basis +of subsequent acquirements--we shall be continually outshining ourselves, +by making nearer approaches to infinite goodness--and the whole moral +creation will be forever beautifying in the eyes of God.</p> + + + +<h2><a name="04"></a>The Woman of Samaria.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter IV.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Account of Christ's Journey through Samaria--he arrives at Jacob's + Well--enters into conversation with a Woman of the Country--her + Misapprehensions--the Discovery of his Character to her as a + Prophet--her Convictions--her Admission of his Claim as the true + Messiah, which she reports in the City--the great and good + Effect--Reflections.</blockquote> + +<p>Every incident in the life of Christ is illustrative of the evangelical +testimony, "he went about doing good." His efforts were not partial, nor +confined to particular occasions; but, availing himself of all the +opportunities which occurred, either in public or in private, to promote +the welfare of mankind, time never measured out an idle hour--the sun +never sat upon a useless day!</p> + +<p>It may be truly said, with regard to those who imbibe the spirit of their +Master, "no man liveth to himself." Nothing can be more remote from +genuine Christianity, than that selfishness which is characteristic of a +worldly disposition, and which with an uniform and undeviating assiduity, +seeks its own interests and purposes: while nothing can so fully comport +with its nature, and evince its prevalence, as that charity which is +limited only by the period of human life, the extent of means, and the +boundaries of creation.</p> + +<p>"When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and +baptized more disciples than John ... he left Judea and departed again +into Galilee."</p> + +<p>The jealousy of his enemies induced them to become narrow observers of all +the proceedings of Christ; and, knowing their spirit, he removed to some +distance: not, however, through fear--nor (as some expositors have stated) +lest they should put him to death; for his hour was not yet come--and it +would have been impossible to counteract the purposes of Heaven. He could +easily have eluded their utmost vigilance and malignity, as on a certain +occasion, when "passing through the midst of them, he went his way." But +our Lord did not think proper to disclose himself at once, and in a very +public manner. It was not his intention to astonish, but gradually to +excite the attention of the Jewish nation, to furnish evidences of his +mission to humble and contrite minds, and to lay the foundation of a +future work, rather than to operate on a very extended scale himself. In +this manner was accomplished the prophecy of Isaiah, "He shall not cry, +nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed +shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall +bring forth judgment unto truth."</p> + +<p>His route lay through Samaria; any other way to Galilee would have been +very circuitous: and this is mentioned, because of the directions to his +disciples, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the +Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of +Israel." The hour for that enlarged operation of mercy amongst the +Gentiles, which had been so long predicted, was not yet arrived, though it +was now approaching with desirable rapidity. The dispensations of God are +inscrutable to mortals, to whom it seems profoundly mysterious, that the +purposes of love to man should first be delayed for so many ages, and then +manifested by the work of Christ to so limited an extent. Here we must +"walk by faith, not by sight;" while, upon every leaf in the great volume +of providence, it is legibly written, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, +neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are +higher than the earth, so are my ways, higher than your ways, and my +thoughts than your thoughts."</p> + +<p>It has been piously remarked, that the evangelist refers, by the +expression, "he must <i>needs go</i> through Samaria," to our Saviour's +purposes of mercy to that vicinity; and undoubtedly it is true, that he +was powerfully impelled and irresistibly guided, wherever he went. Nothing +could obstruct his designs of mercy, or his labours of love. No force +could prevent his benevolent progress: as well might human or diabolical +agency attempt to arrest the sun in his course, or stop the march of +time.--"My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." "I <i>must</i> work the works +of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man +can work."</p> + +<p>In his journey, Jesus came to a city of Samaria called <i>Sychar</i>, which +appears to have been the same with the <i>Sichem</i> or <i>Shechem</i> of the Old +Testament; [<a href="#foot27">27</a>] where was a well, to which tradition had assigned the +name of Jacob, as having been originally dug by that patriarch. It was now +about the sixth hour, or noon, and the climate being exceedingly sultry, +Jesus, under the pressure of fatigue, sat down by the well.</p> + +<p>Let us for a moment turn aside, like Moses, to "see this great sight." +Jesus "sat thus on the well," as the weary traveller seeks a renewal of +his strength by temporary repose. What majesty and mystery surround the +spot, when we recall the ancient oracles to mind, which represent him as +"the Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the +Prince of Peace;" and compare descriptions of this nature with the +evangelical record of his own words, "The foxes have holes, and the birds +of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."</p> + +<p>What a scene for ministering spirits, who had been accustomed to behold +and adore him, but who now witnessed his abasement! What a contrast +between "the Lamb in the midst of the throne," and Jesus sitting on a +well, and afterward suspended on a cross--between the "King of glory:" and +the weary traveller--the "Lord of lords," and the "man of sorrows!"</p> + +<p>Let us derive instruction, as well as consolation, from this scene. "We +have not a high-priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our +infirmities: but was in all points tempted, like as we are, yet without +sin." If the Saviour had appeared upon earth in external splendour, and in +a manner which to human apprehension would have comported better with the +majesty of his nature and the pre-eminence of his celestial glory, our +insignificance would have created a sense of unapproachable distance: we +should have been more <i>astonished</i> than <i>attracted</i>--more <i>confounded</i> +than, <i>conciliated</i>. But he disrobed himself of ineffable brightness to +bring us nigh, and to produce a just and holy familiarity, saying to his +disciples, "I have called <i>you friends</i>."</p> + +<p>Let us be reconciled to the infirmities, pains, and poverty we may suffer; +for it is "sufficient for the servant to be as his master." More elevated +stations in life would be attended with more danger to our spiritual +character, and expose us to more afflictions; as mountains in proportion +to their height attract clouds and tempests. The present is a state of +trial for the righteous; but however distressing or obscure our way, Jesus +has trod it before us--sanctifying the path of sorrow by his presence, and +plucking up many of its thorns. Place his example before your +eyes--observe his humble life--his assumed poverty--his unaffected +condescension! To the poor he preached--with the poor he lived--<i>their</i> +dress he wore--and their lowly sphere he chose and honoured!</p> + +<p>How many of the most important events of our lives may be traced to +trifling circumstances! A single step may have a remote, but very obvious +connexion with the greatest results. A single turn in the journey of life +may influence the happiness, and direct the course of years! "There cometh +a woman of Samaria, to draw water." Nothing could be more apparently +incidental; and yet he who thinks rightly will perceive it to be a link in +the great chain of Providence, which was absolutely essential to the +completion of the whole. It was in the purpose of God, that many of the +Samaritans of that city should believe--that this conviction should be +wrought by that woman, who herself should be forcibly impressed by the +proofs with which she was furnished in the relation of her most private +domestic concerns. Had she come earlier or later, Jesus had not +been there!</p> + +<p>We must trace the links of this chain further. The malignity of the +Pharisees induced Jesus to leave Judea; and both convenience, and perhaps +a moral necessity, impelled him here. His arrival at that hour--his +stay--the opportunity occasioned by the absence of his disciples--were all +appointed by superintending wisdom. Who knows what a day or an hour may +bring forth! Little did this Samaritan woman expect such a meeting, such a +traveller, or such a conversation; so wisely and so wonderfully are the +plans of Providence arranged!</p> + +<p>How often has the promise been accomplished, "I was found of them that +sought me not!" To some unforeseen occurrence--some accidental +meeting--some trifling coincidence, Christians may often trace their first +conversion, and their best impressions. A stranger--a word, a casualty, +has proved the means of spiritual illumination; and while the recollection +of these circumstances often solace them in the vale of tears, we doubt +not but they will furnish a subject of pleasing contemplation and adorning +gratitude, when they shall have attained the perfection of their being on +the heights of immortality.</p> + +<p>"Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink:" a very natural request from a +weary stranger, and one with which, from the common hospitality of the +times, he might expect a ready compliance. The evil effect of luxury is, +that it has multiplied our artificial necessities, and diminished our +benevolent feelings; in a simpler state of society, the wants of mankind +are fewer and more easily supplied.</p> + +<p>The woman paused and inquired, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh +drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings +with the Samaritans." Alas! where rancorous animosity exists, how +frequently the laws of hospitality, and the principles even of humanity, +are sacrificed! The Sanhedrim interdicted any friendly intercourse with +the Samaritans, and the Jews cursed them by the secret name of God; and as +this mutual animosity existed, the woman received our Saviour's request +with a reproachful sneer.</p> + +<p>The enmity subsisting between the Jews and Samaritans was very ancient in +its origin, and exceedingly inveterate in its character. It had also been +aggravated by different incidents. When the ten tribes revolted in the +time of Jeroboam, the calves were set up in Dan and Bethel, with a view to +seduce the people from worshipping at Jerusalem, which was of course +highly offensive to Judah and Benjamin; and when Shalmaneser, the king of +Assyria, carried away the ten tribes into captivity, he colonized the +cities of Samaria with the Babylonians and others, who carried their false +religion with them; in consequence of which they became odious to the +Jews. At first, the providence of God punished these idolatrous settlers, +by permitting lions to infest the country, whose ravages induced +Shalmaneser to send one of the priests "to teach them the manner of the +God of the land;" when they <i>united</i> the worship of the Jehovah with that +of their own idols. These people very much discouraged the Jews in the +erection of the second temple, after their return from captivity.</p> + +<p>After this, when Alexander had conquered Syria and Palestine, Sanballat, +who governed the province of Samaria for Darius, submitted to the +conqueror; and having married his daughter to Manasseh, the brother of +Jaddua the high-priest, he obtained permission from Alexander to build a +temple on mount Gerizzim, in imitation of that which was built at +Jerusalem. [<a href="#foot28">28</a>] Manasseh was constituted the high-priest, a multitude of +Jews mixed with the Samaritans, and a distinct service, after the Jewish +mode of worship, was conducted. This occasioned great contentions, and +suspended all intercourse between the rival nations. The Samaritans are +generally said to have admitted little more of the Old Testament than the +Pentateuch; but Justin Martyr, who was a native of Sichem, affirms that +they received all the prophetic writings. [<a href="#foot29">29</a>]</p> + +<p>Drop a pitying tear over human weakness, folly, and crime. What divisions +separate the human race, and exasperate men against each other! But of all +others, they are the most inveterate, which are produced on account of +religion. The Samaritan appoints Gerizzim as the place of worship, in +opposition to Jerusalem--the fires of persecution are instantly kindled, +and the victims of intolerance suffer martyrdom!</p> + +<p>To the reproachful insinuation of the woman, Christ returned no answer, +for it kindled no resentment. When he was reviled, he reviled not again: +but with his characteristic condescension and eagerness to instruct the +ignorant, he said, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that +saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he +would have given thee living water." This language was expressive of his +readiness and ability to supply the necessities of the destitute, to +console the afflicted, and to save the lost. By the "gift of God," he +intended divine bounty in general; by "living water," the blessings of +salvation, especially the gifts and graces of "his holy Spirit." [<a href="#foot30">30</a>]</p> + +<p>The conciliating and affectionate manner of Christ's appeal to the woman, +appears to have softened her turbulent spirit, and won her respect. She +uses an epithet of respect previously omitted, "<i>Sir</i>,"--perceiving that, +though apparently a <i>Jew</i>, he possessed none of that rancorous enmity +which characterizes others, and cherished national antipathies. "A soft +answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Offences are +likely to arise in the present world; but let us rather aim to disarm +malignity by conciliation, than strengthen and envenom it by resistance. +Soft words may in time operate on hardened hearts, as water continually +dropping on the rock wears it away. Such a mode of proceeding costs us +little, but tends much to dignify and exalt us. "Who is a wise man and +endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation +his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and +strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This +wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For +where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But +the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and +easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, +and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of +them that make peace."</p> + +<p>Our Saviour's discourse was further distinguished by "exceeding great and +precious promises;" and the woman seems to have partaken of similar +surprise with those who are said to have "wondered at the gracious words +which proceeded out of his mouth." As a "fountain of living waters," he +was always pouring forth refreshing streams; as the depository of wisdom +and knowledge, he incessantly communicated his treasures of sacred +instruction; and as the "Sun of righteousness," he constantly imparted his +heavenly light and heating beams. Who could approach him without feeling +the benign influence, and being benefitted by the rich supply?</p> + +<p>As the term which Christ had employed in a spiritual sense, simply denoted +excellent spring water in common language, the woman at present conceived +no other idea of his meaning; and seeing he was a stranger, with no +bucket, she expressed her astonishment at his promise. With some +mysterious impression, probably, of his extraordinary character, blended +with incredulity, she proceeded to inquire, "Art thou greater than our +father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his +children, and his cattle?"</p> + +<p>This may furnish an exemplification of the fact, that the "natural man +receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness +unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually +discerned." The terras of Christianity are mysterious, because its +doctrines are misunderstood, and cannot be discerned by him, the "eyes of +whose understanding" are beclouded, and whose heart is sensual. How +deplorable the effects of sin, which has drawn a veil over the moral +perceptions of man; in consequence of which, he cannot see the glories of +truth, the charms of Jesus, the value of his soul, and the importance of +its redemption! Nothing but the glare of earthly grandeur can affect him, +while eternity with all its vast concerns disappears.</p> + +<p>Though the woman at first manifested considerable animosity, and afterward +betrayed great ignorance, Jesus was neither provoked by her prejudices, +nor irritated by her misconceptions. We must not unnecessarily <i>wound</i> +the unenlightened, nor even the perverse, by reproaches; but aim to <i>win</i> +them by kindness and forbearance. O for more resemblance to the "Lamb of +God," and more of the temper which the apostle inculcates! "And the +servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to +teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if +God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the +truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, +who are taken captive by him at his will." + +It would exceedingly conduce to the promotion of this spirit, were we +frequently to recollect our own former ignorance and slowness to apprehend +the "truth as it is in Jesus;" and the patience we have ourselves +experienced, especially from "our Master in heaven." We should also +consider, that the best and most permanent impressions are often the most +gradual; and he who advances to perfection, goes on from strength to +strength. Let us not be unduly discouraged, because of our <i>present</i> +ignorance and darkness of mind: but pursuing our inquiries with a humble +and teachable disposition, we may hope by copious supplies from the Source +of wisdom, to increase our knowledge, and enlarge our capacities.</p> + +<p>It appears rather surprising, that instead of questioning the pretentions +of Christ, this woman did not at once solicit a fulfilment of his promise, +and "draw water from the wells of salvation;" but her method of proceeding +is illustrative of a very common case. Religious inquirers are full of +doubts and prejudices; for though Jesus invites them to participate the +blessings he so liberally dispenses, they imagine, <i>falsely</i> imagine, that +some previous qualification is requisite to justify their approach. "Can +such a sinner be saved? Am I <i>indeed</i> invited--after all my sins and +broken vows? I know not whether I shall be accepted, for what claim have I +upon his mercy?"</p> + +<p>Yet the Saviour still invites--still promises--still encourages--still +instructs--and will not let the weakest inquirer go, but guides his feet +into the way of peace.</p> + +<p>"Whosoever," said he to the woman, "whosoever drinketh of this water shall +thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, +shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a +well of water springing up into everlasting life." The allusion is +unquestionably to that principle in the heart which is of divine +implantation, and which however various its names, and diversified its +operations, is uniform in its nature and origin. Sometimes it is +represented by the cause, and sometimes the effect. It is the "<i>Spirit</i> +given to them that ask him," with regard to agency; it is <i>grace</i>, in +point of character; and it is holiness or practical religion, in reference +to its outward influence. Jesus Christ beautifully describes this +principle in his metaphorical addresses to the woman of Samaria, by an +allusion to the thirst which the water of life assuages, the inexhaustible +consolation it imparts, as a "<i>well</i> of water;" and the perpetual and +perfect blessedness with which it is connected, as "springing up into +everlasting life."</p> + +<p><i>Thirst</i>is one of the most powerful propensities of human nature, and is +therefore adapted to represent the intensity of that desire with which +mankind seek the wealth, the honours, and the pleasures of the world: and +though "he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he +that loveth abundance with increase;" the appetite is still insatiable, +and the pursuit continued. When under the influence of violent thirst, it +is not unusual for persons to avail themselves of the first supply, +however unwholesome, and eagerly to drink even of a filthy stream; with +similar impatience and satisfaction, the "carnal mind" indulges in its +sensualities, seizing forbidden, and contented with polluting joys. But +the grace of God in the heart is distinguished for its purifying +influence: it cleanses the spirit from guilt--sanctifies it by the +"washing of regeneration," and imparts a new desire, a heavenly thirst, a +holy ardour for spiritual communications; so that "as the hart pants after +the water-brooks, so panteth the soul after God."</p> + +<p>This woman had a considerable distance to go in order to procure the water +with which it was needful to supply the necessities of her household; and +when arrived at the spot, it was a laborious service to draw from the +well, and return laden into the city. Our Saviour intimates, on the +contrary, the ease with which his divine blessings were attainable, as +well as their unfailing abundance. There is imparted to every applicant a +fund of peace, in consequence of which "a good man is satisfied from +himself." Religion furnishes consolations of a nature precisely <i>adapted</i> +to our necessities as fallen and miserable creatures; and it affords them +in circumstances, when it is obvious that no other resource remains. The +supplies of this world resemble the casual streamlets of winter, cold, and +soon exhausted, or lost in evaporation beneath the returning beam of +spring: but amidst the vicissitudes of life, and in the hour of +dissolution, religion has consolations which never fail. The river of a +Christian's consolation runs throughout the wilderness of time, nor stays +in its course till it expands into the boundless and fathomless ocean of +eternal blessedness.</p> + +<p>At length, the woman in question is induced to make the request which we +wonder she did not at first present; though still she misapprehends the +meaning of her divine Teacher, however plain his sentiment may now appear +to us; in consequence of which, he condescended to adopt another mode of +conveying instruction to her mind. He had excited her attention, he now +proceeds to address her conscience.</p> + +<p>We must not overlook the circumstance that Christ was "wearied with his +journey;" but he was not wearied with his <i>work</i>--well doing. If he had +now remained silent, it would not have been wonderful; or if, intending to +disclose his character to this woman, and by her means to the Samaritans, +he had smitten her conscience, removed her prejudices, enlightened her +mind, and won her affections, as we know he could have done, <i>in a +moment</i>--as when he said to Matthew, "Follow me," and immediately "he left +all"--or as when he spake from the clouds with irresistible effect to +Saul;--we should not have been astonished that he spared his words, while +we must have admired the mighty operation of his grace. But lo! he entered +into a long conversation, though in a weary hour, and took the utmost +pains to teach her. We have here an example for our imitation. Ought not +<i>we</i> to be <i>patient</i> and <i>laborious</i>? Ought not <i>we</i> to recollect the +value of the soul, and strive "in season and out of season" to win it, +knowing "he that converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall +save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins?" "The servant +of the Lord must not <i>strive</i>," nor despond; lest consulting his own +advantage, he prejudice the divine service; but he must forget his +infirmities, and pursue his work.</p> + +<p>To the request, "Sir, give me this water," Jesus does not appear to have +returned any direct answer, but said, "Go, call thy husband, and come +hither." The reply <i>was</i>, in one view, direct, and he began <i>instantly to</i> +communicate the "living water;" for the discourse upon which he entered, +though at a superficial glance it may appear foreign to the immediate +purpose of her request, and might seem to point her to a different +subject, was really intended to produce deep and salutary convictions of +sin, and such as were requisite in order to her reception of the <i>living +water</i> of spiritual consolation. Nothing in reality could display both the +<i>wisdom</i> and <i>goodness</i> of the great Teacher in a more striking manner, +than this proceeding. In effect, he takes her by the hand, conducts her +through the narrow path of conviction and penetential acknowledgment, to +that fountain which has supplied millions, and is still inexhaustible; and +by whatever mysterious methods he brings his people to himself and to +their final rest, it will ultimately be found the <i>right</i> way to the city +of habitation. As the woman did not comprehend his metaphorical language, +he determined to disclose his prophetic character. "Jesus saith unto her, +Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have +no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: +for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy +husband: in that saidst thou truly." By divine inspiration, an ordinary +prophet might be supposed to have been made acquainted with the woman's +character and domestic circumstances; but we must contemplate the Saviour +on this occasion as supporting his claim to a higher distinction, such as +none of them could possess. It is a solemn consideration that we are +perpetually inspected by those "eyes which are upon the ways of man," and +by <i>him</i> who seeth all his goings, his most retired moments, most secret +sins, most private affairs, and most latent thoughts. Even though we +should not live in that excess of sensuality which existed in this case, +how important is the apostolic entreaty, to "abstain from fleshly lusts;" +and how just the assurance, "they war against the soul!"</p> + +<p>At length the woman's eyes were opened; she had a glimpse of the glory of +her divine Instructer through the influence of that grace which is +effectual in its operations, and imparts those perceptions which cannot be +otherwise possessed. Happy for us if we have been led to discern the +exalted character and excellencies of the Son of God! "Sir," said she, "I +perceive that thou art a prophet;" and availing herself of the present +favourable opportunity, she proposes a question much and violently +agitated between the Jews and Samaritans. When the passions are inflamed +by controversial discussion, how apt are we to be mislead by the opinions +of men rather than guided by the oppointments of God; and how frequently +convenience, instead of conscience, dictates the conduct of religious +professors! The Samaritan woman pleads the authority of the fathers for +worshipping at mount Gerizzim rather than repairing to Jerusalem. This has +frequently proved a source of error; and the history of mankind will +furnish ample evidence, that in departing from Scripture, the only "sure +word of prophecy," we shall inevitably wander into an endless labyrinth of +mistake, and be lost amidst the intricacies of delusion.</p> + +<p>Our Lord intimates the improper proceedings of the Samaritans in +consequence of being thus misled by prejudice and by the example of +others, and shows that Jerusalem was certainly the ancient place of +appointed worship, and the Jews the depositaries of celestial wisdom. From +that illustrious people issued the word of the Lord which contained the +doctrine of salvation, which descended like the dew from heaven, and was +calculated to diffuse spiritual fertility through the earth, and impart +universal joy. "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither +in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye +know not what: we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But +the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the +Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. +God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and +in truth." In this passage Jesus points out the superior nature of the +worship which was now required, and which he was about to introduce to the +world. In the former controversy the Jews were certainly right; but the +designs of mercy being now accomplished in the mission of the Son of God, +and the "fulness of time being come," it was determined to spread the +blessings of the "everlasting Gospel" to the widest possible extent, and +to render, in honour of the mediation of Christ, the whole earth an +universal temple, in which the sacrifice of humble and contrite hearts +should be always acceptable.</p> + +<p>Two great effects were produced by the introduction of the Christian +dispensation. The one respected the <i>mode of worship</i>. It was now no +longer to be <i>ceremonial</i>, but <i>spiritual</i>; it was no longer to be +conducted in <i>types</i> and <i>shadows</i>, but in <i>truth</i>. In compassion to human +infirmity, numerous ceremonies were originally appointed, to impress awe, +and to fill the mind of man with a sense of the majesty of God. The +conceptions of a fallen creature being too grovelling at first to +comprehend the invisible realities of religion, a system of service was +admitted which tended to produce general impressions by an appeal to the +external senses, and thus slowly to insinuate sublimer facts, and prepare +for more noble manifestations; but when "the Lord came to his temple," and +made "the place of his feet glorious," darkness vanished, truth shone with +effulgent brightness, and simplicity rose to the dominion which ceremony +and complexity had assumed: at his presence the new creation smiled, and +the Lord of the universe again descended to pronounce upon another series +of wonderful works, that "all was very good."</p> + +<p>Another effect resulting from the introduction of the Christian age +concerned the <i>variety and number of worshippers</i>. The limitations which +had hitherto prevailed in communicating truth to the world were to be +superseded; for, though the commissioned apostles were to deliver their +message "to the Jew <i>first</i>," they were expressly directed to convey it +"<i>also</i> to the Gentiles." How calculated is this precedure to allay +animosities and unite hearts! and what a motive is here presented to us to +dismiss every petulant and revengeful disposition from the Christian +sanctuary, remembering that whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, bond or +free, every one is accepted of God <i>only as he is a</i> SPIRITUAL WORSHIPPER!</p> + +<p>As "God is a spirit," witnessing our movements and acquainted with our +thoughts at all times and in every place, we should often consecrate our +moments to his service. In the hour of seclusion and retirement, as well +as on public occasions and in religious assemblies, it becomes us to +direct our meditations to him by whom we are encircled. Let us contemplate +GOD, and feel his awful presence. He is on heaven and on earth; his eyes +behold us amidst the shades of midnight as well as in the brightest noon +of day; he pervades all space, is in all time, above all creatures, before +all being, and through all eternity. "Canst thou by searching find out +God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"</p> + +<p>At the period of this conversation at Jacob's well, a very general +expectation of the speedy appearance of the Messiah was prevalent, and the +woman was aware of the reference in the words, "The hour cometh, and <i>now +is</i>, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father;" although at +present "her eyes were holden," that she did not know him through the +concealment of his mean attire and unstately solitariness. This, however, +was wisely planned; and while it tended to cast contempt on worldly glory, +it enabled him to become a fellow-sufferer with his people, and to cherish +a holy familiarity with his disciples. Hence we find him not in palaces, +but in cottages--on the highways of common resort--healing the sick at the +pool of Bethesda, conversing with a poor woman at Jacob's well, and in +other similar situations: and never shall we be worthy to bear his name +till we imitate his conduct. "The woman saith unto him, I know that +Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us +all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." This was +the point to which all his discourse was directed, this the revelation he +intended from the first to disclose; but how wisely was it delayed! Such +an assertion at the commencement of the conversation would have kindled +animosity or excited ridicule; but that mind which was originally so +prejudiced and so resentful, is brought to receive the most glorious and +spiritual discovery. If we wonder at her ignorance, and lament her +prejudices previously to this declaration, how much more criminal would +she have <i>now</i> been had she persisted in unbelief! Yet, alas, how often is +Christ proclaimed, all his glories revealed, and all his truth exhibited, +by the ministry of the Gospel, and nevertheless rejected!</p> + +<p>Upon Christ's explanation of his true character, the Samaritan woman +immediately left her water-pot, and went into the city, to announce her +discoveries to the neighbourhood, and invite her fellow citizens to the +Messiah. Glowing with zeal for others, she said, "Come, see a man which +told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" And the +historian records the success of her efforts; for "they went out of the +city, and came unto him;" and "many of the Samaritans of that city +believed on him." This induced them to solicit his continuance for some +time amongst them, "and he abode there two days. And many more believed +because of his own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not +because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this +is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."</p> + +<p>Gratitude becomes us in reflecting upon that diversity of means which +divine wisdom uses to promote the circulation of his truth, and "win souls +to Christ." The greatest beings are at his control, and are sometimes +commissioned to visit the "heirs of salvation"--"Bless the Lord, ye his +<i>angels</i>, that excel in strength, <i>that do his commandments, hearkening +unto the voice of his word</i>;" while on other occasions he employs the most +unlikely agents, or the feeblest instrumentality, to "do his pleasure." He +can from the very stones "raise up children unto Abraham," convert an +infuriated persecutor into an "apostle of the Gentiles," or change a +Samaritan into a Christian, an infidel Gentile into a child of Abraham by +faith, and a woman coming casually to draw water for her household, into +an instrument of dispensing the living streams of salvation to a +perishing vicinity.</p> + +<p>The early part of the narrative before us, is sufficient to show, that +however slow persons whom we have an opportunity of instructing in +religious truth may seem in understanding, or however reluctant to obey +it, we ought never either to despair of success, or be weary of repeating +our instruction. "I charge thee," says Paul in addressing Timothy, "before +God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at +his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out +of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." +Who can tell the favoured period? Who can calculate the extent of the +benefit conferred when one sinner is "converted from the error of his +ways?" And who would not rejoice at the thought of having his final hour +cheered by the recollection of having been the means of letting in the +light of an eternal day even upon an individual of the human race, who was +once sitting in the darkness of spiritual delusion, and pining in the +dungeon of guilt, and misery, and helplessness?</p> + +<p>Many things in religion, which we at present misunderstand, may probably +become intelligible in the course of future experience, and a great +variety of interesting truths now unknown will certainly be revealed in +another world. The woman of Samaria could not for a considerable time +comprehend the metaphorical allusions of Christ; but when she had "found +the Messiah," she was no longer at a loss to ascertain the signification +of the stranger's assurance, that he could have given her, had she +requested it, "living water." The disclosure of one fact, illustrated +another, and in spiritual knowledge and attainment she went on doubtless +with a rapidity proportioned to her extraordinary advantages.</p> + +<p>With what deep interest, at every subsequent period of her life, would +this woman recollect the conversation at Jacob's well! Never, surely, +would she repair again to that spot, without presenting to her imagination +the image of Jesus sitting there, like a weary traveller, asking for water +to refresh his pilgrimage, incidentally adverting to topics of supreme +importance, addressing her conscience, and gradually unveiling his +character to her view--first as a prophet, then as the Messiah of the +Jews, and the glory of the Gentiles! Never could she forget that wonderful +morning--a morning which shone with such glory in the annals of her +existence, and was destined to occupy a conspicuous place in the +recollections of eternity! And it is our privilege, as well as duty, to +remember the place of our spiritual birth, the instructer of our infant +piety, the guide of our religious inquiries, and all "the way in which the +Lord our God has led us in the wilderness." Experience will rivet our +affections to every circumstance; life will derive a charm, in many of its +future years, from such welcome reflections; and memory will not discard, +amidst the ineffable joys of paradise, the well--the stranger--the +converse--the whole scene of those first impressions, which ripened into +religion and were the seeds of immortality.</p> + +<p>In a sense more important than that in which the subject of this narrative +originally employed the words, each reader may feel encouraged to address +the Saviour, "Give me this water, that I thirst not." Holy prophets concur +with the evangelical publishers of "glad tidings," in urging you to +partake of the heavenly supply, which is dispensed with perfect freeness, +and in undiminishing abundance. "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to +the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, +buy wine and milk without money and without price."</p> + + + +<h2><a name="05"></a>The Woman Who Was a Sinner.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter V.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Jesus and John contrasted--the former goes to dine at the House of a + Pharisee--a notorious Woman introduces herself, and weeps at his + Feet--Remarks on true Repentance and Faith, as exemplified in her + Conduct--Surmises of Simon the Pharisee--the Answer of Jesus--the Woman + assured of Forgiveness--Instructions deducible from the Parable.</blockquote> + +<p>There was a remarkable dissimilarity between Christ and his celebrated +precursor. The latter was unbending in his manners, austere in his mode of +living, and abrupt in his public discourses: in fact, John was +distinguished by all those qualities of a great reformer, which fitted him +for the service assigned him by Providence; zealous, eloquent, intrepid, +inconsiderate of himself, and resolutely exposing the vices of those +around him, to whom he pointed out "a more excellent way." The wildness of +the wilderness seemed to accord with the singularity of his character; and +the rocky standing from which he might probably often address his +auditors, was well adapted to the design of his preaching, and the mode of +his appearance. His Divine Master gave ample testimony to his +excellence--"What went ye out for to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, +and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I +send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before +thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there has +not arisen a greater than John the Baptist."</p> + +<p>But the character of the "Son of man" differed in many respects from that +of his forerunner. He was familiar, affable, and ready to associate with +others; he assumed no austerity of manners, and no reserve of behaviour. +The cast of his public preaching, too, was of a milder and more winning +strain, suited to his character as the image of the God who is love, and +adapted to the merciful nature of that dispensation which he came to +introduce.</p> + +<p>It was this diversity which excited the malignant revilings of the Jews, +who said of John, "he hath a devil;" and of Christ, "Behold a man +gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners:" but the +success of the means has fully justified the use of them, as the +prescriptions of the physician are justified by the restoration of health +to the diseased, and the mode adopted by the agriculturist in cultivating +his soil is effectually vindicated by its fertility. God bestows upon his +church a diversity of gifts, and upon men a variety of qualities, that +different stations may be occupied to the best advantage, and his cause +promoted in the most effectual manner. The formation of suitable +instruments to accomplish his purposes, is one of those arrangements of +Providence which we can never sufficiently admire. Whatever peculiarities +exist, they are all made to concur to the same end, and are all regulated +by the same influence: the "gifts" and the "operations" are diverse, but +"it is the same God which worketh all in all."</p> + +<p>Happily for mankind, there was a sense in which a part of the accusation +preferred against Jesus Christ held true. He was indeed "a friend of +publicans and sinners"--if he had not been, what would have been the +situation of a Matthew, whom he called from the receipt of custom to +"follow him;" or of a Zaccheus, whom he addressed in the sycamore tree, +and to whose house he "that day" conveyed "salvation;" or of a Bartimeus, +"blind and sitting by the highway-side, begging," whose eyes he opened, +and to whose mind he imparted faith? If he had not been a "friend of +publicans and sinners" the songs of descending spirits would never have +charmed the shepherds of Bethlehem--a church would never have been formed +on earth and ultimately taken to heaven--the mansions of eternity would +never have been peopled by the children of transgression--the hymns of +human gratitude would never have mingled with the hallelujahs of the +blessed--nor would the sacred writings have contained such a history as +that before us of the penitent sinner.</p> + +<p>It is introduced by an account of one of the Pharisees having solicited +the company of Jesus to dinner, and of his having accepted his invitation. +The Pharisees were amongst his bitterest enemies, and yet here is one who +courteously introduces him into his house. He might have been affected by +his discourses or miracles; and it is pleasing to recollect, that divine +grace is not limited in its operations to one community, class, or age, +but peoples the heavenly world by the redemption of sinners of every rank +in life, every period of time, every degree of moral corruption, and every +nation of the globe.</p> + +<p>Our Saviour's visit to the Pharisee is related for the sake of the +incident and discourse with which it was connected, and which are given in +the following words: Behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, +when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an +alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and +began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her +head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when +the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, +This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of +woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, +said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, +Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the +one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had +nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of +them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to +whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And +he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, seest thou this woman? I +entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she +hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. +Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not +ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this +woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her +sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little +is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are +forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within +themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the +woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace."</p> + +<p>The woman is denominated a <i>sinner</i>, because incontinency was her trade +and the means of her subsistence. Her character is branded with merited +infamy, but her name is mercifully veiled. She was notorious in the city; +and one would have imagined that as it could be no defamation to name her, +the sacred historian need not have manifested any scrupulousness upon the +point; nevertheless, as justice did not require it, and as it was the +writer's purpose rather to record her penitence than to expose her crimes, +she is mentioned only in general terms, as <i>a sinner, a woman in +the city.</i></p> + +<p>What compassionate mind can help deploring the immoralities of populous +towns and crowded cities! What an illustration of human depravity does it +afford, that wherever mankind resort in great multitudes, vice is +proportionably varied in its nature, atrocious in its character, and +barefaced in its practice--as if it were thought that the numbers who +perpetrated wickedness, tended to conceal from the view of Omniscience +individual delinquency! It is common to acquire boldness by association; +and society, which ought rather to purify the mind, is often the means of +its pollution. The facilities for secrecy in sin which exist in +considerable places, the incalculable variety of forms in which temptation +appears, the force of example operating upon an extensive scale, and +enhanced by a thousand tributary streams that pour into the tide of +transgression flowing down the streets, concur to involve the inhabitants +of populous vicinities in circumstances of great moral danger. Apart from +all persuasion or direct influence, the very sight of immoralities is +liable to injure that delicate sensibility to wrong which it is of the +utmost importance to preserve in a pure and uncontaminated state. The +nicely polished mind is susceptible of the breath of impurity; and when it +once becomes dim and obscure in its perceptions, it is difficult to +restore it. Many have on this account withdrawn into retirement, +supposing that they should be able to secure that leisure for devotional +exercises which they have believed conducive to religious eminence. But +they have forgotten that the human heart is sown with unholy principles, +which will spring up in solitude as well as in society; that in avoiding +dissipation, they are liable to be narrowed into selfishness; and that the +honourable and heroic part which Christianity requires, is not to fly from +difficulties, but, "in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," to contend +with, and conquer them.</p> + +<p>In the woman whose brief but instructive history is to be reviewed, we see +indications of a "repentance that needeth not to be repented of." It is to +be traced, in the first place, in the <i>posture</i> she assumed, and the +<i>tears</i> she shed. When she found that Jesus was dining in the house of +Simon, she went and "stood at his feet behind him weeping." She who had +known no shame, but whose unblushing impudence and obtrusive familiarities +had so often scandalized the city, now avoids a look, shrinks even from +respectful notice, and is overwhelmed with a consciousness of guilt.</p> + +<p>This conduct bespeaks the most pungent and unaffected sorrow. Her sins +present themselves in array before her mind, and she "abhors herself, and +repents in dust and ashes." Though all around was festivity, her heart was +sad--she wept as in secret; and those eloquent tears bespoke the Saviour's +pity, in a manner more powerful than the most studied language could have +done! Those tears were precious in his sight--that silence expressed the +depth and sincerity of her grief--and he approved it!</p> + +<p>With what pleasure must holy angels have contemplated from their radiant +spheres this impressive scene; for "there is joy in the presence of the +angels of God over one sinner that repenteth!" The gayeties of life, and +the appearances of worldly grandeur, excite no satisfaction in them; they +are not attracted by those tinsel shows and glittering nonentities which +fill the circle of human vanity, and fire the ardent wishes of mankind; +the most splendid titles, the most opulent condition, the most celebrated +heroes, pass before them like shadows that haste away, unregretted and in +quick succession; but they bend from their thrones of light to witness the +sorrows of the meanest penitent, and listen to his secret moanings.</p> + +<p>It is to be apprehended that many substitute an external reformation of +manners for solid repentance towards God. They lay aside the filthy +garments of gross immorality, and invest themselves in the decent attire +of correct conduct; but the principle of genuine penitence consists in a +just estimate of the perfections of that Being whom we have offended, and +of the nature of sin, as violating those obligations which devolve on us +as creatures. It is an humbling consideration, that God must perceive the +guilt of sin with infinitely greater distinctness than is possible to the +most self-examining penitent; and that their number and variety must be +perfectly discerned by the eyes of his purity. We are apt to throw them +together, as in a confused heap; and instead of realizing them in detail, +to contemplate them only in the aggregate and mass, by which their +individual atrocity is overlooked.</p> + +<p>The true penitent views sin in connexion with his personal obligations, +and the requirements of the divine law. The Being against whom he rebels, +has, he knows, conferred upon him all the blessings of existence; and has, +consequently, the most indisputable claim upon his entire obedience--an +obedience, however, which, in his presumption and folly, he has refused +to render.</p> + +<p>It may be remarked, also of repentance, that it possesses a character of +universality. Its regrets extend to every sin, without exception or +excuse: it has no apologies to offer, and cannot hold the balance to +measure with cold and calculating nicety, the respective demerits of the +offences which have been committed, with a view to conciliate the mercy of +heaven, or institute a plea in mitigation of punishment. It is, besides, a +deep and permanent impression, which is perpetually renewed by reflection, +and by witnessing the transgressions of a degenerate world. What are "the +sacrifices of God," but a "broken spirit?" verily, "a broken and a +contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."</p> + +<p>We observe, in the next place, if not the <i>words</i>, certainly the very +<i>spirit</i> of confession in this once profligate but now penitent woman. It +is impossible to imagine a finer or more complete specimen of +self-debasement than that which she exhibited upon this occasion. How +easily could she have avoided such an exposure of herself, and spared +those lamentations! She was under no necessity to introduce herself into +the presence of that holy man, whose looks would condemn her immoralities, +and whose words, should he condescend to address her, might be expected to +convey severe reproof. Surely she might have remained at home:--no--it +could not be--she <i>was</i> unable to avoid this exposure, and to spare those +lamentations; she was under a most imperious necessity to go to the house +of Simon--she <i>could not</i> have remained at home: the irresistible +influence of "godly sorrow" urged her in to these circumstances, and her +bursting heart was forced to seek relief at the feet of Jesus, Her own +vileness tormented her recollections; her views of sin were of the most +tragic and affecting kind; in the depths of humiliation, the waves and +billows rolled over her; and her tears were confessions of guilt, which he +who was perfectly acquainted with the emotions of her spirit, know how to +interpret.</p> + +<p>How common is it for persons suffering pain of conscience, to plunge into +new excesses, in order to disengage themselves from wretchedness of +remorse, and, as they hope, to divert their sorrows! This infatuation is +attended with mischievous effects: it diminishes sensibility to sin, and +confirms the habit. The thorns which at first grew in the path of +indulgence, are trampled down by frequent passage; and a return to God +becomes every day less and less probable. Familiarity with the various +modes of vice weakens the impression of disgust which is originally felt; +as we lose by degrees the horror with which an unsightly countenance was +beheld at the first interview, till at length we can more than tolerate +distortion, and even court deformity. Never was a more important maxim +delivered by the Saviour for the guidance of his disciples, than that +which respected their avoidance of the first step in transgression. "Watch +ye and pray," said he, "lest ye <i>enter</i> into temptation." The fence which +is placed around the forbidden fruit-tree, by the interdictions of Heaven, +being once violated, the most alarming consequences ensue; and, unless +grace prevent, the transgressor must inevitably perish. Avoid then, +studiously avoid, whatever leads to the way of death. Escape for thy life, +O sinner, from the brink of transgression, if thou hast unhappily ventured +so far; and tremble at the yawning gulf below. If thou hast <i>fallen</i>, +while thou hast not yet passed the boundaries of life, thou art not +irrecoverably lost; but, O let a sense of thy danger induce thee to lift +up thine eyes to view the weeping penitent standing in the presence of +Jesus Christ, of whom she is accepted, and open thine ears to hear the +voice of kind invitation: "Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the +Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, +saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge thine +iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast +scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have +not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.... Return, ye backsliding children, +and I will heal your backslidings.... He that covereth his sins shall not +prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy."</p> + +<p>Further, this woman, who went into Simon's house at Nain, upon the +occasion already mentioned, is celebrated by Jesus himself for her faith, +which "worked by love." Addressing her in the presence of the astonished +company, he said, "Thy <i>faith</i> hath saved thee, go in peace."</p> + +<p>The Pharisees treated others with scornful contempt, especially those whom +they deemed to be of notorious character. Theirs was not like +Christianity, the religion of compassion--the religion, that, deriving its +characteristic peculiarities from its Author, pities the deluded, +sympathises with the miserable, seeks to reclaim the criminal, and marks +the tears of the penitent; but "trusting in themselves that they were +righteous, they despised others." Disregardful, however, of the sneers or +reproaches which she might have to encounter, this penitent woman presses +to the house of the Pharisee, because Jesus was a guest. Her object was +not concealment, but forgiveness; she was willing to be rebuked, so that +she might be saved; and while by obtruding in this manner into the house +of Simon, she exposed herself to the insults which her dissolute habits +would be likely to incur, she courageously adopted a course of proceeding +which brought her under the most solemn obligations to future chastity and +holiness of life. She was willing that the whole assembly or city should +witness her change, and that the reality of her penitence, and the +strength of her attachment to Christ, should be as notorious as her former +irregularities. Her courage, then, demands notice, and deserves imitation. +What might be the opinion of the motley assemblage who were the spectators +of her conduct, seemed to have had no influence upon her mind; but obeying +the impulse of sorrow for sin, and hope in Jesus, she dismissed every +thought of personal exposure, and with tears of undissembled grief, +hastened to him who was "full of grace and truth."</p> + +<p>Timorousness, arising from an undue regard to the world, is too often a +hinderance to religious profession. Persons who have been awakened to some +sense of the evil of sin, and have perceived the importance, while they +have felt in some degree the claims of piety, frequently, alas! have been +deterred from that avowal of their sentiments, which is essential to +verify their convictions, and to honour God in the eyes of men. They would +be servants of Christ, if they were not slaves to human opinion: they +would go to Jesus, if it were not in the observers who stand around: they +would renounce the world, if they could avoid reproach: they would, in a +word, be decided, but they dare not be singular!</p> + +<p>We are required to "<i>confess</i> Christ <i>before men</i>," and it is only by such +a confession we can evince the sincerity of our attachment. Jesus Christ +was not ashamed to call us <i>brethren</i>, to assume our nature, to fill our +humble station, to suffer our sorrows, and to die an ignominious +death:--he is not ashamed to own his connexion with us, now he is ascended +into the highest heavens, or to be engaged in preparing a place for us +amidst the mansions of glory. Shall we be ashamed of him, or his cause? +Shall we be afraid to avow our regard, if we feel it?</p> + +<p>It is the design of Christ to establish an interest in the world which +shall be universally prevalent, and this cause is rendered visible by the +public profession of its adherents. In the apostolic age, therefore, to +embrace Christianity, and to profess it, were considered as inseparably +connected; and why should they now be separated? "Then they that gladly +received the word were baptized."</p> + +<p>Do any circumstances now exist to render it proper to act contrary to +apostolical example and precept? Is not the world the same? is not the +command of Jesus the same? is not his religion the same as in primitive +ages? This cause is to be now maintained as then; not by fear, but by +firmness--not by compliance with the world, but by resisting it--not by +sloth, inactivity, and shrinking into a corner, but by "putting on the +whole armour of God," and pressing to the field of battle. Not to be for +Christ, is to be against him; <i>inactivity</i> is <i>enmity</i>; a dread of +standing in the ranks, or a refusal to enlist under the banners of +Immanuel, are indications of disloyalty, rebellion, and treason. The +territories of his grace are invaded by the troops of hell--the great +power that "ruleth in the children of disobedience" is opposing the +kingdom of the Redeemer, and extending his influence over the hearts of +men. Not to resist his encroachments, therefore, not to withstand in our +own person his dominion, and declare our cause, is, in fact, to favour his +designs, and betray him whom we profess to love. It is stated, that at the +second appearance of Christ "he will be glorified <i>in</i> his saints, and +admired <i>in</i> all them that believe;" and it is <i>in</i> them he expects <i>now</i> +to be glorified before men; and the most effectual way to honour him is +to "confess him," to avow before the world our determination to be "on the +Lord's side.