A.D. 29. 4. Sister of La zarus ; 5. The mother of Mark. e Harper's Mag. "While busy ab. rest in Him." Van Doren. a Ma. xvi. 26; vi. 33. 66 selfishness of her character, in being more ready to provide for the 41, 42. answered, she expecting Christ would take sides Him, we cannot with her. Martha, calls her by name; the reproof lay in the tone. careful, see Gk., cutting nature of painful cares. troubled, see Gk., fretting anxiety. many things, manifold cares of household. The temper rather than the things censured b W. W. Whythe. by Christ. one," in opp. to many. (Perh. as applied to Martha's care, our Lord meant "one dish" will suffice.) chosen, out of many cares and attractions. good part, portion. not. . away, Martha's services would die with her: Mary's portion, spiritual, e Lange. see their own. our than ten of our eternal. Those who are always looking after faults in others, have The one thing needful.-I. There is only "one thing needful' neither time nor to salvation. II. That simple condition is Christ's righteousness. opportunity to III. This we should choose, as Mary did. IV. If we do choose It is better to it, we may obtain it. V. If we choose to retain it, neither earth find out one of nor hell can rob us of it."-The complaints of believers.-How the own faults Lord-I. Patiently listens to the complaints of His people; neighbours'. II. Seriously answers them; III. Makes use of them for their d Hive, Outline of improvement.-One thing is needful.-I. In order rightly to use the time of life; II. Rightly to taste the joys of life; III. Rightly to bear the burdens of life. IV. Rightly to expect the end of you scold, be sure that you life.-The good part.-I. Cannot; II. Must not; III. Shall not, are right your-be taken away. Jesus the defender of His friends when they self. He that at- are misunderstood.-The good part, i.e. personal religion.-I. Its a blot with necessity needful to all-children, youth, manhood, age, rich, blotted fingers, poor. II. Its excellence: "the good part;' none knew better makes a greater than Jesus how good, He had tasted Himself of the love of God; The eclipsing of it is good, and it makes good. III. Its reception: a matter of another's sun choice, preference,--" hath chosen;" hence thought, selection, S. S. Address. Before tempts to cleanse blur. will not make approval. IV. Its security: "not taken away;' other good ours shine the things will be lost presently; not this; religion a personal and immortal principle. Learn :-Seek at once the one thing needful, the good part that Jesus commends.d brighter. e J. Pulsford. says, that an ob confute andmock "The legend Simplicity in preaching.-In June 1790, the Rev. J. Wesley stinate heretic, preached at Lincoln: his text was Luke x. 42; "One thing is who went to hear needful." When the congregation were retiring from the chapel, St. Ambrose a lady exclaimed, in a tone of great surprise, "Is this the great preach only to Mr. Wesley, of whom we hear so much in the present day? Why, him, beheld an the poorest might have understood him." The gentleman, to angel visible at whom this remark was made, replied, "In this, madam, he dishis side, and plays his greatness; that, while the poorest can understand him, words he uttered; the most learned are edified, and cannot be offended."-Popular on seeing which, preaching.-There are preachers so sonorous and fluent in mere the scoffer was of wordiness, that the hearers are quite satisfied to hear the fluent ed."-Mrs. Jame high-sounding wordiness, though there be within it great barrenness of thought, and no spiritual refreshment. The shallow prompting the course convert son. Contentment: people who have been accustomed to this sounding-brass and A.D. 29. tinkling-cymbal preaching, cannot endure the ever fresh flow of living thought. For, being long accustomed to a sound-and-ear The philosophy ministry, under the former they are in their element, but under of life, and the the latter they are like fish out of water. In a spiritual element principal ingredient in the cup a carnal people cannot breathe with freedom. To be popular, it is of happiness; a not enough that a man be a good talker, he must also be a shallow