</p> + +<p>"Perfect love," remarks an apostle, "casteth out fear;" of which we have a +striking exemplification in this woman of Nain. The expressions of her +attachment to Jesus were such as could not be mistaken, for she not only +caressed him, but made considerable sacrifices to show her love. The gifts +of nature had been the instruments of dissipation. With what care had she +been accustomed to adjust her smiles, to throw fascination into her +countenance, to beautify her person, to arrange her dress and her hair, +and to cultivate every exterior charm! What sums of money had she lavished +upon herself, with a view to attract admiration! Behold her now at the +feet of Jesus, careless of her personal attractions, and absorbed in the +contemplation of her Saviour: she washes his feet with her tears, wipes +them with the hairs of her head, kisses his feet, [<a href="#foot31">31</a>] and even expends an +alabaster box of ointment, very precious and costly, in anointing them. +Whatever has been the occasion or the means of transgression, becomes an +object of dislike; and in the true spirit of penitence, she not only +deserts what is obviously criminal, but detests and relinquishes whatever +may tend to renew the remembrance of indulgence, or rekindle the expiring +flame of desire. She renounces every superfluity, submits cheerfully to +every privation, and slays at once with unreluctant severity, the dearest +lusts that twine about her heart. It is thus that a sincere Christian will +abandon both the practice and principle of sin, and aware of his peculiar +propensities, he will watch with a scrupulousness proportioned to his +sense of danger, over those sins to which he knows himself to have been +most inclined in the days of his unregeneracy. "If thy right eye offend +thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee +that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should +be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast +it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should +perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."</p> + +<p>Reader! examine into the state of thy mind, the propensities that reign +within, and the principles that predominate in thy heart! Hast thou +professed an attachment to Jesus Christ? "Dost thou <i>believe</i> in the Son +of God?" What sacrifices hast thou made, tending to evince the sincerity +of thy declarations, and the ardour of thy love? Hast thou braved +reproach--stood firm amidst opposition--abandoned criminal practices and +guilty associates--assisted the cause of thy Lord--encouraged and supplied +his disciples--and for his sake been willing even to renounce indulgences, +which, if they were innocent, might have proved offensive to others, or +ensnaring to thyself. Decision of character is important, both as a proof +of our own sincerity, and as a means of confirming others in religion; for +neutrality, which Christ himself has so pointedly condemned, is even more +prejudicial than hostility.</p> + +<p>But it is not sufficient to inquire into the <i>extent</i> of those sacrifices +which may have been offered to the service of religion, the <i>nature</i> of +those sacrifices must be investigated; otherwise there may be "a fair +show in the flesh," while the individual is destitute of the essential +principles of Christianity. The love of the world, and indulgence in +secret sin, may be compatible with an ostentatious religion. What is +difficult to some, may prove comparatively easy to others, whose +constitutional tendencies or mental prepossessions are of another +description. The sacrifice, for example, of a spendthrift to religion must +be of a different kind from that of a miser; otherwise the one may obtain +undue credit for splendid charities, and the other for pious scrupulosity. +In estimating, therefore, the characters of men, or apportioning their +duties, the respective casts of mind, habits, and inclinations, are to be +investigated, in order to judge of the one, or prescribe the other. To +gain advantage from a course of self-inspection, it is requisite to study +the peculiarities of our own mind, and to ascertain what is really a +<i>sacrifice</i> to ourselves, and how far we have made it, or are prepared to +offer it, to Christ. What gratifications have we relinquished? what sins +have we resisted? what lusts have we overcome? Where are we in point of +moral progress? Has our professed penitence led us to Christ? What degree +of assimilation to him have we attained? Have we, in fact, devoted to life +service our ENTIRE BEING--and do we feel that</p> + +<blockquote> "Our lives and thousand lives of ours"</blockquote> + +<p>can neither discharge our obligations, nor repay his love?</p> + +<p>The state of the mind is often indicated by trifles, better than by what +appears to be of greater magnitude and importance. There are, certain +actions not intended for the public, and, therefore, not dressed up for +inspection, which mark the feelings of the heart, and the meaning of which +no vigilant observer can mistake. There is a truth and a certainty about +them sufficiently obvious; they as infallibly show the state of the man, +as the index points to the hour of the day. In the history of the penitent +sinner, the negligence of her dress and hair, which had doubtless before +been decorated, according to the habit of the age, with jewels, was such +an indication. Some professed penitents would have given, perhaps, the +costly presentation of the alabaster box of ointment, but would have found +it infinitely more difficult to renounce their vanity: but here the +sacrifice was complete; her best affections were engrossed with the new +object of her delight, and she virtually said, "Perish, thou love of the +world; perish, thou fond and criminal passion for show; perish, all ye +ministers of iniquity, at the feet of Jesus! I willingly exchange masters; +and henceforth I shall be regardless of personal attractions, solicitous +only of participating the blessings of salvation!"</p> + +<p>Simon, during all this time, was an attentive observer of what passed; but +rashly concluded within himself that Jesus could not be a prophet, as he +seemed ignorant of the character of the woman whom he admitted to such +familiarity. He mistook both the character of the woman, and that of his +divine guest. She was not, in <i>his</i> sense of the term, a <i>sinner</i>, but a +<i>penitent</i> and a <i>believer</i>; nor was Jesus capable of contamination by her +touch. He knew perfectly, "who and what manner of woman it was," though +the Pharisee was too proud to see or acknowledge it. The important change +which had been produced upon her, essentially altered the case. She was no +longer what she had been, and what Simon supposed her. Grace had +constituted her a chosen vessel, and purified her heart by the impartation +of heavenly principles. The impurities of her life were rectified by the +"renewal of a right spirit" within her. She had been snatched from the +jaws of destruction; she had resorted to the "fountain opened for sin and +uncleanness," and proved that she was one of those "lost sheep" which +Jesus came into the wilderness to "seek and to save."</p> + +<p>Simon had not <i>expressed</i> his ideas, but the Saviour <i>knew</i> them with +perfect certainty, and answered them with unerring wisdom. Having first +claimed the attention of his host, which was respectfully conceded, Jesus +delivered a parable respecting a creditor having two debtors, who owed, +the one five hundred, and the other fifty pence, but were both forgiven in +consideration of their poverty; and he put it to the Pharisee, which of +them would love him most? he properly answered, "he to whom he forgave +most." Then turning to the woman--and, O what sensations of joy must have +thrilled through her agitated bosom!--he continued to direct his discourse +to Simon; "Seest thou this woman?" <i>q.d.</i> "Art thou aware of the extent +and value of those sacrifices she has made to me? Hast thou observed the +tears she has shed, and the love she has manifested? Has it struck thy +mind, that the conduct of this woman, whom thou art despising in thy +heart, is far more deserving of my approbation than thine?" Mark, with +what punctuality and detail he proceeds to enumerate every act of +kindness! He mentions her tears, her caresses, the kisses, and the +ointment which she had lavished upon his feet--nothing is forgotten or +omitted--everything is distinctly told--her love is extolled, and her sins +are pardoned: Simon, "her sins, which are many, are forgiven"--Woman, +"thy sins are forgiven." There is a beauty and a propriety in this +repetition, which was well calculated to stimulate the inquiries, and to +correct the errors of the Pharisee, while it ministered consolation to the +weeping penitent. Ah! our secret desires, our silent tears, our meanest +services, are noticed by our Master and Lord! He will "reward us <i>openly</i>" +having given the grace of penitence, he will bestow the joys of faith; our +<i>many</i> sins shall be overlooked and forgiven; our <i>few</i> services +remembered and recorded for his sake!</p> + +<p>This parable is illustrative of our moral obligations, and of our total +incapacity to discharge them. We are all <i>debtors</i>--to God; we are so, it +is true, in different proportions--some owe five hundred and some fifty +pence. A difference exists in the nature and atrocity of our respective +crimes--we have run to greater or less extravagances of iniquity--our sins +are more or less notorious, more or less limited or extensive in their +influence on others; more or less aggravated by knowledge, by vows, and by +repetition--indulged in for a longer or a shorter period, as there was a +great diversity of moral character between the Pharisee and the woman; but +"<i>all have sinned</i>, and, come short of the glory of God"--all have +incurred debt--and it is important to remark, that all are equally +incapable of discharging it--of atoning for their guilt, or rescuing +themselves from the pains and penalties they have incurred.</p> + +<p>However plain this statement, and however frequently repeated, it is but +little believed and felt. If it were--if mankind were actually convinced +of the utter inefficiency of every attempt to recommend themselves to God, +and regain his forfeited favour; whence is it that they are perpetually +"going about to establish their own righteousness?" Why do they endeavour +to persuade themselves that sin is a trifling concern, or that at least +<i>their</i> sins are trivial and excusable? It is obvious, that they form very +low and inadequate ideas of the greatness of their debt, and the utter +worthlessness of their own merit--they do not realize their ruined and +bankrupt condition, nor are they sufficiently persuaded that they have +"<i>nothing to pay</i>" not an atom of righteousness, not a grain of inherent +goodness, not a particle of real virtue!</p> + +<p>Sinner, come to the test. Hear the indictment, and see if thou hast any +defence, if thou hast any plea, or if thou canst put in any just demurrer +to stay the proceedings of eternal justice and equity. But how shall human +language express the debt? Thou hast violated every divine precept, +pursued a course diametrically opposite to the commandments of God, +trampled on his authority, and lived to thyself. Every action, word, and +thought, has augmented the already incalculable debt. God has called, but +thou hast refused; his providence has warned thee, but thou hast despised +it, and made a covenant with hell. While thy personal transgressions have +abounded like the drops of the ocean, or the sands upon the shore, thy +example has perniciously influenced others. Thou owest thy whole existence +and all thy faculties, thy entire obedience and constant affection, to +God. He is thy <i>Father</i>--thy <i>Creator</i>--thy <i>Benefactor</i>, and what hast +thou to pay? what are thy resources? <i>Future</i> obedience, supposing it +<i>perfect</i>, could not expiate <i>past</i> offences. Pains, prostrations, +pilgrimages, penances, and mortifications, can be of no avail. Hecatombs +of animals would not suffice, or ten thousand rivers of oil; but, if they +would, the treasures are not <i>thine</i>: "for every beast of the forest is +<i>mine</i>, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the +mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I +would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will +I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?" What then hast +thou to pay?--<i>Nothing</i>! absolutely <i>nothing</i>!</p> + +<p>But the parable in question represents the free pardon, which it is the +privilege of the vilest transgressors to participate upon their return to +God, And we should mark the <i>sovereignty</i>, blended with the mercy of this +procedure. It is not supposed that the recipients of divine bounty and +blessing have any claim upon such favors; nor, indeed, that they can plead +any extenuating circumstance to conciliate offended justice. The debtors +had "nothing to pay," and their impoverished condition was a sufficient +excitement to their creditor to remit his dues. He "remembered them in +their low estate;" and, with a liberality characteristic of him to whom we +are so deeply indebted in a moral sense, he discharged them from every +obligation. There is not the slightest intimation of any urgency or +solicitation on their part; but he "<i>frankly</i> forgave them." If sinners +had any just conception of their state, they would indeed seek mercy with +the utmost importunity, and relinquish their present courses with the most +fixed resolution of mind; but the grace of God operates in <i>calling</i> men +to repentance, as well as in <i>constraining</i> their attention and +acquiescence. They are "made willing" in "the day of his power;" and, like +a gale that rises upon a vessel drifting to a rocky shore, and bears it +from destruction, this influence effectually propels them to "the hope set +before them" in the Gospel.</p> + +<p>The exercise of mercy is distinguished also for its <i>extensive and +diversified application</i>. Simon the Pharisee, and the woman who was a +sinner, differed in the nature and proportion of their guilt. He was as +much condemned for self-righteousness, as she for impurity--he +transgressed by pride, and she by rebellion: but "he frankly forgave them +<i>both</i>." "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and +passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth +not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy! He will turn +again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and +thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."</p> + +<p>If, reader, thou art impressed with a sense of guilt, and ready to +exclaim, "What must I do to be saved?" it is with unspeakable satisfaction +and confidence we point to "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of +the world." That heart which was melted by the tears of this woman, is not +closed against <i>thee</i>! That Saviour who was all pity and benevolence in +the days of his humiliation, still waits to be gracious now he is exalted +to his throne!</p> + +<p>Hast thou experienced the efficacy of his grace, and the joys of his +salvation? Be stimulated to <i>love him much</i>. What sins, what rebellions, +what broken vows, what ingratitude has he forgiven thee! All are +obliterated from the book of his remembrance; all are lost and buried in +the ocean of his grace; and he has fixed thy name amongst a thousand +promises, and in a page which his eye never peruses but with ineffable +complacency!</p> + +<p>The <i>plan</i> upon which forgiveness is dispensed to a sinful world, and +which is now more fully developed, demands our admiration, as it glorifies +God, exalts the sinner, and harmonizes the universe.</p> + +<p>It <i>glorifies</i> God. The work of redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ is the +central point, where all the perfections of Deity assemble and meet. Every +attribute of God pointing to Calvary, seems to devout believers to say, as +Jesus did to his disciples, with reference to their last interview on a +mountain in Galilee, "There shall ye see me." His perfections had hitherto +appeared in the world in their distinct forms.--Justice in its inflexible +decisions, Truth in its firm decrees, Holiness in its terrible +inflictions, operated powerfully, but often separately--as in the +destruction of Pharaoh, and the deliverance of Israel--in the earthquake +that devoured the rebels who presented strange fire--in the deluge that +overwhelmed the world--in the burning tempest that descended upon Sodom, +and the sword that scattered the nations of Canaan; but round the brink of +that "fountain which was opened" on Calvary for "sin and uncleanness," +they seem to unite and say, "Glory to God in the highest." This is the +common and sacred ground, on which "mercy and truth can meet together." +Inflexible justice does not remit her claims, but "the Lamb that was +slain" satisfies them--she still demands <i>blood</i>--and blood is shed--she +demands the <i>life</i> of the guilty, and the guilty are furnished with a +victim who can endure the curse and suffer the chastisement--she requires +a recompense for the violated law; and "he hath magnified the law and made +it honorable," by becoming "obedient unto death, even the death of +the cross!"</p> + +<p>This plan of mercy <i>exalts the sinner</i>. If the requisitions of justice +were strictly personal, and the economy of Heaven such as to admit of no +substitute, the sinner's salvation would have been impossible; because his +individual sufferings, though the just consequence of his guilt, could +never become the meritorious means of its removal. Suffering, extreme in +its nature, and perpetual in its duration, was the desert of +transgression; but it could neither repair the injury which sin had done, +nor constitute a claim upon divine forgiveness; or, if it <i>could</i>--by the +very supposition there would be no possibility of any period arriving when +that mercy could be enjoyed, because the suffering must be <i>eternal</i>. +Such, however, was the infinite merit of the Saviour, that in the plan of +forgiving mercy, his death was accepted as an equivalent for the +sufferings of creatures. By exercising faith in his name, we transfer the +burden of our debt, and he liquidates it: we confess we have nothing to +pay, and wholly confide in his ability to discharge on our behalf every +obligation; in consequence of which the transgressor is treated as +innocent; he is released--the door is opened, his chains are broken off, +and he is exalted to the favour and friendship of God; and "Who," he +inquires, "shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God +that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea +rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who +also maketh intercession for us"</p> + +<p>This plan of mercy <i>harmonizes the universe</i>. Sin has separated chief +friends--it has divided man from God, man from angels, and man from his +neighbour. It has introduced a general war, and generated universal +anarchy and strife. But redemption is the great work that restores order +and promotes concord. It is on Calvary the terms are made, and the great +treaty ratified--divided interests are reunited, and peace on earth +proclaimed. It is there "God is in Christ reconciling the world to +himself;" and there, realizing the efficacy of atoning blood, and weeping +over the follies and criminality of past rebellion, the penitent exclaims, +"Abba, Father!" Thus God and man are united. It is there holy angels, +instead of being executioners of vengeance, become "ministering spirits to +the heirs of salvation;" while every Lazarus begins to anticipate the +period of "absence from the body," when "he shall be carried by <i>angels</i> +to Abraham's bosom," and be "ever present with the Lord." Thus men and +angels become one. It is there also before the cross, having "tasted that +the Lord is gracious," "the brother of low degree rejoices in that he is +exalted, and the rich in that he is made low." There the murderer Saul +meets his victim Stephen, with "all who in every place call on the name of +the Lord;" and (O happy change!) embraces as a brother him whom he +believed a foe! There the turbulence of passion is allayed--the violence +of animosity ceases--the battle of conflicting interests and petty +selfishness rages no more. Those who were enemies in the world, become +friends at the cross. The barbarian, Scythian, bond, and free, drink +together the cup of blessing, partake the "common salvation," and imbibe +the fraternal spirit. Thus man and man unite, while "Christ is all and +in all."</p> + +<p>"Religion, in all its parts, requires the exercise of forgiveness. It is +required by its precepts, its spirit, and its prospects. Its +<i>precepts</i>--we are not to render evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing: +we are to love our enemies, to forgive our brother as often as he returns +acknowledging his misconduct, and saying, 'I repent.' Its <i>spirit</i>; the +Gospel, or the religion of Jesus, is emphatically styled 'the ministry of +<i>reconciliation</i>.' Its <i>prospects</i>; we are members of the same family, +heirs of the same kingdom, and going to the same heaven. Heaven is a state +of perfect and universal harmony and love. Nothing must enter there, +either to defile or disturb. There must be no little disputes, no rising +resentment, no shadow of reserve. All must be of one heart and of one +soul. Yes, if we both be Christians indeed, there we must meet our +brother, with whom wo have been angry, and towards whom we have even +indulged our anger; an anger upon which not only the 'sun went down,' but +over which life itself passed. Yes, happy necessity! there we <i>must</i> meet +him! There will be no passing' by on the other side, no refusing to go +into his company. Countenance must sparkle to countenance, thought must +meet thought, bosom must expand to bosom, and heart bound to +heart forever."</p> + + + +<h2><a name="06"></a>The Syrophenician; or Canaanitish Woman.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter VI.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Introductory Observations--Christ could not be concealed--the + Syrophenician Woman goes to him on Account of her Daughter--her + Humility--Earnestness--Faith--the Silence of Christ upon her Application + to him--the Disciples repulsed--the Woman's renewed Importunity--the + apparent Scorn with which it is treated--her Admission of the + contemptuous Insinuation--her persevering Ardour--her ultimate + Success--the Necessity of being Importunate in Prayer--Remarks on the + Woman's national Character--Present State of the Jews--the Hope of their + final Restoration.</blockquote> + +<p>The facts and incidents of the New Testament furnish the best exposition +of its doctrines. Owing to the imperfection of human language, as a medium +of communicating truth, and, the very limited capacities of the human +mind, as well as the numerous prejudices that darken our understandings in +the present state, some obscurities will always attend even the clearest +revelations of Heaven. "Touched with a feeling of our infirmities," our +blessed Saviour often adopted a parabolic method of instruction, which was +calculated to awaken attention and to stimulate inquiry, as well as to +simplify the great principles he was perpetually inculcating; and he has +caused those frequent conversations into which he entered with different +individuals during his personal ministry, to be transmitted to succeeding +times for their instruction. We have by this means an opportunity of +witnessing the diversified modes in which truth operates on men; we see +the various workings of the passions, the progress of conviction, the +development of character, and the designs of Infinite Mercy. The sublimest +doctrines and the finest precepts are taught by example; and we are shown +what they <i>are</i>, by seeing what they <i>accomplish</i>. The sacred history +introduces us to persons of like passions with ourselves, and, by its +interesting details, gives us a participation of their hopes and fears, +their joys and sorrows, their difficulties and their successes. We are not +introduced into the school of Socrates, the academy of Plato, or the +Lyceum of Aristotle, where some wise maxims were undoubtedly dictated to +the respective admirers of these eminent men; but we are conducted from +the region of abstractions to real life. Christianity is taught, by +showing us, Christians--humility by holding up to view the +humble--repentance by exhibiting the penitent--charity by pointing out the +benevolent--faith by displaying, as in the narrative before us, the +true believer.</p> + +<p>The case was this. Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, where, +having entered into a house, he intimated his wish for privacy and +concealment, "but he could not be hid;" upon which an ingenious writer [<a href="#foot32">32</a>] +observes: "I think I see three principal reasons for the conduct of our +Saviour; 'He would have no man know it.' Why? because he would fulfil the +prophecy--explain his own character--and leave us an example of virtue. +Once, 'when great multitudes followed him and he healed them all, he +charged them that they should not make him known; that it might be +fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold, my +servant shall not cause his voice to be heard in the streets;' that is, he +shall not affect popularity, nor stoop to use any artifice to make +proselytes. Most likely this was one reason of our Lord's desiring to be +concealed on this occasion. Probably, he intended also to explain his own +character to the family where he was. Jesus was a person of singular +modesty, and a high degree of every virtue that can adorn a man, was a +character of the promised Messiah. It was necessary to give frequent +proofs by his actions of the frame and temper of his heart, and he +discovered the tenderness of a friend to the family where he was, and to +his disciples, who were along with him, just as he had done before, when +there were so many coming and going, that they had no leisure so much as +to eat.' Then 'he said unto his apostles, Come ye yourselves apart into a +desert place, and rest awhile. And they departed into a desert place by +ship privately.' Further, in the case before us we have a fine example of +the conduct proper for men exalted above their fellows. They ought not to +make a public show of themselves, nor to display their abilities in vain +ostentation. All their abilities should scent of piety and the fear of +God. The apostle Paul reproved the Corinthians for abusing extraordinary +gifts to make the people think them <i>prophets</i> and <i>spiritual</i> persons, +while they ought to have applied them to the 'edifying of the church.' +'God,' adds this apostle, 'is not the author of confusion, but of peace.' +For such reasons we suppose our blessed Saviour desired concealment in +this house; and so much right had he to rest after a journey, to refresh +himself with food and sleep, to retire from the malice of his enemies, and +to enjoy all the uninterrupted sweets of privacy, that had not his +presence been indispensably necessary to the relief and happiness of +mankind, one would have wished to have hushed every breath, and to have +banished every foot, lest he should have been disturbed; <i>but he could +not be hid</i>."</p> + +<p>Having heard of the miracles which Christ performed, for long since his +fame had gone throughout all Syria, a woman of Canaan, a Syrophenician by +birth, and a Greek by religion, [<a href="#foot33">33</a>] repaired to the house with haste, +under the pressure of a severe domestic calamity. Her young daughter had +an unclean spirit, or, as she expressed it, was "grievously vexed with a +devil." There was something peculiarly awful and mysterious in the nature +of this affliction, which was very prevalent in the days of Christ, and is +frequently mentioned by the historians of the New Testament. It does not +appear any longer to afflict mankind, and if the reason be inquired, +perhaps it is that the victorious power of Messiah might he displayed in +the expulsion of evil spirits, by his presence upon the earth.</p> + +<p>This Syrophenician woman then was induced to hasten to Jesus, in +consequence of the distressing situation of her poor possessed daughter. +[<a href="#foot34">34</a>] How often has affliction proved the successful messenger of +Providence, when every other failed! It has gone out into the "highways +and hedges," and "compelled them to come in," when no entreaty or +remonstrance could overcome the obduracy of sinners, and thus has +replenished the table of mercy with thankful guests. It cannot be doubted, +that a part of the felicity of glorified spirits in eternity will consist +in tracing the mysterious goodness of God in conducting them through a +variety of painful dispensations in the present world; and it is by no +means improbable, that the very events of life, which once occasioned the +greatest perplexity, and filled the mind with the most overwhelming +anxieties, will hereafter prove the noblest sources of gratitude, and the +strongest incentives to praise. A personal or a relative affliction, which +agonizes the soul by the suddenness of its occurrence, or by its dreadful +nature, which embitters life, distracts the mind, confuses every scheme, +and confounds every hope, has often proved the real, though perhaps +unknown or unacknowledged means of turning the feet of the transgressor +into the way of peace. It has led the wayward mind to reflection, and the +wandering heart to its rest. It has proved the first effectual means of +exciting attention to religion; it has subdued and softened the mind, and +subjected it to divine teachings; and the once untractable rebel has +become tamed into submission, penitence, and obedience. In this manner +affliction is often essentially connected with salvation, and the +apostolic statement pleasingly realized; "Our light affliction, which is +but for a moment, <i>worketh for us</i> a far more exceeding and eternal weight +of glory."</p> + +<p>When this poor woman came to Jesus, she fell at his feet, explained her +situation, and earnestly entreated his kind interposal. Disregarding every +spectator, waiting for no formal introduction, and convinced of his mighty +power, she rushed into his presence, and with all the vehemence of +maternal agony, urged her suit.</p> + +<p>Her conduct evinced great <i>humility</i>. She not only assumed the attitude, +but felt the spirit of a suppliant. It does not appear that the external +appearance of Jesus was in any respect remarkable, for on some occasions +where he was unknown, he was equally unnoticed. When he sat over against +the treasury observing the poor widow, he attracted no particular +attention--when he visited the sick and dying at the pool of Bethesda, he +was not at first recognized as any extraordinary personage, and the +prophet intimates that he possessed "no form nor comeliness: but his +visage was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of +men." It was before the majesty of his character this Syrophenician woman +bowed with holy reverence and humble admiration. Conscious of having no +claim upon his notice, but such as her affliction conferred--and this +indeed was to him, who "went about doing good," no insignificant +recommendation--and overawed by a deep sense both of her own unworthiness, +and his greatness and goodness, she "fell at his feet." O, that with +genuine prostration of spirit, we always presented ourselves before the +Lord! This is essential to success in all our applications to the "throne +of grace." Divested of this quality, our best services will prove but +religious mockery and useless parade; for "God resisteth the proud, but +giveth grace unto the humble."</p> + +<p>The language of this woman is highly impassioned, and indicative of +extreme <i>earnestness</i>. She besought "him that he would cast forth the +devil out of her daughter;" she "cried out," like one overwhelmed with +grief, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David!" The case is +completely her own. The precious life for which she pleads is dear as her +own existence. But who can realize, or what language can express her +feelings? The affectionate mother alone, who has watched over the sick or +dying bed of a languishing daughter, or the agonized parent who has seen +some mighty and incurable disorder befall his child--some member +withered--some essential faculty enfeebled or destroyed--perhaps reason +distracted; can imagine the emotions of that moment when the woman +exclaimed, "Have mercy on <i>me</i>!!" What reason have we to be grateful for +domestic health, while many are afflicted by the severest trials!</p> + +<p>We have here a remarkable specimen of <i>faith</i>. When, the father of the +young man who had a dumb spirit brought him to Jesus, "<i>If</i>," said he, +after describing his case, "<i>if</i> thou <i>canst</i> do any thing, have +compassion on us, and help us." This was an implication deregatory to the +glory, and disparaging to the power of the Son of God. It implied at least +a doubt of his capacity to afford the requisite assistance, and +consequently occasioned the remonstrance; "If thou <i>canst believe</i>, all +things are possible to him that believeth." <i>q.d.</i> "The question is not +whether I possess power, but whether you can exercise faith. Nothing +obstructs my benevolent exertion but human infidelity. This, and this +only, is the great barrier, the insurmountable impediment to the more +universal display of my character, and the multiplication of my wonderful +works" This woman, however, expressed no suspicion, intimated no doubt; +but, with unhesitating confidence, addressed him as the "Lord, the Son +of David."</p> + +<p>"O blessed Syrophenician, who taught thee this abstract of divinity? What +can we Christians confess more than the Deity, the humanity, and the +Messiahship of our glorious Saviour? His Deity as Lord, his humanity as a +son, his Messiahship as the son of David. Of all the famous progenitors of +Christ, two are singled out by way of eminence, David and Abraham, a king +and a patriarch; and though the patriarch was first in time, yet the king +is first in place; not so much for the dignity of his person, as the +excellence of the promise, which, as it was both later and fresher in +memory, so more honorable. To Abraham was promised multitude and blessing +of seed, to David perpetuity of dominion. So as, when God promiseth not to +destroy his people, it is for Abraham's sake; when not to extinguish the +kingdom, it is for David's sake. Had she said, 'the Son of Abraham,' she +had not come home to this acknowledgment. Abraham is the father of the +faithful, David of the kings of Judea and Israel; there are many faithful, +there is but one king; so as in this title she doth proclaim him the +perpetual king of his church, the rod or flower which should come from the +root of Jesse, the true and only Saviour of the world. Whoso shall come +unto Christ to purpose, must come in the right style; apprehending a true +God, a true man, a true God and man: any of these severed from other, +makes Christ an idol, and our prayers sin." [<a href="#foot35">35</a>]</p> + +<p>The disadvantageous circumstances of this woman illustrate the +<i>superiority</i> of her faith. There is no evidence of her having seen the +Saviour before, much less of her having been a witness of his miraculous +works. She had only heard the report of them in her distant residence, and +yet, under the guidance of that Spirit who wrought conviction in her mind, +hastened to cast herself at his feet. Hers was the blessedness of those +who have "not seen, and yet have believed." What a fine contrast do her +faith and zeal exhibit to the conduct of the Scribes and Pharisees of the +Jewish nation, who in defiance of evidence, of signs and wonders daily +performed before their eyes, persisted not only in rejecting Christ as the +Messiah, but in plotting against his life. She beheld the rising +brightness of the Sun of Righteousness, and was attracted by his glory, +though at a distance; whilst they who were near shut their eyes against +his heavenly light. She was, therefore, not only distinguished from her +fellow-countrywomen, but from the mass of the Jewish people, who +voluntarily forfeited their noblest privileges; and, under the influence +of the basest prejudice, eventually completed the long train of their +iniquities in rejecting and stoning the prophets, by crucifying the Son +of God.</p> + +<p>Happy would it be for the best interests of mankind, did the annals of +succeeding ages present no other specimens of the same infatuation! But, +alas! similar follies are reacted every day. Amidst the most favourable +circumstances for spiritual improvement, what awful degeneracy of +character exists! Multitudes who have enjoyed the best means, who have +been religiously educated, repeatedly admonished, and carefully +superintended; who have been taught the holy Scriptures from their +youth--who have been led to the house of God, and had "line upon line, and +precept upon precept"--on whose behalf a thousand supplications have been +presented to heaven, and over whom ten thousand thousand tears have been +shed--have continued to manifest an aversion against the claims of truth, +and the disobedience of spirit to the commands of Christ. Like the barren +fig-tree, they have remained unproductive of any good fruits, +notwithstanding unusual cultivation; and have been unsightly as well as +useless "cumberers of the ground;"--on the other hand, some whose early +habits and irreligious connections were singularly unfavorable to piety, +have nevertheless been "brought out of darkness into marvellous light" Our +privileges enhance our responsibility: let us, therefore, anxiously avoid +the misconduct of the Jews, and beware lest those who have fewer means of +improvement, advance, through a better use of them, to higher degrees of +spiritual attainment and excellence.</p> + +<p>The humility, the earnestness, and the faith we have been contemplating, +it is natural to expect, met with a welcome reception. It is true that +mankind often repay confidence with coldness, and shut the hand and the +heart against the most importunate entreaties. It is true there are wolves +in sheep's clothing, monsters in human form, who aggravate by unkindness +the wounds which Providence has inflicted, and who tear and devour as +their prey those whom they should supply as their pensioners; but Jesus +was "the <i>Lamb</i> of God"--he was "touched with the feeling of our +infirmities"--he "went about doing good"--he pronounced blessings on "the +merciful"--he was no stranger to personal suffering--it was his nature to +sympathize--his element to relieve--the grand predicted feature of his +gentle character, that he should "come down like rain upon the mown +grass," and should "<i>spare</i> the poor and needy." Who can express the +tenderness of that spirit which cherished "pity for us in our low estate" +while surrounded by the glories of his Father's throne, and charmed with +the harps of heaven, voluntarily descending into this vale of affliction +to dry up the tears that flow so copiously from the mourner's eye! We are +prepared then, to witness the overflowings of tenderness in his reception +of this afflicted mother! But, lo! "he answered her not a word." +Mysterious silence! And what were thy feelings, O thou agonized stranger, +in these moments of sad suspense? And what explanation can be offered for +this extraordinary conduct? Had she escaped his notice amidst the crowd? +Had she fallen unobserved at his feet? Did he not then hear that piercing +cry--that powerful appeal--that humble entreaty--those words of agony and +of faith?--Yes--but "he answered her <i>not</i> A WORD!"</p> + +<p>This is not, indeed, a solitary instance. When the adulterous transgressor +was brought into his presence by the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus "stooped +down, and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them +not;" but this was to disappoint their malice, whose sole purpose was to +obtain some materials for his accusation. When he was attacked by +reiterated calumnies in the presence of Pilate, "he answered nothing;" +because he would manifest a holy indignation against their unreasonable +and exasperating conduct. The railing of the impenitent malefactor, who +was his fellow-sufferer on the cross, could provoke no reply; although +this dignified reserve was instantly changed into language of gracious +promise, when the other entreated his mercy. He could not remain a moment +inattentive to the penitent's petition, and far exceeded his desires; for +he requested only a place in his <i>memory</i>, but he gave him a place in his +<i>kingdom</i>. Delightful pledge, that "he will do for us exceeding abundantly +above all we ask or think."</p> + +<p>If we were unable to discover any satisfactory reason for his silence, +when in the most supplicating attitude and with the profoundest humility +the Syrophenician woman besought him to restore her daughter, it would he +the height of imprudence to impeach his benevolence. His general conduct, +the kindness of all his other actions, the gentleness of his words, the +universal benignity of his deportment, would forbid our imputing this +apparent deviation from his general goodness to any other than some latent +cause, which it might not have been necessary or proper to disclose, or +the statement of which the brevity of the inspired narrative precluded. +But too frequently we misjudge, and even murmur against the divine +proceedings, because our limited capacities cannot trace their ultimate +design, or even their present connections and combinations. With a +characteristic presumption we act as if we expected that the plans of +Heaven ought to be submitted to our inspection, or stopped in their +progress to await our approval; whereas it is neither proper nor possible +to disclose to us more than "parts of his ways!"</p> + +<p>Many reasons, however, might be assigned for this remarkable silence. The +principal one was probably the purpose of proving her character, and +encouraging a perseverance, which from the strength of her faith he knew +would be the result, and which would eventually illustrate both her +character and his own. How many, had they even advanced to this point of +submission, would have withdrawn in disgust, and misrepresented the +conduct they could not comprehend! But she is not offended at this +seeming neglect. She does not exclaim, with the sarcastic vehemence of +disappointed hope, "Is this Son of David--the wonder-worker of Israel--the +meek, the compassionate, the condescending person of whom we have heard +such extraordinary reports?--Am I to be neglected while others are +relieved?"--but patiently waits the result, still persevering in her suit. +"O woman, great is thy faith!" Of this we may be fully assured on every +occasion of supplicating the throne of mercy, that if the "cry of the +humble" he deferred, it is not "forgotten," and that the trials to which +we are exposed always bear a well-adjusted proportion both to the +necessity of the case and to our capacity of endurance.</p> + +<p>In this interval the disciples interceded for her dismission with the +answer she requested. They pleaded her vehement importunity; and, as +Christ had expressed a wish for concealment, they probably supposed her +cries would excite an unwelcome degree of popular observation. To this he +answered, "I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." +As this was said in the hearing of this distressed woman, it was not only +calculated to silence the disciples, but to discourage the suppliant. A +mere inattention to her urgent plea might have been imputed to some deep +abstraction of mind, which we know sometimes renders a person in the full +exercise of his faculties as indifferent and insensible to external +objects or sounds as if he were in a profound sleep; or he might have been +supposed to be occupied in meditating upon the woman's distress, and +devising means to afford her an effectual and speedy assistance: but his +language is an argument to justify his disregard, rather than to solicit +time for consideration. His commission was to Israel; he was a "minister +of the circumcision;" and that period was not yet arrived when "the +Gentiles were to be brought to his light, and kings to the brightness of +his rising." That favoured people, who were for so many ages distinguished +by celestial visitations, were destined notwithstanding their ingratitude, +to receive the first communications of the Son of God. Amongst them he +came to labour, to preach, and to die!</p> + +<p>The solicitude of the disciples on this occasion was highly laudable. It +becomes the fellow-members of the great mystical body to sympathize with +each other. By this we fulfil the law of nature, but especially "the law +of Christ:" and in nothing can this sentiment be better expressed than in +fervent available prayers. "As the body is one, and hath many members, and +all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is +Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be +Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to +drink into one Spirit.... And whether one member suffer, all the members +suffer with it, or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with +it. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular."</p> + +<p>Driven perhaps to the very borders of despondency, and yet unwilling to +relinquish every hope, this agonizing mother again rushed forward, +prostrated herself at the Saviour's feet, and with impetuous zeal +earnestly cried out, "Lord, help me!" She seemed reduced to the last +extremity; and yet, like Esther, who resolved to go in to the king, +whether she perished or not, and like Jonah, tossing about amongst the +waves of the ocean, determining "to look again towards the holy temple of +Jehovah," she ventured to renew her application, and in language implying +her conviction of his ability, and a glimmering hope of his willingness, +she does not merely say, "Lord, deign some answer--even if it be a +refusal," but "Lord, <i>help</i> me!" She was vigorous in faith. She "laid hold +of the horns of the altar"--she "cleaved to the Lord with full purpose of +heart." Reader, what shall we say?--"Go thou and do likewise."</p> + +<p>Her entreaties obtain an answer, Jesus turns to address the suppliant. He +is no longer deaf to her petitions or blind to her tears. Her throbbing +heart beats with unutterable emotion, and at that glad moment she is all +ear to the long-sought reply. "Who now can expect other than a fair and +yielding answer to so humble, so faithful, so patient a suppliant? What +can speed well, if a prayer of faith from the knees of humility succeeds +not? And yet behold, the further she goes the worse she fares: her +discouragement is doubled with her suit. 'It is not meet to take the +children's bread and to cast it to dogs.' First, his silence implied a +contempt, then his answer defended his silence; now his speech expresses +and defends his contempt. Lo, he hath turned her from a woman to a dog, +and, as it were, spurns her from his feet with a harsh repulse. What shall +we say?--Is the Lamb of God turned lion? Doth that clear fountain of mercy +run blood? O Saviour, did ever so hard a word fall from those mild lips? +Thou calledst Herod fox--most worthily, he was crafty and wicked; the +Scribes and Pharisees a generation of vipers, they were venomous and +cruel; Judas a devil, he was both covetous and treacherous. But here was a +woman in distress, and distress challenges mercy; a good woman, a faithful +suppliant, a Canaanitish disciple, a Christian Canaanite, yet rated and +whipped out for a dog by thee who wert all goodness and mercy! How +different are thy ways from ours! Even thy severity argues favour. The +trial had not been so sharp if thou hadst not found the faith so strong, +if thou hadst not meant the issue so happy. Thou hadst not driven her away +as a dog, if thou hadst not intended to admit her for a saint; and to +advance her so much for a pattern of faith, as thou depressedst her for a +spectacle of contempt." [<a href="#foot36">36</a>]</p> + +<p>In nothing is the preposterous arrogance of mankind more apparent than in +the violence of their national antipathies. Did not the history of all +ages and countries furnish an ample catalogue of opprobrious epithets, +which they have not scrupled to bestow upon each other, we might wonder +that the Jews should have accustomed themselves to speak so contemptuously +of others as to call them <i>dogs</i>. Owing to the natural propensity of human +nature to villify and degrade, the vocabularies of all languages have been +swelled with such odious terms; and till the principles of the Gospel have +been universally disseminated, we cannot indulge the hope of seeing the +animosities of mankind removed. Then only will they love their neighbours +as themselves. It is to be most deeply lamented, that even where +Christianity has taken root in the mind, this unholy leaven does not seem +to be entirely purged away; and mutual jealousies, bickerings, and +recriminations exist, where love should be the ruling principle and bond +of union. O, when will the reign of perfect charity, that "thinketh no +evil," commence! When will "the whole earth be filled with the <i>glory of +the Lord</i>!" When will men of every rank and class associate as Christians, +and Christians of every order unite as brethren!</p> + +<p>The term <i>dog</i> in the mouth of our Saviour, and as applied to this +distressed supplicant, must not, however, be considered as used in +conformity to the vulgar prejudices of his countrymen, but for the double +purpose of a sarcastic allusion to the unreasonableness of their degrading +views of others, who were Gentiles by birth, and to try still further a +faith which he knew would endure the test, and display this persevering +woman to the greatest advantage. Jesus Christ must necessarily, in point +of personal feeling, have been infinitely superior to all those unworthy +littlenesses which were conspicuous in the multitude around him; and as he +was acting for the moment, to answer an important purpose, in an assumed +character, we cannot be surprised that he should personate a Jew elated +with self-conscious superiority, by saying, "it is not meet to take the +children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." We are reminded of Joseph, an +eminent antitype of Christ, who, though he knew his brethren, and was +overflowing with fraternal tenderness, "made himself strange unto them, +and spake roughly unto them;" and we are led to reflect also on the +impenetrable darkness which, to the human eye, sometimes envelopes the +dispensations of Heaven; when, as a pious poet represents it,</p> + +<blockquote> Behind a frowning providence<br /> +He hides a smiling face.</blockquote> + +<p>The woman at once acknowledges the charge, but instantly extracts an +argument from her very discouragements. "Truth, Lord--the dogs ought not +to be fed with the supply designed for the children. I own the general +fact, and humbly submit to the painful but obvious application. It is not +from any conviction of meriting thy interposing mercy, that I have +ventured to solicit it, and to reiterate my plea. I am indeed a sinner--a +Gentile--a dog. 'And yet,'if I may pursue the allusion, 'the dogs eat of +the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.' One act of kindness I +entreat amidst thy boundless liberalities--one word of consolation from +thy lips, which drop as the honey and the honeycomb--one, only one supply +from thine inexhaustible plenitude of grace and power--one fragment from +the table!"</p> + +<p>It is done!--Joseph unveils himself! Jesus reassumes his proper character! +The stern air and attitude of repulsion is dismissed--he smiles with +ineffable affection--commends her faith, and with commanding authority +bestows the wished-for blessing; and though at so great distance, expels +the demon from the afflicted daughter. "Then Jesus answered and said unto +her, O woman, great is thy faith; he it unto thee even as thou wilt. And +her daughter was made whole from that very hour."</p> + +<p>Such was the result of persevering <i>importunity</i>, which must ever +characterize successful prayer, and will necessarily spring from a genuine +and deep-rooted faith. We have been contemplating one of the finest +specimens of it that ever occurred in the world; and we are solemnly +exhorted to the practice of it in the introductory passage to one of our +Lord's parables--"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."</p> + +<p>Sometimes people are under the influence of very needless discouragements. +They "grow weary and faint in their minds," because they do not meet with +<i>immediate</i> success; though this consideration constitutes no essential +part of the divine promises, would in many cases be injurious to our best +interests, and is by no means characteristic of some of the most +remarkable examples of successful prayer. At other times impatience arises +from observing that "the Father of lights," to whose wisdom it becomes us +to refer every petition, does not answer our requests in the <i>manner</i> +which we had anticipated, and, perhaps, dared presumptuously to prescribe. +But while in this, or in any other way, we approach God in the spirit of +dictation, rather than of faith and submission, we virtually renounce the +blessing even whilst we solicit it. From the history of the Syrophenician +woman we may learn, that our applications for mercy must be sincere, +fervent, and incessant. Whatever delays may occur, it is our happiness to +be assured that the ear of Infinite Goodness is always open; "the throne +of grace," to which we may approach "boldly," is always accessible. The +petitions of faith cannot escape the notice, or be obliterated from the +memory, of him to whom they are presented, but will prove ultimately +effectual; and, as prayer is the appointed means of divine communication, +it is <i>necessary</i> to obtain the blessings of Heaven. "Whosoever <i>asketh</i>, +receiveth."</p> + +<p>The value of the mercies we are required to seek is such as ought to +excite our utmost importunity. If the Syrophenician woman were so eager +and so persevering in order to obtain a temporal blessing, surely it +becomes us to manifest at least an equal zeal for spiritual good. She +entreated the cure of her possessed daughter; we are assured that "ALL +things whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive." At the +voice of prayer the treasures of grace are unlocked, the windows of heaven +opened, the riches of eternity dispensed. The language of <i>petition</i> +ascends above the language of <i>praise</i>, and is heard amidst the songs of +angels. "O thou that hearest <i>prayer</i>, unto thee shall all flesh come." + +The interesting consideration, that this woman was a <i>Canaanite</i>, ought +not to be overlooked. This people was particularly denounced by Noah in +the person of their guilty progenitor, and in the following terms: "Cursed +be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." The +descendants of Canaan, that is, primarily of Ham, were remarkably wicked +and idolatrous. "Their religion," as bishop Newton observes, "was bad, and +their morality, if possible, worse; for corrupt religion and corrupt +morals usually generate each other, and go hand in hand together." Some +centuries after their predicted subjugation to the yoke of Shem and +Japheth, the Israelites, under the command of Joshua, smote thirty of +their kings, and Solomon made such as were not before extirpated or +enslaved his tributaries. The Greeks and Romans afterward subdued Syria +and Palestine, and conquered the Tyrians and Carthaginians. Subsequently +to this period, the Saracens, and finally the Turks, fastened upon them +the iron yoke of servitude.</p> + +<p>Behold, then, from among the accursed Canaanites, a woman outstrips in +zeal and faith thousands, and tens of thousands, who were her superiors in +birth and privilege; and Jesus withholds not his blessing from this +insignificant Gentile! What an encouragement to the meanest, the +obscurest, and the most unworthy, to apply with instant haste to this +Almighty Saviour! His free and abundant salvation is dispensed to +penitents irrespectively of national distinctions or individual demerit; +and, instead of its being derogatory to his dignity to condescend to +persons of low estate, he chose to publish his Gospel to the poor, and to +"save the children of the needy." "His blood cleanseth from <i>all</i> sin." He +came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." We have +here a specimen and pledge of the influence of Christ and his salvation. +He is become the centre of universal attraction, the powerful magnet of +the world, pervading by his influence the moral creation, and gradually +drawing all into himself. The designs of mercy were now enlarging, the +scale of its operations extending, and the ancient lines of demarcation +between Jew and Gentile were overstepped by the zeal of the Lord of Hosts. +In the person of this Canaanite we witness the first "lively stone" +brought from the Gentile quarry, and placed on the chief corner-stone of +the great spiritual edifice of the Christian church. "They shall come," +said our Saviour, "from the east and from the west, from the north and +from the south."</p> + +<p>The present condition of the Jews forms an awful contrast, to those clays +of boasted pre-eminence, How are they, who once regarded all other nations +as dogs, become contemptible in consequence of their treatment of the Son +of God, while the cordial reception given him by many Gentile nations has +elevated them into the dignity of children! For nearly eighteen centuries +the once honored people of the Jews have been dispersed in every direction +upon the surface of the globe. They furnish an example of one of these +dreadful recriminations of Providence which have sometimes been inflicted +on atrocious sinners in their collective and national capacities. Never +did the universe before witness so astonishing a spectacle, as a nation +destroyed as a nation, but preserved as individuals--preserved to suffer, +and to be accounted the offscouring of all things. At this moment they are +destitute of a temple, a priest, a sacrifice, a country, and a king. The +temporal dominion of their rulers and the succession of their priests have +ceased since the destruction of Jerusalem. No oblations and sacrifices +now exist. The fire burns no longer on the holy altar--the incense ascends +no more from the demolished temple--the flood of ages has swept away the +sacred edifices, and Desolation sits enthroned upon their ruins. The house +of Israel is, in consequence of the rejection of Christ, become a +spectacle to angels and to men--a melancholy monument of wo, on which the +hand of recriminating justice has inscribed in legible characters a +condemnatory sentence, which is read with silent awe by the inhabitants of +heaven, and by every king, and people, and nation of the globe.--But the +period of Jewish dispersion is hasting to its close. Party names and +ancient prejudices shall soon disappear, and mankind of every class and +country be eternally united in one blessed fraternity. "And it shall come +to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second +time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from +Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, +and from Shinah, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he +shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of +Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners +of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries +of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall +not vex Ephraim."--"Other sheep," said Christ, "I have, which are not of +this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there +shall be one fold and one shepherd."</p> + + + +<h2><a name="07"></a>Martha and Mary.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter VII.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Bethany distinguished as the Residence of a pious Family, which + consisted of Lazarus and his two Sisters--their diversity of + Character--the Faults of Martha, domestic Vanity and fretfulness of + Temper--her counterbalancing Excellences--Mary's Choice and Christ's + Commendation--Decease of Lazarus--his Restoration to Life at the Voice + of Jesus--Remarks on Death being inflicted upon the People of God as + well as others--the Triumph which Christianity affords over this + terrible Evil--Account of Mary's anointing the Feet of Jesus, and his + Vindication of her Conduct.</blockquote> + +<p>Almost every spot in the vicinity of Jerusalem may be regarded as "holy +ground." The enraptured imagination cannot traverse this district without +recalling the many wonderful transactions that occurred there in different +periods of the Jewish history, but especially during the personal +residence of the Son of God upon the earth. Within the small circumference +of a few miles round the city, what a multitude of great events have taken +place! What miracles have been wrought! What mercies have been +distributed! What doctrines have been revealed! What characters have +appeared! What a development has been made of human nature! What a +surprising display of the perfections of the blessed God! What an +exhibition of the love of the incarnate Redeemer! Who, then, can think +without emotion, of Bethlehem--of Bethpage--of Bethany--of Mount +Olivet--of the brook Kedron--of Emmaus--and of Calvary?</p> + +<p>Excepting only that mountain where Jesus "suffered, the just for the +unjust, that he might bring us to God," and where "once in the end of the +world" he "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," the village of +Bethany may, perhaps, be considered as the most interesting point in this +all-attractive scene. It is situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives, +on the way to Jericho. To this neighborhood the Son of God frequently +retired for meditation and prayer; thence he began to ride in triumph to +Jerusalem; thither he repaired after eating the last supper with his +disciples, and there they witnessed his ascending glory and heard his last +benediction--for "he led them out as far as to Bethany; and he lifted up +his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he +was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, +and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the +temple, praising and blessing God."</p> + +<p>Bethany, however, claims our present attention chiefly as being the +residence of one of the "households of faith," with whom our Saviour was +particularly intimate, and with whose history some remarkable +circumstances are connected. It was a small but happy family, consisting +of only three members, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. The two sisters, though +united by the ties of nature, and the still dearer bond of grace, were +distinguished by a considerable dissimilarity of character, which will +furnish us with some instruction. While charmed into an effort to imitate +remarkable persons by a description of their excellences, it is of great +importance to notice their defects, not only for the purpose of avoiding +them, but that we may not be overawed into despondency and paralyzed into +inaction by their superiority. Biography, to be useful, must be brought to +our level, capacities, and circumstances. We must see excellence that is +<i>attainable</i>, and view the same infirmities which are incident to our +nature, acting in our sphere, and struggling with perplexities, +resistance, vicissitude, and trial, similar to what we ourselves +experience. The appeal is powerful when we are called upon to be +"followers of them who," though circumstanced as we are, "through faith +and patience inherit the promises."</p> + +<blockquote> "Once they were mourners here below.<br /> + And wet their couch with tears;<br /> +They wrestled hard, as we do now,<br /> + With sins, and doubts, and fears."</blockquote> + +<p>A history of angels might, indeed, excite our admiration, but would +conduce less to our real improvement than a history of our +fellow-creatures. We wish to witness the actions, and to be admitted into +the secret feelings, of those who, whatever elevation they may have since +obtained, were once in the same probationary state with ourselves, and +subjected to the same course of moral discipline. In this view it is +desirable to be introduced into the privacies of domestic life. It is in +the family and at the fireside we all occupy some station, and have some +appropriate duties to discharge; and on this account the narrative before +us is pre-eminently attractive. We are led to the native village--the +chosen residence--the family--the fireside--the <i>home</i>--of Martha and +Mary. We see them in all the undisguised reality of private life, and +participate at once their pleasures and their pains. We join the social +circle. We hear the Saviour conversing with them. We see them in +affliction--the common lot, the patrimony to which are all born--and +while we participate their sorrows, learn to sustain and profit by +our own.</p> + +<p>In vain, to the great purposes of spiritual improvement, do we read the +lives of statesmen, heroes princes, philosophers, poets, orators, and the +mighty dead that emblazon the historic page. They excite our +astonishment, and perhaps our pity, and some moral lessons may be gained +from their reverses or the varieties of their characters; but the most +useful history is the history of religion--religion in the village, and in +the family--religion as exhibited at Bethany, in the house of Martha +and Mary.</p> + +<p>It is a pleasing peculiarity of this household, that they were <i>all</i> the +devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. Lazarus appears to have been a solid, +established professor of religion, and of the two sisters it is recorded, +they "sat at Jesus's feet." We do not hear of another disciple in the +whole village, and all Judea could furnish but few, if any, similar +instances of three in a single dwelling; three solitary lights amidst +surrounding darkness; three flowers expanding to the newly risen Sun of +Righteousness, and blooming in a desolate wilderness. The dispensations of +providence and of grace are sometimes mysterious to the human eye, and we +feel disposed to inquire into the reasons why so few were touched by +divine influences, and bidden to follow Christ during his incarnation? +Could not that same commanding authority which drew twelve apostles and +seventy disciples into his train, and that same power which kindled the +lamp of truth in one village or city, and left another in moral darkness, +have filled Judea and the world with the glory of the Lord? Could not that +energy which pervades the universe, and imparts such inconceivable +fleetness to the morning beam when it irradiates the earth, have spread +the knowledge of salvation with equal rapidity, and multiplied the +disciples like the drops of dew?--Undoubtedly. No limits can be assigned +to divine efficiency; but in the present state no explanations are +afforded of the secret principles of his eternal government. Curiosity may +often be disposed to inquire, with one of the hearers of Christ, "Lord, +are there few that shall be saved?" But Scripture checks such +investigations, and admonishes us rather to cherish an availing solicitude +for our personal salvation: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate."</p> + +<p>The state even of the civilized world at this day is truly deplorable. +Although whole nations profess the Christian faith, yet every city, every +village, and almost every hamlet, contains families in which there is not +a single disciple of Jesus. The sun rises and sets upon a prayerless roof. +No altar is erected to God--no love exists to the Saviour--nothing to +attract his attachment or to furnish a subject for angelic joy--no +repentance--no faith--and none of "the peace of God which passeth all +understanding." Whatever may be the temporal circumstances of such +families, Christian benevolence cannot avoid weeping over their spiritual +condition. In many cases, the society admitted into their houses is of a +most pernicious class. Uninfluenced by the sentiments of David, who said, +"I am a companion of all them that fear thee," the friendships they form +are but too plainly indicative of their own principles. You will not see +them, like Martha and Mary, choosing the excellent of the earth, and +welcoming Christ or his disciples to their tables, to share their +comforts, to refine and improve their intercourse; but if they occupy a +high station in life, the gay, the dissipated, or the thoughtless--if in +an inferior situation, the vulgar, the sordid, the intemperate, and the +profane, frequent their dwellings. Religion is in both cases too often +treated with ridicule and contempt, vilified as mean-spirited in its +principle, and enthusiastic in its pretensions; and the truth of the +Gospel treated, as its Author was when upon earth, and would be were he +still incarnate, with contemptuous rejection.</p> + +<p>Some pleasing exceptions may be found to these observations. In many +families exist at least <i>one</i> example of genuine piety--an Abijah in the +impious family of a Jeroboam. There is reason to congratulate young +persons especially who dare to be singular, to incur reproach, and to +dismiss prejudices. The conquest in such instances is proportionably +honorable as the propensity in human nature is powerful to follow a +multitude to do evil. Such holy daring possesses great attractions, and +the most beneficial consequences have been known to result. The child has +become instrumental to the conversion of the parent, the parent to that of +the child; the brother has proved a blessing to the sister, the wife to +her husband: "for what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shall save thy +husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shall save thy wife?" In +other instances the sword of division is sharpened, and the discordances +already existing become more settled, more irreconcileable, and more +violent. The natural mind betrays its malignant animosity against the +spiritual principle, "and he that is born after the flesh persecutes him +that is born after the Spirit." But here the whole family was of "one +heart and of one soul." Religion was the law of the family, and the bond +of delightful union. They were possessed of one spirit; and, as Bishop +Hall observes, "jointly agreed to entertain Christ."</p> + +<p>Can it be doubted, that the favored dwelling of Martha and Mary contained +a very large portion of domestic felicity--a felicity founded on the +noblest basis, cemented by the tenderest affection, and stamped with an +immortal character? The religion of Jesus is indeed calculated to diffuse +real happiness wherever it prevails; although, as we have intimated, it +may become the <i>occasion</i> of discord in consequence of the perverseness +of human nature. Sin has disordered the mental and moral constitution of +man, and thrown the world into a state of anarchy. The unbridled dominion +of the passions disturbs the peace of the individual, and the harmony of +society. Sin makes a man at variance with himself, with his neighbors, +with his nearest connections, and with the whole constitution of the +universe. He becomes restless as the ocean, impelled by every contrary +wind, and tost about by every sportive billow. The desire of happiness +exists, but he is ignorant how to obtain it, and pursues those means which +only plunge him into greater misery. To this cause may be attributed all +the mental distresses and all the bodily afflictions of individuals--the +disturbances which too often prevent domestic enjoyment--the bickerings +and jealousies of families with their various alliances--the animosities +that annoy social life--the intestine broils, ambitious emulations, and +endless contentions, that distract a state, with every other form and mode +of evil. Hence the importance of promoting that kingdom which is +"righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost;" the basis of which +is the truth which Christ came into the world to propagate. It is this, +and this only, which renders mankind happy in every connection. It will +harmonize and felicitate to whatever extent it is diffused. It will allay +the discord of families, pacify the turbulence of nations, and silence the +din of war. There will be "great joy" in the heart, in the family, in the +city, and in the world. Under this influence "the wolf shall dwell with +the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and +the young lion, and the fattling together, and a little child shall lead +them.... They shall not hurt nor destroy in all God's holy mountain."</p> + +<p>One, however, as Martha and Mary were in principle, they differed in +character. When our Saviour first entered the house, it appears that they +both welcomed him, and listened for a time to his instructions. He was in +no haste for any refreshment, but eagerly improved every moment to benefit +his beloved friends. It was his meat and drink to do the Father's will, +and no kindness could afford him such satisfaction as a devout attention +to his words. It was, in fact, less to receive than to communicate that he +turned aside on his journey to visit these happy sisters. But if, at +first, they both attended to the "gracious words that proceeded out of his +mouth," Martha, anxious to furnish a suitable repast for their guest, +withdrew to make what she deemed the necessary preparations. Mary +continued riveted to the spot by a conversation which she could on no +terms relinquish. She would not lose a word. Every faculty was absorbed in +attention. Her eldest sister busied herself for sometime with her +preparations, till at length becoming impatient, she hastily demanded of +Jesus to send Mary to her assistance. This intrusion incurred the +memorable censure, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about +many things, but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part +which shall not be taken away from her."</p> + +<p>The defective points of Martha's character seem to have been two. The +first of these was domestic vanity and parade. Upon the arrival of her +divine guest she is "cumbered about much serving," anxious not only to +show a becoming hospitality, but to provide a great entertainment. In this +she betrayed a false estimate of our Saviour's spirit. He who willingly +submitted to every deprivation during his earthly career--who suffered +hunger, and thirst, and peril, and wretchedness, in every form, although +he could have commanded ten legions of angels to guard his life, or to +supply his necessities, could not have felt a moment's anxiety respecting +the abundance or the quality of the provision. This worthy woman not only +knew that he could have turned every stone of the wilderness into bread, +had he wished to pamper his appetite by luxurious living, but she had +surely sufficient opportunities to perceive his disposition, and the +perfect exemption of his mind from any kind of concern about his own +accommodation. Her anxiety was therefore mistaken in its object, as well +as excessive in its degree. And while remarking upon this subject, O that +we could impress upon all the ministers of his word the necessity of +imitating the conduct of their Master! It becomes them, as his avowed +disciples, and as persons who are perpetually exhorting others to +self-denial and courteousness, to manifest no care about their own +convenience, to give as little trouble as possible to those who, for the +sake of their office and their Master, treat tthemwith kind hospitality, +and to receive even a cup of cold water in a spirit corresponding to that +in which humble piety bestows it.</p> + +<p>While thus betraying a false estimate of Christ, Martha's principal fault +becomes glaringly conspicuous. She is full of bustle, full of eagerness. +Her servants were, probably, dispatched in every direction to prepare a +sumptuous meal. Every thing must be in order; every dish in place. The +food, the arrangement, the preparation of every description, she was +probably solicitous should do her credit, as well as display the undoubted +affection which she cherished for her Lord. Who can tell what she lost by +her excessive care! He, "in whom dwelt all the treasures of wisdom and +knowledge," was, during all this time, conversing with her sister; and +would have freely communicated the same instructions to her, had not she +precluded herself by needless anxieties.</p> + +<p>But while we wonder at this voluntary sacrifice of spiritual advantages, +advantages too, which, generally speaking, she did not undervalue, let us +ask ourselves whether we have never merited a similar censure, whether we +have not been seduced by our worldly cares into a similar and culpable +remissness in religious duties? Happily, perhaps, like Martha, we love the +Saviour, we avow our attachment, we welcome him in the persons of his +representatives into our families; hut, at the same time, forfeit our +privileges, lose our opportunities, and suffer temporal concerns to +supersede the habitual impression of spiritual realities. Let pious women, +especially, take a lesson from this incident. Martha was by no means an +unique. She represents a very numerous class of female professors. Here is +a glass into which they may look and see a perfect reflection of +themselves; and we trust they will not retire from the salutary exhibition +of their own blemishes, <i>forgetting</i> what manner of persons they are. +Domestic care, like every other, is liable to degenerate into excess. +There are many ladies whose piety excites universal admiration, but who, +from some constitutional proneness or some acquired habit, bestow a +disproportionate, and therefore, on many accounts, highly pernicious +concern upon their household arrangements. We are not the apologists of +uncleanliness or disorder; but it is possible to be over nice and over +anxious: by the former, we may injure the comfort of others, as well as +become burdensome even to ourselves; by the latter, we may soon interfere +with the superior claims of religion. The care of a family cannot +extenuate the guilt of neglecting private devotion or public duties; it +cannot exculpate a neglect of the word or the ordinances of God; and to be +"cumbered about much serving," is not only waste of time, but unfits the +mind for profitable intercourse, and is likely to produce an unhappy +effect upon the disposition.</p> + +<p>This leads us to notice the second great defect in Martha, which the +present occasion tended to illustrate. This was fretfulness of temper. Her +language indicates extreme irritation. "Lord, dost thou not care that my +sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me." +It might be expected, that, overawed by the dignified and holy presence of +the Son of God, this woman would have felt ashamed to show her impatience, +and have been contented to remain silent. But nothing could restrain her. +Something went wrong. There was some mistake, some confusion, or perhaps +some dish out of order. She was bustling about to make preparations upon a +scale which no necessity existed to justify, and she wanted the assistance +of Mary. But Mary was bettor employed. She "sat at Jesus's feet, and heard +his word."</p> + +<p>Let pious women beware of that anxiety which generates peevishness. It is +a greater fault than any which servants can commit by mere negligence, to +allow of those intemperate sallies against their misconduct, which, by +degrading their mistresses in their eyes, diminish the good effect a +genuine piety might otherwise produce. It is a weakness to be excessively +rigid about trifles--to be always contending, morose, and dissatisfied. +The particular sphere in which a woman is called to act, seems indeed +beset with temptations to this evil; but this consideration should serve +to awaken care and circumspection. Religion ought to be exemplified in +overcoming the difficulties of our situation, whatever they maybe; and +the more numerous they are, the more honourable the resistance. Private +life is a sphere of useful exertion. Though retired, it is important. If +it be not a field of valour, it is one for patience. If women cannot +obtain the laurels of heroism, they may win the better trophies of general +esteem and domestic attachment.</p> + +<p>The animadversions we have thought proper to make upon the faults of +Martha, ought not however to obscure the view of her excellences. Jesus +Christ did not censure her concern, but the excess of it. It was the +unnecessary trouble she took, and as a consequence the extreme impatience +of temper she manifested, that produced this solemn remonstrance, and led +him to contrast her conduct with the silent piety of her sister. We must +still admire her generous hospitality, and her warm affection for Christ, +although her natural temperment and mistaken views betrayed her into an +improper mode of expressing it. She presents a lively contrast to those +who manifest no regard to religion or its ministers, and whose errors +originate not in mistake, but in cherished hostility and inveterate +prejudice. Her Master knew how to appreciate her character: and if he +censured her with a seriousness proportionable to her fault, the rebuke +was attempered with a kindness expressive of his friendship. The historian +distinctly records his personal affection for each member of this happy +family. "Now, Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus." Let us +remember, then, that the real followers of Christ have their defects, +defects which perhaps appear the more conspicuous from their association +with such opposite excellences: and let us learn, like our divine Master, +to esteem even imperfect goodness, while we take every suitable +opportunity of affectionately, yet faithfully, correcting its follies.</p> + +<p>Reader! pause for a few moments, to reflect upon the important apophthegm +pronounced by Christ upon this occasion, and the benediction upon Mary, +with which it was accompanied: "One thing is needful!" This was virtually +pronouncing religion, which involves a pre-eminent regard to the eternal +interests of the soul, to be supremely important--a principle of holiness, +a source of peace, and a pledge of immortal joy. It is, besides, of +universal concern, and comprehends whatever is essential to the present +and future felicity of a rational creature. "We should judge very ill of +the nature of this care, if we imagined that it consisted merely in acts +of devotion or religious contemplation; it comprehends all the lovely and +harmonious band of social and humane virtues. It requires a care, of +society, a care of our bodies and of our temporal concerns; but then all +is to be regulated, directed, and animated by proper regards to God, +Christ, and immortality. Our food and our rest, our trades and our labors, +are to be attended to; and all the offices of humanity performed in +obedience to the will of God, for the glory of Christ, and in a view to +the improving of the mind in a growing meetness for astate of complete +perfection. Name any thing which has no reference at all to this, and you +name a worthless trifle, however it may be gilded to allure the eye, +however it may be sweetened to gratify the taste. Name a thing, which, +instead of thus improving the soul, has a tendency to debase and pollute, +to enslave and endanger it, and you name what is most unprofitable and +mischievous, be the wages of iniquity ever so great; most foul and +deformed, be it in the eyes of men ever so honorable, or in their customs +ever so fashionable." [<a href="#foot37">37</a>]</p> + +<p>How important is it, that we should make a similar choice with that of +Mary! This is obvious from the words of Christ, who represents it as "that +good part which shall not be taken away from her." Genuine piety is +calculated to prevent innumerable evils and sources of misery, by +preventing those indulgences which pollute while they gratify, poisoning +the constitution, impairing the reputation, and displeasing God: and by +elevating the affections to the purity of heaven. It augments incalculably +the pleasure which is derived from the possession of all other good of a +subordinate nature. While it possesses the power of extracting the +distasteful ingredients that imbitter the cup of adversity, it sweetens +the sweetest portion of prosperous life; and such is its prevailing +efficacy, that no changes can possibly deprive us of its consolations. It +shall "not be taken away." How strange, then, is the infatuation of such +as make a different choice, and how unfounded their seasons for such a +guilty preference! However their conduct may be artfully varnished over +with fair pretences, they betray consummate folly. The very foundation of +all their hopes will fail, the specious appearances of the world will +prove deceptive, like the rainbow that stretches its radiant curve over +half the heavens, but vanishes as you approach it into mist and +nothingness, and their condemnation will be no less remarkable than their +ultimate disappointment. O that, with Mary, we may sit at the feet of +Jesus, and by a prompt obedience to his comments "find rest to our souls."</p> + +<p>Scarcely have we read of the privileges of the two sisters at Bethany, +when we are introduced to an account of their trials: so closely do +pleasures and pains follow each other in the train of human events! The +fairest fruit is often beset with thorns, the clearest day liable to be +overcast with clouds; and should the morning of life rise in brightness, +and the evening set in serenity, who can reasonably hope that no changes +shall occur in its intermediate hours? Religion indeed promises +consolation amidst afflictions, but not exemption from them: she is the +guardian of our spiritual interests, but not the disposer of our +terrestrial condition. How happily was the previous intercourse of Martha +and Mary with Jesus calculated to prepare them for their more gloomy +visiter, DEATH!</p> + +<p>Lazarus, the brother of these excellent women, was taken ill, upon which +they immediately sent to inform their divine Friend of the distressing +circumstance. As soon as he heard it, he remarked to his disciples that +this event would prove the occasion of enhancing his own and his Father's +glory; but notwithstanding the ardent friendship which he cherished for +the family, and which the evangelist particularly notices, [<a href="#foot38">38</a>] he did not +hasten, as it seemed natural he should, to Bethany, but remained where he +was two days longer. It was his intention, doubtless, to prove the faith +of his disciples, to try the spirit of the two sisters, and to furnish an +opportunity of working the miracle with which he afterward astonished the +Jews. After this mysterious delay, he announced his purpose of proceeding +into Judea: upon which his disciples remonstrated with him, representing +the persecuting spirit of the people, which of late had been displayed in +attempts upon his life. To this he answered there were twelve hours in the +day, and consequently it was requisite to use despatch in the performance +of the labour assigned to him who would not stumble in the night, or leave +his work unfinished; and then intimating the departure of their friend +Lazarus, he said, "I go that I may awake him out of sleep." Mistaking his +meaning, and imagining that he had been speaking only of "taking rest," in +natural sleep, the disciples replied, that if this were the case, it was +probable he would soon recover, and therefore it was unnecessary to go to +Bethany. Jesus then said plainly, "Lazarus is <i>dead</i>." Seeing the +intrepidity of their Master, the disciples, stimulated by Thomas, resolved +to accompany him into Judea, and encounter every danger to which their +attachment might expose them.</p> + +<p>When Jesus had arrived in the vicinity of Bethany, he found that his +beloved friend had been interred four days; and as this village was not +more than two miles from Jerusalem, many of the inhabitants who were +acquainted with the family, were come to condole with them upon their +loss. Martha hastened to meet Jesus, as soon as she heard of his approach; +but Mary, who perhaps was not yet informed of it, continued sitting upon +the ground, in the usual posture of mourners.</p> + +<p>Having expressed her surprise at his delay, Martha intimated to Jesus that +she well knew that God would now grant every thing he might see fit to +request, and if he had been present before, the death of her brother might +have been prevented. Compassionating her distress, he replied, "Thy +brother shall rise again;" to which she answered, that she had the fullest +conviction of this fact, as she believed the doctrine of the final +resurrection. Her heart, however, was still overwhelmed with grief at her +present calamitous bereavement; and it was not without extreme reluctance, +that she admitted the idea of never seeing him more till that distant +period. Jesus then gave her the assurance of his being "the resurrection +and the life," and of the mighty power which he as the agent in +accomplishing this work, would display in elevating all his people to the +felicities of another and a better existence; in consequence of which +death ought not to be regarded with terror, but merely as the season of +repose previous to the morning of eternity, which would soon break with +ineffable splendour upon the tomb. Martha declared her full persuasion of +this sublime truth, founded upon her knowledge of him who addressed her as +the true Messiah, the Son of God, to whom all power in heaven and earth +was intrusted.</p> + +<p>Upon this, she went by desire of Jesus to call her sister. As she had +communicated the information to Mary in a whisper, her friends who were +present supposed, when she rose up hastily, that she was going to visit +the sepulchre of Lazarus, there to renew her griefs and bewail her +bereavement. As soon as she found Jesus, she prostrated herself at his +feet, and expressed herself in terms similar to those of Martha, +indicative of a conviction that the death of her beloved relative might +have been prevented, if he had but hastened to Bethany upon the news of +his dangerous illness. This afflicting scene excited the deepest concern +in him, who, though he had every passion under the most perfect control, +now chose to indulge and to manifest his tenderness for Lazarus. He +inquired where they had laid him, and, as they conducted him to the spot, +he wept. Remembrance of the dead, sympathy for the living, and pity for +the impenitent Jews, drew forth his tears, which, while they sanction the +grief of his people at the loss of earthly connections, do not justify +its excess.</p> + +<p>The spectators, in general, were affected with this testimony of +friendship: but some of them inquired among themselves, whether he who had +opened the eyes of the blind, could not have prevented the calamity which +he appeared so deeply to deplore. This was a very natural question; and he +was about to convince them that he <i>could</i>, by performing a miracle far +more splendid and important than such an interposition. The sepulchre of +Lazarus was a cave, with a large stone upon its mouth. Jesus commanded +them to remove this stone, not choosing to do it miraculously, in order to +avoid unnecessary parade. Martha, who seems to have been agitated by a +great conflict of feelings, very improperly exclaimed against this +proceeding; and alleged, that as he had been interred four days, the +corpse must have become offensive. Jesus with his characteristic +gentleness, reminded her that he knew well what he had ordered: and that +his previous assurance, that if she would only believe she should see the +glory of God, ought to have sealed her lips in silence.</p> + +<p>The stone being removed according to the request of Jesus, he uttered a +short but expressive prayer to Heaven; and then with a loud voice, cried +out, "Lazarus, come forth." The realms of death heard his sovereign +mandate, and their gloomy monarch yielded up his captive; "and he that was +dead came forth, bound hand and foot, with grave clothes: and his face was +bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him +go." The effect of this miracle was considerable; for many of the Jews, +who had come to sympathize with the bereaved sister, believed in Christ, +though others instantly repaired to the Pharisees, to inflame their +malignity by reciting what they had witnessed. With similar diversity of +effect, is the Gospel now proclaimed to men; its facts and evidences +kindling the resentment of some, or hardening them into increased +obduracy; while they convince the minds of others, interesting their best +affections, conquering their prejudices, and operating their salvation.</p> + +<p>If there were any exception to that universal law which consigns man to +the grave, it might be hoped that such as compose the church of God, being +redeemed by the blood of his Son, called according to his purpose, and +sealed by his Spirit to the day of redemption, would be freed from this +calamity; but death extends his dreadful dominion over the families of the +righteous, as well as the impious. The people of God might, if he pleased, +have been delivered from the present curse: his goodness might have +indemnified them from the common evils which afflict human life, and +appointed them some favoured region, the Goshen of the universe, where +they should have passed their days in a state of rich possession and +unmolested tranquillity; but, if he have ordained otherwise, it is for +wise reasons; some of which, perhaps, we may succeed in explaining.</p> + +<p>Is not such a dispensation, for instance, calculated to impress an awful +sense of the malignity of sin? So abominable is it, that the blessed God, +who has made an ample provision for the future, felicity of his saints, +and who is daily imparting to them on earth the invaluable blessings of +his grace, cannot, it seems, consistently with his perfection, exempt them +from the stroke of death. It is requisite that his detestation of it +should be evinced in a complete and undistinguishing overthrow of the race +of mortals, amongst whom even those whose names are written in the book of +life, on account of their nature being contaminated with depravity must +suffer the punishment of temporal death, and show to admiring immortals, +that God is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look +upon sin."</p> + +<p>Besides, this demolition of the corporeal frame is an essential means of +its purification. The leprosy has infected every part of the building, the +members of the body have become instrumental to the working of +unrighteousness; and, consequently, "the earthly house of this tabernacle +must be <i>dissolved</i>."</p> + +<p>The infliction of this calamity upon believers in Christ as well as upon +others, is calculated also to maintain their faith in vigorous and +perpetual exercise. Were it permitted to them to pass into another world, +as Enoch or Elijah did, by a sudden transportation beyond the regions of +mortality to those of undecaying existence, without undergoing "the pains, +the groans, the dying strife," or without experiencing the frightful +alteration that occurs in other human beings, there would no longer exist +the same opportunity as at present for the display of one of the noblest +principles of a renewed mind. Who can contemplate the debased condition of +the body, who can realize the amazing change which "flesh and blood is +heir to"--the icy coldness, the stony insensibility, the universal +inanimation that pervades the whole frame, the putrefaction to which it is +subject, and the general loathsomeness of that which once appeared the +fairest structure amongst the works of God, without an instinctive +shuddering, and without perceiving that faith alone can give the victory +over death? There is nothing surely in the state of the body <i>after</i> this +event to indicate a future existence, but rather every thing to perplex +such a sentiment, and to confound such an expectation. There is nothing +in its aspect which seems to foretel life--nothing to predict +resuscitation. In general, however desperate the case, hope is sustained +by the most trifling circumstances, the feeblest glimmerings of the yet +unextinguished lamp; if there be the gentlest breath, or the slightest +motion, the solicitude of wakeful tenderness is still maintained, and the +<i>possibility</i> at least of a return to health is admitted as a welcome and +not irrational idea; but when the breath entirely fails, when motion is +paralyzed, when the lamp is extinct, whence can any thought of a revival +be obtained? What succeeds the fatal moment, but progressive decay? And +who can discover the least trace of an indication that the departed friend +will resume his life? Every hour seems to widen the breach, to increase +the distance that separates the dead from the living, and to complete the +triumph of our mortal foe. All the powers of nature in combination would +prove incompetent to produce life in the smallest particle--the most +insignificant atom of dust; and hope naturally expires when animation +ceases. When Christians, therefore, are required to part with their +companions, or to die themselves, their only confidence must be in God; +and whoever cannot receive <i>his</i> word, and rely upon the assurances which +he has given with regard to the exercise of divine power in the recovery +of man from the grave, has no adequate consolation amidst the desolations +that await him.</p> + +<p>Christians also must pass through the change of death, because the glory +of Jesus Christ in the resurrection could not otherwise be so +illustriously displayed. Never did the character of the Son of God appear +with more commanding majesty than when he recalled the spirit of Lazarus +from the invisible state, and at a word raised his body from the +sepulchre. "Lazarus," said he, "come forth:" the summons entered the ear +of death, and the "last enemy" felt himself "destroyed."</p> + +<p>The scene is infinitely cheering. Though we "fade as a leaf," dropping one +by one into the tomb like the foliage of autumn; the eternal spring +advances, when "they that are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall +come forth"--renewed in vigour, purified in character, perfected in +felicity--to return no more to this sublunary sphere, to descend no more +to the dust, to struggle no more with sin and sorrow, to be assaulted no +more with the "fiery darts of the devil."</p> + +<p>Death is so truly alarming to human nature and to shortsighted reason, so +calculated by its external appearances to fill the mind with anxiety, that +in order to suppress our fears and cherish our hopes, it seemed requisite +to bring another existence into the nearest possible view, to render it in +a sense visible, and to embody immortality. In the resurrection of +Lazarus, as well as by other miraculous manifestations, this great purpose +was effected. We perceive incontestably that death is not annihilation, +and that the appearance which it assumes of an extinction of being is not +a reality. <i>That</i> power which was exerted in one case, reason says <i>may</i>, +and revelation declares <i>shall</i>, be exerted in another; and that, by the +voice of Omnipotence, all the saints shall be raised at the last day from +the abodes of darkness and silence. It is here Christianity takes her +firmest stand--here she discloses her brightest scenes! Glorious +expectation of rising to eternal life, and through Jesus, "the first +begotten of the dead," becoming superior to our most formidable enemy! +What a train of happy beings will then be witnesses of his glory, trophies +of his power, and inhabitants of his kingdom! This will be the jubilee of +all ages, the anticipation of which is well calculated to suppress our +anxieties, and quicken us to every duty.</p> + +<p>What mutual congratulations must have circulated through the family of +Lazarus, when he was restored to the affectionate embraces of his sisters! +What a renewal of love would take place on that happy day! How was their +sorrow turned into joy, and their lamentations info praises! What a +triumph of mind did they feel over the grave, and what expressions of +gratitude to their Deliverer burst from every heart! But who can imagine +the transports of that moment, when the same power that raised Lazarus +from the tomb, shall be exerted upon every believer in Jesus, who shall +"meet the Lord in the air," and be introduced to the eternal society of +kindred minds; when the redeemed world shall assemble on the celestial +shore, to recount their past labours and mercies, to renew their spiritual +fellowship, to hail each other's escape from the conflicts, the +temptations, and the diversified evils of mortal life, to behold the glory +of Him who has washed them in his blood and saved them by his grace, to +take possession of their destined thrones, and to mingle their strains of +acknowledgment with the holy by innings of the blest!</p> + +<p>How <i>terrible</i> then is death, but how <i>delightful</i>! Death is the <i>end</i> of +life; death is the <i>beginning</i> of existence! Death <i>closes</i> our prospects, +and death <i>opens</i> them! Death <i>debases</i> our nature--death <i>purifies</i> and +<i>exalts</i> it! "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end +be like his!"</p> + +<p>Curiosity, ever disposed to pry into what the wisdom of God has not +thought proper to reveal, has frequently inquired into the history of +Lazarus after his resurrection. It has been asked, what were his feelings, +what the nature of his recollections, and what the topics of his +conversation? Did he communicate to his sisters any important intelligence +from the invisible state, or was he withheld by any divine interdiction +from explaining the secrets of his prison-house? Was it not to be +expected that some record of those transactions in which he afterward +engaged, or of the manner in which he was at last removed from the world, +should have been given in Scripture, or of the impressions of his mind +respecting the amazing changes which he had experienced?</p> + +<p>The probability is, that Lazarus had no remembrance of the state into +which he had passed during the four days of his interment; and that, as it +could answer no good purpose to himself or others to perpetuate in this +world impressions suited only to the spirit in another condition of +existence, the images of those realities were obliterated from his mind, +like the visions of a dream that have for ever vanished away. It is +sufficient for <i>us</i>, as it was enough for <i>him</i>, to know that the doctrine +of the resurrection was exhibited to the Jews, with an evidence which, but +for the violence of their prejudices, must have proved to all, as it did +to many of them, irresistibly convincing.</p> + +<p>Six days before the passover, Lazarus appears again upon the page of +Scripture history, at supper with Jesus at Bethany; but our attention is +less directed to him than to his sisters and their divine Guest. Martha, +as usual, was busied with domestic preparations; and Mary, with her +characteristic zeal and affection, "took a pound of ointment of spikenard, +very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her +hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."</p> + +<p>The disciples were displeased at what they deemed this <i>waste</i> of the +rich balsam, and murmured against her. One of them especially, Judas +Iscariot, exclaimed, "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred +pence, and given to the poor?" [<a href="#foot39">39</a>] But this objection, so far from being +dictated by any kindness for the needy, arose entirely from his eagerness +to increase the store with which he was intrusted, and which he was +intending to appropriate to himself. Aware of this design, and +disapproving the uncharitable disposition manifested by his disciples, +Jesus reproved them; and expressed his satisfaction with Mary's conduct as +indicative of a regard for which she should hereafter be celebrated +throughout the world. He intimated that he should soon leave them, and +that this might be considered as an expression of fondness towards a +friend who might be almost viewed as already dead, and to whom she would +have few other opportunities of testifying her affection.</p> + +<p>And shall not we be ready to consecrate our most valued possessions to the +service of such a Master? Shall we hesitate to devote to him whatever he +claims, or whatever we can bestow? Shall we feel a moment's reluctance to +aid his cause by the application of some considerable part of our +pecuniary resources to his church and people? He has bequeathed his poor +to our care, and it is a solemn charge; neglecting which we shall miss the +honor of his final benediction; but fulfilling it, we may indulge the +delightful hope that he will recompense even the most trifling attention, +and inscribe upon each future crown, in characters visible to the whole +intelligent universe, <i>he</i> or "<i>she</i> HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD."</p> + + + + + +<h2><a name="08"></a>The Poor Widow.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter VIII.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Account of Christ's sitting over against the Treasury--He particularly + notices the Conduct of an obscure Individual--She casts in two Mites--it + is to be viewed as a religious Offering--the Ground on which it is + eulogized by Christ--the Example honorable to the female Sex--People + charitable from different Motives--two Reasons which might have been + pleaded as an Apology for withholding this Donation, she was poor and a + Widow--Her pious Liberality notwithstanding--all have Something to + give--the most trifling Sum of Importance--the Habit of bestowing in + pious Charity beneficial--Motives to Gratitude deduced from the + Wretchedness of others, the Promises of God, and the Cross of Jesus.</blockquote> + + +<p>Uncharitableness does not seem to have been characteristic of the Jews at +any period of their history, who erred rather on the side of ostentation +than of parsimony. During the three great annual festivals, the offerings +to the temple were very considerable, and of various kinds; although, in +the time of Christ, the country was in a state of comparative depression, +as tributary to the Roman empire. Many individuals, however, were no less +distinguished for their liberality than their opulence. But it is common +to be deceived by appearances; and an action which we may estimate as +good, may be of little value in the sight of that Being who "searcheth the +reins and <i>hearts</i>," and who will "give to every one according to +their works."</p> + +<p>In the history before us our Saviour is represented as sitting "over +against the treasury;" for though on every proper, and almost on every +possible occasion, he addicted himself to solitude, both for the purpose +of exemplifying the propriety of frequent retirement, and of obtaining +spiritual refreshment; yet, at other times, he mixed with society to +notice and to correct the follies of mankind. His observant eye could not +overlook the minutest diversities of human character; and he never +permitted a favorable opportunity of deducing from these appearances +salutary lessons for his disciples, to pass unimproved. Happy, thrice +happy men, to have such an Instructer at hand--to live so near the "Light +of the world"--to have constant and intimate access to him, "in whom dwelt +all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!" And happy, thrice happy we, +notwithstanding our comparative disadvantages of time and circumstance, +who possess the recorded instructions of "the faithful and true Witness," +in the page of inspiration, while "darkness covers" so vast a proportion +of "the earth, and gross darkness the people!"</p> + +<p>In the situation which Jesus had chosen, he distinctly saw the people +casting money into the treasury, and particularly noticed the large sums +which many rich persons contributed to this sacred fund. Little did they +suspect what an eye was upon them, watching their movements, and +estimating their motives! It is probable that the majority of those who +came to present their gifts on this occasion, had no personal knowledge of +the Saviour, who assumed no extraordinary appearance, excepting that of +extreme poverty of condition and deep humiliation of spirit; and that of +those who might recognize him, some had been so discomfited by his +superior wisdom in the field of argument, as to feel no inclination either +to dare another contest, or to submit to his decisions; others were too +indolent to make inquiries after heavenly truth, too ignorant to penetrate +beyond his humble exterior, or too fearful to incur the censure of +ecclesiastical authority, for seeming by a respectful approach to become +his disciples; while few, if any, who passed by, were aware that "he knew +what was in man."</p> + +<p>If there were many among the wealthy contributors to the treasury who gave +from motives of vanity and ostentation, it is reasonable to believe that +others were characterized by genuine benevolence, and as such approved by +their unknown observer. They were not influenced either by a spirit of +rivalry or pride, but devoutly wished to be serviceable to religion and +acceptable to God. If some came in the temper of the boasting Pharisee, +who is represented as professing to pray in these words, "God, I thank +thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or +even as this publican: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that +I possess"--others, no doubt, as they cast in the liberal offering, felt +if they did not exclaim with the publican, "God, be merciful to me +a sinner."</p> + +<p>Although the Son of God has reassumed his glory, being exalted "far above +all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that +is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come;" he +minutely investigates the characters and actions of men, and will +hereafter "appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," for +the purpose of "rendering to every man according to his deeds." The +proceedings of that day will be marked by the utmost impartiality and +justice, founded upon a perpetual and complete inspection of all human +actions, and a most perfect knowledge of their motives.</p> + +<p>"Can we think, O Saviour, that thy glory hath diminished aught of thy +gracious respects to our beneficence? or that thine acceptance of our +charity was confined to the earth? Even now that thou sittest at the right +hand of thy Father's glory, thou seest every hand that is stretched out +to the relief of thy poor saints here below. And if vanity have power to +stir up our liberality, out of a conceit to be seen of men; how shall +faith encourage our bounty in knowing that we are seen of thee, and +accepted by thee? Alas! what, are we the better for the notice of those +perishing and impotent eyes, which can only view the outside of our +actions; or for that waste wind of applause, which vanisheth in the lips +of the speaker? Thine eye, O Lord, is piercing and retributive. As to see +thee is perfect happiness, so to be seen of thee is true contentment +and glory.</p> + +<p>"And dost thou, O God, see what we give thee, and not see what we take +away from thee? Are our offerings more noted than our sacrileges? Surely, +thy mercy is not more quicksighted than thy justice. In both kinds our +actions are viewed, our account is kept; and we are as sure to receive +rewards for what we have given, as vengeance for what we have defaulted. +With thine eye of <i>knowledge</i>, thou seest all we <i>do</i>; but we <i>do well</i>, +thou seest with an eye <i>of approbation!</i>" [<a href="#foot40">40</a>]</p> + +<p>After stating the general notice which Jesus Christ took of the variety of +opulent contributors to the treasury, the sacred narrative informs us of +his particularly remarking the offering of a certain individual, whom he +exhibited to his disciples as a pattern of unrivalled generosity. The +comparative value and magnitude of this gift are recorded; and though the +name of this honorable character is concealed, the benevolent deed can +never be forgotten.</p> + +<p>We are not informed of the sums given respectively by wealthy persons upon +this occasion, but only in general that they were very considerable: +"many that were rich cast in much." It is astonishing what large +contributions have been sometimes advanced for charitable and other +religious purposes: and from knowing that Jesus Christ selected for +remark, and distinguished by an extraordinary eulogium, the offering of a +certain woman to the treasury, we are eager to inquire who was the donor, +and what the gift so celebrated.</p> + +<p>But we must suspend our prejudices. Let us remember, that "God seeth not +as man seeth"--that our calculations of value and of magnitude are often +false, because we do not use the balances of the sanctuary, but are +governed by the erroneous opinions of mankind--and then we shall be +prepared to learn, that on that memorable day, when Jesus sat over against +the treasury beholding the numerous and splendid donations of the rich, a +<i>female</i>, a <i>widow</i>, "cast in more than they all"--more than any one +individually, and more than all collectively!</p> + +<p>What then were her resources? Was she some Eastern potentate, who, like +the queen of Sheba, "came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with +camels that bare spices, and very much gold and precious stones"--a queen +who was able to present Solomon with "a hundred and twenty talents of +gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones?" No, she was a +<i>poor</i> widow! Our astonishment increases. But some poor persons have great +future prospects, or great present connections. Had she then sold an +hereditary reversion, or borrowed extensively of some wealthy friends, and +impelled by a zeal for God, given it to the treasury? No--she gave only +out of her <i>poverty</i>--"she threw in <i>two mites</i>, which make a FARTHING," +or about <i>two pence</i>, according to the proportionate value of English +money. [<a href="#foot41">41</a>] This was the donation that led Jesus to call his disciples, +and address them thus, "Verily, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath +cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they +did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that +she had, even all her living."</p> + +<p>It is proper to remark, that this gift was rather religious than +charitable, the offering of piety as distinguished from that of +almsgiving. This will be obvious, upon considering that the contributions +to the treasury were not for the support of the poor, but for the supply +of sacrifices and other necessary services. Dr. Lightfoot states that +there were thirteen treasure-chests, called <i>Shopheroth</i>, and collectively +<i>Corban</i> or <i>Corbonah</i>, which were placed in that part of the temple +denominated the Court of the Women. Two of these chests were for the half +shekel, which every Israelite was to pay according to the law; and eleven +others were appropriated to the uses specified in their respective +inscriptions. 1. <i>For the price of the two turtle-doves, or two young +pigeons</i>. 2. <i>For the burnt-offering of birds</i>. 3. <i>For the money offered +to buy wood for the altar</i>. 4. <i>For those who gave money to buy +frankincense</i>. 5. <i>For those who offered gold for the mercy-seat</i>. 6. <i>For +the residue of the money for the sin-offering</i>. 7. <i>For the residue of the +money for a trespass-offering</i>. 8. <i>For the residue of an offering of +birds</i>. 9. <i>For the surplus of a Nazarite's offering</i>. 10. <i>For the +residue of a leper's trespass-offering</i>. 11. <i>For whosoever would offer an +offering of the herds</i>.</p> + +<p>Our Saviour eulogized the gift of this good woman less, probably, on +account of its comparative superiority to the more splendid donations of +opulent contributors to the treasury, whose circumstances were so widely +different from hers, than because her motives were more pure and pious. +The intention to purchase renown or self-approbation, diminishes the +excellence of the most costly offering; while the simple desire to honour +God and promote his cause, superadds substantial worth to the meanest +donation. Jesus Christ perceived the workings of genuine faith and love in +this woman's heart, and estimated them at a price above the choicest +jewels or the purest gold.</p> + +<p>He saw and he approved the holy zeal of her mind, and well knew that the +operations of her benevolence were restricted solely by the limitation of +her means. These alone presented an impassable barrier to a liberality of +spirit which impelled her far beyond the allowance of a timid policy, or a +calculating prudence; and we may reasonably conclude, that she knew no +regret at the scantiness of her pecuniary resources, and the +inferiority, of her condition, save what originated in perceiving her small +capacity of usefulness. She who could cast into the treasury the only two +mites that she possessed, would have adorned a higher station. Had +Providence placed her amongst the princesses of the earth, while she +retained such a disposition, what an extensive blessing to society would +she have proved! Such, however, in two many instances, is the corrupting +influence of large possessions, that it is always questionable, whether in +the very great majority of cases an increase of riches would not +deteriorate the principle of benevolence; and whether, if placed amidst +the splendid scenes of elevated rank, our eyes would not be soon so +dazzled, as to incapacitate us either for seeing the wants of the poor, or +the necessities of the church of Christ.</p> + +<p>How exquisite and how enviable must have been the feelings of this pious +woman, when she cast her last two mites into the treasury! What a noble +generosity! what disinterested zeal! She could not delay a moment to +inquire respecting the means of her future subsistence, or the comfort of +the present day; the impulse was too powerful to be resisted, and was +amply recompensed by an instantaneous enhancement of her happiness.</p> + +<p>This example is highly honorable to the female sex. It is not the language +of flattery, but of truth, to say that they are distinguished by acute +sensibility, quick sympathy, and persevering patience in doing good. They +are naturally compassionate, and have the best opportunities of gratifying +a charitable disposition. From constitution they are more susceptible, +from habit more considerate, and from character more prompt than the other +sex in promoting benevolent purposes. They generally require less urging +to useful measures, and the flame of charity often burns with more +brightness and perpetuity in their bosoms.</p> + +<p>In the church of Christ, women have ever been pre-eminent in numbers and in +character; they have been the first to profess Christ, and the last to +dishonour him; they have joined the train of his followers, borne the +reproach of his accusers, sustained the cross of self-denial, and aspired +to the crown of martyrdom; they are recorded with marked distinction by an +apostolic pen, "Women received their dead raised to life again, and others +were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better +resurrection;"--in a word, whenever they have been required to suffer for +Christ, they have willingly surrendered life with all its joys; and +whenever called to maintain his cause by pecuniary supplies, they have +been found ready, like the poor widow, to give even to their last +<i>two mites</i>.</p> + +<p>Some persons will not be liberal, unless they can be praised. They are +anxious to see their names exciting public attention, and their +benefactions proclaimed upon some public list. If you will allow them to +be "seen of men," they will reconcile themselves to make some sacrifice +for the good of others; and overcome their heartfelt reluctance to give, +when they are assured of being repaid in a proportionate measure of fame. +And thus, in fact, their charity is nothing but a sordid traffic; they +barter for renown, and aim to insure the recompense before they hazard the +gift. But we may be assured, that this is of all speculations the meanest, +the most detestable, and ultimately the most ruinous. The poor widow had +no suspicion of the kind of observance to which she was exposed, and no +wish to attract attention. She silently dropped her money into the chest, +and departed. The whole world was, in her estimation, ignorant of the +deed; and the whole world could not have bestowed upon her so rich a +gratification.</p> + +<p>Persons of the class alluded to will sometimes admit of concealment. They +adopt many measures to hide their virtue from the eyes of others; they +will by no means court public attention, or allow a formal publication of +their deeds: but if perchance they are whispered abroad, if any +indiscretion betrays them, if though not <i>written</i>, they are <i>stated</i>; +they are the last persons on earth to feel any offence, and congratulate +themselves on having effectually secured the applauses of mankind.</p> + +<p>"Good actions," as the admirable Achbishop Leighton remarks, "cannot well +be hid; and it may sometimes be necessary for example and exciting others, +that they know of it; but take heed that vanity creep not in under this. +And further than either unavoidable necessity, or some evident further +good of thy neighbour carries it, desire to be unknown and unseen in this. +When it must be public, let thy intention be secret; take no delight in +the eyes of men on thee; yea, rather count it a pain; and still eye God +alone, for he eyes thee. And remember it even in public acts of charity, +and other such like, <i>he sees in secret</i>; though the action be no secret, +the spring, the source of it, is; and he sees by what weights the +wheels go, and he still looks upon that, views thy heart, the bidden bent +and intention of it, which man cannot see. So then, though in some cases +thou must be seen to do, yet in no case do to be seen: that differs much; +and where that is, even the other will be as little as it may be."