commodity that thinker. Abide in the low plain of thought, and the multitudes is undervalued in will throng you; but ascend to the high mountain height of purer the thought, and your multitudes will be reduced to a few disciples. consequence of very low price at which it can be obtained. CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH. the disciples are taught how to pray the Lord's Prayer 1—4. praying,a [i. 101], another instance of Lu.'s noticing the devotions of Christ. teach. . pray, in no duty do we need more careful instruction, or Divine aid. said, etc. [i. 36-39], father, a Father, heavenly, our. will.. heaven, constantly, perfectly, cheerfully, immediately. give.. bread, give, lesson of dependence: bread, of contentment:d our, of industry: today, against care: daily, of trust: us, of love. sins, of wh. the Ma. v. 9-13. guilt is measured by the character of God: by the punishment a Lu. vi. 12; Ma. provided by the atonement needed. for.. also, etc., as a token of humility, love, sincerity. temptation, see Gk., trial, test. evil, esp. of sin, the greatest, and cause of other evils. Prayer.-Prayer should be: I. Founded on knowledge; II. Prompted by desire; III. Bounded by promise. xiv. 23. b Ro. viii. 26; Ecc. v. 2. c Jo. vi. 48-51. d 1 Ti. vi. 8; Ge. e 2 S. xix. 23. f Ja. i. 13; Ge. xxi. 1; 2 Pe. ii. 9; Job xxiii. 10; 1 Co. x. 13. mony of faith in in the brance of hope The influence of the Lord's Prayer.-An Eastern traveller says, xxviii. 20. "I remember, on one occasion, travelling in Arabia with a companion who possessed some knowledge of medicine. We arrived at a spot near which we were about to pitch our tent: when a crowd of Arabs surrounded us, cursing and swearing at the rebellers against God. My friend, who spoke a little Arabic, turning to an elderly person whose garb bespoke him a priest, said, 'Who g W. W. Whythe. taught you that we were disbelievers? Hear my daily prayer, "The honouring and judge for yourselves.' He then repeated the Lord's Prayer. of God in the All stood amazed and silent, till the priest exclaimed, May God Father, the testicurse me if ever I curse again those who hold such a belief! Nay, the Name, the more, that prayer shall be my prayer till my hour be come. offering of obeI pray thee, O Nazarene! to repeat that prayer, that it may be dience remembered and written among us in letters of gold.'"The Spirit of the Lord's Prayer.-The spirit of the Lord's Prayer is beautiful. The form of petition breathes a filial spirit,"Father;" a catholic spirit,- "Our Father; spirit,Hallowed be Thy Name;" a missionary spirit, bread, the con"Thy kingdom come;" an obedient spirit," Thy will be done on earth;" a dependent spirit,-"Give us this day our daily bread;" a forgiving spirit," And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us;" a cautious spirit, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;" a confidential and adoring spirit," For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."-The fulness of the Lord's Prayer.-I used to think the Lord's Prayer was a short prayer; but as I live longer, and see more of life, I begin to believe there is no such thing as getting through it. If a man, in a reverential will, the rememin the kingdom, the petition for life in a twofold sense in the fession of debts in the prayer for anxious care forgiveness, the about temptations in the call for defence."Tertullian. "The prayer recorded by Luke was delivered by our Lord at 104 A.D. 29. time, and praying that prayer, were to be stopped by every word until he had thoroughly prayed it, it would take him a lifetime. "Our under circum- Father,"—there would be a wall a hundred feet high in just those stances, differing two words to most men. If they might say, "Our Tyrant," or from those to "Our Monarch," or even "Our Creator," they could get along refers. The one with it; but "Our Father,"-why, a man is almost a saint who was spoken in can pray that. You read, "Thy will be done;" and you say to Galilee, the other yourself, "Oh! I can pray that;" and all the time your mind goes which Matthew in Judæa. The one unasked for, round and round in immense circuits and far-off distances: but the other at the God is continually bringing the circuits nearer to you, till He says, request of a dis-"How is it about your temper and your pride?