</p> + +<p>There are other persons who, though they cannot in all cases be censured +for penuriousness, have imbibed a very pernicious error. They plead that +they have scarcely sufficient for themselves, that they cannot therefore +afford to contribute even to a good cause; and that if they were to do any +thing, it must necessarily be so little as to be useless. What, say they, +could our insignificant donations avail in aid of a fund which requires +the most liberal and constant supplies? Could our drop of charity +materially increase the tide, or swell the ocean? Would it become us to +take from our few necessities, what could not much augment the comforter +minister to the wants of others? Or does God require that his cause should +be sustained by the poor, and the poorest of the poor, when he can command +the purses of the opulent, or turn the stones of the desert into gold.</p> + +<p>To this reasoning the instructive history we are considering is a direct +reply. There were two circumstances in her lot, which not only merited +compassion, but would have furnished as strong arguments against her +contributing to the treasury as it is perhaps possible to adduce.</p> + +<p>She was in the first place POOR--poor in the extreme; for when she cast in +"two mites" it was "all her living" Poverty is helpless. It does not +possess the means of alleviating its own distresses, much less of +assisting others to any considerable extent. "Wealth," says Solomon, +"maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his +neighbour"--separated by his neighbour's <i>selfishness</i>, who is too much +occupied with his own concerns to cast his eyes beyond the narrow limits +of personal interest--separated by his neighbour's <i>insensibility</i>, whose +heart is often cold and motionless to pity as the stone which paves his +doorway--separated by his neighbor's <i>avarice</i>, who idolizes gold, and +grasps it with unyielding tenacity--separated by his neighbour's <i>pride</i>, +who looks with contempt upon his unoffending inferior--separated by his +neighbour's <i>servility</i>, who flatters greatness even by acquiescing in its +unfounded dislike of the poor--ah! "the poor is <i>separated</i> from his +neighbour!"</p> + +<p>You plead poverty as an excuse for disregarding every claim upon you; but +are you as destitute as this obscure yet excellent woman, who had but a +farthing, and gave it even without solicitation? Be encouraged by +recollecting who observes and who can repay you. Indeed the poor of every +class were the particular objects of the Saviour's attention during his +residence on earth; and he has rendered the tattered garment of poverty +respectable by having worn it himself.</p> + +<p>There is one consideration, above all others, which seems to appeal most +forcibly to the inferior classes of society in behalf especially of the +cause of Christ, and to urge some, even the smallest donations, to the +<i>treasurer</i>, of the Christian temple, however incapacitated they may be +for other benevolent exertions, namely, that <i>poverty appears to be the +peculiar object of divine complacency and provision.</i> It is the common +condition of the people of God, who "hath <i>chosen</i> the poor of this world, +rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that +love him." The vale of poverty seems to be the favourite walk of celestial +mercy. Here she distributes her charities--here she spreads her +table--here she sends her ministers of grace. It was here the Saviour +"went about doing good." The discourses he delivered were adapted to the +poor--he consulted their capacities, instructed their minds, felt for +their circumstances, and relieved their necessities. Whom others despised +he honored--whom others forsook he sought--whom others suffered without a +sigh to perish, he supplied, and comforted, and saved!</p> + +<p>The Gospel itself was expressly addressed to the poor, and is peculiarly +suited to their condition; and the messengers of heaven are directed to go +out into the highways and hedges to compel men to come in. The promises of +Scripture are peculiarly appropriated to the necessities of the poor. They +have no <i>money</i>; hence the blessings of the everlasting covenant are +described as "wine and milk," and are to be procured "without money and +without price." The poor are subject to <i>fatigue</i> through excess of labor; +hence it is "the weary and heavy-laden," whom Christ invites to "come to +him," promising them "rest." The poor, being deprived of those means of +mental cultivation which the rich enjoy, are usually <i>ignorant</i>; hence the +source of the Redeemer's grateful appeal to the Father, "Thou has hid +these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto +babes." The poor are the <i>servants</i> of others; hence we read of "the +liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," and "if the Son make you free +ye shall be free indeed." The felicities of the invisible state are +represented in terms which form a complete contrast to the present +condition of the poor. Are they now the tenants of the lowly cottage? "In +my Father's house are many mansions"--"we have a <i>building of God</i>, a +house not made with hands, <i>eternal</i> in the heavens." Must they now look +on all the fields around them, and sigh to think that they belong to +another?' Through the grace of the Gospel they anticipate "an inheritance +incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Are they now clothed +in wretched attire?--they may expect to be adorned with "white robes" and +"a crown of glory." Are they now in a state of obscurity--their names +unknown--their condition mean and despised?--hereafter they shall have a +"name better than of sons and daughters;" they shall "shine as the +brightness of the firmament," and "as the stars, for ever and ever." Is +their condition on earth eminently "the <i>house of mourning</i>?" Do a scanty +meal, a starving family, a pining partner, a wasting disease for which +poverty forbids their procuring the most skilful means, frequently excite +the bitter, the burning, the unavailing tear? In heaven "the days of our +mourning shall be ended," and "God himself shall wipe away all tears from +our eyes."</p> + +<p>Had this poor woman been disposed rather to have evaded the gift to the +treasury than to have volunteered so large a donation as that of "all her +living," the circumstance of her being A WIDOW would seem to have been a +sufficient apology. No condition of life can be conceived more wretched. A +widow is deprived; "of the object of tenderest regard, the soother of her +cares, the defence of her weakness, and the staff of her life." She is left +to bewail in solitude--to suffer alone; or, if her children surround her, +by tracing in their features the resemblance of her departed husband, she +perpetually opens afresh the wound that time was kindly healing, and +blends her fond caresses with tears of unavailing regret. She must now +support herself--and perhaps struggle to supply them, whose childhood both +disqualifies them from affording any assistance, and renders the incessant +vigilance of maternal care essential to their very preservation. If, in +addition to this, her poverty incapacitates her for resisting the arm of +oppression, or vindicating herself against the unmerited reproaches of the +censorious and the impious, her situation is inconceivably deplorable. +Some part of this description certainly applies, and perhaps all, to the +character under consideration. She was a poor widow: and yet the miseries +of her own state did not prevent her casting in a liberal supply, even +"all her living," into the treasury of God. She trusted for to-morrow to +that Providence which had supplied her to-day; a confidence which we +cannot doubt experienced its appropriate reward.</p> + +<p>In addition to these considerations, and as a reply to the sophisms +already adverted to, by which so many in far superior circumstances to +this good woman endeavour to fence themselves against the charge of +illiberality, we remark--</p> + +<p>1. It is by no means evident that you have absolutely <i>nothing</i> that can +be applied to the purposes of a pious charity. In order to prove this, it +would be requisite to show that all your labour is scarcely sufficient to +procure your subsistence--a subsistence that does not require or admit the +smallest redundancy or the least indulgence. You must prove that you never +pamper one appetite or gratify one lust; and that, in compliance with the +exhortation of Christ, you "take no thought for the morrow." This is a +case of so extreme a nature that its occurrence seems a bare possibility, +and will not surely exonerate those who, if they are but scantily +supplied in comparison with the ample abundance which enriches the +condition of others, have nevertheless the means of a sufficient and +perhaps a comfortable support. From those who possess much, much is +required; and of those who have little <i>something</i>--to prove that the +spirit of benevolence is not extinct, nor the claims of humanity and +religion disregarded. You may be unable to pour in gold and silver, but +surely you can contribute <i>two miles</i>'. It is an excellent piece of +advice, "If thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to +that little; for thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the +day of necessity."</p> + +<p>2. Whatever may be our estimate of the merit or utility of a small +donation, the most trifling addition is of some importance. The seed which +is sown in the field of benevolence will bear some fruit and help to swell +the harvest. The immeasurable extent of sand upon the sea-shore is made up +of grains, and the loftiest mountains are composed of diminutive particles +of dust. If the millions who are able to contribute their mites could be +induced to do so, the treasury would soon be full; but if they withhold +them, the uncertain, capricious, and ostentatious, though large +contributions of the opulent, may fail to replenish it.</p> + +<p>3. The <i>habit</i> of giving, however small the sum, is inconceivably +beneficial to the contributor himself. It is an important means of +cherishing in the breast that divine principle, which without exercise and +use would be likely to languish: for whatever sentiments we feel, whatever +theories we adopt, and in whatever eloquence of language and warmth of +spirit we expatiate upon the excellences of liberality, unless we <i>give</i> +to the necessitous ourselves, the heart will become hardened and cold; +and a <i>theoretical religion</i> can never preserve us from a <i>real impiety</i>.</p> + +<p>"The peculiar nature of our religion," observes Dr. Barrow, [<a href="#foot42">42</a>] +"specially requires it, and the honour thereof exacts it from us; nothing +better suits Christianity, nothing more graces it, than liberality; +nothing is more inconsistent therewith, or more disparageth it, than being +miserable and sordid. A Christian niggard is the veriest nonsense that can +be; for what is a Christian? What but a man who adores God alone, who +loves God above all things, who reposes all his trust and confidence in +God? What is he, but one who undertaketh to imitate the most good and +bountiful God; to follow, as the best pattern of his practice, the most +benign and charitable JESUS, the Son of God; to obey the laws of God and +his Christ, the sum and substance of which is charity; half whose religion +doth consist in loving his neighbour as himself! What is he further, but +one who hath renounced this world, with all the vain pomps and pleasures +of it; who professes himself in disposition and affection of mind to +forsake all things for Christ's sake; who pretends little to value, +affect, or care for any thing under heaven, having all his main +concernments and treasures--his heart, his hopes, and his happiness, in +another world? Such is a Christian: and what is a niggard? All things +quite contrary. One whose practice manifestly shows him another thing +besides and before God; to love mammon above God, and more to confide in +it than in him; one who bears small goodwill, kindness, or pity towards +his brother; who is little affected or concerned with things future or +celestial; whose mind and heart are rivetted to this world; whose hopes +and happiness are settled here below; whose soul is deeply immersed and +buried in earth; one who, according to constant habit, notoriously +breaketh the two great heads of Christian duty, '<i>loving God with +all his heart, and his neighbour as himself</i>. It is, therefore, by comparing +those things very plain, that we pretend to reconcile gross contradictions +and inconsistences, if we profess ourselves to be Christians and are +illiberal. It is indeed the special grace and glory of our religion, that +it consisteth not in barren speculations, or empty formalities, or forward +professions; not in fancying curiously, or speaking zealously, or looking +demurely; but in really producing sensible fruits of goodness, in doing +(as St. Paul signifies) <i>things good and profitable, unto men</i>."</p> + +<p>The story of the poor widow is eminently calculated to inspire gratitude +in the hearts of those who are mercifully exempted from the wretchedness +of such extreme poverty, which exposes to the temptation of repining at +the dispensations of Heaven, and of pursuing improper measures for +obtaining relief. Nor is its least evil that of cherishing an envious +spirit towards those who are in superior circumstances. From the abodes of +penury and want it is indeed a pleasing fact that Divine Grace has chosen +its objects, and from lowly vales and humble cottages elevated them to +thrones of immortality. We hear apostles saying, "Silver and gold have we +none;" and Bartimeus, brought into the train of disciples from "the +highway-side," where he was "blind" and "begging." And though it is a +delightful consideration, that religion Can alleviate the rigours of want, +and infuse sweetness into the bitterest waters of sorrow; yet poverty, +with its concomitant evils, is an affliction from which, in its extreme +form, we may pray to be relieved. Though in the strictest sense, the +Christian, like the apostle, while "having nothing," may yet be said to +"possess all things;" yet that degree of necessity which arises from +extreme poverty is far from being desirable either for the body or +the soul.</p> + +<p>In the most destitute circumstances, however, the promises of our Father +in heaven, and the examples which we find upon sacred record, are +encouraging. "I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed +begging bread"--"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for +the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and +wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, +and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." Of Zion it is asserted, "I +will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread:" +and "He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that +despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of +bribery, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his +eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall +be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall +be sure."</p> + +<p>Remember the interpositions of God to supply the necessities of the +destitute. Go to <i>Egypt</i> and <i>Canaan</i>, and trace the wonderful +appointments of that providence which supplied the famished household of +Jacob! Go into the wilderness of <i>Sin</i>, and behold an extraordinary kind +of dew covering the camp of Israel and sparkling in the morning sun, in +fulfilment of the prediction, "I will rain bread from heaven for you!" +Observe the famished prophet at "the brook Cherith, that is before +Jordan," and see the ravens of heaven descending with bread and flesh to +supply Elijah! Follow Jesus into a desert place, where five thousand +weary, wayworn strangers, besides women and children, are fed by his +liberal hand and his miraculous power! "Behold the fowls of the air; for +they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your +heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of +you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? and why take, ye +thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they +toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon +in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so +clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into +the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? +Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we +drink? or Wherewithal shall we he clothed? (For after all these things do +the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of +all these things."</p> + +<p>O, how sweetly does that spirit rest which reclines upon the lap of +providence, and feeds contentedly on "daily bread!" The storms may rise +and the winds may blow--the clamours of human competition may fill the +air; but nothing can disturb his repose. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect +peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." When +Solomon was about to ascend his throne, how earnestly did he implore +superior wisdom, and how readily leave the disposal of earthly good to his +God and Father! And what was the consequence? "God said unto him, Because +thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; +neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine +enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; +behold, I have done according to thy Words: lo, I have given thee a wise +and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before, +neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given +thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that +there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."</p> + +<p>Finally, let us deduce motives for consolation under the pressure of +sorrow, and for the limitation of our wishes to the necessary subsistence +of life, from "a greater than Solomon." Who was it that stooped to a +manger and a cross? Who fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert, +refusing to employ his power in furnishing a miraculous table? Who had not +"where to lay his head?" Who lived on the scanty fare of a small purse in +common with the family of his disciples? Who withdrew from the +entertainments of Jerusalem to the humble cottage of Mary and Martha, +cheerfully subsisting on the most homely and casual provision?--HE, who +has taught us to limit our desires of temporal good within the narrow +circle of <i>one short</i> request--"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD."</p> + + + +<h2><a name="09"></a>Sapphira.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter IX.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Mixed Constitution of the Church of Christ--benevolent Spirit of the + primitive Believers at Jerusalem--Anxiety of Ananias and Sapphira to + appear as zealous and liberal as others--Ananias repairs to the Apostles + to deposit the price of his Possessions--is detected in Deception and + dies--similar Deceit and Death of Sapphira--Nature and Progress of + Apostasy--peculiar Guilt of Sapphira--Agency of Satan distinctly + marked--diabolical influence ascertained--consolatory Sentiments + suggested to Christians.</blockquote> + + +<p>"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his +field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the +wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought +forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the +householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in +thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy +hath done this.... The field is the world; the good seed are the children +of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the +enemy that sowed them is the devil."</p> + +<p>This parable, so descriptive of the mixed constitution of the church of +Christ, from the primitive times down to the present age, is strikingly +exemplified in the history of Ananias and Sapphira. These were some of the +first tares that appeared in the apostolic field of labour; and we should +feel grateful that their names and characters are transmitted to us upon +whom the ends of the world are come, for the purpose of salutary warning. +Their singular atrocity was but a more full development of the very same +evil principles that exist in embryo in the hearts of mankind in general; +and their signal and immediate punishment, which was some deviation from +the more ordinary methods of Providence, which permits the tares and the +wheat to grow together till the harvest or "end of the world," was, under +all the circumstances, a necessary expression of divine displeasure.</p> + +<p>During the first age of Christianity, when it was propagated by apostles +and their holy coadjutors, and when Jesus Christ, having so recently +departed from the world, had left an unusual glow of ardor and affection +in their minds, it seems natural to anticipate not only extensive success +in the establishment of Christian churches, but a peculiar purity in the +sentiments and conduct of their members. And where shall we find such +union, such fervour, such simplicity, such energy, as prevailed in that +golden age? Persecution separated them indeed, but could not dissolve +their attachment either to the cause or to each other; it could not +extinguish their ever-burning zeal. But in vain should we hope for +perfection even in the purest societies on earth. If a Judas insinuated +himself amongst the apostles during the personal residence of Christ on +earth, and under his immediate eye, it is not surprising that an Ananias +and a Sapphira intruded into the earliest and best of his churches; nor +should it prove unduly discouraging to his ministers or people at any +period, when they witness similar instances of deceit and impiety. The +more valuable the coin, the greater is the reason to apprehend its being +counterfeited; and the more excellent religion appears, and the more +highly it is esteemed, the greater will be the probable number of +hypocritical professors.</p> + +<p>The history of these two offenders is intimately blended. Their sin and +punishment were similar; but there, were some circumstances connected with +the transaction which exhibit the guilt of Sapphira in characters of more +conspicuous enormity. While reviewing the inspired narrative, let us not +cherish the feeling of Hazael, who indignantly demanded of the prophet, +"Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this!" but, deeply aware of our +inward propensities and our moral dangers, let us unite fervent prayer +with sleepless circumspection, "lest we enter into temptation."</p> + +<p>The church at Jerusalem possessed one peculiarity, resulting from the +remarkable exercise of a pure, exalted, disinterested benevolence. Rising +superior to every selfish interest, and, in the spirit of unbounded love +and liberality, concurring in every measure that was devised to promote +the general good; "as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold +them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them +down at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to every man +according as he had need." The great proportion of converts were probably +indigent, for in no age have "the mighty and the noble" been attracted by +the unostentatious simplicity of the religion of Jesus; but some were +persons of property. They had lands and houses, with which, however, they +willingly parted to supply the necessities of their poorer +fellow-Christians. This was a generosity which could not fail of exciting +the admiration of the whole society, and of acquiring for them +considerable influence. While the apostles approved their +disinterestedness, the widows, the orphans, and the indigent of every +class, would pour their best benedictions upon their heads, and look up lo +them as the ministering angels of Providence. Too often, indeed, the +supplies of benevolence are received with a coldness which is truly +repulsive, and which bespeaks a secret conviction in the minds of the +wretched, that they have a right to expect, and that the opulent are bound +to bestow them; but these were <i>Christian poor</i>, and were influenced, we +should hope, by a gratitude which such benefactions were calculated to +inspire. At the same time, even the unthankfulness of the recipient ought +not to shut up our "bowels of compassion."</p> + +<p>Ananias and Sapphira were anxious, amidst such fine specimens of +disinterested goodness, not to appear backward. They might be conscious +that the respectability of their situation, and the zeal of their +profession, excited expectations amongst the other disciples; and though +they were certainly under no obligation to practise this profuse charity, +they seemed unwilling to lose the opportunity of enhancing their fame: We +may justly suspect, that a long struggle was maintained between the love +of money and the love of applause. They consulted together;--they were +anxious to devise an expedient by which they might gratify their vanity, +and yet retain at least the principal part of their property. Ambition and +avarice were to be alike gratified, but they were to contrive the +concealment of their hypocrisy. With this view, they agreed upon a course +of meanness and dissimulation, which involved the most tragical +consequences. Ananias seems to have proposed, and Sapphira to have +abetted, the transaction. With her consent, which he chose to obtain, and +which might have been legally necessary, their estate was sold; and <i>part</i> +only of the purchase-money was laid at the apostles' feet, as if it were +the whole, and as if Christian charity had dictated this liberal +distribution of it.</p> + +<p>Hypocrites, we perceive, are frequently very much influenced by example +and popular applause. How many ostentatious charities may be traced to +this polluted source! It is not to do good, to assist the needy, to +promote the cause of Jesus Christ; but to escape censure, or to purchase +renown, that men often unite in pious contributions. They will slot be +outshone by others, or submit to the dishonor of being reputed niggardly +and ungenerous. But however such persons abound in <i>visible</i> acts of +benevolence, their charity does not resemble the subterraneous rivulet, +that revives the drooping flower, and refreshes the languishing herb, +wherever it directs its <i>secret</i> and <i>silent</i> course.</p> + +<p>What a fine opportunity was afforded on this occasion to Sapphira, for +fulfilling the high but difficult duties of her situation! How would she +have immortalized her name, had she suggested proper advice to her +husband, and acted with an upright firmness herself! If, instead of +coinciding with his impious plan, she had objected to the proposal, and +warned him of the probable consequences of his dissimulation, a strong +remonstrance from so dear a relative might have produced the happiest +effect upon his mind; and had he still persisted, would at least have +vindicated her refusal. Wives are indeed required to "submit to their +husbands," but there are cases in which resistance is a virtue of the +noblest class. If, transgressing the proper bounds of civil dominion, he +attempts to lord it over her conscience, and urges, however +authoritatively, her concurrence in iniquity, she must steadfastly oppose +temptation. However painful the contest, it is honourable. It will be +owned in heaven as a war of duty and necessity.</p> + +<p>In some cases, the woman proves the first instigator to evil, or the prime +coadjutor in mischief; but, in others, her sentiments may be sought with +advantage. A wise man will seldom engage in an affair of considerable +importance without soliciting advice, for "in the multitude of counsellors +there 5s safety;" but who so naturally expects, or who so much deserves to +be consulted, as the wife of the bosom? Her opinion is likely to be the +most disinterested and the most affectionate of any that can be obtained; +and if we could obtain a faithful history of domestic life, it would +appear that a consultation so natural and proper, has often proved the +means of guiding in perplexity and rescuing from error.</p> + +<p>In the full confidence that their scheme had been concerted with the +utmost privacy, Ananias, after the sale of his possessions, hastened to +deposit a part of the price in the hands of the apostles. He, no doubt, +expected to be welcomed in the warmest terms of commendation. With what +astonishment and horror, therefore, must be have heard the terrible appeal +of Peter, "Why bath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and +to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not +thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast +thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but +unto God!" Instantaneous as the lightning of heaven, Almighty vengeance +descended upon the unhappy criminal, and withered him in a moment. +"Ananias hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost; and great +fear came on all them that heard these things." He was immediately buried, +and about three hours afterward, his wife, totally unacquainted with the +melancholy fate of her infatuated husband, and glowing with expectation of +sharing the praises which the assembled disciples, as she supposed, were +bestowing upon their generosity, presented herself to the apostles. Peter +immediately demanded an explicit answer to the question, whether the sum +which Ananias had subscribed were the real purchase-money of their estate? +To this she deliberately replied in the affirmative. "How is it," said +Peter, excited to holy indignation, "how is it that ye have agreed +together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which +have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out." +Immediately, to the universal astonishment and terror of all the +spectators, "she fell down at his feet and yielded up the ghost; and the +young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her +by her husband."</p> + +<p>The apostle, by representing the atrocious sin of these offenders as +"lying unto God," and "tempting the Spirit of the Lord," intended to +intimate that as the ambassadors of heaven, and endowed with miraculous +powers and discernment, they who attempted to deceive them, virtually +offered an insult to that Holy Spirit that resided in them. They were his +representatives and agents, acting by his authority and under his +influence. God was present with the apostles in a manner totally different +from the mode of his manifestation to any other persons; and in attempting +to deceive them, they virtually denied the agency of the Omniscient +Spirit, in communicating to them a capacity to discern the inmost motives +of the mind.</p> + +<p>It is not with a view to extenuate the guilt of Ananias or Sapphira, but +merely to detect character and illustrate the progress of sin, that we +suggest the probability that when they first determined upon the sale of +their estate, it might be under the impulse of a momentary benevolence, +and that the device of retaining a part of the price was a subsequent +consideration. Hypocrites are not profoundly acquainted with their own +hearts, or with all the secret operations of a spirit of self-delusion. A +sinner does not always, nor perhaps often, imagine the extreme lengths of +impiety to which one erroneous step may ultimately conduct him. If he +could be brought to see at the period of first indulgence the odious +outline, not to say the finished picture, of his <i>future self</i>, he would +start with instinctive horror, and blush with unutterable confusion. +Secret wickedness is frequently long concealed from all but the eyes of +God, by a religious deportment. It remains buried deep in the recesses of +the soul till occasion exhibits it, as the needle continues at rest till +the magnetic influence approaches. Hence the church of Christ is sometimes +astonished and alarmed by the misconduct of a character in whom, perhaps, +it had reposed the utmost confidence, or placed the warmest affection; and +which, though immediately produced by some sudden temptation, was really +the result, the natural, easy, and almost necessary result of a previous +course of secret iniquity. The train had been long preparing, but it +required some kindling touch to produce the explosion.</p> + +<p>The progress to apostacy is, indeed, usually gradual, though rapid, +resembling the irresistible haste of persons travelling down a precipitous +path, or the descent of a heavy body towards the earth, whose velocity is +accelerated in proportion as it approaches its destination. The first +compliance with temptation is accompanied with misgivings--trembling-- +restlessness--the very thought of sin is admitted with difficulty, and the +determination to practise it, is formed amidst a thousand relentings and +prickings of conscience. Still the mind lingers with the object--still the +fancy plays about the forbidden fruit, till the hand is stretched forth to +gather it--an increased appetite is superinduced, accompanied with a +diminished resolution. How many youthful persons, deterred for a time by a +religious education and sedate habits, have paused--and paused--and paused +on the brink of danger; like Cæsar ere he crossed the Rubicon; their +passions and their conscience have held a warm debate--till induced in +some fatal hour of illusion to comply, they have progressively advanced +to a state of confirmation in guilt, and have made a covenant with hell!</p> + +<p>The character of Sapphira seems marked with even a deeper stain of guilt +than that of her husband. She had more time for reflection, and received a +salutary premonition by the question of Peter. Not to advert to the period +in which she might probably be left alone during the various transactions +of the sale of the estate, three hours elapsed between the infliction of +judgment upon Ananias, and her coming to the apostolic assembly. If her +concurrence in this base action had resulted in any degree from mistake, +from momentary illusion, or from mere persuasion, she had time to correct +her error by immediate repentance: or if she had hitherto sinned with +deliberation, it was a time in which conscience might hive been heard, and +the wretched backslider have yet been reclaimed. This was the golden +moment, the period of long-suffering and mercy, the "accepted time!" +Repentance was not yet too late--return to reason and duty was not even +now impossible--she might still have retracted her steps, though her +worthless husband had suffered for his iniquity, and had passed the +boundaries of time, the sacred enclosure, the hallowed ground where +celestial mercy dispenses her pardons. Every thing was favourable to +penitence. She was alone, and solitude has sometimes shaken the purpose of +the sinner, and opened his eyes to an awful perception of the +atrociousness of guilt. But Sapphira was "hardened through the +deceitfulness of sin." Long since she had dismissed every compunctious +feeling, and was hurried on to perdition by the fiends of avarice and +vanity, to whom she had resigned the dominion of her soul. The inquiry of +Peter, pointed and abrupt--"Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?" +Would have startled an ordinary transgressor, and produced those +sensations of shame and confusion which a consciousness of detection is +calculated to excite--O, if she had even then trembled, confessed her +iniquity, and sought forgiveness through the blood which cleanseth from +all sin, who will affirm that she could not have obtained mercy, and +perhaps escaped both temporal and eternal punishment! But she was +obdurate. The falsehood which Ananias had <i>acted</i>, she deliberately +<i>affirmed</i>, and justice instantly dismissed her to the society of her +kindred transgressor in a state of condemnation. Here, then, we read in +characters too legible to be mistaken, that "it is a fearful thing to fall +into the hands of the living God."</p> + +<p>If we pursue this subject, it will conduct us far beyond the sight of mere +temporal punishment. Sin not only incurs present misery, but has opened +the gates of despair, and kindled inextinguishable flames. That wrath +which must have inevitably consumed the whole of Adam's posterity, but for +the Redeemer's interposition, will rage forever against the impenitent and +the apostate. "Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand +shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shall make them as a fiery oven +in the time of thine anger; the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, +and the fire shall devour them." "Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, +fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest; this shall be the portion of +their cup."</p> + +<p>It is surely wonderful to holy angels, that by persevering acts of impiety +and rebellion, men should voluntarily reduce themselves to a state in +which it "had been good for them if they had never been born." Can there +be a more important gift than life, or a more valuable quality attached to +it than immortality? Yet apostates, by their degeneracy, convert this +greatest of blessings into a curse--this noblest good into an infinite +evil. "As righteousness tendeth to life, so he that pursueth evil, +pursueth it to his own death." Who can paint the horror of that moment, +when the final, the irrevocable sentence will be passed upon a guilty +race--when INFINITE LOVE will denounce INFINITE WO--when every word +proceeding from the mouth of eternal justice will prove a poisoned arrow, +struck into the destiny of transgressors--when that face which has always +illuminated the regions of glory with smiles of ineffable grace, will +gather blackness and look despair! O what a crush!--what a ruin!--what a +wreck!--How many human temples, defiled by intolerable abominations, will +in a moment fall into the gulf of perdition to supply its everlasting +fires!--What lightnings will accompany the "thunder of his power!"--What +fervid heat will melt these elements--what terror shake the lowest abyss +of hell! O, could we descend to the regions of despair, whence "the smoke +of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever;" or, transported on a +seraph's wing, rise to listen only for a single moment, to those rapturous +sounds which warble from immortal harps, and bespeak infinite +felicity--with what feelings should we return to this probationary state! +How should we be alarmed and allured--terrified and enraptured--deterred +by "sights of wo," excited by scenes of glory! but, "if we hear not Moses +and the prophets," Christ and the apostles: if "God who at sundry times, +and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the +prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," to no +purpose: "neither should we be persuaded though one rose from the dead."</p> + +<p>This dreadful history ought not to excite despondency in trembling saints. +Ministerial anxieties are principally excited by a presumptuous state of +mind. It is not the timid, the diffident, the cautious, that awaken +apprehensions, but the forward, the fearless, the bold. That solicitude +which agitates the pious mind, is an effectual antidote against the evil +it dreads, while that confidence which possesses the hypocrite, prevents +the good it anticipates. The one obtains through fear, the other loses +through presumption. The one is victorious, by maintaining a constant +petty warfare with all his corruptions; the other is over-thrown through +rushing fearlessly forward, and falling into the ambuscade which Satan has +prepared for him. Hypocrisy is contriving, full of artifice, and +arrogant--sincerity is quite the reverse, aiming to be right--fearing +mistake--avoiding even trifling deviations and slight compliances-- +"sitting at the feet of Jesus"--"clothed with humility,"--and in a "right +mind!"</p> + +<p>Let us adore the grace which has hitherto prevented our falling, and +humbly depend upon it for future preservation. Conscious of our infantine +weakness, let us lean upon the arm of Omnipotence. Under the conduct of +him who directed the march of ancient Israel by the pillar of cloud by day +and of fire by night, wo may hope to be upheld, protected, and guided in +our journey to Canaan. Hail, happy hour, which shall put us in possession +of our rest! Hail, celestial morning, whose bright beams shall disperse +the shadows of death, and diffuse the splendours of immortal day upon our +inheritance!</p> + +<p>In the account of the crime by which Ananias and Sapphira have acquired +such an awful celebrity, the agency of SATAN is distinctly marked--"Why," +said Peter, hath <i>Satan</i> filled thine heart?--This a subject so seldom +treated, and yet of such great importance, that it seems proper to avail +ourselves of this statement, in order to examine it with some attention, +and to suggest some consolatory reflections to the timid Christian.</p> + +<p>The earliest mention we have of Satanic influence is at the fall. Assuming +the body of a serpent, this evil spirit attacked the first woman and +seduced her into a transgression which "brought death into the world, and +all our wo." If Satan were permitted to practise his detestable +machinations in the earthly paradise, who will presume to say that it is +improbable he may yet be able to tempt man in the wilderness? He knew the +position of human affairs, he manifested extraordinary skill in the +adaptation of the means which he employed to promote his purposes, and in +the incidental conversation, which he contrived with our first parent; and +although Christians have run into great extremes in their estimate of his +powers, he unquestionably possesses superior knowledge and capacity. His +talents like those of other wicked beings, are probably not impaired by +his fall, but even sharpened and invigorated by malignant practice. In the +aspect of this creation, and in the character of a degenerate world, we +may perceive the infernal fiend. We may see his dark hand in the strifes +of society, supplying the burning fuel to intemperate passions and +discordant societies. We may mark his detestable footsteps in the field of +death, staining provinces with blood, where human brothers are polluted +with the guilty spirit of assassination, and sacrifice to the glory of +war, the hopes of nations, the comforts of life, and the earthly existence +of infuriated millions, unprepared to enter an eternal state. In these +mighty tempests and desolating whirlwinds, we may hear the hissing breath +of his malice, and the yell of his infernal joy. If he seduced our parent +in innocency, is it incredible he should seduce her race in their +apostasy? if he were the chief agent in the <i>first</i> of sins, is it +improbable that he should instigate other crimes peculiarly connected with +human misery and degradation?</p> + +<p>Scripture, which we take as the "lamp to our feet, and light to our +path," represents <i>delusion</i> as the appropriate work of the arch-fiend. It +is not for us to inquire by what means he operates upon the mind, because +we know so little of the economy of the spiritual world, of the manner in +which spirit can operate on spirit, and consequently of the nature of that +influence which superior beings are capable of exercising upon others in +this world, that we could at best only make a vague conjecture. It is +sufficient for all moral purposes to ascertain the fact, that such an +influence is possible to evil spirits, and permitted by Providence, that +it forms a part of the trial of good men in this state of existence, and +often tends to accelerate the too rapid progress of human impiety.</p> + +<p>Satan then is possessed of great subtlety, and addicted to <i>wiles, +snares</i>, and <i>devices</i>, for the purpose of deluding mankind. He is thus +described by Christ: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not +in the <i>truth</i>, because there is no <i>truth</i> in him. When he speaketh a +<i>lie</i>, he speaketh of his own; for he is a <i>liar</i>, and the father of it." +Peter, in addressing Ananias said, "Why hath <i>Satan</i> filled thine heart to +<i>lie</i> to the Holy Ghost?" "We are not ignorant," says the same apostle, +"of Satan's <i>devices</i>." "If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are +lost: in whom the god of this world <i>hath blinded the minds</i> of them which +believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the +image of God, should shine unto them."</p> + +<p>"I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent <i>beguiled</i> Eve through his +subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in +Christ." In speaking of the deceptive practices of false apostles, he thus +alludes to infernal power--"No marvel; for Satan himself is transformed +into an angel of light." And in writing to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts--" +Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the +<i>wiles</i> of the devil." Antichrist is described by a similar allusion: +"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and +signs, and <i>lying wonders</i>, and with all <i>deceivableness</i> of +unrighteousness." "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the +key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold +on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound +him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him +up, and set a seal upon him, that he should <i>deceive</i> the nations no more, +till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be +loosed a little season."</p> + +<p>Satan doubtless attacks mankind by diversified modes of operation, and +deceives them on various occasions and by different means. In the +parabolical representations of our Lord, he is described as "<i>sowing +tares</i> in the field," and as "coming immediately" where the <i>word is +sown</i>, "to take away the word that was sown in their hearts." This is +indeed a <i>figurative</i> statement, but nevertheless descriptive of a fact. +The essence of the representation is <i>real</i>, though decked out in the +attractive garb of imagery, to win attention and to excite inquiry. To +suppose otherwise in this or in other cases, would be to reduce Scripture +to the standard of Tales for Children, or Arabian Nights' Entertainments. +What, then, is the truth intended to be conveyed here? It is that Satan +possesses some mode of access to the human mind, that he is peculiarly +attentive to the impression which the ministry of the word is producing, +and that he uses his utmost skill to neutralize its effect: probably, by +tempting the hearer to doubt its truth, to dispute its importance, or to +defer immediate regard to its holy requisitions. And in the human heart +there is such an ample supply of materials upon which to work--such a +tendency to evil--such depravity of spirit--such corruption of +nature--such love of the world--such enmity against God, that he soon +succeeds in erecting an edifice of delusory hope, in which the deluded +soul takes shelter from the sharp-pointed arrows of ministerial fidelity +and scriptural appeal.</p> + +<p>"Your adversary the devil," is represented as walking "about, seeking whom +he may devour;" which intimates the <i>settled enmity</i> of this spirit. He is +your <i>adversary</i>--at once the most malignant, most subtle, most invisible, +and often least suspected of all others. This passage describes his +<i>powerful superiority</i>; he is a <i>roaring lion</i>--remarkable for fury, +strength, and zeal. It represents his <i>incessant activity, secrecy, and +watchfulness</i>; "he <i>walketh about</i>." It proclaims his <i>destructive +purpose</i>--"to <i>devour</i>." He is not, it seems, confined to place, but fixed +in torment, and destined in all ages to suffer a perpetual aggravation of +his misery, in consequence of the increase of his guilt, and the frequent +discomfiture of his devices.</p> + +<p>The severest contests of the Christian are with this adversary, who, being +possessed of insinuating subtlety, powerful resources, constant vigilance, +distinguished sagacity, and invisible means of operation, combined with +infernal malignity, must be acknowledged to be a most formidable foe. It +is both needless and unscriptural to assign ubiquity to Satan, but by +himself and his emissaries he undoubtedly possesses a very extensive range +in this lower world, and his favourite employment is to cherish the +rebellious principle, to perpetuate the backsliding character, and thus to +form the finished apostate. He observes with a vigilant inspection every +tree planted in the garden of the Lord, and provided there be no real +fruits of righteousness, he is not displeased at the leaves of +profession. He knows this will never prevent the decree, "Cut it down, why +cumbereth it the ground?"</p> + +<p>Pregnant with horrors as this subject appears to be, the Scriptures supply +two most desirable sources of consolation, with the mention of which I +shall hasten to conclude it.</p> + +<p>1. While considering the terrific facts of the existence and works of the +devil, recollect the <i>limitation of his agency</i>. If no kind of restraint +were imposed upon his efforts, if his untractable malice were allowed to +act with all its diabolical force, and were absolutely under no +restrictions, the idea of his being and of his malignity would be +unutterably appalling: but the giant foe is held in the mighty grasp of +Omnipotence. His power is only permitted to operate to a certain extent, +and under the regulations of certain laws ordained by the eternal mind. He +who says to the raging ocean, "Here shall thy proud waves be stayed," +assigns the sphere of infernal influence, and places impassable barriers +of a moral nature to his further encroachment. Evil of every description, +and evil beings of every order, are under divine superintendence and +control. The lion is chained--the dragon cannot add one cubit to his +stature--a point to his tongue--or a drop to his venom. The serpent may +hiss, but he cannot devour.</p> + +<p>The influence of Satan resembles every other test that Divine Wisdom sees +fit to apply to human character. It is probationary. The people of God are +put to the proof, and their principles subjected to fiery trials. But gold +will endure the furnace, and real piety will "resist the devil, and he +will flee." He could tempt the Son of God, and he can torment his +followers; but he possesses no compulsory power. His attacks can never be +successful, unless <i>we</i> give them efficacy by our criminal negligence and +compliance.</p> + +<p>Nor is it just to suppose, as many good people do to their inexpressible +but useless alarm, that every individual is under his constant power, or +every moment exposed to his incessant attacks. This would be to assign him +a degree of omnipresence wholly incompatible with his nature and the +economy of providence. Like other evil beings he <i>walketh about</i>. His +movements may be more rapid as a spirit, and his capacities more extended +and certainly his malignity more violent, than those of other wicked +beings; still he is hut a creature--he has his appointed sphere of +exertion--his capacities are finite--and he is observed by the unsleeping +eye of God. He may prowl around the sheepfold of Christ, but the guard is +too strong for him; and if he seize, or attempt the feeblest of the flock, +Omnipotence will ultimately rescue the prey from the hand of the terrible.</p> + +<p>2. Let us realize with holy satisfaction the <i>destruction of Satanic +power</i>. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might +destroy the works of the devil." The apostle John, in his Revelation, +describes "the devil" as "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where +the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night +forever and ever."</p> + +<p>In conceiving of the destruction of this hateful dominion, we may realize +it as <i>certain</i>. Although the issue of the war between good and evil, +Christ and Belial, heaven and hell, be deferred to a distant age, it is +not doubtful or precarious. It is ever present in the eye of God, and +forms a part of that irresistible destiny which infernal power cannot +avert. There is no escape from the chains of darkness which Omnipotence +will finally rivet on; and this irreversible doom of fallen spirits is +essential to the final arrangements of that wonderful period, which will +develope "the consummation of all things."</p> + +<p>It is the glory of the religion of Christ, that none of its promises or +plans are precarious. The hopes of Christians cannot be lost in the crush +of nature or the wreck of the world; and the condemnation of impenitent +sinners and of Satan cannot be averted by any mistake of evidence, by any +confusion, of multitude, or by any unevenness of balance in the scales of +justice in the day of judgment.</p> + +<p>The destruction of Satan and his power may be considered as <i>gradual</i> in +the mode of its accomplishment. The whole system of revealed truth, from +the period of the first prediction, points to this predestined end; and +the whole scheme of Providence, including the rise and fall of empires, +the work of Christ, and all the events of time through successive +generations, respects this mighty and this marvellous result--a result +connected so essentially with the glory of God, the honour of Christ, and +the felicity of a redeemed universe.</p> + +<p>"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the +works of the devil." But it was not deemed fit to do it at once, and at a +single blow; if it had, he who commanded the boisterous winds and the +raging seas, and they were still--he who expelled demons at a word, and +cured diseases by a touch--he whose creative energy restored lost limbs to +the victims of misery--who reanimated the dead and the putrifying, and +remanded their spirits from an invisible state--could have withered at a +touch the power of hell, crushed in a moment the throne of diabolical +authority, and bound the dragon himself in his eternal chain. But the +wisdom of God, which at first permitted evil to stain his moral creation, +designs to admit the reign or influence of Satan for an appointed period, +and to overturn his dominion by a gradual establishment of truth and +righteousness in the earth. The great adversary was smitten by his hand +when the first promise of salvation was given to our race; the stroke was +repeated, in successive predictions to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the +death-blow inflicted when the expiring Redeemer exclaimed on the cross, +"<i>It is finished</i>!" Still, like a dying monster, who raves amidst his +agonies, and terrifies spectators by his terrific aspect and more terrific +efforts, and destroys or mangles all who venture within the reach of his +arm, Satan still rages and raves--sometimes languishing into comparative +inaction, at other times breathing out threatening and slaughter against +the church of God--still conscious that his power is declining, and that +the whole system of providence is preparing for his final overthrow.</p> + +<p>This overthrow will be <i>complete</i>. He will never more ascend from his +confinement, to fill the earth with plagues or the church of Christ with +terror. The "new heaven and earth wherein dwelleth righteousness," will +never be exposed to his awful revisitings--the contest will have for ever +ended--the struggle eternally ceased; and the harps of angels, with the +holy hymnings of ten thousand times ten thousand before the throne--</p> + +<p> "Blest voices, uttering praise!"</p> + +<p>will proclaim the full, the final, the everlasting victory. And in the +heavenly city "there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of +the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall +see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be +no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the +Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (See +APPENDIX.)</p> + + + +<h2><a name="10"></a>Dorcas.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter X.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Joppa illustrious on many accounts, particularly as the residence of + Dorcas--she was a Disciple of Christ--Faith described as the Principle + of Discipleship--the inspired Testimony to the Character of Dorcas--she + was probably a Widow or an aged Maiden--Remarks on the Reproaches + commonly cast upon the latter Class of Women--Dorcas exhibited as a + Pattern of liberality, being prompt in the Relief she afforded--her + Charities abundant--and personally bestowed--Observations on the + Propriety of visiting the Poor--the Charities of Dorcas often free and + unsolicited--wise and conducted upon a Plan--the Pretences of the + uncharitable stated and confuted--Riches only valuable as they are used + in bountiful Distribution.</blockquote> + +<p>Seven of the most celebrated cities of antiquity (Smyrna, Rhodes, +Colophon, Salamis, Chios, Argos, and Athens) are said to have disputed the +glory of having given birth to Homer; and it must be admitted that places +and families acquire an importance from their connection with names which +appear conspicuous on the page of history, and have been praised by the +united voices of successive generations. We cannot hear, without an +instinctive glow, of the cities of Rome, Athens, Sparta, Syracuse, and +others which respectively produced a Cæsar, a Demosthenes, a Lycurgus, +and an Archimedes; of the islands of Samos and Ægina, whence emanated the +resplendent genius of a Pythagoras and a Plato; of the villages of Alopece +and Andes, immortalized as having produced a Socrates and a Virgil.</p> + +<p>But let not the enchanting annals of Roman literature or Grecian wisdom +detach our minds from the nobler records of inspiration, or diminish the +conviction which religion must ever inspire, that the birth place of +benevolence and piety is more illustrious than the birthplace of genius +and philosophy. On this principle we look with admiration upon the town of +Joppa, which, if it cannot boast a prodigy of valour, talent, or learning, +is nevertheless conspicuous as the residence of one "of whom the world was +not worthy." She was not, indeed, rich in wealth, but in good works. She +was not a conqueror of nations or a distributor of crowns, but a giver of +alms. She had no name on earth beyond the limits of a small Christian +church, but her record was on high, and her memorial has not perished +with her.</p> + +<p>Joppa was the nearest seaport to Jerusalem on the Mediterranean. It was +situated in the tribe of Dan in a fine plain, and has acquired the modern +name of Jaffa. This place is frequently mentioned in Scripture. The +materials for the construction of Solomon's temple were sent thither in +floats, by Hiram, the king of Tyre, whence they were easily conveyed by +land to Jerusalem. Jonah, in his flight from the presence of the Lord, +embarked at this port, and gave occasion to the mythological fable of +Andromeda. Here the apostle Peter enjoyed that remarkable vision, in which +he saw heaven opened, and a great sheet descending to the earth, which +seemed to contain every variety of beasts, and creeping things, and fowls +of the air; intimating to him the abolition of the Mosaic law, and the +removal of those distinctions which had so long separated the Jews and the +Gentiles. It is probable Philip preached the Gospel here in his progress +through various cities to Cesarea; but the history of Dorcas, or, as she +was originally called in the Syriac dialect, Tabitha, has given it +peculiar prominence in the sacred page.</p> + +<p>The memorial of this excellent woman is short, but replete with +instruction. Her character is sketched at a stroke, and by the +introduction of an incident as full of significance and interest as can +well be imagined. Dropping those minute details and accidental +circumstances which are not necessary to character, and which the New +Testament so seldom mentions, the most instructive part of her story is +preserved and set in the most brilliant point of light.</p> + +<p>She is simply announced, in the first place, as "a certain disciple," or +one that embraced the faith of Christ, and professed it by baptism and a +public union with his church. Whatever might be her situation in other +respects was of little consequence; this was her best, her most +substantial distinction. It invested her with a real glory, which however +overlooked by those who are chiefly attracted by exterior splendour, +surpassed every vain and glittering honour of the world. It raised her to +the dignity of a name in the volume of inspiration, and the unfading +distinction of a place in the annals of eternity.</p> + +<p>How poor and how perishable is human fame; and yet with what eagerness is +it universally sought! What is it but like a bubble, excited by some +accidental cause, to sparkle for a moment on the stream of passing ages, +and then to disappear for ever! And yet the love of fame has been called, +and perhaps with propriety, the ruling passion; for so much does it blend +itself with human motives, that there are comparatively few of our +actions, at least such as are visible to the public eye, which may not be +traced to this feeling, or which do not receive a tone from its influence.</p> + +<p>But how shall we describe that faith which is often mentioned in the New +Testament, which so marked the character of Dorcas, and which, perhaps, +may not be inaptly called the <i>principle</i> of discipleship?</p> + +<p>This term is of various import, and of very extensive application in +Scripture. It signifies belief, and refers to testimony either human or +divine; but is restricted in its evangelical use to the latter. Revelation +in general is the object of faith: and those invisible realities which it +discloses to the mental eye are seen with equal distinctness, and believed +with equal conviction, as if they were capable, from possessing some +material quality, of impressing the corporeal senses. Faith glorifies its +great Object and Author by paying an implicit deference to his authority. +It asks no other bond than his promise, no other evidence or attestation +than his veracity. It not only ranges through worlds which mortal eye +could never explore, but which human reason could never discover: and as +by transgression man has fallen under the dominion of his senses, it +delivers its happy possessor from this state of degradation and +wretchedness.</p> + +<p>But though this be a general signification of the word, its more precise +and appropriate use in the Gospel is expressed by the phrase, "believing +that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Here the general and the +particular use are necessarily blended. Faith is belief--but belief in +"the truth as it is in Jesus." To believe, in the ordinary sense, is to +admit a fact, to assent to the statement of an accredited or respectable +witness; to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, is to acknowledge his +real character, to perceive his true dignity, to view and to love him, +not only as distinguished by perfect excellence; but as specifically the +Saviour of lost sinners; for "whosoever believeth that Jesus is the +Christ, is born of God." Faith comprehends what he is, contemplates him in +all his glorious offices, and from the manger of meanness traces him to +the throne of power, relying upon what he has suffered and said as the +infallible pledge of what he will accomplish. It is not only well +informed, but humble. It resided in his heart who exclaimed, "Lord, save +me!" It dictated his language who cried out, "Lord, remember me when thou +comest into thy kingdom." It gave efficacy to the prayer of that humble +petitioner who said, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be +healed." It is pleasing to God, essential to salvation, and his own gift: +for "Enoch had this testimony, that he pleased God"--"a man is justified +by faith"--and "by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of +yourselves, it is the gift of God."</p> + +<p>Faith is not dormant, but active and operative. It resembles good seed +sown in the cultivated soil, which expands, and grows, and produces fruit. +This holy vegetation exists in very different degrees of vigour, according +to the diversities of Christian character, but it is apparent in all--the +mark of true religion, the pleasing verdant hue that covers the whole +surface of the spiritual creation. We cannot point to every pious person +as a Dorcas, who presents a singular fertility of some of the noblest +graces; but of all it may be said, "the root of the matter is found in +them," and "their root shall not be rottenness, nor their blossom go up +as dust."</p> + +<p>It is the nature of genuine faith to stimulate to the most laborious +duties, to sustain amidst the most poignant sufferings, to produce the +greatest purity of character, to communicate the noblest kind of happiness +of which a creature in the present state can be susceptible, to nerve the +feeblest arm with strength, to give the dullest eye perception, above all, +to "work by <i>love</i>." For these reasons, and because of its transforming +influence, we denominated it the principle of discipleship. It operates by +love to its object and to all its subjects, as well as to the divine +commandments in general; and influences its possessor to practise +universal philanthropy. To the latter our particular attention is now +directed by the example of Dorcas; but it must not be forgotten, that +though the particular specimen of her excellence be taken from the common +offices of kindness and the act of almsgiving, the existence and +proportionate vigour of the great principle from which her minor charities +resulted must be presupposed, as by observing the fertility of a branch, +or the verdure of a twig, or even the greenness of a leaf, we infer the +growth of the tree, its root, its stem, and all its various ramifications. +While we contemplate this flourishing plant of grace, we know that it was +deeply "rooted and grounded" in faith.</p> + +<p>The inspired testimony is as follows: "This woman was full of good works +and alms-deeds, which she did." Amongst other acts of beneficence, she was +accustomed to make "coats and garments" for "the widows." Her own +circumstances are not specified. If she were <i>poor</i>, as the mass of +Christian converts in the apostolic times appears to have been, her +readiness in furnishing these supplies was admirable indeed. As Paul +testified of the Macedonian believers, she contributed to the utmost, yea, +and beyond her power: nor are these solitary instances of persons +willingly impoverishing themselves in obedience to the fine impulse of a +pious sympathy. While others have calculated, they have acted, incapable +of a cold arithmetic and a measured benevolence. If Dorcas were <i>rich</i>, +she is perhaps entitled to a still higher commendation. So many are the +obstructions which "great possessions" cast in the way of charity, so many +temptations to a lavish expenditure, beset the opulent, and to support +this, on the other hand, to a parsimonious, <i>saving</i> habit; so easy is it +to frame excuses, and by trifling precautions to escape importunity, or at +once to silent it; that it may well excite both wonder and delight to find +charity associated with splendour. It is surprising, however, and no less +deplorable than surprising, that persons of this class will not consider +for a moment, how easily, with how few sacrifices even of time or money, +they might be extensively useful. A single drop of supply from their +replenished cup of worldly prosperity, would often make "the widow's heart +sing for joy," and prove a healing cordial to the sufferings of perishing +humanity. A slight taxation upon even acknowledged superfluity, would in +some cases produce an ample revenue for many indigent families, although +religion claims on their behalf more than a scanty and unwilling pittance; +for "he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which +soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he +purposeth in his heart, <i>so let him give</i>; not grudgingly or of necessity, +for God loveth a cheerful giver."</p> + +<p>From the sacred narrative, we are led to infer that Dorcas was either a +widow herself, possessed perhaps of a moderate competence, a state which +seems of all others the most favourable to a benevolent disposition; or +one of the class of females, sometimes designated by the reproachful +epithet of <i>old maids</i>. And having introduced the term, it may not be +improper to make a short digression upon this subject.</p> + +<p>It cannot be doubted that a life of celibacy is unnatural, and contrary to +the general appointment of Infinite Wisdom; consequently, a voluntary +seclusion of this kind from the duties of our proper sphere as social +beings, unless the case be very remarkable, and the counteracting +obligation singularly clear, must deserve censure. By this conduct +whatever important results are connected with the marriage union by the +law of Providence, are deliberately opposed, and the principle is no less +sinful than it is pernicious. But the case of determined celibacy is far +less common among females than with the other sex, and where it does +exist, is usually attended with less evil effects upon the good +of society.</p> + +<p>In respect to the two most frequent occasions of continuing single, among +women of piety, the one demands admiration, the other pity; but neither +can, without a total dereliction of all reason and propriety, excite +ridicule. The first which has been made, is that of a voluntary +resignation of the pleasures and solicitudes of matrimony, for the sake of +more extensive usefulness, and at the call of duty. Such is the case of +women who deem themselves required, or are considered by others as +remarkably qualified for foreign and missionary service in the cause of +God, or who, from the high tone of their irreligious feeling, have +ascended to an unusual degree of spiritual elevation of character, and +whether called to labour abroad or at home, are desirous of an entire and +incessant self-devotement to Jesus Christ. These instances are indeed rare, +and can scarcely be estimated by ordinary rules, but they were not +unprecedented in the primitive age of Christianity. Dorcas might possibly +be a woman of this extraordinary character. Her works were at least worthy +of one who was thus bearing the cross, for "the kingdom of +heaven's sake."</p> + +<p>The second class of aged single females presents a subject for +compassionate sympathy. They are not solitaries by choice, but necessity: +and whoever sports with their destiny, betrays a cruel, if not a wicked +mind. They have already been the prey of disappointments the most +agonizing to the mind; let them not be the objects of unmeaning contempt +or impious sarcasm. There was a time when the morning of life rose upon +them in all its enchantment and beauty. Every thing around them smiled, +and their yet unwithered hopes were alive to every delightful impression. +Who knows but the object of their tenderest earthly affection was severed +from them by death, whose murderous instrument inflicted an incurable +wound? Who can say, but that the very sex which dares to load them with +contumely for their solitary condition, was, by its base flatteries and +delusive promises, the very occasion of their unhappiness? Who can deny, +but that religion itself might have been honoured by their noble heroism, +in refusing the solicitations of some, who, although distinguished for +many accomplishments, possessions, and connexions, were either enemies to +the Gospel or indifferent about it? They trembled, perhaps, to please +their taste, and "lose their own souls."</p> + +<p>Nameless and numberless may be the occasion of an involuntary, and +therefore justifiable celibacy. Besides, how has this condition been +improved! How have some of these venerable women gone about doing good! +What a wise and holy improvement have they made of the dispensations of +providence! Their very disappointments have become the means of increased +zeal in the best of causes, and given an impulse to their activity. They +have arisen from the golden dreams of pleasure and promotion, to the +dignity of the saint indeed. Their temporal sorrows have awakened their +spiritual energies. They have lost the blessings of a family, but have +from that moment adopted, under that sacred name, the whole community of +mankind. Let ridicule be abashed before the majesty of such characters!</p> + +<p>The excellent woman in question seems to have partaken much of the spirit +which pervaded the church at Jerusalem in these times of primitive +simplicity and zeal, when all temporal considerations appear to have been +overwhelmed by the hope of eternal blessedness. "And the multitude of them +that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them +that aught of the things which be possessed was his own; but they had all +things in common.... Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as +many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the +prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' +feet; and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need."</p> + +<p>Although this community of goods is not to be regarded as an absolute +precedent for our imitation, considering that it is impracticable in all +cases, was chiefly restricted to one Christian society in a very peculiar +situation, and is never enjoined upon others; yet, no duty is more +expressly commanded, or more solemnly inculcated in Scripture, than that +of liberality to the poor. In the enactments of Moses it is vigorously +enforced, it is urged by the prophets and apostles; and represented by +Christ himself as an evidence of the highest perfection of character; "If +thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor." +In those passages where a summary of religion is presented by an +enumeration of its most important points, this virtue is distinctly +mentioned. It is stated as an invariable characteristic of the most +eminent saints, as Abraham, Job, and others; it is often called +<i>righteousness</i>, is represented as a fulfilment of the divine law, or the +best expression of our love to God; and while tremendous judgments are +threatened to those who disregard this sacred duty, the most ample rewards +are promised to the pious benefactors of mankind. "Blessed," said Christ, +"are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." "To do good and +communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." +Such persons are described as "making themselves bags which wax not old, a +treasure in the heavens that faileth not"--as "making themselves friends +of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when they fail, they may he +received into everlasting habitations"--and as "laying up in store for +themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay +hold on eternal life." The equitable decisions of the last day are to be +founded upon a reference to these principles, as the basis of that +sentence which will irreversibly fix our destinies. "When the Son of man +shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he +sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all +nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd +divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right +hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his +right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared +for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye +gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and +ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I +was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, +saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and +gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, +and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto +thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, +Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye +have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, +Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil +and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was +thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: +naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. +Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an +hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and +did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I +say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye +did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but +the righteousness into life eternal."</p> + +<p>The history of Dorcas is very instructive as to the genuine character of +charity, and the best mode of distribution. It teaches us not only to +cultivate this heavenly temper, but in what manner it may become most +useful. We have here, indeed, a fine and finished picture; and we cannot +do better than study it closely, and copy it with all possible accuracy.</p> + +<p>This venerable woman was <i>prompt</i> and <i>undelaying</i> in the relief she +afforded to the necessitous. She was not all promise and all tardiness, +quick to feel but slow to succour. It is not uncommon for the most +parsimonious persons to be liberal in good words, and to superadd the pang +of disappointment to the already almost insupportable sufferings of the +destitute. What is the language of commiseration unaccompanied with +substantial assistance, but a drop of burning caustic poured into the +wounded heart, instead of a healing cordial? To listen to the tale of wo, +and to solicit by apparent kindness its minute and tragical details, only +to mock expectation by professed incapacity, is the very perfection of +cruelty, the forfeiture of a solemn pledge which is given in the very +assumption of a listening attitude, and highly dishonourable; for we have +no right to know the history of distress, if we feel indisposed to relieve +it. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one +of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, +notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the +body; what doth it profit?"</p> + +<p>There is a posthumous charity which often purchases to the dispenser +considerable reputation when he little deserves it, and which is utterly +vain to him who is inevitably beyond the reach of human applause or +censure. If the charity of Dorcas had been of this questionable nature, we +should not have read of the widows that stood Weeping by her death-bed, +and exhibiting the various articles of clothing she made "<i>while she was +with them</i>." Assured that life was the proper time of action, and that +opportunities of usefulness could never be recalled, she "did with her +might whatever her hands found to do." It is deplorable to see the numbers +who, while possessing ample means and rich opportunities of feeding the +hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick, consume their lives in +forming their plans, or proclaiming their intentions. They are indeed +great benefactors in their <i>wills</i>, and with unsparing liberality +distribute their wealth, when they can no longer keep it. They were +bountiful, only because they were mortal; and notwithstanding the +misplaced commendations of their survivors, bestow reluctantly what death +extorts. Dorcas was "full of good works and alms-deeds which she DID." A +person, with whom the writer is acquainted, had specified a large sum in +his will to be appropriated to the purpose of erecting convenient +alms-houses for the poor; but bethinking himself of the possibility that +his life might be extended to a distant period, and that in the meantime +the poor would continue to buffer, and many of them perish without the +projected aid, he became the instant executor of his own will, and lived +for years to be a gratified witness of that comfort which must otherwise +have been so long delayed. It is descriptive of the "good man," that "he +HATH dispersed, he HATH given to the poor."</p> + +<p>Another feature in the beautiful portrait of female excellence before us, +is the <i>abundance and variety of her charities</i>. Dorcas is represented as. +"<i>full</i> of good works and alms-deeds?" and though I the coats and garments +which she gave to the widows are only mentioned, they are to be considered +as one specimen only of a very extended system of benevolence. She was +neither capricious, nor merely occasional in her bounty; but "glorified +the Father, by bearing <i>much</i> fruit."</p> + +<p>Some persons are the mere creatures of impulse. When affected by any +violently exciting cause, they start into momentary vigour, and by a kind +of convulsive effort resist the inwrought habit of their minds, but +instantly relapse into greater insensibility. If a necessitous case be +presented to their attention under deeply afflicting circumstances, with +powerful recommendations, especially from those whom they are solicitous +of pleasing, or with whom they expect to be enrolled in the popular and +widely circulated list of donations, they may at times he found +"<i>willing</i> to communicate," but even then never attain the noble +pre-eminence of "<i>a cheerful</i> giver." It would have pleased them, however, +to have remained unasked; and if by any petty artifice they could have +evaded the application, they would most readily have adopted it, provided +they could have saved their reputation as well as their pence.</p> + +<p>You may sometimes meet with persons who are indeed charitable, but their +charity is sectarian. They do good within certain limits, but never take a +wider range; and if they do not "forbid" others, who "follow not with +them," they afford no encouragement to their exertions. They have chosen a +particular spot to cultivate, and beyond the encircling fence which +bigotry has marked out, they cannot he persuaded to impart even a drop of +refreshing supply. What they do seems, in some measure, an apology for +what they omit; but what they omit detracts from the value of what they +do. They are not "FULL of good works."</p> + +<p>Others have certain stated charities; and though they have passed the +narrow boundary of party prejudice, have made no provision in their plans +for cases of singular and sudden calamity. Their charity walks in +particular districts, and cannot go a step out of the beaten track. They +have allotted a certain portion of their income to the regular calls of +necessity, which cannot be exceeded, and have a specified circle of +objects which cannot be changed; and, if one may judge by their +comparative callousness to all other claims, it would be natural to infer +that they had taken a certain <i>quantum sufficit</i> from their stock of +sensibility, which bore an invariable proportion to their calculations. In +vain you plead for the most urgent distress, in vain you solicit the +smallest contribution; they have no sympathies left; and, beyond u certain +sphere, they are relentless, impenetrable, and cruel.</p> + +<p>In proportion as charity is methodical, it is apt to become cold; and +though we cannot plead for that diffusiveness which is bounded by no +prescribed limits, regulated by no order, or influenced by no preferences, +yet care should be taken lest it suffer by restriction. If this holy fire +be too much confined, it will be in danger of extinction.</p> + +<p>Another and a pleasing peculiarity in the benevolence of Dorcas, is, that, +so far as appears from her brief history, her benefactions were +<i>personally bestowed</i>. She is represented as <i>making</i> the garments given +to the poor widows herself; and doubtless to ascertain what they wanted, +and the proportion of their respective necessities, she was in the habit +of visiting their habitations, for the purposes of inquiry and inspection. +These visits, besides, would afford favourable opportunities for pious +conversation. How often she wept over their sorrows--what words of peace +and consolation she uttered--what salutary instructions she +communicated--what fervent petitions she uttered, cannot indeed now be +ascertained; but there is a book which has recorded them in imperishable +characters, and a day approaching when they shall be disclosed and +rewarded. "For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that +every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he +hath done, whether it be good or bad."</p> + +<p>It would be easy to specify many reasons why the charitable should <i>visit</i> +the poor. Independently of the inferiority of the impression which is +produced on the mind by the mere recital of the sufferings of others, it +is scarcely possible to obtain correct information respecting their actual +and diversified necessities, without repairing to their cottages. The most +faithful narrator will not deem it necessary or proper to enter into +certain particulars, which the vigilant eye of sympathizing benevolence +would at once discover, and the heart of pity must deeply feel. Owing to +the different effects which the same distress produces on persons whose +natural constitutions are dissimilar, it may often happen that the most +afflicting part of their condition is overlooked; and the prompt +assistance which would otherwise be afforded, is lost through some +omission or unintentional misstatement. "To visit the fatherless and the +widows in their affliction," is no less represented by an apostle as +constituting the best exemplification of "pure religion," than "to keep +himself unspotted from the world;" and in the transactions of the final +judgment, the supreme Arbiter is described as noticing with peculiar +approbation, as even making the very determining point of his people's +character and destiny, their <i>visiting</i> the sick and those in a state of +imprisonment, in order to supply them with the necessaries or comforts of +existence.</p> + +<p>Ladies are respectfully urged to these labours of love, from the +consideration that they possess the most leisure and the best +opportunities of doing them. It would prove a wise and pleasurable mode of +employing some of the intervals of domestic engagement, and furnish both +useful and interesting subjects of reflection to fill up the vacuities of +thought. But if the multiplicity of their concerns furnish some plausible +excuse for, at least, a less constant and busy attention to the wants of +poverty; single ladies, on whom the cares of a family have not yet +devolved, should feel it their duty, and will ever find it their +privilege, to be thus devoted to the cause of suffering humanity. Their +time is their own, their property at their command. They are responsible +alone to God and their own consciences; and by these services to the +community are every day and hour giving a practical and unanswerable reply +to the scoffings of an illiberal world. How much better are these visits +of mercy than visits of ceremony, in which useless hours are squandered +away amidst the butterflies of fashion, insufferable fatigue is sustained, +scandal circulated, and religion outraged! Sweet and refreshing is the +sleep of active benevolence: it knows no tossings, is visited by no bitter +compunctions or terrific visions; it is cradled in innocence, lulled to +rest by the music of gratitude, and guarded by the sleepless eye of +Providence.</p> + +<p>The habit of visiting the abodes of misery is an important means of +improving our sympathies. They will become less sickly and less +capricious. Those who have only wept over fictitious sorrow, will learn to +shed tears of real feeling at the sight of real grief; and will gradually +associate the idea of doing good with the strong emotions of a genuine +liberality. It is of importance for our own sakes, as well as for the +welfare of others, that sentiments of this kind should fill the mind, and +that the fine edge of sensibility should never be blunted. Some, it is +true, are very little solicitous for the improvement of any of their +faculties; but let them remember that the faculty which is not improved, +usually and almost necessarily suffers deterioration; and that he who does +not warm and expand into benevolence, is likely to contract into +contemptible selfishness.</p> + +<p>Mere pecuniary aid, or indeed any other form of donation, is after all a +cheap description of charity. The most avaricious persons may sometimes. +resort to annual or other stated contributions, as expedients to save +trouble and to pacify conscience; and while we duly appreciate this +periodical goodness, it is insufficient as the basis of a claim to +philanthropy of spirit. How many in the carpeted walks of wealth will +readily purchase, by this means, an exemption from the inconvenience of +soiling their shoes, or hurting their delicacy, by going to witness scenes +of real distress.</p> + +<p>Ladies of opulence or of leisure should reflect further, that in paying an +occasional visit to the dwellings of poverty and suffering, they are not +only likely to discover many cases of silent, unobtrusive wretchedness, +which but for their personal inquiries and researches might sink into the +grave without the smallest relief, while clamorous wo sometimes gains the +ear of the most thoughtless passenger, but they become the means of +imparting a twofold blessing. In addition to what they give, the sense of +their sympathy enhances the favour, and it is received with double +pleasure. Man is possessed of a social principle, which operates with +peculiar energy in cases of affliction. As a consciousness of neglect +excites disgust and resentment, so a conviction of being the object of +solicitude and sympathy produces the most grateful emotions. It may, +therefore be safely asserted, that a donation to the poor, when +<i>personally</i> bestowed by the donor, is, in consequence of the effect +produced on the <i>mind</i> of the sufferer, of incalculably greater importance +and use than the same or even a superior sum contributed by the cold +agency of some unfeeling distributor. Besides, a charitable soul has a +perpetual feast. Who can remain an unaffected spectator of the tearful +eye--the speaking look--the thankful smile? The very silence which an +overwhelming sense of kindness imposes, is more delightful to a benevolent +spirit than dainties to the taste or music to the ear.</p> + +<p>In dispensing charity, many valuable acquisitions may be gained. It is, in +fact, a profitable service; and he makes an excellent exchange indeed, +who, while bestowing money or goods to assist the poor, obtains +substantial instruction. Here then, in the meanest hovel, in the most +shattered and weather-beaten shed, amidst cries of distress and sights of +sorrow, the wisest may gain knowledge. What a lesson of gratitude is +taught in every scene and circumstance! Who maketh thee to differ from +another in point of temporal possession, mental superiority, or religious +distinction? What hast thou, that thou hast not <i>received</i>? That humble +cottager is human, like thyself! That nest of callowness and weakness +contains the same species with thyself, on whom Providence has bestowed +wings to soar to heights of prosperity and enjoyment. Thou art descended +from the same common Father, and art heir of the same common dust! Thy +life is no less precarious, if it be less wretched, than that which +animates a meaner clay, and breathes in a less decorated exterior! If the +one be porcelain, and the other earthen ware, both are brittle! "God hath +made of one blood all nations of men." Sometimes a cottage furnishes an +impressive lesson respecting the <i>independence of happiness upon external +circumstances</i>. It teaches the salutary truth, that it is in the power of +religion to impart substantial felicity in every condition, to communicate +exalted enjoyment, to form an ennobled character in the meanest +habitation, and to inspire the sublime sentiment of the poet:</p> + +<blockquote> "Give what thou wilt, <i>without</i> thee I am poor,<br /> +And <i>with</i> thee rich, take what thou wilt away."</blockquote> + +<blockquote>COWPER.</blockquote> + +<p>Poverty has been the lot of the most distinguished of the human species; +and if ever the vanity of riches, and the incurable emptiness of temporal +splendour are felt, surely it must be when visiting the dwellings of the +<i>pious</i> poor. No riches can inspire their songs of praise, or purchase a +title to their immortal inheritance. No rank or dignity can attract the +eyes of those holy spirits that hover round the spot to which affliction +has confined an outcast Lazarus, or kindle such rapturous sensations and +holy congratulations, as they manifest at the repentance of a sinner. +Piety hallows the dwelling which it inhabits, and felicitates as well as +sanctifies the heart, the family, and the city which it pervades. In the +primitive ages of Christianity, the disciples of our Lord could see the +rapacious oppressor seize the last portion of their worldly goods, and +"take it joyfully;" they could "most gladly glory in their infirmities, +that the power of Christ might rest upon them;" they could hail the +martyr's stake, while they anticipated the martyr's crown; and, in the +days of Paul and Silas, if there were a spot on earth where celestial joy +took up her residence, it was, at least for one happy night, in the very +dungeon of persecution.</p> + +<p>To return to Dorcas. Her character is so described, as to imply that hers +were <i>free</i>, and often <i>unsolicited charities</i>. She did not indolently +wait for applications, or contrive a thousand delays, while misery was +pining into the grave; but, like her Divine Master, "<i>went about</i> doing +good." She penetrated the obscurest retreats, not waiting to be pressed +and urged to afford a trifling relief; but her benevolence resembled the +course of the sun, which pours its beneficent radiance upon the earth with +undistinguishing liberality. It ought not to be forgotten, that +sometimes minds of the most delicate constitution are involved in all the +miseries of poverty, and placed in a situation of all others the most +painful, that of persons reduced from former competency and comfort. The +privations of life are far more sensibly felt by those who have once known +plenteousness. To them the wind of adversity blows with tenfold keenness, +and the crust of want seems peculiarly unpalatable. They are reluctant, +not to say "ashamed, to beg." The blushes of an instinctive sensibility +suffuse their countenances, and petitions for assistance falter on their +tongues. They have to contend not only with the afflictions of poverty, +but with all the timidity which a consciousness of degradation +superinduces. In many cases of this description, persons of eminent worth +have been found, who could not overcome their scruples, till absolute want +forced them abroad to suffer the rebuffs of an unfeeling world, or to gain +the scanty pittance which mere importunity extorted from reluctant +opulence. Dorcas is celebrated for having particularly selected such a +class of sufferers. She had sought out the <i>widows</i>, who had lost their +dearest relatives, by whose daily and cheerful labours they were perhaps +enabled to live in decent sufficiency, or by whose sympathizing tenderness +they were at least consoled amidst inevitable sorrows. The weakness of +their sex, or the infirmities of their advanced age, prevented their +contending with the storms of life; and, no doubt, many of them surrounded +by a numerous family, at the decease of the beloved of their hearts, were +left to struggle with accumulated difficulties.</p> + +<p>Women on whom Providence has bestowed a sufficiency, might here find ample +means of usefulness among persons of their own sex. A helping hand might +rescue many a widow from the deep waters of overwhelming grief: a trifling +sum would in many cases prove an inestimable boon; and a very small +expense of time and trouble might produce the most valuable results. A +well-constructed system of benevolence resembles a fine adjustment of +mechanism: by a gentle force or a moderate supply, judiciously applied, +the whole machinery is kept in motion, and the greatest burdens +are removed.</p> + +<p>This leads us to remark another characteristic feature in the charity of +Dorcas. It was <i>wise</i> and <i>prudential</i>. She had a <i>plan</i> which was not +only unexceptionable, but singularly excellent and worthy of imitation. +This consisted in furnishing the poor with substantial assistance, and +providing for the proper application of her aid to their real and most +pressing necessities. She made "coats and garments" for widows. It is to +be feared, that the good intentions of persons charitably disposed are +often frustrated by the improper manner in which they render assistance to +the poor. They fulfil the impulse of a benevolent spirit by sending or +giving their money, leaving the mode of its expenditure to their own +judgment. But it is notorious, that such as are in reduced circumstances, +and who feel the particular pressure of the moment which they are most +anxious to relieve, have very little sense of the real value of money and +of the propriety of providing against the difficulties of futurity. They +take the cordial to-day, draining out every drop, forgetting that the +phial will be empty to-morrow. In consequence of this extreme improvidence +and inconsideration, the pecuniary help they receive frequently does +little good, and fails of all the purposes which a pious charity intended.</p> + +<p>The depravity of mankind, which must be expected to operate in the poor +as well as in the rich, is another occasion of the misuse of benevolent +aid. The friendly supply is consumed upon their lusts. Abandoned in +character and selfish in principle, many heads of poor families addict +themselves to bad company, despoiling their families of their earnings and +of charitable supplies, and stupifying their consciences in the cup of +intoxication. The discovery of such a misapplication ought not to +extinguish the feeling of sympathy, but rather excite it afresh; both +because the individuals themselves are to be doubly pitied for their +destitution of moral feeling and want of religion, as well as of necessary +subsistence, and because their outraged families demand renewed attention. +It ought also to render liberal persons particularly watchful of the use +which is made of their benefactions. It should not shut the heart, but +regulate the course of feeling. The sin of others does not exempt us from +the duty of contributing to the alleviation of their miseries, though it +ought to induce us to study the best expedients for counteracting it. It +is in fact quite as requisite that we should see to the application of +what is given as to give, in all cases where this is possible or +convenient. Dorcas appears to have adopted the useful plan of expending +the money which she appropriated to the poor widows, <i>for them</i>; partly +because she was probably better able to judge of the most useful mode of +assisting them, and partly because the very same sum would prove doubly +efficient in consequence of the savings which would acrue from working +with her own hands.</p> + +<p>The pretences by which men excuse themselves from giving to the poor are +stated, and satisfactorily answered, by Dr. Paley, [<a href="#foot43">43</a>] in the following +words: "1. 'That they have nothing to spare,' <i>i.e.</i> nothing for which +they have not provided some other use: nothing which their plan or +expense, together with the savings they have resolved to lay by, will not +exhaust: never reflecting whether it be in their <i>power</i>, or that it is +their <i>duty</i>, to retrench their expenses, and contract their plan, 'that +they may give to them that need: or rather that this ought to have been +part of their plan originally.</p> + +<p>"2. 'That they have families of their own, and that charity begins at +home.' The extent of this plea will be considered when we come to explain +the duty of parents."</p> + +<p><i>N. B.</i> The explanation is, that the duties of parents comprehend +"maintenance, education, and a reasonable provision for the child's +happiness in respect to outward condition.... A father of a family is +bound to adjust his economy with a view to these demands upon his fortune; +and until a sufficiency for these ends is acquired, or in due time +<i>probably</i> will be acquired (for in human affairs <i>probability</i> ought to +content us,) frugality and exertions of industry are duties. He is also +justified in declining expensive liberality: for, to take from those who +want, to give to those who want, adds nothing to the stock of public +happiness. Thus far, therefore, and no farther, the plea of 'children,' of +'large families,' charity begins at home,' &c. is an excuse for parsimony, +and an answer to those who solicit our bounty. Beyond this point, as the +use of riches becomes less, the desire of <i>laying up</i> should abate +proportionably.</p> + +<p>"3. 'That charity does not consist in giving money, but in benevolence, +philanthropy, love to all mankind, goodness of heart,' &c. Hear St. James: +"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of +you say unto them, Depart in peace; be ye warmed and filled; +notwithstanding <i>ye give them not those things which are needful to the +body</i>; what doth it profit?" James ii. 15, 16.</p> + +<p>"4. 'That giving to the poor is not mentioned in St. Paul's description of +charity in the thirteenth chapter of his first epistle to the +Corinthians.' This is not a description of charity, but of good nature; +and it is not necessary that every duty be mentioned in every place.</p> + +<p>"5. 'That they pay the poor-rates.' They might as well allege that they +pay their debts: for the poor have the same right to that portion of a +man's property which the laws assign to them, that the man himself has to +the remainder.</p> + +<p>"6. 'That they employ many poor persons:'--for their own sake, not the +poor's;--otherwise it is a good plea.</p> + +<p>"7. 'That the poor do not suffer so much as we imagine; that education and +habit have reconciled them to the evils of their condition, and make them +easy under it.' Habit can never reconcile human nature to the extremities +of cold, hunger, and thirst, any more than it can reconcile the hand to +the touch of a red hot iron; besides, the question is not, how unhappy any +one is, but how much more happy we can make him.</p> + +<p>"8. 'That these people, give them what you will, will never thank you, or +think of you for it.' In the first place, this is not true; in the second +place, it was not for the sake of their thanks that you relieved them.</p> + +<p>"9. 'That we are liable to be imposed upon.' If a due inquiry be made, our +merit is the same; besides that the distress is generally real, although +the cause be untruly stated. "10. 'That they should apply to their +parishes.' This is not always practicable: to which we may add, that there +are many requisites to a comfortable subsistence which parish relief does +not supply; and that there are some, who would suffer almost as much from +receiving parish relief as by the want of it; and lastly, that there are +many modes of charity to which this answer does not relate at all.</p> + +<p>"11. 'That giving money encourages idleness and vagrancy.' This is true +only of injudicious and indiscriminate generosity.</p> + +<p>"12. 'That we have too many objects of charity at home, to bestow any +thing upon strangers; or that there are other charities, which are more +useful, or stand in greater need.' The value of this excuse depends +entirely upon the <i>fact</i>, whether we actually relieve those neighbouring +objects, and contribute to those other charities.</p> + +<p>"Besides all these excuses, pride, or prudery, or delicacy, or love of +ease, keep one half of the world out of the way of observing what the +other half suffer."</p> + +<p>The sentiments expressed by the profound Dr. Barrow [<a href="#foot44">44</a>] will form an +appropriate conclusion to the present chapter.</p> + +<p>"If we contemplate our wealth itself, we may therein descry great motives +to bounty. Thus to employ our riches, is really the best use they are +capable of; not only the most innocent, most worthy, most plausible; but +the most safe, most pleasant, most advantageous, and consequently in all +respects most prudent way of disposing of them. To keep them close, +without using or enjoying them at all, is a most sottish extravagance or a +strange kind of madness; a man thence affecting to be rich, quite +impoverished himself, dispossesseth himself of all, and alienateth from +himself his estate; his gold is no more his than when it was in the +Indies, or lay hid in the mines; his corn is no more his than if it stood +growing in Arabia or China; he is no more owner of his lands than he is +master of Jerusalem or Grand Cairo; for what difference is there, whether +distance of place or baseness of mind sever things from him? whether his +own heart or another man's hand detain them from his use? whether he hath +them not at all, or hath them to no purpose? whether one is a beggar out +of necessity or choice? is pressed to want, or a volunteer thereto? Such +an one may fancy himself rich, and others, as wise as himself, may repute +him so; but so distracted persons, to themselves and to one another do +seem great princes, and style themselves such; with as much reason almost +he might pretend to be wise or to be good. Riches are Χρηματα +things whose nature consists in usefulness; abstract that, they become +nothing, things of no consideration or value; he that hath them is no more +concerned in them than he that hath them not. It is the heart, and skill +to use affluence of things wisely and nobly, which makes it wealth, and +constitutes him rich that hath it; otherwise the chests may be crammed, +and the barns stuffed full, while the man is miserably poor and beggarly; +'tis in this sense true which the wise man says, '<i>There is that maketh +himself rich, yet hath nothing</i>'"</p> + + + +<h2><a name="11"></a>Lydia.</h2> + +<h3>Chapter XI.</h3> + + + +<blockquote> Account of Paul and his Companions meeting with Lydia by the River-side + at Philippi--the Impression produced upon her Heart by the Preaching of + Paul--Remarks on Conversion as exemplified in the Case of this + Disciple--its Seat the Heart--its Accomplishment the Result of divine + Agency--the Manner of it noticed--the Effects of a divine Influence upon + the human Mind, namely, attention to the Word of God and the Ordinances + of the Gospel, and affectionate Regard to the Servants of + Christ--Remarks on the Paucity of real Christians--the multiplying Power + of Christianity--its present State in Britain--Efforts of the + Bible Society.</blockquote> + +<p>The historical part of the New Testament, called the ACTS or THE APOSTLES, +contains a faithful record of the early propagation of the Gospel and the +incessant exertions of the first labourers in the vineyard. They were not +men who "wasted their strength in strenuous idleness," or dissipated the +time of action in "laboriously doing nothing;" but were endowed with +extraordinary qualifications and an inextinguishable zeal for their novel +and interesting employment. They reflected the light of the Sun of +Righteousness upon a dark age, and glowed with the very spirit of their +ascended Lord. Remarkable effects were produced upon the moral world, +notwithstanding the counteracting influence of human prejudice and +opposition; and as they quitted the world, amidst the whirlwinds of +persecution and in the flames of martyrdom, they dropped from their +ascending chariots the mantle upon their successors in office, who +"entered into their labours," and continued "with great power" to give +"witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon +them all."</p> + +<p>So wonderful are the appointments of Providence, that we find a youth who +took an active part in the murder of the first martyr to the Christian +cause, and afterward breathed forth an unrelenting hostility against all +its adherents, selected as the chief instrument of its extension in +various countries. That mighty energy which "commanded the light to shine +out of darkness," as he was on a persecuting expedition to Damascus, +"shined into his heart," and by a miraculous interposition not only +checked him in his career, but communicated to him "the light of the +knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus," and turned all +the energies of his character into a new and most important course of +exertion. He became a Christian, a preacher, an apostle, and a missionary +to the Gentile world: and while by his indefatigable labours he benefitted +so large a proportion of his contemporaries, by his inspired epistles he +has instructed the church 'of God in every succeeding age of the world.</p> + +<p>Paul appears to have travelled over a considerable portion of Asia and +part of Europe. Barnabas, and afterward Silas and Timotheus, accompanied +him. In many places he suffered great personal injury, and his valuable +life was repeatedly endangered. Having passed through Phrygia and the +proconsular province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital, Paul and +Silas came at length to Troas, where the former had a vision, in which he +saw an inhabitant of Macedonia standing before him, and uttering this +request, "Come over and help us." This impressed his mind with a +conviction that he was called in providence to preach the gospel in that +part of Greece; and he immediately sailed down the Aegean Sea by the +island of Samothracia and the port of Neapolis, and from thence to +Philippi, which was a Roman colony. [<a href="#foot45">45</a>]</p> + +<p>In this city, whither it seems probable from the history, that Luke had +accompanied them, they remained some days; and here we are introduced to +the brief but instructive account of the excellent woman whose name is +prefixed to this chapter.</p> + +<p>Paul, and the companions of his missionary tour, first met with Lydia at +one of the Jewish places of prayer by the river-side, which ran near the +city. The Temple at Jerusalem, and previously the Tabernacle, were the +appointed places for the public worship of God, in the open court of +which, before the altar, the people assembled. But such as lived at a +distance, or from local inconveniences could not constantly repair to the +place of general association, were allowed to build <i>Proseuchiæ</i>, or +<i>Oratories</i>, in one of which our Saviour continued all night in prayer. +They had no covering like synagogues, but were surrounded by porticoes, to +afford shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and were erected in the +suburbs of a city, by the baths or near rivers, on account of the +purifications so frequent with the Jews, and usually on very elevated +spots of ground. The proseucha signalized by the devotions of Christ was +on a mountain. Some have supposed that Isaac went out to meditate in the +evening in a place of this description. These were probably the <i>high +places</i> of ancient times, in or near which groves were planted, and which +are only condemned in Scripture when appropriated to idolatrous purposes. +"I am like a green olive tree," says the Psalmist, "in the house of God."</p> + +<p>Availing themselves of the opportunity afforded by the resort of devout +persons to these religious retirements, these zealous ministers of the +Gospel conversed and preached to the people, who on this occasion were +chiefly women. But though many were addressed, it does not appear that +more than one was substantially benefitted. Her attention was excited, her +heart opened, and her profession of the name of Jesus immediate and +public. The several points of her character deserve particular and +distinct illustration.</p> + +<p>Lydia is said to have been of the city of Thyatira; but whether she had +removed to Philippi, or was only come for the purpose of trade, is not +certain. She was one who "worshipped God," that is, one who, in +distinction from the heathen around her, had learned the character of +Jehovah, and was probably a Jewish proselyte. [<a href="#foot46">46</a>] Instructed in the +ancient records of that extraordinary nation, which had been so many past +ages the only depository of divine truth, she was expecting the predicted +Messiah; and while, from the natural aversion of mankind to the +humiliating doctrine of salvation through a crucified person, the greater +proportion of Jews rejected him, she experienced a true conversion, not +only from the principles of heathenism, but from those of Judaism, to the +Gospel of Jesus Christ. A few instances of this description occur in the +evangelical record to show the sovereignty and diversified operations of +the grace of God.</p> + +<p>That moral change, that spiritual renovation, which has been called +CONVERSION, is, we are aware, and ever will be, the subject of profane +ridicule amongst unbelievers. It does not indeed produce any astonishment, +although it awakens extreme regret, that one of the most obvious effects +resulting from the publication of the Gospel of Christ should be so +unblushingly denied by this class of mankind. "The natural man discerneth +not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are spiritually +discerned." The scriptures themselves predict this incapacity, even in +some of the most refined and intellectual of our species, to form a +conception of this marvellous change; and experience evinces the truth of +what they affirm, and which originates in the very nature of things. It +is characteristic of human perversity to disbelieve what is imperceptible +to reason or invisible to sense, and to vaunt itself upon that very +infidelity as a distinctive mark of pre-eminence, which is, in fact, a +proof of debasement and guilt. If a system of religion were to be so +constructed as to be exempt from the ridicule of the profane, it must be +itself ridiculous; because their distorted minds cannot discern the +beauties of truth, and their depraved feelings will not admit her claims. +To secure their approbation religion must change her character, alter her +doctrines, new cast her precepts, and new modify her principles.</p> + +<p>Lydia presents an interesting specimen not only of the reality but of the +nature of the great work of conversion; and, however contemptible the +subject may appear in the eye of a dissipated world, or to the mind of a +prejudiced reader, we hesitate not to state the sentiments which +necessarily arise out of the present example respecting the seat and +source of this change, the agent by whom it is accomplished, and the +corresponding effects produced.</p> + +<p>1. Our attention is, in the first place, to be directed to <i>the seat of +this spiritual renovation</i>. It is said of Lydia, that her HEART was +opened. This change, therefore, is of a moral nature, not merely +circumstantial, but radical. It does not consist in assuming a new name, +professing new opinions, using a new language, performing a few rites and +ceremonies, or reforming a few exterior vices, These are only +branches--the tree itself must be made good--the crab stock of nature must +be grafted with spiritual principles, and by being planted in the garden +of the Lord be brought under a heavenly culture. It is then only "the +fruits of righteousness" may be anticipated, "which are to the glory and +praise of God."</p> + +<p>The disordered state of the passions is a striking evidence of human +degeneracy. In consequence of this a thousand mistakes are committed, and +a thousand follies practised. Each passion is fixed on a wrong object, +pursues an unworthy end, and is susceptible of false impressions. Indeed, +the will is totally perverted, and chooses, with obstinate resolution, +whatever is erroneous and criminal; on which account men are represented +in the metaphorical language of Scripture, as "loving darkness rather than +light." So astonishing is the degree of this perversion, that the Supreme +<i>Good</i> is dreaded and avoided as if he were the only <i>evil</i> in the +universe; and, however vain the attempt, guilt is continually seeking +concealment in some secret covert, some supposed security from his +omniscient inspection. Captivated by deceitful appearances, human +confidence is perpetually misplaced, and therefore perpetually betrayed; +the siren song of pleasure soothes the unhappy captives of her bewitching +charms into the bosom of destruction--the splendour of earthly +distinctions dims the eye of sense, and prevents its perception of the +bright realities of heaven. In fact, such has been the melancholy effect +of sin upon the perceptions of the human soul, that every thing is seen +through the medium of sensual passions in an inverted position--good seems +evil, and evil good--and till this disorder become rectified by a divine +touch, the heart will remain at enmity against God, the refuge and resort +of the worst dispositions, and the great central pandemonium of every +diabolical affection. Such is the statement of Jesus Christ himself, "From +within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, +fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, +lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; all these +things come from within, and defile the man."</p> + +<p>As the intellectual and moral state of man are, in a religious view, +closely connected, the renovation of the heart is essentially connected +with an important change in the understanding. The latter may, indeed, be +considerably improved and informed when no spiritual effect is produced +upon the former, but the former cannot be renewed without corresponding +and coincident effects on the latter; and the illumination of the +understanding is so universal, that believers are said to be "light in the +Lord." Their perceptions of truth are not mere gleamings and streaks of +divine radiance thrown across the obscurity of the mind, but all is light. +Nor is it merely new light diffused over objects familiar to the thoughts, +but a discovery of new scenes. The soul, in a sense, changes its +hemisphere, emerges from darkness, ascends to the summits of Pisgah, and +contemplates the ineffable glories of a new creation. "If any man be in +Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all +things are become new." How touching and how worthy of adoption the +poet's language:</p> + +<blockquote> "Celestial light<br /> +Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers<br /> +Irradiate; there plant eyes, all mist from thence<br /> +Purge and disperse!"</blockquote> + +<blockquote>MILTON.</blockquote> + +<p>The total renovation of the heart is evinced by susceptibility of +conscience. This moral faculty, in an unregenerate state, is either +perverted or hardened. In the former case, our obligations are not +clearly discerned, or are easily dispensed with; in the latter, the most +powerful appeals to love or fear are resisted. In the progress of sin to +its most awful consummation, those gentle whispers which were at first +noticed, and made the transgressor tremble till he sometimes let fall the +forbidden fruit, are at length unheard. Every intimation is silenced by +guilty merriment, which perhaps was at first forced, but soon becomes +habitual. Where conscience is not lulled into total inaction, it is, in +this state of character, violated with little remorse. The mind loses +sight of the glory of God, its best regulating principle; it is alive to +personal interests only, and discards every thing of a nobler nature. But, +in the sincere and humble Christian, conscience is tender, easily offended +with evil, and gradually approximating that state of susceptibly in +respect to sin, in which it resembles a well-polished mirror, that shows +the slightest particle of dust or damp upon its surface. Such a conscience +is no less <i>rigorous</i> than it is tender, and repels temptation with +persevering energy. It will hold no debate with the tempter; and so far +from seeking to ascertain how far it may advance towards sinful +compliances without contracting actual guilt, it will "abstain from all +<i>appearance</i> of evil."</p> + +<p>In stating that the heart is the seat of those principles and the source +of that transformation of character which is comprehended in the term +<i>conversion</i>, it is intended to express the <i>permanent</i> nature of the +change. It is not an opinion or an emotions resembling the morning cloud +and early dew that pass away, but an abiding and deep-wrought alteration. +"He which hath begun a good work in you, will carry it on until the day of +Christ Jesus;" in consequence of which, "the path of the just is as the +shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."</p> + +<p>"That such improvements of character often <i>have</i> occurred, and are often +taking place now, cannot be denied by any philosophic observer of human +nature: to disregard them, or to neglect an investigation of their use, is +to neglect one of the most interesting classes of facts observable amongst +mankind. Who has not either heard of or witnessed the most extraordinary +changes of conduct, produced through the <i>apparent</i> influence (to say the +least) of religious motives? I say nothing here of the <i>three thousand</i> +converted in one day at the feast of Pentecost--of the conversion of St. +Paul and others mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles--because those are +usually ascribed to the miraculous and <i>extraordinary</i> influences of the +Holy Spirit in the apostolic times. But I may call your attention +ttomatters of more recent occurrence. You have witnessed instances of men +running eagerly the career of folly and dissipation, who have been +suddenly arrested, and changed from 'lovers of pleasure' to 'lovers of +God.' You have known others who have devoted themselves early to the +military profession, who literally knew <i>no</i> fear, who have spent their +lives in the pursuit of glory, who have approached the verge of life full +of scars and full of honours, still panting after 'glory, honour, +immortality,' but thinking nothing of 'eternal life;' till, touched by an +irresistible hand, they have been transformed from good soldiers to 'good +soldiers of Jesus Christ,' have buckled on 'the armour of God,' 'fought +the good fight of faith,' and following 'the Captain of their salvation,' +have obtained 'the victory,' and been rewarded with <i>unfading</i> laurels. +Others again, you have known, who have been strong and <i>high-minded</i>, +professing never to be subdued but by the force of argument, and +dexterously evading an argument when it <i>was</i> forcible, if it were +calculated to expose the sophistry of 'free-thinking,' (as it is called,) +or to exhibit the reasonableness and advantages of being pious; you have +seen them increase in the dexterity of unbelief, and in callousness to +<i>moral</i> impression, year after year,</p> + +<blockquote> 'Gleaning the blunted shafts that have recoil'd,<br /> +Aiming them at the shield of truth again;'</blockquote> + +<p>and when a band of them has gone to church for the purpose of quizzing, or +of staring out of countenance some preacher of rather more than usual +energy and zeal, have known one of this band pierced by 'a dart from the +archer,' convinced that religion is 'the one thing needful,' and though he +came 'to scoff, remaining to pray.'" [<a href="#foot47">47</a>]</p> + +<p>II. The second observable circumstance in the inspired account of Lydia's +conversion is, <i>its accomplishment by divine agency</i>. It is stated that +the LORD opened her heart. The effect is not ascribed to the apostle Paul, +or his illustrious coadjutors in the Christian ministry. They might speak +with the tongue of angels, and hum with the zeal of seraphs; to them might +be given in trust "the everlasting Gospel," which, like the apocalyptic +angel, they were carrying through "the midst of heaven" to the inhabitants +of the earth, "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people;" they +might indeed possess the power not only of placing facts in the clearest +light, or urging arguments in the most forcible manner, but even of +working miracles; still they could not "open the heart." Indefatigable as +they were in their labours, they could not command success. At this +precise point human instrumentality ceases, and divine agency commences.