-how is it about ciple. The one as This is a revolutionary He was preach-your business and your daily life?" ing, the other petition. It would make many a man's shop and store tumble to after Ho had the ground to utter it. Who can stand at the end of the avenue been praying."-along which all his pleasant thoughts and wishes are blossoming like flowers, and send these terrible words, "Thy will be done," crashing down through it? I think it is the most fearful prayer to pray in the world." Van Doren. h Beecher. importunity 42; Topics ii. 22, e Irby and Man- "Hospitality breaking through the chills of cefishness, and remony and sel a 5-7. said, still further to teach some essential of prayer. midnight, on acc. of heat, a time oft. preferred in E. for travelling. loaves, bread in E. like small cakes; size of plate in. thick; weight ab. 6 oz. trouble, untimely hour, disturb family. The Prayer of Faith.-What are the attributes of that prayer to which this glorious promise is made ?-1. Earnest desire; 2. Submission; 3. Dependence; 4. An earnest and diligent use of means; 5. Deep humility; 6. Faith; 7. Perseverance; 8. An absorbing regard for the glory of God." Eastern hospitality.-"On two occasions we arrived at a camp late at night, and, halting before a tent, found the owner, with his wife and children, having arranged their carpets, &c., for the night, had just retired to rest; when it was astonishing to see the good humour with which they all arose again, and kindled a heart into a fire, the wife commencing to knead the dough, and prepare our flow.'-Washing- supper, our Arabs making no apology, but taking all as a matter of course, though the nights were bitterly cold." c thawing every ton Irving. Jer. xxix. 13; Lu. xviii. 1-8. a Mk. x. 47; 1 Thess. v. 17. 8-10. friend, on score of friendship men will often make sacrifices. importunity," this, the point of the parable. See Gk. "shamelessness." many.. needeth, friendship asked for three, importunity wins many. say, etc. [i. 46]. ask, with a Importune, to beggar's humility. seek, with servant's carefulness. knock, urge with trouble-with friend's confidence. everyone, friend or otherwise-imFr. importuner. portunity gains what friendship might deny. some application. b Successful prayer: Ge. xxiv. 12; xxxii. 24; Ex. xiv. 15; xvii. 11: Jos. vii. 7; 1S. i. 10; 2 S. xv. Importunity in prayer.-I. A case supposed. II. An exhortation addressed. We have here-1. The true nature of prayer; 2. The proper spirit of prayer; 3. Its certain success. III. A touching argument employed.—Asking, seeking, knocking.-Notice—I. What Christ here enjoins: He enjoins His disciples to ask, to seek, and 2 Ch. xiv. 11; to knock. These terms are doubtless intended to convey very different, though connected thoughts. The last injunction implies: 1. A well-founded right; 2. Frequency of application; 3. Great ardour of desire. II. The Saviour's promise-"It shall be," etc.-Parsons. 31; Is. xxxvii. 36 xxxviii. 2; Da. ii. 17; vi. 10; ix. 21; Ez. viii. 21-23; Ne. ii. 6; 1 K.xvii. 1; xviii. 42; 2 K. ii. 14; 1 K. xvii. 21; 2 K. iv. 33; Knocking. Where are the Saviour; "no man When are we to knock ? we to knock? "I am the door," says cometh unto the Father but by Me." Evening and morning, and at noon," 66 says King David, "will I pray, and cry aloud;" and David knew A.D. 29. the benefit of this. For what are we to knock? "Seek ye first Ac. ii. 1; xii. 12. the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." Heaven in the -Campbell. soul-that is what we want; for Heaven must first come to use Anon. before we can go to Heaven. How must we knock? We must knock in earnest. We cannot knock too loud. Jacob said, "I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me;" and he got a blessing. We must knock perseveringly too. The answer does not always come immediately. "I waited patiently for the Lord," says David; "and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry." Friendship might have urged him to give; continued importunity in knocking to obliges him the effort of rising."