</p> + +<p>It is by no means an unfrequent effect of ministerial fidelity, to confirm +the native aversion of the impenitent to the doctrines of Christ. Pride +resists conviction, and fosters prejudice; and however unanswerable the +statements, or fervent the appeals which may be addressed to them, the +mind still remains unsubdued, the heart is still unopened. It requires the +interposal of a mightier power than either reason, remonstrance, or +miracle, to accomplish this wonderful transformation of character. Hosts +of apostles and legions of angels would be incompetent by their own +unaided exertions, to do "any thing as of themselves;" to give light to +<i>one</i> blind eye, or to rectify <i>one</i> prejudiced heart.</p> + +<p>Human agency, then, cannot be of itself effectual. It is the <i>Lord</i> who +opens the ear, the eye, the conscience, the understanding, and the +<i>heart</i>. The weapons of that spiritual warfare, in which Christian +ministers are engaged, can alone "pull down strong holds, cast down +imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the +knowledge of God," and "bring into captivity every thought to the +obedience of Christ," being "mighty <i>through God</i>." What would the weapon +accomplish, if the hand of Almighty power were not to grasp and wield it? +The experience of modern preachers, no doubt, resembles that of their +apostolic predecessors in the same field of holy labour. When +stout-hearted sinners have been attacked by all the force of argument, all +the power of eloquence, all the fire of zeal, all the holy violence of +appeal, all the tenderness of tears, and all the terrors of +denunciation--and when it might have been expected that a heart of marble +thus smitten must yield and break, and yet no emotion, at least no +repentance, no relinquishment of sin, and no obedience to Christ has +resulted--how often have they retired exclaiming, "<i>O the impotence of +human instrumentality!</i>" But when returning to their work, desponding or +deeply apprehensive, "going forth weeping, bearing precious seed," they +have at length seen the rebel struck, and in a moment abashed, humbled, +penitent--melted at a word--his prejudices dashed to the ground, like +Lucifer from heaven--his heart opened, like that of Lydia, and the bitter +stream of his enmity turned into the sweetness of Christian love--They +have paused--inquired--wondered--beheld the "<i>excellency</i> of the power," +which was "not of man, but of God;" and have retired exclaiming, "<i>O the +omnipotence of divine grace!</i>"</p> + +<p>It is an extraordinary circumstance, that the agency of God, in the +production of the natural world, should be universally admitted, because +no other adequate cause can be assigned; and yet that it should, with so +little hesitation, be denied in the moral world. Why is God to be excluded +from this superior creation, but because men "do not like to retain him in +their knowledge," and because corrupted reason would deify itself and +dethrone the Almighty?--And here we have the characteristic distinction +between religion and irreligion. The former assigns God as the cause and +agent in every thing, born interior and exterior to us. It places him upon +the throne, subordinates every thing to his will, attributes every thing +to his influence. It contemplates his dominion as infinite, and his will +as the law of nature and of nations. It fully believes, that naturally and +spiritually "in him we live, and move, and have our being." +Irreligion--and we may comprehend in the term, not only extravagant +immorality or gross impiety, but a system which is found to exist under +the cloak of religion, and the pretence of doing God service--irreligion +of every class and in every form is perpetually limiting the empire of the +Deity, prescribing bounds to his influence, criticising and defining his +prerogatives, and refusing him the "right to reign over us."</p> + +<p>The Scriptures uniformly ascribe the first principle, all the successive +actions, and the final consummation of religion in the heart, to the +Spirit of God. It is the subject of express promise: "And the Lord thy God +will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord +thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, that thou mayest +live."--"This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of +Israel: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their +inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and +they shall be my people."--"A new heart also will I give you, and a new +spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of +your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh; and I will put my Spirit +within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my +judgments and do them." The nature of this moral transformation is +distinctly stated in such passages as the following--"<i>Born</i>, not of +blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of +God"--"Ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be the Spirit of +God dwell in you. But if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none of +his"--"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of +God"--"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, +which God hath ordained, that we should walk in them." In the same manner, +the increase of religion is ascribed to the Spirit. "He which hath begun a +good work in you, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ"--"Now the +God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great +Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make +you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which +is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ." Let us then, as +Moses expresses it respecting the bush which he saw at the back of Horeb, +burning, but still unconsumed, "turn aside and see this great sight." "God +is every where by his <i>power</i>. He rolls the orbs of heaven with his hand, +he fixes the earth in its place with his foot, he guides all the creatures +with his eye, and refreshes them with his influence; he makes the powers +of bell to shake with his terrors, and binds the devils with his word, and +throws them out with his command, and sends the angels on embassies with +his decrees.... God is especially present in the hearts of his people, by +his Holy Spirit; and indeed the hearts of holy men are temples in the +truth of things, and in type and shadow they are heaven itself. For God +reigns in the hearts of his servants: there is his kingdom. The energy of +grace hath subdued all his enemies; this is his power. They serve him +night and day, and give him thanks and praise; that is his glory. The +temple itself is the heart of man; Christ is the high priest, who from +thence sends up the incense of prayers, and joins them to his own +intercession, and presents all together to his Father; and the Holy Ghost, +by his dwelling there, hath also consecrated it into a temple; and God +dwells in our hearts by faith, and Christ by his Spirit, and the Spirit by +his purities; so that we are also cabinets of the mysterious Trinity; and +what is short of heaven itself, but as infancy is short of manhood, and +letters of words?" [<a href="#foot48">48</a>]</p> + +<p>How inconceivably glorious is the beauty of holiness in the renovated +soul! That "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness," should +"shine into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of +God in the face of Christ Jesus"--that the vileness of our nature should +be superseded by the purity of grace--that sinners should be pardoned and +sin subdued--that the good seed should vegetate in such a barren and +overgrown wilderness of desolation--that we who were "sometime darkness" +should become "light in the Lord," is truly marvellous. This establishment +of "the kingdom of God <i>within</i> us," excites the gratitude of saints, the +wonder of angels, and the loud anthems of triumph that vibrate from the +harps of heaven. When God made a fair world from a formless mass of +matter, "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted +for joy;" but when he devised the plan to make a holy human being from a +base and fallen rebel, they sung "Glory to God in the HIGHEST."</p> + +<p>How animating the consideration, that the hope of salvation inspired in +the soul by the Spirit of God, can never be extinguished! The grace that +powerfully impels him to take the first step in the Christian life, as +forcibly urges him forward to the end of his course. The light which is +kindled in his bosom will burn and brighten, and consummate his immortal +bliss. It is itself the pledge of this increase and perfection. The +felicity of the Christian here is similar in its essence to his glory +hereafter, as the first ray of morning is the same in nature with the +noontide brightness. It may struggle through obscurities, but will rise to +perfect day. Death indeed is rapidly approaching: but as the solar orb +plunges for a short season into darkness, to reappear with new splendour; +so will the righteous eventually ascend above the tomb and, the worm, to +"shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."</p> + +<p>The manner of Lydia's conversion ought not to be overlooked. Her heart was +<i>opened</i>. There is something gentle, as well as effectual, in the +representation. The Spirit of God not only operates by a variety of +instruments, but by a considerable diversity of modes. He descends on +Sinai in tempests, and on Calvary in smiles. Sometimes his manifestations +are terrible, and sometimes soothing; sometimes he breaks, and sometimes +opens the heart. In scripture we are furnished with illustrations of this +diversified operation. Manasseh, who "made Judah and the inhabitants of +Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen," and who "would not +hearken" to divine monitions, was taken by the Assyrians "among the +thorns, and bound with fetters, and carried to Babylon." He who was +unaffected, either by mercies or menaces, in his prosperity, "when he was +in affliction, besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly +before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him; and he was entreated +of him and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into +his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God." Paul, who +breathed out threatening and slaughter against the Christian church, was +suddenly struck to the earth by a miraculous light from heaven, and from a +persecutor transformed into an apostle. The Philippian jailer exclaimed +amidst his terrors, "What must I do to be saved?" and was not only +prevented from committing suicide, but directed to heaven by the doctrine +of his apostolic prisoner, which through grace he cordially received: +"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thine +house." On the other hand, Samuel, Timothy, and Lydia, were "drawn with +bands of love." They heard the whispers of mercy, and felt the attractions +of grace. Each of their hearts, like that of Lydia, was <i>opened</i>. Passion +subsided, prejudice withdrew, ignorance melted away. They were not taken +by storm, but made <i>willing</i> "in the day of his <i>power</i>."</p> + +<p>The importance of this change is intimated in the remarkable declaration +of Jesus Christ to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see +the kingdom of heaven." It is essential to the possession of paradise; it +constitutes the very basis of the Christian character; and to be +indifferent to it is a mark of condemnation. Its present influence, and +its future consequences, are so wonderful, that it becomes us to cherish +an immediate and incessant solicitude upon the subject. Look +upward--Almighty love "waits to be gracious"--Is it not recorded, and can +it ever be forgotten, that "every one that asketh receiveth; and he that +seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened? If a son +shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? +or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall +ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how +to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly +Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"</p> + +<p>III. The account of Lydia is further illustrative of the <i>effects +resulting from a divine influence upon the human heart</i>.</p> + +<p>The first of these effects is intimated by the statement, that "she +attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Her spirit was +exceedingly different from that of the hearers of Ezekiel: "Thou son of +man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the +walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one +to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that +cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, +and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they +will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their +heart goeth after their covetousness And lo, thou art unto them as a very +lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an +instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not." Lydia, on the +contrary, heard to profit. She listened, reflected, and "inwardly +digested," the truths of the Gospel. She heard with seriousness and with +self-application. The doctrine was to her novel and interesting. The +Gospel came to her, "not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy +Ghost, and in much assurance;" for she "received the word of God which she +heard, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God," +which "effectually worketh" in believers.</p> + +<p>And is this descriptive of <i>our</i> views and feelings? Do we <i>pay attention</i> +to divine instructions, and "hear so that our souls may live?" Is the word +of God to us like descending manna from the skies, which we go forth with +eager haste to gather for our spiritual subsistence? Whenever we repair to +"the house of God," are we "more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice +of fools?" Do we dwell upon the lips of the preacher? Do we aim to +remember, seek to understand, and humbly resolve to practise what is +taught? Or, do we go to public worship with reluctant and hesitating +steps, compelled alone by the force of habit, education, example, or +terror? When <i>arrived</i>, do we enter with irreverence, assume a careless +and familiar attitude, give the rein to our wandering thoughts, resign our +bodies or our consciences to unhallowed slumber, or watch with frequent +glances the slowly revolving hour that will free us from an irksome +service? When <i>retired</i> from public engagements, do we forget God our +Maker, dissipate consecrated hours, and at length lose every salutary +impression amidst the cares of life, and the subordinate concerns of +a moment?</p> + +<p>It is possible you may even plead temporal anxieties and business, as an +extenuation of the guilt of religious negligences, or as a sufficient +ground of exemption from the claims of piety. You are forsooth too busy, +too needy, too perplexed in establishing connections or conducting +commercial transactions, to pay an immediate regard to the interests of +the soul and eternity; and although you at present defer such +considerations, you apologize for your folly by saying, it does not arise +from aversion, but inconvenience. You do not deny, you only procrastinate. +But who has insured your life? Who has perused for you the page of +destiny, which numbers the years of your mortal existence? Who has given +you any evidence, that the distant day of intentional repentance, shall be +a day of health, seriousness, and leisure? Who can tell that the sun, +which illumines the path of your prosperity at this period of +irresolution, will not, upon the arrival of the predicted hour of +penitence, shine only upon your grave? Who has given you authority to +invert the order which Christ has established in the admonition, "Seek ye +FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness?"</p> + +<p>But we have a valuable example to cite. Go to Philippi. Learn of a woman, +whose name cannot perish, though generations pass away, and the stars +become extinct. <i>Lydia</i> was not a person of leisure; she was a "seller of +purple," or cloths, which were died of a purple colour, or purple silks. +[<a href="#foot49">49</a>] She had surely sufficient occupation, and yet she has no apologies +at hand. She was not too much engaged to be concerned about her eternal +salvation; but when the apostle of the Gentiles preaches, she <i>must</i> go, +she <i>must</i> hear, she <i>must</i> attend. She was "diligent in business," but +this did not preclude her being "fervent in spirit." As a seller of purple +she could only have become <i>rich</i>--the acmè, indeed, and summit of human +wishes, but a miserable barter for real and everlasting happiness; as a +hearer of Paul, she might and did become "<i>wise to salvation."</i></p> + +<p>Every thing is beautiful in its season. We must not wander from our proper +business under pretence of religion, nor must we neglect religion upon a +plea of business. Religion does not require a relinquishment of our +calling and station in society, but no civil engagements can justify a +disregard of religion. We may sell our purple--but we must also attend to +the instructions of the ministry and the word of God. If we imitate Lydia +in diligence, let us not forget to imitate her in piety. It is vain and +wicked to aver, that, the concerns of this world and those of another +interfere; because an ardent religion is not only compatible with worldly +occupations, but promotes both their purity and integrity, if it do not +secure their success.</p> + +<p>Another effect of divine influence upon the heart of Lydia, and +essentially connected with her reception of the great principles of +Christianity, was an immediate attention to the ordinance of baptism. "She +was baptized and her household." In the true spirit of that apostle from +whose lips she received the truth of heaven, and by whom she was directed +to "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," "she conferred +not with flesh, and blood." With a promptitude which was at once +expressive of the sincerity of her faith and the zeal of her mind, she did +not hesitate to observe the baptismal institution of her Lord and Saviour. +What were to her the wonder of ignorant spectators--the ridicule of her +fellow-traders--the reflections of her heathen neighbours--when balanced +against the approbation of God and her own conscience? She had "bought the +truth," and would not sell it--she had found "the pearl of great price," +and went and sacrificed every temporal consideration for it--she had +"found the Messiah," and was resolved to follow his foot-steps +whithersoever they conducted her. She did not dispute or hesitate, but she +obeyed. May the bright example of Lydia stimulate us to a similar conduct!</p> + +<p>In the primitive times it is obvious that whoever received the Gospel was +baptized in the name of Christ, and to express a resolution to adhere to +him. And this obedience is a part of that decision of character which +should distinguish the genuine disciple of Christ. He demands it as a +proof of love, and by virtue of his supreme authority in the church. The +command to be baptized is, in the New Testament, usually connected with +the exhortation to repent, because this is the order of things which the +Son of God has established, and the most convincing evidence that we have +voluntarily devoted ourselves to his service. Baptism was significant of a +burial and resurrection with Christ, of being regenerated by his Spirit, +renewed by his influence, and separated from all the unholy principles of +a depraved nature, and from the sinful practices of a corrupt world. The +abundant use of water in this institution was considered as illustrative +of the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit, of his miraculous descent +on the day of Pentecost, and of the overwhelming sufferings of the +crucifixion. The precursor of our Lord predicted Christ as coming to +"baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire." John immersed our +Saviour himself in the river Jordan; when, as he "went up straightway out +of the water," he beheld the "heavens opened unto him," saw the descending +Spirit of God like a dove, "lighting upon him," and heard a voice saying, +"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Viewing in awful +perspective the tragical scenes of his life, which were to terminate in +the more tragical sufferings of his last hour, he exclaimed, "I have <i>a +baptism</i> to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be +accomplished!"</p> + +<p>Happily, Lydia was not alone in her public profession of religion. She had +the satisfaction of seeing her household introduced by baptism into the +church of Christ. We are not informed either of their number, sex, or age. +The circumstances of the case seem most naturally to point out her +servants or adult children, to whom, as in the instance of the jailer, the +word of the Lord might be addressed. She no doubt felt extreme solicitude +for their spiritual interests, and from the moment of her own conversion +would give them every opportunity of attending the apostolic instruction. +To have witnessed in them the kindlings of divine love, the workings of +genuine penitence, the dawnings of true religion, must have afforded her +the richest pleasure, in comparison with which all the accumulations of +trade and commerce dwindled into perfect insignificance.</p> + +<p>But let us inquire whether we resemble Lydia. Do we monopolize the hopes +of salvation and the cup of spiritual blessing? or are we active +distributors of the heavenly bounty? What do we <i>feel</i> for our families, +our children, our domestics, our dependants, our friends and connections? +What have we <i>done</i> for them? They need instruction--they possess souls to +be saved, or lost--they are responsible creatures--they are given us in +charge by providence, and will finally meet us at the tribunal of God. +Should it not awaken alarm to be accessary in any degree to their +destruction by negligence, if not by compulsion or by bad example? Is it +not worthy of a holy ambition to become instrumental to their eternal +welfare? Do you lead them to the domestic altar? Do you watch over their +conduct with a vigilant and paternal eye? Do you guide them to the house +of God?--To show them the path to heaven--to be instrumental in lodging +<i>one</i> important sentiment in their minds--to sow, if but a single grain, +that may vegetate and rise into a tree of holiness, is incalculably more +satisfactory and more honourable than to obtain the victories of an +Alexander, or the riches of a Croesus. O, let us never remain content with +a solitary religion; but aim, like Lydia, to multiply our satisfactions, +and in the spirit of an exalted charity, to distribute happiness in the +earth! "None of us liveth to himself, and no man (as a Christian,) dieth +to himself."</p> + +<p>A third and most visible effect of Lydia's conversion, was an affectionate +regard to the servants of Christ. With the zeal of a new convert and the +generosity of a genuine Christian, she invited Paul and the companions of +his labours to "come into her house and abide there." She thus proved +herself "a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men;" which although it +be one of the appropriate characteristics of "a bishop," or spiritual +overseer and pastor, enters into the very elements of a religious +character in every station. We are exhorted "to do good to all men, +especially to them that are of the household of faith:" and Jesus Christ +has represented love to the brethren as an indication of discipleship.</p> + +<p>The invitation of Lydia was not cold and formal. She did not merely pass +the compliment of asking these holy guests to her board, but solicited it +as a favour, and with an unusual degree of importunity. She entreated--she +"constrained" them. Her plea was modest, but so expressed as to be +irresistible. They could not deny her request when put upon this basis: +"If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house."</p> + +<p>Gratitude was undoubtedly a principal occasion of this urgency. She had +received through their instrumentality the best gift of Heaven. The eyes +of her understanding had been enlightened--the affections of her heart had +been excited and sanctified to a noble purpose. They had proclaimed to her +with surprising effect, "Jesus and the resurrection;" and, although she +had been a devout proselyte of the Jewish religion, she would not, humanly +speaking but for them, have become acquainted with the Christian, of which +the former was only a pre-figurative shadow. They had unlocked the door +of wisdom, and put her in possession of the ample treasures of truth; +they had taught her the evil of sin, and shown her "the Lord our +righteousness;" they had dispersed her doubts, dispelled her fears, +removed her darkness, satisfied her inquiries, and conducted her to "the +light of the world," new risen upon benighted nations, and whose blessed +radiance was already diffused in every direction. Lydia was anxious to +repay these benefits, or rather to testify her overwhelming sense of their +immensity. What could she do but invite them home? They were "strangers," +amongst senseless idolaters and persecuting foes, and she "took them in," +conscious of having incurred an obligation which she could but imperfectly +discharge. And have we cherished similar sentiments? Have we revered and +ministered to the servants of our Lord? Have we supplied their +necessities--cherished their persons--guarded their reputation? Have we +thus "rendered honour to whom honour is due"--esteeming them very highly +in love for their work's sake--and having made "partakers of their +spiritual things," considered it our "duty to minister unto them in carnal +things?" Respect for the truth itself ought to generate a suitable +predilection for such as faithfully dispense it. We should value the +"earthen vessels" for the sake of "the heavenly treasure" they contain. If +in any instances the professed ministers of the Gospel act inconsistently +with their character, a mind like that of Lydia, would not become +dissatisfied with the truth itself, nor hastily utter extravagant censure. +We have known persons take an apparent pleasure in detailing the faults of +persons eminent either for character, or for official situation. They have +betrayed, by their triumphant air, significant inuendoes, or needless +circumstantiality, a secret and criminal gratification, whilst loudly +protesting their sorrow. But a sincere piety, which sympathises with all +the adversities and prosperities of the Christian cause, and knows the +general and especially the personal consequences of such deplorable +inconsistencies, will commiserate, and weep, and pray.</p> + +<p>The importunity of Lydia was no less honorable to Paul and his coadjutors +than to herself. It proves their delicacy and consideration. They felt +unwilling to accept her hospitality, lest it should prove burdensome or +troublesome. These were not men to take advantage of the impressions they +produced, and to gain a subsistence by art and fraudulence. They knew how +to use prosperity, and how to sustain adversity, how to "abound, and to +suffer want." They were not ashamed of poverty, nor afraid of labour. +Hardship, imprisonments, scourgings, and even death, had lost their +terrors; and on every occasion they were solicitous of evincing a +disinterestedness of spirit that might compel their bitterest enemies to +attest the purity of their motives. Hence Paul could appeal to the elders +of the Ephesian church, "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or +apparel. Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto +my necessities, and to them that were with me;" and to the Corinthian +believers, "what is my reward then? Verily, that when I preach the gospel, +I may make the gospel of Christ without charge; that I abuse not my power +in the gospel." His language to the Thessalonians is still more +remarkable: "We did not eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with +labour and travel night and day that we might not be chargeable to any +of you."</p> + +<p>Lydia might probably be influenced in making this request by another +consideration. She expected great advantage from more familiar intercourse +with her guests. In the social hour--at the friendly table--in the +retirement of home--she could propose inquiries, which such a man as Paul +would be happy to hear, and ready to answer. He who could thus address the +saints at Rome--I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some +spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be +comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me--"must +have proved an interesting companion to so pious and inquisitive a woman." +She would receive him as a father and honour him as an apostle. Happy, +thrice happy for us, when we make a proper selection of our bosom friends, +and improve the hours of social intercourse to the purposes of spiritual +improvement! Nothing is more advantageous than reciprocal communication; +it elicits truth, corrects mistake, improves character, conduces to +happiness, animates to diligence, and gives anew impulse to our moral +energies. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and +the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written +before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. +And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up +my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth +him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the +wicked; between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."</p> + +<p>In reviewing this history, we cannot help regreting the specimen it +affords of the paucity of real Christians. The whole city of Philippi +furnished only Lydia, the jailer, and a few others, who attended to the +preaching of Paul. Immersed in business, devoted to superstition, or +depraved by sensuality, the glad tidings of salvation were despised or +disregarded. They had neither eyes to see, ears to hear, nor hearts to +feel. The God of this world blinded them, that they did not believe. There +was not even a Jewish synagogue in Philippi--not one altar erected to the +true God--and only a small retreat by the river-side, to which a few +female inquirers resorted unnoticed or abhorred. Such is the world in +miniature! In reviewing the long track of ages, we can observe but here +and there a traveller along the road to Zion. The "narrow way" appears an +unfrequented path, while thousands and myriads crowd the "broad road that +leadeth to destruction." The page of history is not adorned with the +names of saints, but, blessed be God, they are recorded in Scripture, and +will shine forever in the annals of eternity.</p> + +<p>The subject, however, presents another aspect. Lydia was the first convert +to the Christian faith in EUROPE! In her heart was deposited the first +seed that was sown in this new field of labour, in which so rich and +extensive a harvest has since sprung up. It was then, indeed, according to +the parabolical representations of Christ, but as "a grain of mustard +seed," which is the "least of all seeds;" but what a plant has it since +become, striking deep its roots, and waving wide its branches, so that the +nations recline beneath its refreshing shade, and feel the healing virtue +of its sacred leaves! At that distant period, while Asia was under +spiritual culture, Europe presented nothing to the eye but an outstretched +wilderness of desolation--ignorance spread over her fairest regions "gross +darkness," and the very "shadow of death"--and superstition reigned upon +his gloomy throne with triumphant and universal dominion. The particular +state of Britain may be inferred from the general condition of the world; +but if any difference existed, there is reason to suppose, from its +peculiar disadvantages and insular situation, that a blacker midnight +enveloped this region, than spread over the more civilized provinces of +the Roman empire. There was, indeed, no nation in which the grossest +practices of idolatry did not prevail, and where human nature did not +appear in a state of awful degeneracy. Their very reason was folly; their +very religion impiety. Let us, then, be unceasingly grateful to that +providence, which has not only sent the gospel to Europe, but has caused +the light to shine with peculiar glory in this favoured land, which, at +its first promulgation, was in a state of singular depravity; fixed, so +to speak, in the very meridian of the benighted hemisphere.</p> + +<p>Britain has now emerged into day; and has not only caught the rising beam +of mercy, but is becoming the very centre of illumination to every kindred +and people of the globe. The different orders of Christians engaged in +missionary under-takings--<i>Moravian, Baptist, Independent</i>, and <i>Church +Societies</i>, ought to be mentioned with distinguished approbation, and +hailed as FELLOW LABOURERS in the vineyard. May they ever co-operate and +not control each other! May they be one in spirit, though diverse in +operation! May they unite their respective energies in one common cause, +while bigotry retires abashed from the glory of such a scene!</p> + +<p>Above all, "the United Kingdoms may fairly claim, what has been freely and +cheerfully accorded by foreign nations, the honor of giving birth to an +institution, (the British and Foreign Bible Society,) the most efficacious +ever devised, for diffusing that knowledge which was given to make men +wise unto salvation.</p> + +<p>"But although the approbation so generally bestowed on the British and +Foreign Bible Society, may be received as a gratifying homage to the +simplicity, purity, benevolence, and importance of its design, it is not +to the praise of men, but to the improvement of their moral and religious +state, that the Society aspires. Acting under the influence of an ardent +desire to promote the glory of God, and adopting the spirit of the +apostolic injunction, 'As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, +especially to those who are of the household of faith;' its object is to +administer comfort to the afflicted, and rest to the weary and +heavy-laden; to dispense the bread and water of life to those who hunger +and thirst after righteousness; to feed the flock of Christ at home and +abroad; and to impart to those who sit in darkness the cheering rays of +the Sun of Righteousness.</p> + +<p>"The theatre on which the Society displays its operations, is that of the +whole world. Considering all the races of men as children of one common +Father, who 'maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and +sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust;' and who wills 'that all men +should come to the knowledge of the truth;' the British and Foreign Bible +Society offers the records of eternal life to the bond and the free, to +Heathens and Christians,--in the earnest hope that they may become a lamp +unto the feet, and a light unto the paths of those who now receive them, +and of generations yet unborn.</p> + +<p>"To support the character which the British and Foreign Bible Society has +assumed, to realize the hopes which it has excited, to foster and enlarge +the zeal which it has inspired, are obligations of no common magnitude, +and which cannot be discharged without correspondent exertions. 'As a city +that is set on a hill cannot be hid,' the eyes of nations look up to it +with expectation. Immense portions of the globe, now the domains of +idolatry and superstition; regions where the light of Christianity once +shone, but is now dim or extinguished; and countries where the heavenly +manna is so scarce, that thousands live and die without the means of +tasting it,--point out the existing claims on the benevolence of +the Society.</p> + +<p>"To supply these wants, fill up these voids, and display the light of +revelation amidst the realms of darkness, will long require a continuance +of that support which the British and Foreign Bible Society has derived +from the public piety and liberality, and perhaps the persevering efforts +of succeeding generations. Let us not, however, be weary in well doing; +'for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'</p> + +<p>"Whatever may be the extent of the existing or increasing claims on the +British and Foreign Bible Society, it has ample encouragement to proceed +in its sacred duty of disseminating the Word of Life.</p> + +<p>"'I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in +paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, +and crooked things straight.'</p> + +<p>"These are the words of the Almighty himself. Let the British and Foreign +Bible Society, uniting its prayers with those that are daily offered up at +home and abroad for the blessing of God on its proceedings, humbly hope +that it may become the instrument of his providence, for accomplishing his +gracious promises; and that, by means of the Scriptures distributed +through its exertions, or by its influence and encouragement, nations now +ignorant of the true, God, may learn 'to draw water from the wells of +salvation.' The prospect is animating, the object holy, its accomplishment +glorious; for the prospective efforts of the Society are directed to a +consummation, (whether attainable by them or not, is only known to Him who +knoweth all things,) when all the ends of the earth, adopting the language +of inspiration, shall unite their voices in the sublime strains of +heavenly adoration: 'Blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto Him +that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever: +Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!"' [<a href="#foot50">50</a>]</p> + + + + +<h2><a name="essay"></a>Essay on What Christianity Has Done for Women</h2> + + + +<p>At this distance of time, and possessing only the very brief information +with which it has pleased Infinite Wisdom to furnish us in the commencing +chapters of the book of Genesis, it is impossible to ascertain with +precision the nature of that disparity which originally subsisted between +the first parents of mankind. The evidence does not seem to be decisive, +whether their characteristic differences were merely corporeal or mental, +exterior or internal, natural and essential, or accidental. It is +questionable whether the superiority of Adam arose out of the revelations +he received, and the priority of his existence to his "fair partner Eve," +or from an innate pre-eminence which marked him, not only as the head of +the inferior creation, but as the appointed lord of the woman. A close +examination of the subject, perhaps, would lead us to infer, that an +equality subsisted in all those respects which are not strictly classed +under the epithet <i>constitutional</i>; and that the authority which +revelation has conceded to the man, results from his present fallen +condition.</p> + +<p>It is indeed observable, that when God determined upon the creation of the +woman, because it was not deemed good that the man should be alone, she is +represented as the intended "help meet <i>for</i> him;" but this expression is +not perhaps to be understood, as referring so much to subserviency as to +suitability. The capacity of one being to promote the happiness of +another, depends on its adaptation. The virtuous and the vicious, the +feeble and the strong, the majestic and the mean, cannot be associated +together to any advantage, and a general equality appears requisite, to +render any being capable of becoming the <i>help meet</i> to a perfect +creature. This idea of his new-formed companion pervades the language of +Adam, when she was first brought to him by her Almighty Creator: "This," +said he, "is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be +called Woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man +leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and <i>they +shall be one flesh</i>."</p> + +<p>To this it may be added, that subjection to the man is expressly enjoined +as a part of the original curse upon the female. This infliction +necessarily implies a previous equality in rank and station. There was +evidently before, no competition, no struggle for dominion, and no sense +of inferiority or pre-eminence. The language of Jehovah in denouncing the +respective destinies of these transgressors, unquestionably conferred a +power or claim upon man, which he did not originally possess, and which +was intended as a perpetual memento of the woman having been the first to +disobey her Maker. "Unto the woman" he said, "I will greatly multiply thy +sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shall bring forth children; and +thy desire shall be to thy husband, and <i>he shall ride over thee</i>."</p> + +<p>But, whatever were the original equalities or inequalities of the human +race, this, at least, is certain, that the influence of depraved passions +since the fall, is sufficiently conspicuous in rendering the claims and +duties of both sexes more and more ambiguous, and disarranging the +harmonies of the first creation. In proportion to the degree in which +society is corrupt, power will assume an authority over weakness, and they +who ought to be help meets will become competitors. Opposition generates +dislike, and dislike, when associated with power, will produce oppression. +It is in vain to plead the principle of right, to solicit attention to the +voice of reason, or to attempt to define the boundaries of influence, when +no means exist of enforcing the attention of him who can command +obedience. There is no alternative but submission or punishment. Upon this +principle, the female sex may be expected to become the sport of human +caprice, folly, and guilt. But Christianity tends to rectify the disorders +which sin has introduced into the universe, and both in a natural and +moral sense, to restore a lost paradise. Like that mighty Spirit, which in +the beginning moved upon the surface of the waters, when the earth was +without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, it +corrects the confusion of the moral system, pervades and reorganizes the +formless mass of depraved society, and pacifies the turbulence of human +passions. With a majesty that overawes, a voice that will be heard, an +influence that cannot be resisted, it renews the world, and will +eventually diffuse its unsetting glory through every part of the +habitual globe.</p> + +<p>The subject before us presents a large field of research, and it would +well repay the labour to walk with a deliberate step around its spacious +borders and throughout its ample extent; but we must content ourselves +with tracing out some of its principal varieties, and collecting +comparatively a few of its productions.</p> + +<p>Our plan will require the induction <i>of facts</i>, as the necessary basis of +argument or illustration; and these refer to the state of women, in +countries and during periods in which the religion of the Bible was wholly +unknown, as in the nations of Pagan antiquity, in Greece and Rome; in +savage, superstitious, and Mahometan regions; and their condition +previously to the establishment of Christianity, in patriarchal time and +places, or during the Jewish theocracy.</p> + +<p>I. The Pagan Nations of Antiquity demand the first consideration.</p> + +<p>Our knowledge of the <i>ancient Egyptians</i> is extremely limited, being +derived from the Greek writers, whose accounts are often contradictory. +Their testimony, however, is sufficiently precise respecting the +prevalence of domestic servitude. The Egyptians were a people remarkable +for jealousy, which was carried to such an extreme, that after the death +of their wives, they even entertained apprehensions respecting the +embalmers. [<a href="#foot51">51</a>] Having decreed it to be indecent in women to go abroad +without shoes, they deprived them of the means of wearing them, by +threatening with death any one who should make shoes for a woman. They +were forbidden music, probably with a view of preventing their possessing +so dangerous an attraction as that of an elegant accomplishment.</p> + +<p>With regard to the <i>Celtic nations</i>, it is true, that the Romans were +surprised at the degree of estimation in which these barbarous tribes held +their women, and the privileges which they conceded to them; and it must +be admitted that certain stern virtues characterized those who were +addicted to military achievements, resulting partly from their incessant +occupation as warriors, and partly from some indefinite but splendid +ideas of fame and glory. Seduction and adultery were vices of rare +occurrence; the bridegroom bestowed a dowery upon the bride, consisting of +flocks, a horse ready bridled and saddled, a shield, a lance, and a sword; +[<a href="#foot52">52</a>] and they were often stimulated by their presence and excitement in +their warlike expeditions. But though generally contented with one wife, +the nobles were allowed a plurality, either for <i>pleasure</i> or <i>show</i>; the +labours of the field, as well as domestic toil, devolved on the women; +which, though practised in very ancient times, even by females of the most +exalted rank, evidently originated in the general impression of their +inferiority in the scale of existence. Their great Odin, or Odinus, +excluded from his paradise all who did not by some violent death follow +their deceased husbands; and in time they were so degraded, that by an old +Saxon law, he that hurt or killed a woman was to pay only half the fine +exacted for injuring or killing a man. But the argument in favour of +Christianity, as assigning women their <i>proper place</i> in society, is +corroborated by observing the extremes of oppression and adulation, to +which the Scandinavian nations alternately veered. While polygamy and +infanticide prevailed, the practice of raising into heroines, +prophetesses, and goddesses, some of their women, was no less indicative +of a very imperfect sense of the true character of the female sex. [<a href="#foot53">53</a>] +The public and domestic life of the <i>Greeks</i> exhibit unquestionable +evidences of barbarity in the treatment of women. Homer, and all their +subsequent writers, show that they were subjected to those restrictions, +which infallibly indicate their being regarded only as the property of +men, to be disposed of according to their will. Hence they were bought and +sold, made to perform the most menial offices, and exposed to all the +miseries and degradation of concubinage. The daughters, even of persons of +distinction, were married without any consultation of their wishes, to men +whom, frequently, they had never seen, and at the early age of fourteen or +fifteen; previous to which period, the Athenian females were kept in a +state of as great seclusion as possible. Their study was dress; and +slaves, their mothers excepted, were their only companions. The duties of +a good wife were, in the opinion of the wisest of the Greeks, comprised in +going abroad to expose herself as little as possible to strangers, taking +care of what her husband acquired, superintending the younger children, +and maintaining a perpetual vigilance over the adult daughters. After +marriage, some time elapsed before they ventured to speak to their +husbands, or the latter entered into conversation with them. At no time +were wives intrusted with any knowledge of their husbands' affairs, much +less was their opinion or advice solicited; and they were totally excluded +from mixed society. One of the most excellent of the Athenians admitted, +there were few friends with whom, he conversed so seldom as with his +wife. [<a href="#foot54">54</a>]</p> + +<p>Solon, in his laws, is silent with regard to the education of girls, +though he gave very precise regulations for that of boys. That legislator +imagined that women were not sufficiently secluded, and therefore directed +that they should not go abroad in the daytime, except it were in full +dress; or at night, but with torches and in a chariot. He prohibited their +taking eatables out of the houses of their husbands of more value than an +obolus, or carrying a basket more than a cubit in length. [<a href="#foot55">55</a>] The +Athenians had previously possessed the power of selling their children and +sisters; and even Solon allowed fathers, brothers, and guardians, this +right, if their daughters, sisters, and wards, had lost their innocence. +From various enactments, it appears that adultery was extremely common, +and female modesty could not be preserved even by legislative restraint. +Most of the Greeks, and even their philosophers, concurred with the +Eastern nations in general in associating with courtesans; who were, +indeed, honoured with the highest distinctions. The Corinthians ascribed +their deliverance, and that of the rest of Greece, from the power of +Xerxes, to the intercession of the priestess of Venus, and the protection +of the goddess. At all the festivals of Venus, the people applied to the +courtesans as the most efficacious intercessors; and Solon deemed it +advantageous to Athens, to introduce the worship of that goddess, and to +constitute them her priestesses. In the age of Pericles, and still more +afterward, prostitution, thus yoked with superstition, and sanctioned by +its solemnities, produced the most baneful effects upon public morals. +From idolatrous temples, the great reservoirs of pollution, a thousand +streams poured into every condition of life, and rolling over the whole of +this cultivated region, deposited the black sediment of impurity upon the +once polished surface of society, despoiling its beauty, discolouring its +character, and ruining its glory.</p> + +<p>The Athenians did not hesitate to take their wives and daughters to visit +the notorious Aspasia in the house of Pericles, though she was the teacher +of intrigue, and the destroyer of morals. The most celebrated men lived in +celibacy, only to secure the better opportunities of practising vice, +which however did not conceal her hideous deformity in the shades, but +stalked forth at noonday, emblazoned by the eloquence of a Demosthenes, +and enriched by treasuries of opulence.</p> + +<p>In many respects the Spartans differed from the other Greeks in their +treatment of the female sex. The women were as shamefully exposed as those +of the other states were secluded; being introduced to all the exercises +of the public gymnasium at an early age, no less than the other sex, and +taught the most shameless practices. The laws of Lycurgus were in many +instances utterly subversive of morality, and too outrageous for citation. +The depravity of the sex was extreme even at an early period, and +Xenophon, Plutarch, and Aristotle, impute to this cause the ultimate +subversion of the Spartan state.</p> + +<p>The <i>Romans</i> differed materially from the Greeks and the oriental nations +in one point with regard to their treatment of women; namely, in never +keeping them in a state of seclusion from the society of men: but the +husbands were very incommunicative: and it seems at least to have been an +<i>understood</i>, if not a written law, that they should avoid all +inquisitiveness, and speak only in the presence of their husbands. In the +second Punic war, the Oppian law prohibited the women, from riding in +carriages and wearing certain articles of dress; which was, however, +afterward repealed. The ancient laws considered children as slaves, and +women as children who ought to remain in a state of perpetual tutelage. +According to the laws of Romulus and Numa, a husband's authority over his +wife was equal to that of a father over his children, excepting only that +he could not sell her. The wife was stated to be in servitude, though she +had in name the rights of a Roman citizen. From the moment of her marriage +she was looked upon as the daughter of her husband and heir of his +property, if he had no children; otherwise she was considered as his +sister, and shared an equal portion with the children. Wives had no right +to make wills, nor durst they prefer complaints against their husbands; +and the power of the latter over them was as unrestricted as that which +they possessed over their children: in fact, the husband could even put +his wife to death, not only for gross immoralities, but for excess in +wine. [<a href="#foot56">56</a>]</p> + +<p>Considerable changes took place in the laws after the period of the +destruction of Carthage, some of which allowed greater privileges to +females; but as divorces became more frequent, crimes multiplied. In the +latter periods of the republic women had the principal share in public +plots and private assassinations, and practised the worst of sins with the +most barefaced audacity.</p> + +<p>The morals of women are indicative of the state of society in general, and +of the estimation in which they are held in particular. If the other sex +treat them as slaves, they will become servile and contemptible, a certain +degree of self-respect being essential to the preservation of real dignity +of character. The way to render human beings of any class despicable is +to undervalue them; for disesteem will superinduce degeneracy. If this be +the case, then the state of women in any age or country is a criterion of +public opinion, since the vices of their lives indicate their condition; +upon which principle, Greece and Rome exhibit wretched specimens of female +degradation.</p> + +<p>But there is one circumstance in the history of the Romans which must not +be wholly overlooked. Their conduct was marked by <i>capriciousness.</i> Though +the usual treatment of their women resembled that of other Pagan nations +in barbarity, like some of them, too, they frequently rendered them +extraordinary honours. On some occasions they even transferred to their +principal slaves the right of chastising their wives; and yet, on others +they paid them distinguished deference: as in the case of vestals, and the +privileges conceded to them after the negotiation between the Romans and +Sabines. Various individual exceptions to a barbarous usage might be +adduced; sufficient, however, only to evince the general debasement of the +female sex, and the total absence of all fixed principles of moral action +in unchristianized man.</p> + +<p>II. Next to the nations of antiquity, the state of women in SAVAGE, +SUPERSTITIOUS, AND MAHOMETAN COUNTRIES, comes under review.</p> + +<p>In treating this part of the subject, it will be necessary to make a rapid +circumnavigation of the globe, touching at least at the most +remarkable places.</p> + +<h3>Europe.</h3> + +<p>GREENLAND. The situation of females in this country might well justify the +exclamation of an ancient philosopher, who thanked God that <i>he was born a +man and not a woman</i>. The only employment of girls, till their fourteenth +year, is singing, dancing, amusements, attending on children, and fetching +water; [<a href="#foot57">57</a>] after which they are taught, by their mothers, to sew, cook, +tan the skins of animals, construct houses, and navigate boats. It is +common for the men to stand by as idle spectators, while the women are +carrying the heaviest materials for building; the former never attempting +to do any thing but the carpenter's work. Parents frequently betroth their +daughters in infancy, and never consult their wishes respecting marriage; +if no previous pledge be given, they are disposed of to the first suiter +that chances to make the application. From their twentieth year, the usual +period of marriage, the lives of the women, says Cranz, are a continued +series of hardships and misery. The occupations of the men solely consist +in hunting and fishing; but so far from giving themselves the trouble to +carry home the fish they have caught, they would think themselves +eternally disgraced by such a condescension.</p> + +<p>The Greenlanders have two kinds of boats, adapted to procure subsistence. +One of them is the great woman's boat called the <i>umiak</i>, from twelve to +eighteen yards in length, and four or five in width. These boats are rowed +by four women, and steered by a fifth, without any assistance from the +men, excepting in cases of emergency. If the coast will not allow them to +pass, six or eight women take the boat upon their heads, and carry it over +land to a navigable place.</p> + +<p>Mothers-in-law are absolute mistresses in the houses of their married +sons, who frequently ill-treat them; and the poor women are sometimes +obliged to live with quarrelsome favourites, and may be corrected or +divorced at pleasure. Widows who have no friends, are commonly robbed of a +considerable portion of their property by those who come to sympathize +with them by an affected condolence; and can obtain no redress,--on the +contrary, they are obliged to conciliate their kindness by the utmost +obsequiousness. After a precarious subsistence in different families, and +being driven from one hut to another, they are suffered to expire without +help or notice. When widows have grown-up sons, their condition is much +superior to that in which they formerly lived with their husbands. When +aged women pretend to practise, or are suspected of witchcraft--if the +wife or child of a Greenlander happen to die--if his fowling piece miss +fire, or his arrow the mark at which it was shot--the supposed sorceress +is instantly stoned, thrown into the sea, or cut in pieces by the +<i>angekoks</i> or male magicians. There have even been instances of sons +killing their mothers, and brothers their sisters. The infirmities of age +expose women to violent deaths, being sometimes with their own consent, +and sometimes forcibly, interred alive by their own offspring.</p> + +<p>RUSSIA. Over this extensive empire, including sixteen different nations, +the condition of women is such as equally to evince the degraded character +of the men. Among the Siberians, an opinion is entertained that they are +impure beings, and odious to the gods; in consequence of which, they are +not permitted to approach the sacred fire, or the places of sacrifice. In +the eastern islands, in particular, there exists tribes to whom the +nuptial ceremony is unknown; and in cases where the daughters are +purchased by goods, money, or services, their fathers never consult their +children, and their husbands treat them as slaves or beasts of burden. In +Siberia, conjugal fidelity is bartered for gain, or sacrificed at the +shrine of imaginary hospitality. The sale of their wives is by no means +uncommon, for a little train oil, or other paltry considerations. To this +the women offer no objection, and at an advanced age frequently seek +younger wives for their husbands, and devote themselves to domestic +drudgery. [<a href="#foot58">58</a>] The same degrading facts apply to the Tungusians and other +tribes. In some respects the Kamtschadales differ from the rest, but the +extreme debasement arising from their libidinous brutality must not be +described, and can scarcely be credited. [<a href="#foot59">59</a>]</p> + +<p>Among all the Slavon nations of Europe, wives and daughters have ever been +kept in a state of exclusion. Brides are purchased, and instantly become +slaves. Formerly sons were compelled by blows to marry, and daughters +dragged by their hair to the altars; and the paternal authority is still +unbounded. The lower classes are doomed to incessant labour, and are +obliged to submit to the utmost indignities. [<a href="#foot60">60</a>]</p> + +<p>The picture of Russian manners varies little with reference to the prince +or the peasant.... They are all, high and low, rich and poor, alike servile +to superiors; haughty and cruel to their dependants, ignorant, +superstitions, cunning, brutal, barbarous, dirty, mean. The emperor canes +the first of his grandees; princes and nobles cane their slaves; and the +slaves their <i>wives</i> and <i>daughters</i>. [<a href="#foot61">61</a>]</p> + +<p>ITALY AND SPAIN. These two countries may be classed together, because the +condition of the female sex is very similar in both: the education of +woman is totally neglected, and they are not ashamed of committing the +grossest blunders in common conversation. Such is their situation that +they cannot intermeddle with the concerns of their husbands, without +exciting their jealousy. Girls are in early years left to the care of +servants who are both ill educated and immoral; the same may be said of +their mothers, whose conversation and public conduct tend to perfect the +growth of licentiousness in their uncultivated children.</p> + +<p>PORTUGAL. Young women in this kingdom are not instructed in any thing +truly useful or ornamental; and even those who belong to respectable +families, are often ignorant of reading and writing. Parents keep their +daughters in the most rigid confinement, frequently not allowing them even +to go abroad to church to hear mass, and never unattended. They are +secluded from all young persons of the other sex, who are not permitted to +visit families where there are unmarried females. The consequence of this +austerity is an extended system of intrigue, for the purpose of evading +all this circumspection--by which means they are full of cunning +and deceit.</p> + +<p>TURKEY. Women, in Constantinople, are confined in seraglios for life, or +shut up in their apartments. They are not permitted to appear in public +without a vail, and can only obtain their freedom by devoting themselves +to prostitution.</p> + +<p>"The slave market," says Mr. Thornton, "is a quadrangle, surrounded by a +covered gallery, and ranges of small and separate apartments. The manner +of purchasing slaves is described in the plain and unaffected narrative of +a German merchant, which, as I have been able to ascertain its general +authenticity, may be relied on as correct in this particular. He arrived +at Kaffa, in the Crimea, which was formerly the principal mart of slaves; +and hearing that an Armenian had a Georgian and two Circassian girls to +dispose of, feigned an intention of purchasing them, in order to gratify +his curiosity, and to ascertain the mode of conducting such bargains. A +Circassian maiden, eighteen years old, was the first who presented +herself; she was well dressed, and her face was covered with a vail. She +advanced towards the German, bowed down, and kissed his hand: by order of +her master, she walked backwards and forwards in the chamber to show her +shape, and the easiness of her gait and carriage: her foot was small, and +her gesture agreeable. When she took off her vail, she displayed a bust of +the most attractive beauty. She rubbed her cheeks with a wet napkin, to +prove that she had not used art to heighten her complexion; and she opened +her inviting lips, to show a regular set of teeth of pearly whiteness. The +German was permitted to feel her pulse, that he might be convinced of the +good state of her health and constitution. She was then ordered to retire, +while the merchants deliberated upon the bargain. The price of this +beautiful girl was four thousand piastres, [equal to four thousand five +hundred florins of Vienna."] [<a href="#foot62">62</a>]</p> + +<p>GREECE. The condition of females, in Modern Greece, may be inferred from +an anecdote or two related by <i>Lieutenant Collins</i>. He and his friends +were approaching <i>Macri</i>, on the coast of Asia Minor. "Encouraged to +proceed," he remarks, "we approached the second groupe, which we passed +in a similar manner; but some woman, who were near them, appeared to fly +at our approach, and view us at a distance with astonishment and fear. But +no sooner had we advanced, than, as with general consent, they all caught +their children in their arms, and with the fears of a mother apprehensive +for the safety of a beloved child, flew to their houses, and shut +themselves in, and we saw no more of them till our return.</p> + +<p>"Our company during dinner consisted of Greeks only--it was served up by +the women, attended by one of her children, who with all the family +appeared in an abject state; for on offering her a little of the wine, +which they so kindly furnished us with, she shrunk back, with an +expression of surprise at our condescension, which excited ours also; and +the man understanding a little Italian, we inquired the reason; 'Such,' +says he, is the inferiority and oppression we labour under, that it is in +general thought too great honour for a Turk to present a person of this +description with, any token of respect, and forward in her to accept it, +which is the reason of her timidity, in not accepting the wine from +you.'" [<a href="#foot63">63</a>]</p> + +<p>In Greece, the women are closely confined at home; they do not even appear +at church till they are married. The female slaves are not Greeks, but +such as are either taken in war or stolen by the Tartars from Russia, +Circassia, or Georgia. Many thousands were formerly taken in the Morea, +but most of them have been redeemed by the charitable contributions of the +Christians, or ransomed by their own relations. The fine slaves that wait +upon great ladies, are bought at the age of eight or nine years, and +educated with great care to accomplish them in singing, dancing, +embroidery, &c. They are commonly Circassian, and their patron rarely +ever sells them, but if they grow weary of them, they either present them +to a friend, or give them their freedom.</p> + +<h3>Asia.</h3> + +<p>TARTARY. This immense country, in its utmost limits, reaches from the +Eastern Ocean to the Caspian Sea; and from Corea, China, Thibet, +Hindoostan, and Persia, to Russia, and Siberia; including a space of three +thousand six hundred miles in length, and nine hundred and sixty in width, +and comprehending all the middle region of Asia. Its two great divisions +are into Eastern and Western; the former chiefly belongs to the emperor of +China, the latter to Russia.</p> + +<p>The Mahometan Tartars are continually waging war against their neighbours +for the purpose of procuring slaves. When they cannot obtain adults, they +steal children to sell, and even make no scruple of selling their own, +especially daughters. In case of any disgust, their wives share a similar +fate. Among the pagan Tartars incestuous practices are prevalent, and +their wives are generally dismissed at, or previous to, the age of forty. +The mothers of sultans, among the Crim Tartars, neither eat with their +sons, nor sit in their presence. They are, in fact, the slaves of their +caprice, often ill-treated by them, and sometimes even put to death. [<a href="#foot64">64</a>]</p> + +<p>The <i>Calmucks</i> are considered as remarkably lenient in their conduct to +the women: but fathers dispose of their daughters without their consent, +and even antecedently to their birth. Their chiefs and princes have, +besides, large harems or seraglios where domestic rivalship imbitters +existence. They are, moreover, regarded in general as servants, and +infidelity is compensated by a trifling offering to their +mercenary rapacity.</p> + +<p>The <i>Georgians and Circassians</i> are celebrated for their surpassing +beauty, and their young women are brought up to some industrious habits. +The daughters of slaves receive a similar education, and are sold +according to their beauty, at from twenty to a hundred pounds each, or +upwards. They consider all their children in the light of property, +exposing them to sale as they would their cattle, and too often obtain +large sums from the agents of despotism and depravity.</p> + +<p>CHINA. In this, and almost all the countries of Southern Asia, the +condition of women is truly deplorable. Forced marriages and sales are +universal, and the Chinese are so excessively jealous, that they do not +permit their wives to receive any visitors of the other sex, and transport +them from place to place in vehicles secured by iron bars. Their +concubines are not only treated with the most degrading inhumanity, but +are slaves to the wives, who never fail to sway a despotic sceptre; they +are besides liable at any time to be sold. The children of concubines are +regarded as the offspring of the legitimate wife; hence they manifest no +affection for their real mothers, but often treat them with the most +marked disrespect. The laws of China and Siam allow the lawful wives and +sons, after the death of their husbands and fathers, to exclude concubines +and their children from all share in the property of the deceased, and to +dispose of their persons by public or private sale.</p> + +<p>The wives of people of rank are always confined to their apartments from +motives of jealousy; those of a middle class are a kind of upper servants +deprived of liberty; and the wives of the lower orders are mere domestic +drudges. The handsomest women are usually purchased for the courts and +principal mandarins.</p> + +<p>"We can readily," says a respectable writer, "give credit to the custom of +a landlord taking the wife of a ryat or peasant, as a pledge for rent, and +keeping her till the debt is discharged (in the kingdom of Nepaul;) since +we know, on the best authority, that their wise polished neighbours, the +Chinese, have found it necessary to enact a prohibitory statute against +lending wives and daughters on hire." [<a href="#foot65">65</a>]</p> + +<p>Another writer observes, "Since the philosophical inquiry into the +condition of the weaker sex, in the different stages of society, published +by Millar, [<a href="#foot66">66</a>] it has been universally considered as an infallible +criterion of barbarous society, to find the women in a state of great +degradation. Scarcely among savages themselves is the condition of women +more wretched and humiliating than among the Chinese. A very striking +picture of the slavery and oppression to which they are doomed, but too +long for insertion in this place, is drawn by M. Vanbraam. [<a href="#foot67">67</a>] Mr. Barrow +informs us, that among the rich, the women are imprisoned slaves; among +the poor, drudges; 'many being,' says he, 'compelled to work with an +infant upon the back, while the husband, in all probability, is gaming,--I +have frequently seen women,' he adds, 'assisting to drag a sort of light +plough, and the harrow. The easier task, that of directing the machine, is +left to the husband.' [<a href="#foot68">68</a>] The Chinese value their daughters so little, +that when they have more children than they can easily maintain, they hire +the midwives to stifle the females in a basin of water as soon as they are +born.' [<a href="#foot69">69</a>] Nothing can exceed the contempt towards women which the maxims +of the most celebrated of their lawgivers express. 'It is very +difficult,' said Confucius himself, 'to govern women and servants; for if +you treat them with gentleness and familiarity, they lose all respect; if +with rigour, you will have continual disturbance.'</p> + +<p>"Women are debarred almost entirely from the rights of property; and they +never inherit. Among the worst savage nations, their daughters are sold to +their husbands, and are received and treated as slaves. [<a href="#foot70">70</a>] When society +has made a little progress, the purchase-money is received only as a +present, and the wife, nominally at least, is not received as a slave. +Among the Chinese, the daughter, with whom no dowry is given, it uniformly +exchanged for a present; and so little is the transaction, even on a +purchase, disguised, that Mr. Barrow has no scruple to say, 'the daughters +may be said to be invariably sold.' [<a href="#foot71">71</a>] He assures us, that 'it is even a +common practice among the Chinese to sell their daughters, that they may +he brought up as prostitutes.'" [<a href="#foot72">72</a>] [<a href="#foot73">73</a>]</p> + +<p>BIRMAN EMPIRE. This extensive dominion comprehends the state of Pegu, Ava, +Arracan, and Siam. Women are not secluded from the society of men, but +they are held in great contempt. Their evidence is undervalued in judicial +proceedings. The lower classes sell their women to strangers, who do not, +however, seem to feel themselves degraded. In Pegu, Siam, Cochin China, +and other districts, adultery is regarded as honourable. Herodotus +mentions a people called Gendanes, where the debasement of the female +character is such, that their misconduct is an occasion of boasting and a +source of distinction.</p> + +<p>HINDOOSTAN. The following extracts, from the letters of the Baptist +missionaries, in India, will speak volumes, and might, if it were +necessary, be corroborated by a thousand similar citations.</p> + +<p>At an early period of the Baptist mission to India, Dr. Carey communicated +the following interesting account to a friend:--"As the burning of women +with their husbands is one of the most singular and striking customs of +this people, and also very ancient, as you will see by the <i>Reek Bede</i>, +which contains a law relating to it, I shall begin with this. Having just +read a Shanscrit book, called <i>Soordhee Sungraha</i>, which is a collection +of laws from the various Shasters, arranged under their proper heads, I +shall give you an extract from it, omitting some sentences, which are mere +verbal repetitions. Otherwise, the translation may be depended on as +exact. The words prefixed to some of the sentences are the names of the +original books from which the extracts are made.</p> + +<p>"<i>Angeera.</i> After the husband's death, the virtuous wife who burns herself +with him, [<a href="#foot74">74</a>] is like an Asoondhatee, [<a href="#foot75">75</a>] and will go to bliss.--If she +be within one day's journey of the place where he dies, and indeed +virtuous, the burning of his corpse shall be deferred one day for +her arrival.</p> + +<p>"<i>Brahma Pooran</i>. If the husband die in another country, the virtuous wife +shall take any of his effects; for instance, a sandal, and binding it on +her thigh, shall enter the fire with it. [<a href="#foot76">76</a>]</p> + +<p>"<i>Reek, Bede.</i> If a wife thus burn with her husband, it is not suicide; and +her relations shall observe three days' uncleanness for her; after which +her <i>Shraddha</i> [<a href="#foot77">77</a>] must he properly performed.--If she cannot come to the +place, or does not receive an account of her husband's death, she shall +wait the appointed ten days of uncleanness, [<a href="#foot78">78</a>] and may afterwards die in +a separate fire.--If she die in a separate fire, three days' uncleanness +will be observed; after which the <i>Pinda</i> must be performed.--After the +uncleanness on account of the husband is over, the <i>Shraddha</i> must be +performed according to the commandment.--Three days after his death, the +<i>Dospinda</i> [<a href="#foot79">79</a>] must be made, and after ten days the regular <i>Shraddha</i>.</p> + +<p>"<i>Goutam. Brahmmanee</i> can only die with her husband, on which account she +cannot burn in another fire. When a woman dies with her husband, the +eldest son, or nearest relation, shall set fire to the pile; whose office +also it is to perform the <i>Dospinda</i>, and all the obsequies. He who +kindles the fire shall perform the <i>Dospinda</i>: [<a href="#foot80">80</a>] but her own son, or +nearest relations, must perform the <i>Shraddha</i>.--If a woman burn +separately, only three days' uncleanness will be observed for her; but if +in the same fire ten days.</p> + +<p>"<i>Asouch Shunkar</i>. If another person die before the last day of +uncleanness for a death or birth, then the uncleanness on account of the +second person's death will be included in the first, and the time not +lengthened out.</p> + +<p>"<i>Bishnoo Pooran</i>. If the husband die in war, only present uncleanness, or +till bathing, will be observed for him: if, therefore, the wife burn with +him only one night's uncleanness will be observed for her; but, if in a +separate fire, three days; and in that case the husband's <i>Pinda</i> will be +at the end of three days.--If the husband and wife burn in one fire, they +will obtain separate offerings of the <i>Shraddha</i>.--If a woman die with +her husband voluntarily, the offerings to her, and all her obsequies will +be equal to his.--If they die within a <i>Tithee</i>, or lunar day, the +offerings will be made to both at the same time.--If the person be +<i>Potect</i>, or sinful; that is, has killed a <i>Brahmman</i>, or drinks +spirituous liquors, or has committed some sin in his former life, on +account of which he is afflicted with elephantiasis, consumption, leprosy, +&c. [<a href="#foot81">81</a>] all will be blotted out by his wife burning with him, after +proper atonement has been made. [<a href="#foot82">82</a>]--A woman with a young child, or +being pregnant, cannot burn with her husband.--If there be a proper person +to educate the infant, she may be permitted to burn.--If any woman ascend +the pile, and should afterward decline to burn, through love of life or +earthly things, she shall perform the penance <i>Prazapatya</i>, and will then +be free from sin.'" [<a href="#foot83">83</a>]</p> + +<p>The following statement is taken from the more recent communication of +another of the Baptist missionaries to India:--</p> + +<p>"Jan. 9, 1807. A person informing us that a woman was about to be burnt +with the corpse of her husband near our house, I, with several of our +brethren, hastened to the place; but, before we could arrive, the pile was +in flames. It was a horrible sight. The most shocking indifference and +levity appeared among those who were present: I never saw anything more +brutal than their behaviour. The dreadful scene had not the least +appearance of a religious ceremony, It resembled an abandoned rabble of +boys in England, collected for the purpose of worrying to death a cat or a +dog. A bamboo, perhaps twenty feet long, had been fastened at one end to a +stake driven in the ground, and held down over the fire by men at the +other. Such were the confusion, the levity, the bursts of brutal +laughter, while the poor woman was burning alive before their eyes, that +it seemed as if every spark of humanity was extinguished by this cruel +superstition. That which added to the cruelty was, the smallness of the +fire. It did not consist of so much wood as we consume in dressing a +dinner: no, not this fire that was to consume the living and the dead! I +saw the legs of the poor creature hanging out of the fire, while her body +was in flames. After a while they took a bamboo, ten or twelve feet long, +and stirred it, pushing and beating the half-consumed corpse, as you would +repair a fire of green wood, by throwing the unconsumed pieces into the +middle. Perceiving the legs hanging out, they beat them with the bamboo +for some time, in order to break the ligatures which fastened them at the +knees; (for they would not have come near to touch them for the world.) At +length, they succeeded in binding them upwards into the fire; the skin and +muscles giving way, and discovering the knee-sockets bare, with the balls +of the leg bones; a sight this, which, I need not say, made me thrill with +horror; especially when I recollected that this hopeless victim of +superstition was alive but a few minutes before. To have seen savage +wolves thus tearing a human body limb from limb, would have been shocking; +but to see relations and neighbours do this to one with whom they had +familiarly conversed not an hour before, and to do it with an air of +levity, was almost too much for me to bear! Turning to the Brahmman who +was the chief actor in this horrid tragedy, a young fellow of about +twenty-two, and one of the most hardened that ever I accosted, I told him +that the system which allowed of these cruelties, could no more proceed +from God than darkness from the sun; and warned him, that he must appear +at the judgment-seat of God, to answer for this murder. He, with a grin, +full of savage contempt, told me that 'he gloried in it, and felt the +highest pleasure in performing the deed.' I replied, 'that his pleasure +might be less than that of his Master; but seeing it was in vain to reason +with him, I turned to the people, and expostulated with them. One of them +answered, that 'the woman had burnt herself of her own free choice, and +that she went to the pile as a matter of pleasure.'--'Why, then, did you +confine her down with that large bamboo?'--'If we had not, she would have +run away'--'What, run away from pleasure!' I then addressed the poor lad, +who had been thus induced to set fire to his mother. He appeared about +nineteen. 'You have murdered your mother! your sin is great. The sin of +the Brahmman, who urged you to it, is greater; but yours is very +great.'--'What could I do? It is the custom.'--'True, but this custom is +not of God; but proceedeth from the devil, who wishes to destroy mankind. +How will you bear the reflection that you have murdered your only +surviving parent?' He seemed to feel what was said to him; but, just at +this instant, that hardened wretch, the Brahmman, rushed in, and drew him +away, while the tears were standing in his eyes. After reasoning with some +others, and telling them of the Saviour of the world, I returned home with +a mind full of horror and disgust.</p> + +<p>"You expect, perhaps, to hear that this unhappy victim was the wife of +some Brahmman of high cast. She was the wife of a barber who dwelt at +Serampore, and had died that morning, leaving the son I have mentioned, +and a daughter about eleven years of age. Thus has this infernal +superstition aggravated the common miseries of life, and left these +children stripped of both their parents in one day! Nor is this an +uncommon case. It often happens to children far more helpless than these; +sometimes to children possessed of property, which is then left, as well +as themselves, to the mercy of those who have decoyed their mother to +their father's funeral pile." [<a href="#foot84">84</a>]</p> + +<p>CEYLON. "Idolatrous procession. Each carriage has four wheels of solid +wood, and requires two hundred men to drag it. When they are dragged along +the streets, on occasions of great solemnity, women, in the phrensy of +false devotion, throw themselves down before the wheels, and are crushed +to death by their tremendous weight; the same superstitious madness +preventing the ignorant crowd from making any attempt to save them." [<a href="#foot85">85</a>]</p> + +<p>SUMATRA. "The modes of marriage," says Mr. Marsden, "according to the +original institutions of these people, are by <i>jujur</i>, by <i>arnbel anak</i>, +or by <i>Semando</i>. The jujur is a certain sum of money, given by one man to +another, as a consideration for the person of his daughter, whose +situation, in this case, differs not much from that of a slave to the man +she marries, and to his family; his absolute property in her depends, +however, upon some nice circumstances. Besides the <i>botang jupu,</i> (or main +sum,) there are certain appendages, or branches, one of which, the <i>tali +kulo</i>, or five dollars, is usually, from motives of delicacy or +friendship, left unpaid; and so long as that is the case, a relationship +is understood to subsist between the two families, and the parents of the +woman have a right to interfere on occasions of ill treatment; the husband +is also liable to be fined for wounding her: with other limitations of +absolute right. When that sum is finally paid, which seldom happens but in +cases of violent quarrel, the <i>tali kulo</i>, (tie of relationship,) is said +to be <i>putus</i>, (broken,) and the woman becomes to all intents the slave of +her lord. She has then no title to claim a divorce in any predicament; and +he may sell her, making only the first offer to her relations."</p> + +<p>Speaking of another part of the <i>country</i>, (Batta,) he says, "the men are +allowed to marry as many wives as they please or can afford, and to have +half a dozen is not uncommon. The condition of the women appears to be no +other than that of slaves, the husbands having the power of selling their +wives and children." [<a href="#foot86">86</a>]</p> + +<p>JAVA. At Bantam, and in other parts of the island, fathers betroth their +children at a very early age, lest they should be taken from them to +supply the harems of kings, or be sold for slaves on the death of the +fathers by the monarch, who is heir of all his subjects. [<a href="#foot87">87</a>]</p> + +<p>Among all the nations of Southern Asia, and the East Indian and South Sea +Islands, the women are despised and oppressed; the wives and daughters of +every class are offered to strangers, and compelled to prostitute +themselves. They are moreover used with the utmost cruelty by their +husbands, and not permitted to eat, or even to sit down, in the presence +of the men; and yet, with marvellous inconsistency, many nations allow +themselves to be governed by women, who sometimes reign with despotic +authority.</p> + +<p>NEW HOLLAND. "The aboriginal inhabitants of this distant region are, +indeed, beyond comparison, the most barbarous on the surface of the globe. +The residence of Europeans has been wholly ineffectual; the natives are +still in the same state as at our first settlement. Every day are men and +women to be seen in the streets of Sydney and Paramatta naked as in the +moment of their birth. In vain have the more humane of the officers of the +colony endeavoured to improve their condition: they still persist in the +enjoyment of their ease and liberty in their own way, and turn a deaf ear +to any advice upon this subject." [<a href="#foot88">88</a>]</p> + +<p>"They observe no particular ceremony in their marriages, though their mode +of courtship is not without its singularity. When a young man sees a +female to his fancy, he informs her she must accompany him home; the lady +refuses; he not only enforces compliance with threats, but blows; thus the +gallant, according to the custom, never fails to gain the victory, and +bears off the willing, though struggling pugilist. The colonists, for some +time, entertained the idea that the women were compelled, and forced away +against their inclinations; but the young ladies informed them, that this +mode of gallantry was the custom, and perfectly to their taste." [<a href="#foot89">89</a>]</p> + +<p>PERSIA. "Women are not allowed to join in the public prayers at the +mosques. They are directed to offer up their devotions at home, or if they +attend the place of public worship, it must be at a period when the male +sex are not there. This practice is founded upon the authority of the +traditionary sayings of the prophet, and is calculated to confirm that +inferiority and seclusion, to which the female sex are doomed by the laws +of Mahomed.</p> + +<p>"In Persia, women are seldom publicly executed; nor can their crimes, +from their condition in society, be often of a nature to demand such +examples; but they are exposed to all the violence and injustice of +domestic tyranny; and innocent females are too often included in the +punishment of their husbands and fathers, particularly where those are of +high rank. Instances frequently occur where women are tortured, to make +them reveal the concealed wealth of which they are supposed to have a +knowledge; and when a nobleman or minister is put to death, it is not +unusual to give away his wives and daughters as slaves; and sometimes +(though rarely) they are bestowed on the lowest classes in the community. +There are instances of the wives of men of high rank being given to +mule-drivers." [<a href="#foot90">90</a>]</p> + +<p>ARABIA. The ancient Arabs considered the birth of a daughter as a +misfortune, and they frequently buried daughters alive as soon as they +were born, lest they should be impoverished by having to provide for them, +or should suffer disgrace on their account. [<a href="#foot91">91</a>]</p> + +<p>"The horrid practice of female infanticide has been an usage of many +nations. Among the ancient Arabs, as among the Rajpoots of the present +day, it proceeded as much from a jealous sense of honour, as the pressure +of want." [<a href="#foot92">92</a>]</p> + +<p>Of eastern manners, in general, it has been remarked, that "excepting the +Chinese and Javanese, all the nations of the south of Asia, and all the +inhabitants of the East Indian and South Sea islands, offer the Europeans +their wives and daughters, or compel them to prostitute themselves to +strangers." [<a href="#foot93">93</a>]</p> + +<p>"A man, in the East, dares not inquire concerning the health of the wife +or daughter of his most intimate friend, because this would instantly +excite suspicion of illicit views and connections; neither does etiquette +permit him to make mention himself of his own wife or daughter. They are +included among the domestic animals, or comprehended in the general +denomination of the house or the family. When, however, an Oriental is +obliged to mention his wife or his daughter, in conversation with a +physician, or any other person whom he wishes to treat with deference and +respect, he always introduces the subject with some such apology as we +make in Europe, when we are obliged to speak of things which are regarded +as disgusting or obscene. Conformably with this Asiatic prejudice, +Tamerlane was highly affronted with the vanquished Turkish emperor +Bajazet, for mentioning, in his presence, such impure creatures as women +are considered by the Orientals." [<a href="#foot94">94</a>]</p> + + + +<h3>America.</h3> + +<p>NORTHERN INDIANS.</p> + + +<blockquote> Here all the gentle morals, such as play<br /> +Through life's more cultur'd walks, and charm the way;<br /> +These far dispers'd, on tim'rous pinions fly,<br /> +To sport and flutter in a kinder sky.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>GOLDSMITH.</blockquote> + +<p>The women cook the victuals, but though of the highest rank, they are +never permitted to partake of it, till all the males, even the servants, +have eaten what they think proper; and in times of scarcity, it is +frequently their lot to be left without a single morsel; and should they +be detected in helping themselves during the business of cookery, they +would be subject to a severe beating; and be considered afterward, through +life, as having forfeited their character.</p> + +<p>"The accounts we have had of the effects of the small pox on that nation +(the Maha Indians) are most distressing; it is not known in what way it was +first communicated to them, though probably by some war party. They had +been a military and powerful people; but when these warriors saw their +strength wasting before a malady which they could not resist, their +phrensy was extreme; they burnt their village, and many of them put to +death their <i>wives</i> and <i>children</i>, to save them from so cruel an +affliction, and that all might go together to some better country." [<a href="#foot95">95</a>]</p> + +<p>WEST INDIES. <i>Hayti</i> (late St. Domingo.) Extract of a letter, dated Nov. +1810. "The Indigenes, or natives of Hayti, are extremely ignorant; but few +can read: their religion is Catholic; but neither it, or its priests, are +much respected. That they are in a most awful state of darkness, is but +too evident: mothers are actually panders to their own daughters, and reap +the fruit of their prostitution. The endearing name of father is scarcely +ever heard, as the children but rarely know to whom they are indebted for +existence." [<a href="#foot96">96</a>]</p> + +<p>SOUTH AMERICA. In this region there are whole nations of cannibals, who +devour their captives. Sometimes they slay their own wives, and invite +their neighbours to the repast.</p> + +<p>NEW ZEALAND. "Tippechu, the chieftain," says Mr. Savage, "has a +well-constructed dwelling on this island, and a large collection of +spears, war-mail, and other valuables. A short distance, from the +residence of the chief is an edifice, every way similar to a dove-cote, +standing upon a single post, and not larger than dove-cotes usually are. +In this, Tippechu confined one of his daughters several years; we +understood she had fallen in love with a person of inferior condition, and +that these means were adopted to prevent her from bringing disgrace upon +her family. The space alloted to the lady would neither allow of her +standing up, or stretching at her length; she had a trough, in which her +food was deposited as often as was thought necessary, during her +confinement; and I could not find that she was allowed any other +accommodation. These privations, and all converse being denied her, proves +that Tippechu was determined to exhibit a severe example to his subjects; +at least to such of the young ladies of this part of New Zealand, as might +be inclined to degrade themselves and their families by unsuitable +alliances. The long confinement with all its inconveniences, produced the +desired effect, in rendering the princess obedient to the wishes of her +royal parent. This barbarous case, which is ornamented with much grotesque +carving, still remains as a memento in <i>terrorem</i> to all the young ladies +under Tippechu's government." [<a href="#foot97">97</a>]</p> + + + +<h3>Africa.</h3> + + +<p>TUNIS. "The Tunisines have a curious custom of fattening up their young +ladies for marriage. A girl, after she is betrothed, is cooped up in a +small room; shackles of silver and gold are put upon her ancles and +wrists, as a piece of dress. If she is to be married to a man who has +discharged, despatched, or lost a former wife, the shackles which the +former wife wore, are put upon the new bride's limbs: and she is fed, +until they are filled up to the proper thickness. This is sometimes no +easy matter, particularly if the former wife was fat, and the present +should be of a slender form. The food used for this custom, worthy of +barbarians, is a seed called drough; which is of an extraordinary +fattening quality, and also famous for rendering the milk of nurses rich +and abundant. With this seed, and their national dish '<i>cuscusu</i>,' the +bride is literally crammed, and many actually die under the spoon." [<a href="#foot98">98</a>]</p> + +<p>MOROCCO. "When an ill-disposed husband becomes jealous or discontented +with his wife, he has too many opportunities of treating her cruelly; he +may tyrannize over her without control; no one can go to her assistance, +for no one is authorized to enter his harem without permission. Jealousy +or hatred rises so high in the breast of a Moor, that death is often the +consequence to the wretched female, who has excited, perhaps innocently, +the anger of her husband. A father, however fond of his daughter, cannot +assist her even if informed of the ill treatment she suffers; the husband +alone is lord paramount; if, however, he should he convicted of murdering +his wife, he would suffer death; but this is difficult to ascertain, even +should she bear the marks of his cruelty or dastardly conduct, for who is +to detect it? Instances have been known, when the woman has been cruelly +beaten and put to death, and the parents have been informed of her decease +as if it had been occasioned by sickness, and she has been buried +accordingly; but this difficulty of bringing men to justice, holds only +among the powerful bashaws, and persons in the highest stations; and +these, to avoid a retaliation of similar practices on <i>their</i> children, +sometimes prefer giving their daughters in marriage to men of an inferior +station in life, who are more amenable to justice." [<a href="#foot99">99</a>]</p> + +<p>This writer informs us also, that "in Morocco, slaves are placed in the +public market-place, and there turned about and examined, in order to +ascertain their value." p. 249. "A young girl of Houssa, of exquisite +beauty, was once sold at Morocco, whilst I was there, for four hundred +ducats [of 3s. 8d. sterling,] whilst the average price of slaves is about +one hundred; so much depends on the fancy or the imagination of the +purchaser." p. 247.</p> + +<p>DARFOR. "Slaves indeed, both male and female, rarely draw near their +master, if he be seated, except creeping on their knees. A man, who is +possessed of several women, rarely enters the apartments of any of them, +hut sends for one or more of them at a time to his own. Whether free or +slaves, they enter it on their knees, and with indications of timidity and +respect.... The slaves are rarely allowed to wear any covering on their +feet. Free women, on the contrary, are ordinarily distinguished by a kind +of sandal; which, however, is always taken off when they come into the +presence of, or have occasion to pass, a person of any consideration of +the other sex. It is not uncommon to see a man on a journey, mounted idly +on an ass; whilst his wife is pacing many a weary step on foot behind him; +and moreover, perhaps, carrying a supply of provisions or culinary +utensils. Yet it is not to be supposed, that the man is despotic in his +house; the voice of the female has its full weight." [<a href="#foot100">100</a>]</p> + +<p>MANDINGOES. "About noon," says Mr. Park, "I arrived at Kolor, a +considerable town; near the entrance into which I observed, hanging upon a +tree, a sort of masquerade habit, made of the bark of trees; which, I was +told on inquiry, belonged to MUMBO JUMBO. This is a strange bugbear, +common to all the Mandingo towns, and much employed by the Pagan natives in +keeping their women in subjection; for as the Kafas are not restricted in +the number of their wives, every one marries as many as he can +conveniently maintain; and as it frequently happens that the ladies +disagree among themselves, family quarrels sometimes rise to such a +height, that the authority of the husband can no longer preserve peace in +his household. In such cases, the interposition of Mumbo Jumbo is called +in and is always decisive.</p> + +<p>"This strange minister of justice (who is supposed to be either the +husband himself, or some person instructed by him,) disguised in the dress +that has been mentioned, and armed with the rod of public authority, +announces his coming (whenever his services are required) by loud and +dismal screams in the woods near the town. He begins the pantomime at the +approach of night; and, as soon as it is dark, he enters the town, and +proceeds to the Bentang, at which all the inhabitants immediately +assemble.</p> + +<p>"It may easily be supposed, that this exhibition is not much relished by +the women; for as the person in disguise is entirely unknown to them, +every married female suspects that the visit may possibly be intended for +herself: but they dare not refuse to appear, when they are summoned; and +the ceremony commences with songs and dances, which continue till +midnight, about which time Mumbo fixes on the offender. This unfortunate +victim being thereupon immediately seized, is stripped naked, tied to a +post, and severely scourged with Mumbo's rod, amidst the shouts and +derision of the whole assembly; and it is remarkable, that the rest of the +women are the loudest in their exclamations on this occasion against their +unhappy sister. Daylight puts an end to this indecent and unmanly +revel." [<a href="#foot101">101</a>]</p> + +<p>"In the Mandingo countries," says Durand, "there is a mosque in every +town, from the steeple of which the people are called to prayers, the same +as in Turkey. Polygamy is practised in these regions in its utmost +latitude. The women are frequently hostages for alliance and peace; and +the chiefs of two tribes, who have been at war, cement their treaties by +an exchange of their daughters: private individuals do the same; and this +circumstance may be the reason why the chiefs, in particular, have such a +great number of women. A girl is frequently betrothed to a man as soon as +she is born. On the day agreed on for the marriage, the bridegroom places +on the road which the bride has to pass, several of his people at +different distances, with brandy and other refreshments; for if these +articles be not furnished in abundance, the conductors of the bride will +not advance a step further, though they may have got three parts of the +way on their journey. On approaching the town, they stop, and are joined +by the friends of the bridegroom, who testify their joy by shouting, +drinking, and letting off their pieces." [<a href="#foot102">102</a>]</p> + +<p>MOORS OF BENOROM, &c. "The education of the girls is neglected altogether: +mental accomplishments are but little attended to by the women; nor is the +want of them considered, by the men, as a defect in the female character. +They are regarded, I believe, as an inferior species of animals; and seem +to be brought up for no other purpose, than that of administering to the +sensual pleasures of their imperious masters. Voluptuousness is, +therefore, considered as their chief accomplishment, and slavish +submission as their indispensable duty." [<a href="#foot103">103</a>]</p> + +<p>KAMALIA. "If a man takes a fancy to any one [of the young women,] it is +not considered as absolutely necessary, that he should make an overture to +the girl herself. The first object is to agree with the parents, +concerning the recompense to be given them for the loss of the company and +services of their daughter. The value of two slaves is a common price, +unless the girl is thought very handsome; in which case, the parents will +raise their demand very considerably. If the lover is rich enough and +willing to give the sum demanded, he then communicates his wishes to the +damsel; but her consent is, by no means, necessary to the match; for if +the parents agree to it, and eat a few kolla-nuts, which are presented by +the suiter as an earnest of the bargain, the young lady must either have +the man of their choice, or continue unmarried, for she cannot after be +given to another. If the parents should attempt it, the lover is then +authorized, by the laws of the country, to seize upon the girl as +his slave.</p> + +<p>"The negroes, whether Mahomedan or Pagan, allow a plurality of wives. The +Mahomedans alone are, by their religion, confined to four; and as the +husband commonly pays a great price for each, he requires from all of them +the utmost deference and submission, and beats them more like hired +servants than companions." [<a href="#foot104">104</a>]</p> + +<p>BANISERILE. "One of our slatus was a native of this place, from which he +had been absent three years. This man invited me to go with him to his +house; at the gate of which his friends met him with many expressions of +joy, shaking hands with him, embracing him, and singing and dancing before +him. As soon as he had seated himself upon a mat, by the threshold of his +door, a young woman (his intended bride) brought a little water in a +calabash, and kneeling down before him, desired him to wash his hands; +when he had done this, the girl, with a tear of joy sparkling in her eyes, +drank the water; this being considered as the greatest proof she could +possibly give him of her fidelity and attachment." [<a href="#foot105">105</a>]</p> + +<p>THE KAFFERS. The principal article of their trade with the Tambookie +nation, is the exchange of cattle for their young women. Almost every +chief has Tambookie wives, though they pay much dearer for them than for +those of their own people. Polygamy is allowed in its fullest extent, and +without any inconvenience resulting from the practice, as it is confined +nearly to the chiefs. The circumstances of the common people will rarely +allow them the indulgence of more than one wife, as women are not to be +obtained without purchase. The females being considered as the property of +their parents, are invariably disposed of by sale. The common price of a +wife is an ox, or a couple of cows. Love with them is a very confined +passion, taking but little hold on the mind. When an offer is made for the +purchase of a daughter, she feels little inclination to refuse; she +considers herself as an article in the market, and is neither surprised, +nor unhappy, nor interested, on being told that she is about to be +disposed of. There is no previous courtship, no exchange of fine +sentiments, no nice feelings, nor little kind attentions, which catch the +affections and attach the heart. [<a href="#foot106">106</a>]</p> + +<p>THE PEOPLE OF SNEUWBERG, GRAAFF REGNET, "The only grievance of which I +ever heard them complain," says Mr. Barrow, "and which appears to be a +real inconvenience to all who inhabit the remote parts of the colony, is a +ridiculous and absurd law respecting marriage: and as it seems to have no +foundation in reason, and little in policy, except, indeed, like the +marriage-acts in other countries, it be intended as a check to population, +it ought to be repealed. By this law, the parties are both obliged to be +present at the Cape, in order to answer certain interrogatories, and pass +the forms of office there, the chief intention of which seems to be that +of preventing improper marriages from being contracted; as if the +commissaries appointed to this office, at the distance of five or six +hundred miles, should be better acquainted with the connexions and other +circumstances regarding the parties; than the landrost, the clergyman, and +the members of the council residing upon the spot. The expense of the +journey to the young couple is greater than they can frequently well +afford. For decency's sake they must set out in two wagons, though in the +course of a month's journey across a desert country, it is said they +generally make one serve the purpose; the consequence of which is, that +nine times out of ten the consummation of the marriage precedes the +ceremony. This naturally produces another bad effect. The poor girl, after +the familiarities of a long journey, lies entirely at the mercy of the +man, who, having satisfied his curiosity or his passion, sometimes deserts +her before their arrival at the altar; and it has sometimes happened, that +the lady has repented of her choice in the course of the journey, and +driven home again in her own wagon. Though, in our own country, a trip to +Scotland be sometimes taken, when obstacles at a nearer distance could not +safely be surmounted, yet it would be considered as a very ridiculous, as +well as vexatious law, that should oblige the parties intending to marry, +to proceed from the Laud's End to London to carry their purpose into +execution. The inhabitants of Graaff Regnet must travel twice that +distance, in order to be married." [<a href="#foot107">107</a>]</p> + +<p>NEGRO NATIONS. "It is a practice equally, nay, perhaps still more common +among the negroes than among the Americans, to offer their wives and +daughters to Europeans." [<a href="#foot108">108</a>] "Parents sell their daughters not only to +lovers, but to suiters of any kind, without doubting or even asking their +consent. The negroes in general, receive for their daughters a few bottles +of brandy, and at the furthest, a few articles of wearing apparel; and +when these prices are paid, the fathers conduct their willing children to +the huts of the purchasers." [<a href="#foot109">109</a>] "A negro may love his wife with all the +affection that is possible for a negro to possess, but he never permits +her to eat with him, because he would imagine himself contaminated, or his +dignity lessened, by such a condescension; and at this degrading distance, +the very negro-slaves in the West Indies keep their wives, though it +might be presumed that the hardships of their common lot would have tended +to unite them in the closest manner." [<a href="#foot110">110</a>] "The poorest and meanest +negro, even though he be a slave, is generally waited upon by his wife as +by a subordinate being, on her knees. On their knees the negro women are +obliged to present to their husbands tobacco and drink; on their knees +they salute them when they return from hunting, or any other expedition; +lastly, on their knees, they drive away the flies from their lords and +masters while they sleep." [<a href="#foot111">111</a>]</p> + +<p>GAGERS. Various writers of credit and veracity report, that in the +southern portion of Africa, many princes and chieftains keep great numbers +of young girls, not merely to gratify their passions, but to satiate their +tigerlike appetite for human flesh. In order to convince ourselves, that +the fate of the black women of Africa is not less severe than the +condition of the brown females of the American continent, it is sufficient +to state, that among the negro-women, to whom Cavazzi administered +baptism, some acknowledged with tears that they had killed five, others +seven, and others again ten children, with their own hands. +Notwithstanding the despotic authority of the legislatrix of the Gagers, +she was unable, even by the strictest prohibition, to restrain her +warriors from regaling themselves with the flesh of women. Rich and +powerful chieftains continued to keep whole flocks of young girls, as they +would of lambs, calves, or any other animals, and had some of them daily +slaughtered for the table; for the Gagers prefer human flesh to every +other species of animal food, and among the different classes of human +kind, they hold that of young females in particular estimation. [<a href="#foot112">112</a>]</p> + +<p>III. PATRIARCHAL TIMES, AND THE PERIOD OF THE JEWISH THEOCRACY, require a +brief examination, as a necessary means of elucidating the +general subject.</p> + +<p>Having already, in the preceding inquiries, ascended to an early date, and +traced the condition of women through a long series of historic record to +the present age, it may seem an imperfection in the plan to conduct the +reader back to a still more remote antiquity than has hitherto been +noticed; but this arrangement will be allowed, perhaps, to be founded in +propriety, upon observing that the design was first to exhibit a complete +series of illustrations, derived from a view of the circumstances of +mankind as <i>destitute of the light of revelation</i>, and then to compare the +condition of the female sex under the influence of a precursory and +imperfect system of the <i>true religion</i>, with their actual state, or with +the privileges secured to them by the nobler manifestations of +CHRISTIANITY. By this mode of conducting the argument we trace the great +epochs in the history of female melioration: the glory of woman appears at +first eclipsed, as behind a dark cloud, which the passions of a degenerate +race had interposed to hide and debase her: she then emerges, though +partially, to view, through the mists and obscurities of a temporary +dispensation, adapting itself to the circumstances of mankind as they then +existed, but unsuited to what they were destined to become--till at +length, "fair as the moon," ascending to the noon of her glory, and +tinging with the mildness of her beam every earthly object, woman attains +her undisputed eminence, and diffuses her benignant influence in society.</p> + +<p>Were we to attach entire credit to the pleasing descriptions of the muses, +we must admit, that the earliest ages of the world deserved the epithet of +"golden" as exhibiting man devoid of those artificial wants which +refinement and luxury have superinduced, and divested of those violent +prejudices, that selfishness and that arrogance, which have filled the cup +of human wo to the brim: we should see him inhabiting a tent of the +simplest construction, furnishing himself with necessary subsistence with +his own hands, sharing with his companion the services of domestic life, +breathing the very soul of hospitality, and adorned with the most +attractive manners: we should even see princes and princesses devoting +themselves to what we are accustomed to denominate the menial offices both +of husbandry and house-keeping, but without any sense of degradation in +the one sex, or any tyrannical assumption in the other.</p> + +<p>The authority of the sacred writings also upon this point is express and +decisive. The most distinguished of the human race were, in patriarchal +times, devoted to rural occupations and to plain habits; and it is not +easy, nor is it altogether desirable, to divest oneself of those feelings +of enchantment which the view of such scenes and manners naturally +inspires. Who can remain unaffected at the recital of the story of an +Abraham, running to the herd and fetching a young and tender calf to +refresh his angelic visiters; or at the various memorable instances of +simplicity that occur in the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and their +contemporaries?</p> + +<p>But the question is, whether the actual condition of women did or did not +indicate the lordly views of their husbands, and a general state of +slavish subordination? What can be said to the practices of polygamy and +concubinage, which prevailed even in these golden times and in pious +families? Do they evince any proper estimate of the character of women? or +have they not an evident tendency to degrade them? Does not their very +institution assert the subserviency of the one sex to the will and +pleasure of the other? [<a href="#foot113">113</a>] The state of women may not only be inferred +under such circumstances, but is clearly seen. Wives possessed no other +advantages over concubines than the right of inheriting; and domestic +unions were formed without any reference to the nobler felicities of +social intercourse. Hence infertility not only excited dislike, but was +held to justify repudiation. In the earliest ages, marriage was not only +very unceremonious with regaird to the mode in which it was conducted, but +this important union was arranged without any previous agreement between +the parties, and wives were often purchased. Men had the right of +annulling all the oaths and engagements of their daughters and wives, if +they had, not been present when they were contracted. "We can discover," +says Segur, "in these first ages, nothing worthy of the title of 'golden,' +which has been applied to them. Abraham and Isaac were continually afraid +of being assassinated for their wives; and the oath which they enacted +from their neighbours not to attempt their lives, savoured little of a +<i>golden</i> age."</p> + +<p>Under the Jewish theocracy the Levitical law appointed a variety of +regulations which evinced their imperfect emancipation from a state of +inferiority. They were in particular subjected to the trial of the waters +of jealousy, not only in cases of real departure from conjugal fidelity, +but when a suspicion existed in the mind of the husband, even though it +were without any foundation: and there were cases in which misconduct of a +similar natute exposed them to be stoned to death. The doctrine of vows +also, in the cases of daughters, wives, and widows, corroborates the +general argument, by evincing the marked subordination of the woman to +the man. "If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord, and bind herself by a +bond, being in her father's house in her youth; and her father hear her +vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall +hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond +wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow +her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds, +wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the Lord shall forgive +her, because her father disallowed her. And if she had at all an husband, +when she vowed, or uttered aught out of her lips, wherewith she bound her +soul; and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that +he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound +her soul shall stand. But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he +heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she +uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and +the Lord shall forgive her. But every vow of a widow, and of her that is +divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. +And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with +an oath; and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and +disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond +wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. But if her husband hath utterly +made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of +her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall +not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the Lord shall forgive +her. Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband +may establish it, or her husband may make it void. But if her husband +altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth +all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, +because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. But if he +shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them, then he shall +bear her iniquity."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>From the dark and deeply shaded back-ground of the picture of female +degradation, formed by the facts which have now been adduced, and which +might easily be corroborated by an immense accumulation of evidence, +Christianity is brought forward with conspicuous prominence, and in all +her gracefulness. The contrast is at once striking and affecting: the +moral scene brightens upon the view as we contemplate this attractive +figure combining majesty and mildness--fascination in her smiles and +heaven in her eye.</p> + +<p>The superiority which the religion of Jesus has secured to women above the +state of barbaric degradation, Mahometan slavery, and Jewish subjection, +proclaims the glory of that system, which has already meliorated society +to its minutest subdivisions, and will eventually transform the moral +desert of human being into a paradise of beauty and bliss. The argument, +however, will be seen with more distinctness, by the following +brief detail.</p> + +<p>1. <i>The personal conduct of the divine Author of Christianity, tended to +elevate the female sex to a degree of consideration in society before +unknown.</i> During the life of our Lord, women were admitted to a holy +familiarity with him, attended his public labours, ministered to his +wants, and adhered to him with heroic zeal, when their attachment exposed +them to insult, danger and death.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the marriage of Cana in Galilee, where he attended with +his mother, he accompanied her with his brethren and disciples to +Capernaum. That excellent spirit, for which he was remarkable from his +earliest years, continued to influence his mind in maturer life, and +taught him justly to appreciate and perfectly to exemplify the domestic +and social duties. He did not scruple to converse with a Samaritan woman, +who came to draw water at Jacob's well, though his disciples, in whose +minds Jewish prejudices continued to prevail, expressed their astonishment +at his condescension. Never was there so fine a specimen of patience, +gentleness, and humility, blended with true dignity, as upon that +remarkable occasion. He instructed her ignorance, endured her petulance, +corrected her mistakes, awakened her conscience, converted her heart, and +eventually honoured her as a messenger of mercy and salvation to her +Samaritan friends. At another time, when the disciples rebuked those who +brought their little children to him, that he might put his hands on them +and pray, he kindly interposed; and evincing the most sympathetic +tenderness towards the solicitudes which, on such an occasion, would +necessarily pervade the maternal bosom, he said, "Suffer little children, +and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of +heaven: and he laid his hands on them." On various occasions, when he +performed some of his most illustrious miracles, females were personally +concerned, and shared his distinguished notice and condolence. Such +particularly was the case when he met the funeral procession at Nain: it +was that of a young man, represented in the simple and affecting language +of the evangelist, as "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." +The meeting was apparently casual; but Jesus was instantly and deeply +impressed with the circumstances: he in particular felt compassion for the +weeping parent--addressed her in kind and gentle terms--remanded the +spirit from its eternal flight, to inhabit again for a season the body +from which it had so lately departed, and delivered the reanimated youth +to <i>his mother</i>. He blended his tears with those of Martha and Mary, at +the sepulchre of their brother; and after instructing them upon the +subject of the resurrection from the dead, restored him to their wishes +and affections." Women "ministered unto Jesus of their substance,"--"the +daughters of Jerusalem" bewailed him when he was led to crucifixion--and +the "women that followed him from Galilee were deeply interested +spectators of his sufferings, observed his sepulchre, and prepared spices +and ointments. It was Mary Magdalene who enjoyed the honour and happiness +of a first manifestation after Jesus was risen from the dead, and she was +commissioned to go and inform the rest of his sorrowing disciples. "The +frequent mention," says Doddridge "which is made in the evangelists of the +generous and courageous zeal of some <i>pious women</i> in the service of +Christ, and especially of the faithful and resolute constancy with which +they attended him in those last scenes of his suffering, might very +possibly be intended to obviate that haughty and senseless contempt, which +the pride of men, often irritated by those vexations to which their own +irregular passions have exposed them, has in all ages affected to throw on +that sex, which probably, in the sight of God, constitute by far the +better half of mankind; and to whose care and tenderness the wisest and +best of men generally owe and ascribe much of the daily comfort and +enjoyment of their lives."