-Bengel. a Topics i. 72; see cut. Dun's Bib. Nat. Sci. ii. 172, 577; Burder's Ori. Cust. 269. in your "There is no imahow..ginable likeness give, between an egg a and the ordinary black scorpion of nor size, nor in and such an one, sil trilobites, a small 11-13. son, more than a friend, but not the less importunate. ask, though a son, he must ask. stone, wh. bread in size, colour, etc., may resemble. serpent, wh. is like some fish. scorpion," wh., when rolled up, resembles an egg. evil, ignorant, selfish. good, what you think is good, and power to give. children, bec. of their relationship. more, none can tell how much. Father, wise and good. the best of all gifts. them.. ask, only those who ask. The gift of the Holy Spirit.-I. These words exhibit our this country, privilege 1. What is meant by the Holy Spirit; 2. That the neither in colour Holy Ghost is enjoyed by all real Christians; 3. For what purpose when the tail is He is received by them. II. Prescribe our duty: 1. Ask sincerely, extended, in truth; 2. Ask evangelically; 3. Ask importunately; 4. Ask shape; but old believingly. III. Encourage our hope, "If ye then," etc.: 1. writers speak of Mankind are naturally evil; 2. Yet they know how to give good white scorpion, gifts unto their children; 3. But God is certainly your Father, if with the tail you ask the Holy Spirit as He requires; 4. And God being your folded up, as in Father, you cannot fail of obtaining the gift of His Holy Spirit. specimens of fosApplication: 1. Recollect your privilege with suitable acts of would not look piety, such as self-examination; 2. Recollect your duty, with per- unlike severance in it, Col. iv. 2; 3. Recollect your encouragement, with steadfast hope of receiving the Holy Spirit in all His influences. The gift of the Holy Ghost.-What must be the value of that gift which would supply the place of the orb of day, and make us cease to deplore its extinction ? Of infinitely surpassing value must be the gift which could indemnify the Church for the personal departure of the Lord. Yet such a gift is the Holy Spirit-the soul of the Church and the life of the world; for so much of the Spirit as there is in the world, precisely so much, b Anon. and no more, is there of life.-The gift of the Spirit, and of other Spiritual things "good things," compared.-It is worth remarking that while one Evangelist makes express mention of the Spirit, another (Ma. vii. 11) speaks only of good things, intimating that the communications of the Spirit comprehend whatever is good. Other things may, of God's or may not, be ultimately beneficial: they are either of a doubtful joys. Spirit are heartnature in themselves, or are rendered so by the propensity our filling and heartcorruption gives to abuse them. But the influence of the Spirit, cheering. by its efficacy in subduing that corruption, must be invariably e Dr. J. Harris. beneficial; it is such an immediate emanation from God, the Fountain of blessedness, that it can never fail of being intrinsically, essentially, and eternally good.d trast refers only egg. Perhaps, however, the conto the different properties of the egg and the scorpion, which is sufficiently em phatic."- -Thomson L. and B., 246. satisfy: the more of heaven there is in the soul, the less will earth content. d R. Hall. The 14-16. and, etc. [i. 82, 263]. dumb, and blind also (Ma.). a demoniac Satanic power over human speech and sight. some, whom the healed people had challenged (Ma.). sign. . heaven, in the casting Ma. xii. 22-37. A.D. 29. Mk. iii. 22-30. indited by the out of the devil they might have seen a sign-Satan falling fr. The blind and dumb demoniac (see Ma. xii. 22, etc.; Mk. iii. 19).— bad Palmer. the third cent., authors of it."- French statistics of insanity.—A Government inquiry into the mirs., wh. they had learned in the kingdom a Ez. viii. 19: 3. ; 17-20. knowing, etc. [i. 83, 263]. finger,a denoting 66 The kingdom divided against itself (see Ma. xii. 24-30).— b Anon. "So great was our diction over the a Lu. xii. 19; Je. 19. 21-23. man [i. 83, 264], all. to the devil. armed, with See Gk. L. arma; arm, a weapon, prob. fr. the The strong man armed.-I. A striking representation of sinners |