</p> + +<p>2. <i>As the conduct of Christ naturally induced his disciples to imitate +the example of their illustrious Master, the subsequent admission of women +to all the privileges of the Christian Church, tended exceedingly to +confirm their elevation, and evince their importance in society</i>. When the +primitive converts to the Christian faith wished publicly to avow their +dereliction of heathen idolatry, and their emancipation from the bondage +of Judaism, by being baptized in water, <i>both sexes</i> were admitted without +distinction to this solemn rite. At a very early period of the primitive +church, when the city of Samaria received the word of God by the preaching +of Philip, which with its accompanying miracles, diffused an universal +joy, "they were baptized, both MEN and WOMEN;" and the apostle Paul, in +writing to the Galatians, expresses himself in this triumphant strain: +"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many +of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is +neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither +MALE nor FEMALE, for ye are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus."</p> + +<p>Sentiments like these, combined with the practice of an institution so +expressive and so remarkable, tended to circulate among the primitive +Christians those feelings of respect and affection for women, which, by +elevating them to their proper rank in society, must necessarily purify +the public morals, meliorate individual character, and ennoble the +intercourse of life. Admitted to an equal participation of the privileges +of God's house, where every minor distinction is annihilated by the +predominance of a diffusive charity, and feeling that their present joys +and future destinies were blended with those of the "holy brethren, +partakers of the heavenly calling;" the female part of the community rose +into importance as rational, but especially as immortal beings.</p> + +<p>After the ascension of Christ, the historian of the Acts of the Apostles +informs us, that "the WOMEN, and Mary, the mother of Jesus," assembled +with the apostles to worship in the upper room at Jerusalem; being equally +interested in the great events which had recently occurred, and in the +devotional services in which they now engaged. Paul directs Timothy to +treat "the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all +purity." He also desires him to "honour widows that are widows indeed," +and to afford them all proper relief by charitable contributions, a +practice for which the first Christians were highly distinguished. Women +are represented by an apostle himself as <i>fellow-labourers</i> in the Gospel, +assisting them, not only by their example, to which he willingly pointed +the attention of the churches, but by their prayers, their visits of +mercy, and other similar methods of co-operatiug in the propagation of the +truth, and the promotion of individual happiness.</p> + +<p>As the <i>immediate</i> effects of original transgression upon the woman were +most obvious and most deplorable, and as her debasement from the eminence +assigned her by the Creator has been <i>completed</i> by the misrule of +passion, and the gradual advancement of human degeneracy: so the <i>direct</i> +operation of Christianity is apparent, according to the degree of its +prevalence, in elevating her to a state which was known before only in the +garden of Eden--a state in which she again assumes a rank, which +regenerated man cheerfully concedes, wherein she regains the lost +paradise of love and tenderness; while the more <i>remote</i> influence of this +system is discernible in the recognition of her rights, wherever its +benign dominion extends. Now she ascends to the glory of an intelligent +creature, gladdens by her presence the solitary hours of existence, +beguiles by her converse and sympathy the rough and tedious paths of life, +and not only acquires personal dignity and importance, but in some measure +new modifies, purifies, and exalts the character of man. If we cannot but +weep over the affecting representation of the departure of Adam and Eve +from the scene of innocence and of celestial manifestation, when</p> + +<blockquote> "The brandish'd sword of God before them blaz'd<br /> +Fierce as a comet: which with torrid heat<br /> +And vapours, as the Libyan air adust,<br /> +Begun to parch that temperate clime; whereat<br /> +In either hand the hast'ning angel caught<br /> +Our ling'ring parents, and to the eastern gate<br /> +Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast<br /> +To the subjected plain----"</blockquote> + +<p>and when, taking a hasty retrospect of their lost felicity, in consequence +of transgression, and cherishing gloomy forebodings of that melancholy +futurity, which seemed already to pour from its dark clouds the deluging +rain of grief and misery--</p> + +<blockquote> "Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wip'd them soon;<br /> +The world was all before them, where to choose<br /> +Their place of rest, and Providence their guide;<br /> +They, hand in hand, with wand'ring steps and slow<br /> +Through Eden took their solitary way;----"</blockquote> + +<p>--if we must mourn over so sad a scene, Christianity a wakens sympathies +of an opposite description, by exhibiting a goodly number of their +descendants as inhabitants of the CHRISTIAN CHURCH--the grand repository +of heavenly blessings, and the dwelling-place of peace--at whose holy +altar of truth souls are wedded, and at whose sacramental board they +celebrate an everlasting union. Nothing can present a scene more worthy +the attention of mankind, or more attractive to the eyes of witnessing +angels, than this association of persons in pious fellowship, without +distinction of birth or country, age or sex; participators in equal +proportions of the same happiness, children of one common parent, and +heirs of one rich inheritance!</p> + +<p>3. <i>The, great principles asserted by the religion of Jesus, secure to +women, as an unquestionable right, that exaltation in society, which his +conduct, and that of his followers conferred</i>. These principles may he +traced in the New Testament, either as necessarily comprehending, by their +generality, a proper treatment of the female sex, or as developing +themselves in particular regulations and enactments.</p> + +<p>Christianity breathes a spirit of the most diffusive charity and good +will: and wherever its "power" is felt, it moulds the character into the +image of benevolence. Love is the beauty and the strength of this +"spiritual building;" a love, at once comprehensive in its range, and +minute in its ramifications: adjusting the diversified claims of society +and religion with perfect exactness, and directing the exercise of all the +social affections. The fountain being purified, the streams become pure; +the heart, which is the centre mid spring of moral action, being renewed, +the conduct will be distinguished by a corresponding degree of virtue, +goodness, and sanctity. But as Christianity produces a general +transformation of character, by subduing the ferocious and brutal +propensities of man; clearing away the rank and noxious weeds that +overspread human nature, and sowing the seeds of moral excellence, the +effect must be discernible in the whole intercourse of life. Immorality +trembles, domestic tyranny retires abashed before the majesty of religion, +and peace pervades that dwelling where power was law, and woman a slave. +In fact, every precept of the Gospel that inculcates kindness, sympathy, +gentleness, meekness, courtesy, and all the other graces that bloom in the +garden of the Lord--indirectly, and by no unintelligible or forced +application, provides for the honour and glory of the female sex. If the +most effectual method of degrading woman be to barbarize man, the certain +means of dignifying <i>her</i> is to christianize <i>him</i>.</p> + +<p>It is to be noticed also, that there is no sex in conscience, and that for +the discharge of the duties of piety, each is equally capacitated, and +therefore equally responsible. If men were to give an account at the +tribunal of heaven, not only for their personal actions and principles, +but for those of women, to whom they are related by the ties of +consanguinity, or with whom they are connected by circumstances, there +would be some reason in assuming a jurisdiction over their faith, and +disputing their claims to rationality and to respectful treatment; but not +to insist upon the moral constitution of the female sex, and the whole +drift of divine revelation, the very terms of the initiatory ordinance of +the Christian church, to which they are equally entitled, illustrates and +secures their prerogatives--for it is "the answer of a good conscience +towards God." When men impose fetters upon other men, condemning, +imprisoning, fining, scourging, burning, and anathematizing them, merely +because they dare to think for themselves in matters which can only +concern God and their own souls, and will not have their faith decreed by +arbitrary power and exasperated ignorance, it need not excite surprise, +that they should assume the right of behaving to the weaker sex with all +the capriciousness of despotism; and no authority but that of Scripture, +which maintains the privileges of <i>all thinking beings</i>, can effectually +restrain the wickedness of man's UNMANLY usurpation.</p> + +<p>The precepts of Christianity bespeak its characteristic regard to the +reciprocal duties and respective rank of the sexes, adjusting their claims +with a nicety that precludes disputation, and an authority that commands +assent. They are not arbitrary enactments; but being founded in the +highest reason, and connected with individual felicity, approve themselves +to every well-regulated mind. In our behaviour to others, we are not only +prohibited from indulging the vindictive and malignant passions, but +exhorted to do them good by the employment of our pecuniary resources, +social opportunities, and moral means, to advance both their temporal and +eternal interests. While these principles necessarily comprise the +discharge of all relative duties, these are besides specifically +enumerated and enforced. Husbands, in whose hands barbarism had placed a +tyrannic sceptre, are required by the religion of Jesus to renounce their +unjust domination, and to descend to the regulated and affectionate +intercourse of the domestic hearth. It is expressly enjoined upon them to +"love their wives," and not to be "bitter against them." "Let every one of +you in particular so love his wife even as himself: so ought men to love +their wives as their own bodies."--"Ye husbands, dwell with your wives +according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker +vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life." "Let one of you +in particular so love his wife as himself, and the wife see that she +reverence her husband."</p> + +<p>Christianity also expressly abolishes, at least by necessary implication, +polygamy and the power of divorce, as they existed among barbarous +nations, perpetuating the degradation of women, and spreading confusion in +society. "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, +and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which +is put away, doth commit adultery." "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak +to them that know the law.) how that the law hath dominion over a man as +long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law +to her husband so long as be liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is +loosed from the law of her husband." And, "Let every man have his own +wife, and let every woman have her own husband." Paley remarks, "The +manners of different countries have varied in nothing more than in their +domestic constitutions. Less polished and more luxurious nations have +either not perceived the bad effects of polygamy, or, if they did perceive +them, they who in such countries possessed the power of reforming the +laws, have been unwilling to resign their own gratifications. Polygamy is +retained at this day among the Turks, and throughout every part of Asia in +which Christianity is not professed. In Christian countries it is +universally prohibited. In Sweden it is punished with death. In England, +besides the nullity of the second marriage, it subjects the offender to +transportation, or imprisonment and branding, for the first offence, and +to capital punishment for the second. And whatever may be said in behalf +of polygamy when it is authorized by the law of the land, the marriage of +a second wife during the lifetime of the first, in countries where such a +second marriage is void, must be ranked with the most dangerous and cruel +of those frauds by which a woman is cheated out of her fortune, her +person, and her happiness.</p> + +<p>"The ancient Medes compelled their citizens, in one canton, to take seven +wives; in another, each woman to receive five husbands; according as war +had made, in one quarter of their country, an extraordinary havoc among +the men, or the women had been carried away by an enemy from another. This +regulation, so far as it was adapted to the proportion which subsisted +between the number of males and females, was founded in the reason upon +which the most improved nations of Europe proceed at present.</p> + +<p>"Cæsar found among the inhabitants of this island a species of polygamy, +if it may be so called, which was perfectly singular. <i>Uxores</i>, says he, +<i>habent deni duodenique inter se communes; et maxime fratres cum +fratribus, parentesque cum liberis: sed si qui sint ex his nati, corum +habentur liberi, quo primum virgo quaque deducta est</i>."</p> + +<p>The same perspicuous writer adds, upon the subject of divorce, "The +Scriptures seem to have drawn the obligation tighter than the law of +nature left it. 'Whosoever,' saith Christ, 'shall put away his wife, +except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth +adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away, doth commit adultery.' +The law of Moses, for reasons of local expediency, permitted the Jewish +husband to put away his wife; but whether for every cause, or for what +causes, appears to have been controverted amongst the interpreters of +those times. Christ, the precepts of whose religion were calculated for +more general use and observation, revokes this permission, (as given to +the Jews 'for the hardness of their hearts,') and promulges a law which +was thenceforward to confine divorces to the single cause of adultery in +the wife. And I see no sufficient reason to depart from the plain and +strict meaning of Christ's words. The rule was new. It both surprised and +offended his disciples, yet Christ added nothing to relax or explain it.</p> + +<p>"Inferior causes may justify the separation of husband and wife, although +they will not authorize such a dissolution of the marriage contract as +would leave either party at liberty to marry again; for it is that +liberty, in which the danger and mischief of divorces principally consist. +If the care of children does not require that they should live together, +and it is become, in the serious judgment of both, necessary for their +mutual happiness that they should separate, let them separate by consent. +Nevertheless, this necessity can hardly exist, without guilt and +misconduct on one side or on both. Moreover, cruelty, ill usage, extreme +violence, or moroseness of temper, or other great and continual +provocations, make it lawful for the party aggrieved to withdraw from the +society of the offender, without his or her consent. The law which imposes +the marriage vow, whereby the parties promise to 'keep to each other,' or +in other words to live together, must be understood to impose it with a +silent reservation of these cases; because the same law has constituted a +judicial relief from the tyranny of her husband, by the divorce <i>à mensa +et toro</i>, and by the provision which it makes for the separate maintenance +of the injured wife. St. Paul, likewise, distinguishes between a wife +merely separating herself from the family of her husband, and her marrying +again: 'Let not the wife depart from her husband; but, and if she do +depart, let her remain unmarried.'" [<a href="#foot114">114</a>]</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the survey we have taken of the general degradation of the +female sex, where the benign influences of Christianity have been unfelt, +the argument may be confronted by a formidable array of plausible +objections. It may be said, that amidst the barbarity of the SCANDINAVIAN +NATIONS, they treated their women with extraordinary respect. The +Scythians exempted the daughter from the punishment in which the son was +obliged to partake with the father, and the German women even inherited +the throne. Some of the laws, among the Goths, respecting illicit +intercourse, were highly reasonable and just, and our remote ancestors may +be cited as examples of treating women with the utmost veneration. It may +seem indicative also of the prevalence of similar sentiments, that the +ancient mythologies abound in female divinities: the Phoenicians +worshipped the goddess <i>Astarte</i>, the Scythians, <i>Appia,</i> the +Scandinavians, <i>Friggia</i>, the wife of Odin. It may be further urged, with +regard to the GREEKS and ROMANS, that though the melancholy picture we +have already drawn of their conduct be true, yet their history presents +some remarkable evidences of the elevated condition of their women, and +the honourable regard which they obtained. Among the former, indeed, few +instances can be adduced, in addition to that of Areta, the daughter of +Aristippus, who fixed upon her son the surname of Μητροδιδακτος, +or <i>disciple of his mother</i>, in consequence of her having been his +instructer in the sciences and philosophy. The Romans, at some periods of +their history, paid extraordinary respect to their women; the institution +of the vestals is a memorial of the estimation in which female virtue was +held, and the emperor Heliogabalus was desirous that his wife should have +a voice in the senate. They allowed their women to celebrate an annual +feast, to commemorate the reconciliation between them and the Sabines, by +means of their wives; and they erected an equestrian statue to Cloelia, +and a temple to Fortune, in honour of the sex; because the mother and wife +of Coriolanus had caused that hero to retire weeping from his native +country, when he was irresistible by arms. [<a href="#foot115">115</a>] But the most plausible +objection to the general argument seems derivable from the history of +CHIVALRY, under whose influence it is alleged that women were not only not +degraded, but were actually advanced to the highest condition, and +possessed the most commanding influence. The knights, at their +installation, took solemn vows of self-devotement to the cause of female +honour; and ladies were constantly engaged as umpires at tournaments, took +off the armour of the conquerors, and irivested them with magnificent +robes. The middle ages witnessed the extraordinary sight of knight-errants +wandering over distant countries, with their sword and lance in hand, to +contest the point of the beauty and virtue of their ladies, with all who +ventured to intimate the slightest doubt or suspicion on the subject. +Their expeditions were usually made in consequence of some requisition on +the part of their mistresses, or to fulfil a vow voluntarily incurred in a +moment of intoxication and excitement.</p> + +<p>The reply to these general objections has been in part anticipated. +Christianity assigns to women their proper place in society, neither +admitting of their being tyrannized over by despotic authority, nor +impiously honoured by a ridiculous adulation. They are to be viewed as +help meets, not, as slaves; to be respected and loved, but not deified. +While the religion of Jesus raises them to great consideration in the +scale of society, it imposes a salutary restraint upon human passions, and +checks every approach to the assumption of an unnatural superiority. It +bestows a rank which secures them from contempt or disregard, while it +equally prevents a senseless adoration: so that its principles disallow +the barbaric treatment of uncivilized nations and the follies of the +chivalrous ages.</p> + +<p>In the different periods and places to which the objection refers, the +conduct of mankind was marked with inconsistency. Greece and Rome exhibit +ample specimens of this nature; and the time of chivalry afford +illustrations equally remarkable. The knights of the order were not +distinguished by fidelity to their wives, or by a concern for the +education of their daughters: their devotion to the female sex was, in +fact, without principle and without love; they fought, from vanity and +fashion, for persons whom they had basely dishonoured and secretly +despised; and while their flattery and folly were sufficiently +discreditable to their own understandings and hearts, they tended in a +deplorable degree to corrupt the principles of those whom they +professed to value.</p> + +<p>It is further obvious, that in the very best periods of Greek and Roman +history there existed no security against a change in the treatment of +women, arising from the general recognition of any of those great +principles of moral conduct which constitute the basis of good government +and of well-regulated society. Passion predominated above reason, and +received its impulse solely from casual circumstances. It was, in fact, +accidental, whether it should operate amiably or malignantly; and the +felicity of one half of the human species depended upon the precarious and +ever vacillating humour of the other. Virtue was scarcely seen upon the +earth, except at occasional and often distant visitations, or as she shed +a fitful and flickering light into the retreats of systematic philosophy. +Woman was at the mercy of every wind--to-day honoured--to-morrow +despised--now a goddess--and anon a slave! Viewing heathen countries in +the most favourable aspect in which history presents them, and admitting +to the fullest extent the correctness of those details of virtue and +valour which she has transmitted to us, the conduct of the Celtic and +Scandinavian nations, and instances deduced from cultivated and classic +regions, or from modern times, can only be considered as <i>exceptions</i> +which do not impugn the general alignment, corroborated as it has been by +a historical and geographical delineation of society in every age of the +world, and every quarter of the globe.</p> + +<p>Behold Christianity, then, walking forth in her purity and greatness to +bless the earth, diffusing her light in every direction, distributing her +charities on either hand, quenching the flames of lust and the fires of +ambition, silencing discord, spreading peace, and creating all things new! +Angels watch her progress, celebrate her influence, and anticipate her +final triumphs! The moral creation brightens beneath her smiles, and owns +her renovating power; at her approach man loses his fierceness and woman +her chains; each becomes blessed in the other, and God glorified in both!</p> + + + + +<h3>Appendix.</h3> + + + +<p>(SEE p. 320.)</p> + +<p>The concurrent evidence of a variety of passages of Scripture respecting +the existence of Satan, ind his interference in human concerns, have been +rejected with singular and pertinacious audacity, solely upon the ground +that the whole of these representations must be figurative, because they +are not consonant to <i>human reason</i>--which seems to be a very dignified +sort of personage, assuming to herself the right of calling revelation to +her bar, and disposing at pleasure of the doctrines of Heaven. As, +however, truth will always bear investigation, it may not be improper to +devote a few additional pages to this subject, with a view of satisfying; +the humble inquirer, that sound sense and divine testimony are really and +entirely coincident.</p> + +<p>Whatever is revealed it becomes us to believe, and simply on this account, +that it <i>is revealed</i>; if the subject of the revelation be mysterious or +incomprehensible, this does not annul our obligation implicitly to believe +it, because sufficient reasons may exist in the Eternal Mind for the +concealment of its nature, or it may surpass the comprehension of our +limited capacities; but if it be naturally capable of investigation--if it +be not only a fact, but a fact in proof of which evidences may be adduced, +and explanations furnished, our minds cannot be better employed, than in +thus superinducing substantial evidence or vivid probability upon the +testimony of divine inspiration.</p> + +<p>I. It is highly reasonable to suppose, that there are beings of a distinct +and superior order to ourselves in the universe. Nothing can be more +improbable than to imagine that this earth is the only inhabited region of +universal empire, the only peopled province in the creation of God; +especially when we observe that it forms but one, and that a small globe +of matter belonging to a system in which others, and some very superior +bodies, are found moving round the came centre, and legulated by similar +laws; and that this whole system itself is but one out of ten thousand +others that constitute the heavenly constellations, and "pave the shining +way to the divine abode."</p> + +<p>The productions of Infinite Wisdom are wonderfully diversified. In the +present world we have an opportunity of observing them only in the +descending scale, from man, the summit of creation, down through all the +gradations of animal existence, to the scarcely discernible insects that +flit in the summer sunbeams, and to the minuter world of microscopic +discovery. But analogy would lead us to infer, that there may be beings in +the vast dominion of universal space as much superior to man as man +himself is superior to insects or animalculæ. It is not probable that +creative power should cease to operate precisely at the point where human +existence commences; and especially as <i>mind</i> admits of incalculable +diversity in the extent of its energies and capacities, and as it is found +in all cases to possess a power of improvement and expansion, it is +likely, under other circumstances and in other worlds, it may he +inconceivably superior to the highest elevation it his ever attained in +this lower region. Hence we infer the great probabilily of angelic +existence.</p> + +<p>II. It is reasonable to suppose, that superior intelligences were +constituted free agents, and capable therefore of retaining or forfeiting +their primeval character and happiness, for this is the evident lay of the +rational creation, so far it comes within the limits of our observation. +If this be the case, some of these beings may probably have misused their +liberty, and become depraved and corrupt. It is essential to the notion of +free agency, to suppose this possible, and though from the infinite +benignity of the Divine Being, we should infer that he would <i>create</i> them +holy and happy, we cannot conclude they must <i>necessarily</i> be <i>preserved</i> +in such a state. There is nothing in the nature of the blessed God, as a +just and holy Being, to require this, no obligation to do so resulting +from the mere circumstance of their being thus created, and nothing, in a +perfect system of holy government, to demand it. Indeed, quite the +reverse, because it is natural to infer, that the subjects of divine +government, however elevated in character and condition, should be +responsible to their Ruler, and liberty of thought and action, the power +of choice, and refusal of obedience and disobedience, is essential to +responsibility. There may, therefore, probably exist unholy or evil +spirits, such as have not kept their first estate, and consequently +amenable to righteous laws, and proper objects of punishment.</p> + +<p>III. As it is reasonable to suppose that the government of God may admit +of the existence of fallen and evil spirits, as well as those of a more +honourable class, it is equally so to conclude, that a similar or +analogous variety of talent, capacity, and guilt may obtain to that which +we observe in the constitution of other intelligent creatures both good +and evil, in this world. Wicked men are not satisfied to be sought by +criminals, they have no wish to be alone in sin but are uniformly anxious +to seduce others into the perpetration of those iniquities which they +themselves have dared to commit. The first action of Eve after her +transgression, was to hand the forbidden fruit to her husband, and +persuade him to eat, and it is the earliest wish of a rebellious heart to +involve others in the guilt and misery of their own deeds, partly for the +sake of concealing their enormity, by diverting the eye from observing the +awful proportions of then individual offences, and partly to acquire +encouragement and support in the commission of yet unpractised crimes. +Hence "<i>one</i> sinner destroyeth much good." According to his capacity or +opportunity he becomes the centre of a large circle of impious +association, he sways inferior minds, and forms them into so many +satellites round his person, who individually acquire a lustre from his +pre-eminence, and feel the attraction of his base superiority. Hence the +world of wickedness is ruled by an incalculable number of petty princes, +who each assume independent empire, but all combine to carry on eternal +war against the order of providence, the good of society, and the glory +of God,</p> + +<p>It is not absurd, then, to conclude, that a similar diversity prevails +amongst evil beings of a superior class, that some may be far more +atrocious in their characters than others, and more capacitated to do +extensive mischief. It is equally likely, that their influence over other +evil spirits may be proportioned to these circumstances, and that their +example or advice may excite to deeds of infernal daring. These +considerations would eventually conduct us to the probability of the +existence of one, pre-eminent above the rest in crime and in capacity, who +may influence the several chiefs of the infernal empire, as they exercise +a power over inferior demons; or that Satan, or the devil, is "the prince +of the power of the air."</p> + +<p>IV. The <i>invisible</i> nature of diabolical agency can be no sufficient +objection to its existence. Admitting that there are other proofs, this +circumstance could not diminish their force, much less destroy their +evidence. It must be granted, that without other proofs it would be a +radical objection, because in such a case the whole statement would he +gratuitous and conjectural. If it were allowable to suppose such an +agency, it might be equally so to refuse admitting it; every one may be +amused or not with a pure fiction, an imaginary creation. But do not +plead, that the invisibility of diabolical agency is any proof or any +presumption of its reality; but simply that it is no objection, that it +has no power to neutralize the evidence produced, and that unbelievers +have no authority, on this account, to treat the subject with that +profane and impertinent ridicule, which is a mere commonplace artifice to +evade unwelcome convictions.</p> + +<p>God is invisible--but is this any argument against his being? The human +soul is invisible--is this a proof that it does not exist? The magnetic +influence cannot be seen--is this a reason that it does not operate? Are +the opinions or philosophers deduced from the analogies of nature, that +suns and stars and systems occupy the distant regions of space, which have +never yet been penetrated by the best constructed telescopes, rendered +improbable by the allegation, that no eye and no instrument can discern +them? The existence and operations of the devil are admitted to be +invisible to sense, and in many cases, perhaps, difficult of investigation +by reason--what then? Nothing.</p> + +<p>V. The supposition that the operation of invisible spirits is secret and +imperceptible to ourselves, cannot be adduced as demonstrative against its +reality. What is more difficult to ascertain than the operation of our own +minds, and the motives by which we are impelled? Nor is it difficult only +to trace the process of reasoning that has led us to any particular +conclusion, and to recall the fleeting thoughts flinch have passed through +the mind in rapid succession, so as to tell how we came to be influenced +to a certain conclusion; but we often cannot discover what external +objects or what incidental circumstances, first directed us into the +inquiry, or led to the result.</p> + +<p>Still more inconceivable is the manner in which spirit operates upon +spirit, where there is no external agency; and it is inconceivable, +because of our little experience on the subject, and because the usual +modes of impression are through the medium of sense. The ear, the eye, the +touch, convey impressions to the spirit; but when neither are sensibly +affected, we cannot trace the influence exercised upon us, although it is +highly irrational to deny its possibility. Besides, we know that "God, who +is a Spirit, operates upon our souls at times and under circumstances, +when we are unconscious of this influence; and, if we had no evidence from +Scripture, reason must admit that such an operation is not improbable."</p> + +<p>The only objection which can arise here, is that of supposing the evil +spirit in any respects independent of God; a supposition, however, which +is not to be charged upon the advocates of diabolical agency. "It is +evident," says Dr. Leland, "to the common sense of mankind, that there is +a vast difference between the supposition of an almighty and independent +evil being, a supposition full of absurdity and horror; and that of an +inferior dependent being, who was made originally pure and upright, but +fell by his own voluntary defection into vice and wickedness; and who, +though permitted in many instances to do mischief, and to act according to +his evil inclinations, as wicked men are often permitted to do in this +present state, yet are still under the sovereign control of the most holy, +wise, and powerful Governor of the world. For, in this case, we may be +sure, from the divine wisdom, justice, and goodness, that God will, in the +fittest season, inflict a punishment upon that evil being and his +associates, proportionable to their crimes; and that in the mean time, he +setteth bounds to their malice and rage, and provideth sufficient +assistance for those whom they endeavour to seduce to evil, whereby they +may be enabled to repel their temptations, if it be not their own faults; +and that he will in his superior wisdom bring good out of their evil, and +overrule even their malice and wickedness, for promoting the great ends of +his government, This is the representation made to us of this matter in +the Holy Scripture, nor is there any thing in this that can be proved to +be contrary to sound reason. And we may justly conclude, that in the final +issue of things, the wisdom as well as righteousness of this part of the +divine administration will most illustriously appear."</p> + + + +<p align="center">END.</p> + + + + + + +<h2>Footnotes</h2> + + + +<p><a name="foot1"></a>1. Compare Ps. cxxxii. 11. Isa. xi. 1. Jer. xxiii 5, and xxxiii. 15. Gen. +xii. 3, xxii. 18, xxvi. 4, and xxviii. 14.</p> + +<p><a name="foot2"></a>2. Lowth's Isaiah, ch. xi. translation and notes, VOL. II.</p> + +<p><a name="foot3"></a>3. DODDRIDGE.</p> + +<p><a name="foot4"></a>4. There are, according to the Jews, four angels that surround the throne +of God--Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. The latter they place, +conformably with his expression to Zacharias, [Hebrew], <i>before +him</i>, or <i>in his presence.</i></p> + +<p><a name="foot5"></a>5. The Ethiopic version, instead of "in those days," renders the +expression in the thirty-ninth verse of 1st chap. of Luke, "in that day."</p> + +<p><a name="foot6"></a>6. Selden. Uxor. Heb. lib. ii. cap. 1.</p> + +<p><a name="foot7"></a>7. This remarkable time cannot be stated with any certainty. The earliest +antiquity determines nothing upon the subject. Towards the end of the +second, or beginning of the third century only, was this attempted; when +those who were most curious in their researches fixed it about the +twentieth of May. Clemens Alexandrinus thinks that it was the +twenty-eighth year after the battle of Actium; that is, the 41st year of +Augustus; but Joseph Scaliger places it in his forty-second year; and, +after a most laborious investigation, shows that Christ was born about the +autumnal equinox, the latter end of September, or beginning of October. +SCALIG. Animad. ad Chron. Euseb. p. 174, et seq.--It was not till the +fourth century that this great event was believed to have occurred on the +twenty-fifth of December. They have not failed to assign what they deemed +important reasons for this decision. As the sun, they say, is then +beginning to rise on our hemisphere, and again to approach our pole, it is +the proper period to which the rising of the Sun of Righteousness should +be referred. The Romans have another reason, deduced from the preceding. +At the return of the sun the feast of the Saturnalia was celebrated at +Rome. It was thought proper to substitute in the place of this feast, +which was distinguished by its profane rejoicings, that of our Saviour's +birth, for the purpose of inducing the people to separate joy from riot. +It is, however, the <i>event</i>, and not the <i>day</i>, we celebrate. +Comp. SAURIN, Discours Historiques, Critiques, &c. continuez par +Beausobre, tom. ix. p. 146-148, 8vo.</p> + +<p><a name="foot8"></a>8. Compare Lev. xii. 2, 4, 6, 8. Numb. viii. 16, 17. xviii. 15, 16. Five +shekels amounted to about twelve shillings and sixpence of our money.</p> + +<p><a name="foot9"></a>9. "This (<i>wise men</i> from the East) is not only an indefinite, but +an improper version of the term. It is indefinite, because those called +μαγοι were a particular class, party, or profession among the +Orientals, as much as Stoics, Peripatetics, and Epicureans were among the +Greeks. They originated in Persia, but afterward spread into other +countries, particularly into Assyria and Arabia, bordering upon Judea on +the East. It is probable that the Magians here mentioned came from Arabia. +Now to employ a term for specifying one sect, which may with equal +propriety be applied to fifty, of totally different, or even contrary +opinions, is surely a vague way of translating. It is also, in the present +acceptation of the word, improper. Formerly the term <i>wise men</i> +denoted philosophers, or men of science and erudition: it is hardly ever +used so now, unless in burlesque. Some say <i>Magi</i>; but <i>Magians</i> +is better, as having more the form of an English word." CAMPBELL'S +Translation of the Four Gospels, vol. ii. <i>notes</i>.</p> + +<a name="foot10"></a>10. +<blockquote> "Salvete, flores Martyrum,<br /> +Quos, lusis ipso in limine,<br /> +Christi insecutor sustulit,<br /> +Ceu turbo nascentes rosas.</blockquote> + +<blockquote>Vos, prima Christi victima,<br /> +Grex immolatorum tener,<br /> +Aram ante ipsam, simplices,<br /> +Palma et coronis luditis."</blockquote> + +<p><a name="foot11"></a>11. Bishop Horne.</p> + +<p><a name="foot12"></a>12. Josephus has given an affecting account of this awful death. Vide +Joseph. Antiq. lib. xvii. cap. 6. and Bell. Jud. lib. i. cap. 33.</p> + +<p><a name="foot13"></a>13. So say the Jews, [Hebrew] <i>the passover of women is arbitrary</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot14"></a>14. Misn. Sanhedrin c. v. sec. 4. ap. GILL in loc.</p> + +<p><a name="foot15"></a>15. <i>At my Father's</i> εν τοις του πατρος μου Syriac +[Hebrew], <i>in domo patris mei</i>. The Armenian version renders the +words in the same manner. It has been justly observed that τα +του δεινος is a Greek idiom, not only with classical writers, but with the +sacred penmen, for denoting the house of such a person.... Campbell.</p> + +<p><a name="foot16"></a>16. Judg. xi. 12. 2 Sam. xvi. 10. I Kings xvii. 18. 2 Kings iii. 13. and +ix. 19. <i>Sept. translation</i>,</p> + +<p><a name="foot17"></a>17. Blackwall observes, "'Tis the opinion of some learned men, that the +holy Jesus, the most tender and dutiful Son that ever was born, when he +called his mother plainly <i>woman</i>, declared against those idolatrous +honours which he foresaw would be paid her in latter ages, which is no +improbable guess. But in the more plain and unceremonious times it was a +title applied to ladies of the greatest quality and merit by people of the +greatest humanity and exactness of behaviour. So Cyrus the Great says to +the queen of the Armenians, Ἀλλὰ σὺ ᾆ γὺναι: and servants +addressed queens and their mistresses in the same language." Blackwall's +Sacred Classics, V. ii. p. 206. <i>second edit</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot18"></a>18. These water-pots contained two or three <i>baths</i> apiece. A bath +was about seven gallons and a half.</p> + +<p><a name="foot19"></a>19. Bishop Hall.</p> + +<p><a name="foot20"></a>20. Mosheim's Eccl. Hist. vol. i. p. 432. ii. 56, 71.</p> + +<p><a name="foot21"></a>21. Bossuet, Serm. pour la Fête de la Conception.</p> + +<p><a name="foot22"></a>22. The bishop of Meux, who has been already quoted, does not fail to +suggest some delectable additions to her titles. He speaks in one of his +discourses of her "sacred body, the throne of chastity, the temple of +incarnate wisdom," &c. but the whole paragraph shall be introduced, though +perhaps it had better remain untranslated:--"Le corps sacr de Marie, le +trône de la chastité, le temple de la sagesse incarneé, l'organe du +Saint-Esprit, et le siége de la vertu du Très-Haut, n'a pas dû demeurer +dans le tombeau; et le triomphe de Marie seroit imperfait, s'il +s'accomplissoit sans sa sainte chair, qui a été comme la source de sa +gloire. Venez done, Vierges de Jésus Christ, chastes épouses du Sauveur +des ames, venez admirer les beautés de cette chair virginale, et +contempler trois merveilles que la sainte virginité opère sur elle. La +sainte virginité la préserve de corruption; et ainsi elle lui conserve +l'être: la sainte virginité lui attire une influence céleste, qui la fait +ressusciter avant le temps: ainsi elle lui rend la vie: la sainte +virginité répand sur elle de toutes parts une lumière divine; et ainsi +elle lui donne la gloire. C'est ce qu'il nous faut expliquer par ordre;" +and he <i>does</i> explain these <i>trois merveilles</i> in a manner well +calculated to satisfy every Papist, and to sicken every Protestant. Vide +<i>Serm. pour l'Assumpt. de la Vierge</i>, P. 2.</p> + +<p><a name="foot23"></a>23. Quoted by M. Pascal, in the ninth of his "Lettres Provinciales." +Consult also "the Life of Melancthon," by the author of this work, chap. +iii.</p> + +<p><a name="foot24"></a>24. Picart, Ceremonies et Coutumes de tous les Peuples da Monde, tom. i.</p> + +<p><a name="foot25"></a>25. Dr. Johnson</p> + +<p><a name="foot26"></a>26. Dr. Johnson.</p> + +<p><a name="foot27"></a>27. Gen. xxxiii. 18, 19, Josh. xxiv. 32. This place was the metropolis of +the tribe of Ephraim. It was destroyed by Abimelech, but rebuilt by +Jeroboam, who made it the seat of the kingdom of Israel. It was afterward +called <i>Neapolis</i>; and Vespasian or Domitian having established a +colony there, it received the Roman appellation of <i>Flavia Cesarea</i>. +Herod gave it the name of <i>Sebaste</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot28"></a>28. It stood two hundred years. JOSEPH. Antiq. lib. xiii. cap. 18.</p> + +<p><a name="foot29"></a>29. JUST. MART. Apol. II.</p> + +<p><a name="foot30"></a>30. "<i>Living water</i>, ὑδως χων. It may surprise an English +reader, unacquainted with the Oriental idiom, that this woman, who appears +by the sequel to have totally misunderstood our Lord, did not ask what he +meant by <i>living water</i>, but proceeded on the supposition that she +understood him perfectly; and only did not conceive how, without some +vessel for drawing and containing that water, he could provide her with it +to drink. The truth is, the expression is ambiguous. In the most familiar +acceptation, <i>living water</i> meant no more than running water. In this +sense, the water of springs and rivers would be denominated <i>living</i>, +as that of cisterns and lakes would be called <i>dead</i>, because +motionless. Thus, Gen. xxvi. 19. we are told, that Isaac's servants digged +in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. It is <i>living +water,</i> both in the Hebrew and the Greek, as marked on the margin of +our Bibles. Thus also Lev. xiv. 5. what is rendered <i>running water</i> +in the English Bible, is in both these languages <i>living water</i>. Nay, +this use was not unknown to the Latins, as may be proved from Virgil and +Ovid. In this passage, however, our Lord uses the expression in the more +sublime sense of divine teaching, but was mistaken by the woman as using +it in the popular acceptation." CAMPBELL'S Trans. of the Four Gospels, +vol. ii. p. 518, <i>notes</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot31"></a>31. "It is no unusual practice with the Jews; we often have heard of it. +R. Jonathan and R. Jannai were sitting together; there came a certain man, +[Hebrew], and <i>kissed the feet</i> of R. Jonathan." Again, "R. Meir stood +up, and Bar Chama, [Hebrew], <i>kissed his knees</i>, or <i>feet</i>. This +custom was also used by the Greeks and Romans, among their civilities and +in their salutations." GILL in loc. Consult also HARMER'S Observations, +vol. ii. chap. 6.</p> + +<p><a name="foot32"></a>32. ROBINSON.</p> + +<p><a name="foot33"></a>33. "There is in these denominations no inconsistency. By birth she was +of <i>Syrophenicia</i>, so the country about Tyre and Sidon was +denominated, by descent of <i>Canaan</i>, as most of the Tyrians and +Sidonians originally were; and by religion a <i>Greek</i>, according to +the Jewish manner of distinguishing between themselves and idolaters. Ever +since the Macedonian conquests, Greek became a common name for idolater, +or at least one uncircumcised, and was held equivalent to Gentile. Of this +we have many examples in Paul's epistles, and in the Acts. <i>Jews and +Greeks</i>, Ἑλληνες, are the same with <i>Jews and Gentiles</i>" +CAMPBELL'S Transl. of the Gospels in loc. <i>notes</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot34"></a>34. The question has been often agitated, whether the possessions of the +New Testament are to be ascribed to demoniacal influence, or whether they +are so represented in conformity to the popular prejudices of the age, +being in reality nothing more than diseases. Surely a distinct existence +must be attributed to these, as evil spirits, when we consider their +number, the actions particularly ascribed to them, the conversation which +they held respecting themselves, the Son of God, and their own destiny, +the desires and passions they are represented as manifesting, and various +other circumstances of their history. Is it credible, that a mere +<i>disease</i> should be said to have addressed Christ in such language as +the following: "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art +thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Comp. Matt. viii. 29, and +the succeeding verses.</p> + +<p><a name="foot35"></a>35. Bishop Hall.</p> + +<p><a name="foot36"></a>36. Bishop Hall</p> + +<p><a name="foot37"></a>37. Doddridge on the Care of the Soul.</p> + +<p><a name="foot38"></a>38. The whole narrative is contained in the eleventh chapter of John, and +this reference in the fifth verse.</p> + +<p><a name="foot39"></a>39. Three hundred Roman pence, or denarii, amount to about <i>nine pounds +seven shillings and sixpence</i> sterling. + +<a name="foot40"></a>40. Bishop Hall.</p> + +<p><a name="foot41"></a>41. The farthing was a <i>quadrant</i>, or fourth part of a Roman +<i>assis</i>, a coin of similar value with the τεταρτχμοριον of +the Greeks, or the fourth part of an obolus (the least Athenian coin,) +that is, two brass pieces. These were the same with the <i>prutas</i> of +the Jews, two of which make a <i>quardrant</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot42"></a>42. Barrow's Works, vol. i. p. 457, fol.</p> + +<p><a name="foot43"></a>43. Paley's Moral Philosophy, vol. i. p. 254--257.</p> + +<p><a name="foot44"></a>44. Sermon on the Duty and Reward of Bounty to the Poor.</p> + +<p><a name="foot45"></a>45. Acts xvi. "Philippi was a city of Macedonia near the confines of +Thrace. It lies near the sea, as it were at the head of the Archipelago. +It was so named from Philip, king' of Macedon, who repaired and enlarged +it; but its more ancient name was Dathos. It was also called Crenides from +its numerous springs, whence flowed the river mentioned Acts xvi. 13; +κρηνη, <i>kreenee</i>, in Greek meaning a spring. Julius +Cæsar is said to have planted there a Roman colony; and the neighbourhood +of Philippi was the scene of conflict between him and Pompey, and +afterward between his assassinators, Brutus and Cassius, and his +partizans, Antony and Octavius. It is said still to retain some monuments +of its former splendour, although it is much depopulated and sunk to +decay." Bevan's Life of the Apostle Paul, p. 367.</p> + +<p><a name="foot46"></a>46. For information on the subject of proselytes, consult Dr. Gill's +"Dissertation concerning the Baptism of Jewish Proselytes," chap. i. in +vol. iii, of his Body of Divinity.</p> + +<p><a name="foot47"></a>47. GREGORY'S Evidences, Doctrines, and Duties of the Christian Religion, +vol. ii. pp. 127, 128.</p> + +<p><a name="foot48"></a>48. Bp. Taylor's Holy Living, Chap. i. sect. 3.</p> + +<p><a name="foot49"></a>49. The purple die is called in I Maccab. iv. 23, <i>purple of the sea,</i> +or <i>sea purple</i>; it being the blood or juice of a turbinated shell-fish, +which the Jews call [Hebrew] <i>Chalson</i>; this they speak of as a +shell-fish. Hence those words 'Go and learn of the <i>Chalson</i>, for all the +while it grows, its shell grows with it:' and that purple was died with +the blood of it, appears from the following instances: <i>The best fruits in +the land</i>, Gen. xliii. 11, are interpreted, the things that are the most +famous in the world, as the Chalson, <i>&c.,</i> with whose blood, as the gloss +on the passage says, they die purple: and the purple died with this was +very valuable, and fetched a good price. The tribe of <i>Zebulon</i> is +represented as complaining to God, that he had given to their brethren +fields and vineyards, to them mountains and hills; to their brethren +lands, to them seas and rivers: to which it is replied, All will stand in +need of thee because of Chalson; as it is said, Deut. xxxiii. 19 <i>They +shall suck of the abundance of the seas</i>; the gloss upon it, interpreting +the word <i>Chalson</i> is, it comes out of the sea to the mountains, and with +its blood they die purple, which is sold at a very dear price.... It may +be further observed, that the fringes which the Jews wore upon their +garments, had on them a riband of blue or purple. Numb. xv. 38, for the +word there used is by the Septuagint rendered <i>the purple</i>, in Numb. iv. +7, and sometimes <i>hyacinth</i>; and the whole fringe was by the Jews called +[Hebrew], <i>purple</i>. Hence it is said, 'Does not every one that puts on +the purple (i.e. the fringes on his garments) in Jerusalem make men to +wonder? and a little after, the former saints or religious men, when they +had wove in it (the garment) three parts, they put on it [Hebrew], +<i>the purple</i>. And there were persons who traded in these things, and were +called, [Hebrew], <i>sellers of purple</i>, as here; that is, for the +<i>tzitzith</i>, or fringes for the borders of the garments, on which the +riband of blue or purple was put, as the gloss explains it. The Jews were +very curious about the colour and the dying of it, that it should be a +colour that would hold and not change, and that the riband be died on +purpose for that use. Maimonides gives rules for the dying of it, and they +were no less careful of whom they bought it; for they say that <i>the +purple</i> was not to be bought, but of an approved person, or one that was +authorized for that purpose; and a scruple is raised by one, whether he +had done right or no in buying it of the family of a doctor deceased. Now, +since Lydia might be a Jewess, or, at least, as appears by what follows, +was a proselytess of the Jewish religion, this might he her business, to +sell the purple for their fringes, and, it may be, the fringes +themselves. GILL in loc.</p> + +<p><a name="foot50"></a>50. Eighth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society.</p> + +<p><a name="foot51"></a>51. Herod. Euterpe.</p> + +<p><a name="foot52"></a>52. Tacit. de Moribus Germanoram, chap, xviii. xix.</p> + +<p><a name="foot53"></a>53. Tacit. Hist.</p> + +<p><a name="foot54"></a>54. Xenophon.</p> + +<p><a name="foot55"></a>55. Plut. in Solone.</p> + +<p><a name="foot56"></a>56. DIONYSUS HALICARN. ii. c. 25.</p> + +<p><a name="foot57"></a>57. Cranz's Greenland.</p> + +<p><a name="foot58"></a>58. Georgi's Description of the Russian Nations. Weber's Russia.</p> + +<p><a name="foot59"></a>59. Consult Steller.</p> + +<p><a name="foot60"></a>60. Weber and Georgi.</p> + +<p><a name="foot61"></a>61. Clarke's Travels, part i. p. 35, 4to.</p> + +<p><a name="foot62"></a>62. Thornton's Present State of Turkey, (1807) 4to. p. 376.</p> + +<p><a name="foot63"></a>63. Collin's Voyages, 1807, p. 152.</p> + +<p><a name="foot64"></a>64. Peyssonel II. p. 246.</p> + +<p><a name="foot65"></a>65. Quart. Rev. May, 1811, p. 330.</p> + +<p><a name="foot66"></a>66. Inquiry into the Origin of Ranks.</p> + +<p><a name="foot67"></a>67. Voyage en Chine de l'Ambassade Hollandaise, vol. ii. p. 116, <i>et +seq</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot68"></a>68. Barrow's China, p. 141, 541.</p> + +<p><a name="foot69"></a>69. P. Du Halde, vol. i. 278.</p> + +<p><a name="foot70"></a>70. P, Du Halde, vol. in. p. 211.</p> + +<p><a name="foot71"></a>71. Barrow's China, p. 145.</p> + +<p><a name="foot72"></a>72. Ibid. p. 518.</p> + +<p><a name="foot73"></a>73. Edinburgh Rev. July, 1809, p. 428, 429.</p> + +<p><a name="foot74"></a>74. It may be proper to observe, that the Hindoos never bury their dead; +but if they can afford it, always burn them. If they be too poor, or the +person be rendered unclean by some incurable disease, they are either +thrown into a river or left on the ground to be devoured.</p> + +<p><a name="foot75"></a>75. A kind of celestial beings, which are fabled by the Hindoos.</p> + +<p><a name="foot76"></a>76. it is not generally known, that women, in certain cases, burn +themselves with any part of their husbands' effects, as a substitute for +him; but on inquiry of my Pundit, whether this be now practised, he +assured me it was, and that he had himself seen many instances of it.</p> + +<p><a name="foot77"></a>77. <i>Shraddha</i>, or <i>Pinda</i>, is an offering made to the manes of +any deceased person, on an appointed day after his or her death. It +consists of rice, and other article, often made into cakes, and is +continued annually for seven generations by all his or her descendants, +called <i>Sapinda</i>, and in some cases to fourteen generations by all +the descendants, who, when beyond the seventh generation, are called +<i>Sakoolya</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot78"></a>78. The following law, from the same book, will show how uncleanness for +death or birth must be observed in the different casts: viz. If a person +die, or if a child be born, the <i>Sapinda</i> shall be unclean ten days +for a <i>Brahmman</i>, twelve for a <i>Kshetra</i>, fifteen for a <i>Bysha</i>, +and one month for a <i>Soodra</i>: during which time they can make no +offering to their ancestors or the gods.</p> + +<p><a name="foot79"></a>79. <i>Dospinda</i> an inferior offering made to the manes.</p> + +<p><a name="foot80"></a>80. This may happen if her own son be an infant, or very far off, or if +she have no son.</p> + +<p><a name="foot81"></a>81. The Hindoos believe the metemphsychosis, and say that certain +diseases, as mahabhead, consumptions, and some others; also dreadful +accidents, such as being killed by a <i>Brahmman</i>; and great sin, such +as killing a Brahmman, are the fruit of sins committed in a former life.</p> + +<p><a name="foot82"></a>82. A person with such diseases, accidents, or sins cannot have the rite +of burning his body performed till an offering of atonement has been made, +which qualifies him for having his obsequies performed; viz. <i>Dahon</i> +or burning (in which case the wife may die with him,) and the +<i>Shraddha</i>, or <i>Pinda</i>. This, however, does not gain such on one +admission into bliss, which is only done by the <i>Sahemaron</i>, or the +wife's dying with him.</p> + +<p><a name="foot83"></a>83. Bap. Period. Accounts, vol. i. No. 6, p. 473-476.</p> + +<p><a name="foot84"></a>84. Bapt. Period. Accounts, No. xvii. p. 324.</p> + +<p><a name="foot85"></a>85. Cordiner's Description of Ceylon, vol. ii. p. 16.</p> + +<p><a name="foot86"></a>86. History of Sumatra, 4to. 1811, p. 257, 381, 382.</p> + +<p><a name="foot87"></a>87. Vogel, p. 649. Voyages des Hollandois, i. 349.</p> + +<p><a name="foot88"></a>88. Turnbull's Voyage round the World, p. 6.</p> + +<p><a name="foot89"></a>89. Turnbull, p. 11.</p> + +<p><a name="foot90"></a>90. Malcolm's History of Persia, vol. ii. p. 333, 434, 455, 4to. 1815.</p> + +<p><a name="foot91"></a>91. Sale's Koran, vol. ii. p. 79, <i>n</i>. and 472, <i>n</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot92"></a>92. Malcolm's History of Persia, vol. i. p. 173, <i>n</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="foot93"></a>93. Dampier, ii. p. 6. 86. Forster's Voyage, i. p. 212. ii. p. 71. +Meiners, vol. i. p. 80.</p> + +<p><a name="foot94"></a>94. Arvieux, i. p. 229, 230. Meiners, vol. i. p. 96.</p> + +<p><a name="foot95"></a>95. Lewis and Clark's Travels up the Missouri, p. 33, 34. 4to. 1814.</p> + +<p><a name="foot96"></a>96. Seventh Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 1811, p. 59.</p> + +<p><a name="foot97"></a>97. Some Account of New Zealand, 1807, p. 13.</p> + +<p><a name="foot98"></a>98. Maggil's Account of Tunis, p. 92.</p> + +<p><a name="foot99"></a>99. Jackson's Account of the Empire of Morocco, 4to, 1809, p. 152.</p> + +<p><a name="foot100"></a>100. Brown's Travels in Africa, &c. 2d ed. 4to. 1806, p. 335, 339.</p> + +<p><a name="foot101"></a>101. Park's Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa, Sic. 4to. 1799, +p. 39.</p> + +<p><a name="foot102"></a>102. Durand's Voyage to Senegal, p. 104, 105.</p> + +<p><a name="foot103"></a>103. Park's Travels, p. 157.</p> + +<p><a name="foot104"></a>104. Park's Travels, p. 226, 267.</p> + +<p><a name="foot105"></a>105. Park's Travels p. 347.</p> + +<p><a name="foot106"></a>106. Barrow's Travels in Southern Africa, second edit. 1806, vol. i. p. +159.</p> + +<p><a name="foot107"></a>107. Barrow's Travels, vol. i. p. 206.</p> + +<p><a name="foot108"></a>108. Dampier, ii. p. 86.</p> + +<p><a name="foot109"></a>109. Des Marchais, ii. p. 178.</p> + +<p><a name="foot110"></a>110. Labat, ii. p. 299. Adanson, p. 32. Oldendorp, i. p. 376.</p> + +<p><a name="foot111"></a>111. Meiners, i. p. 52--54.</p> + +<p><a name="foot112"></a>112. Cavazzi, ii. p. 123. Meiners, i. p. 59, 69. See also Rees's +Cyclopædie, and Encyclop. Brit, under the word's <i>Ansiko, +Anthropophagi, Batta</i>. Marsden's Hist, of Sumatra, 3d ed. 4to. 1811, p. +390-395, & 463.</p> + +<p><a name="foot113"></a>113. This subject has been already more than once remarked upon this +work. See vol. i. p. 21 and 255.</p> + +<p><a name="foot114"></a>114. Paley's Mor. Philos. vol. i. p. 3. ch. vi. & vii.</p> + +<p><a name="foot115"></a>115. Plutarch in Rom. I. p. 123. Livy II. p. 13, 40.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II, by +Francis Augustus Cox + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FEMAIE SCRIPTURE BIOS, VOL 2 *** + +***** This file should be named 9783-h.htm or 9783-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/7/8/9783/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> |