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his heart's secret wound, the object of public envy is too frequently the proper object of public commiseration. The murmurs of the poor, on the contrary, being deprived of the gilding of power, come with a more apparent justice and seem to demand attention with a more imperious mien. But were each duly investigated, the poor man would find that the comparison of their real sufferings was greatly in his favour; and that in both cases they arose from forgetfulness of their crucified Redeemer. They will not "behold the serpent of brass," that emblem which is elevated before them, and which is all-sufficient for their cure. They follow their own hearts' lusts, and they are bitten and die.

All men, I repeat, whatever their pride of station, are and must be miserable, who look not toward Christ. There is but one means of safety and happiness; and it is the neglect of this that constitutes the important difference between one human being and another. The religious man accommodates himself to every diversitude of life. He repines not at the discouragements of the way; he "speaks not against the Lord, or against Moses," and he looks forward, with the "patience of hope," to another world and to everlasting happiness. He is content, and he is happy. But the irreligious man, having no prospect in the future-no thought but of this world, repines at everything which militates

against his extravagant wishes. The changes and chances of time, even if they favour his ambition, bring only increased discontent; because the object never proves in the attainment that which it appeared in the pursuit. If he totally fail of success, which every one knows is the more common destiny, then he who placed his happiness and his hope upon so brittle a basis, falls headlong to the ground, and the fatal serpent winds about his heart and feeds upon his everlasting misery.

There is nothing exaggerated in this statement. Religion is not a native of the world-she had her birth in heaven; and therefore, when this world fails, she clings the firmer and looks the fairer to those who cultivate her grace. All but religion must fail; because all other things are made to decay. She only endures; for she is enthroned with Christ. The eye that is raised to the cross sees her angelic form, reposing in the bosom of her Lord-sees the ineffable expression of His love, and of her devotion. The thrilling heart, meanwhile, leapeth for very gladness, and the voice, full of seraphic harmony, is ready to exclaim with the multitudinous angels of God, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Amen.

should disperse the foul spots her guilty soul had contracted.

To anoint with oil and wash the feet, was, and still is, an Eastern mode of evincing respect towards a guest. The sandal, so much in use, greatly exposed the foot to the inclemencies of the weather; and rendered the bath not only a refreshing but a necessary luxury. Mary, therefore, "stood at his feet behind him weeping." Her full heart gave vent to its miseries in tears. The drops of penitence fell fast and thick from her swollen eyes; and her bosom throbbed with the bitterest emotions. She "washed his feet with tears," says St. Luke; indicating thereby the excess of her sorrow, and the conflict of her awakened feelings. When she had thus washed his feet, she "wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."

Could anything describe more powerfully the extent and truth of her love than these mute tokens? Nothing but faith could have produced them in one so circumstanced-in one who could expect no temporal advantage, and who does not appear to have needed it. Our Saviour was poor and lowly, not having "where to lay His head." He was despised by the great-derided by the humble. The very Pharisee, who invited Him to his house, disbelieved the veracity of His mission. "This man," said he in his heart, "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 that was the very reason she touched Him. She knew what the Pharisee did not, that she required His assistance; and, therefore, though a greater sinner probably, experienced the favour of Christ; when the leper, (for so he was) when the leper himself, the master of the mansion and of the feast, derived no benefit!

In answer, however, to the secret doubt cast upon His prophetic functions, Jesus cited the parable of the two debtors; and proved that he would feel the most gratitude, who had the most reason to do so. So thought the Pharisee: and then our Lord turning to the woman, but reproachfully addressing His host, said, "I entered into thine house, but 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 that 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."

Penitence is the symbol of love. As we show faith by our works, so we discover affection by

should disperse the foul spots her guilty soul had contracted.

To anoint with oil and wash the feet, was, and still is, an Eastern mode of evincing respect towards a guest. The sandal, so much in use, greatly exposed the foot to the inclemencies of the weather; and rendered the bath not only a refreshing but a necessary luxury. Mary, therefore, "stood at his feet behind him weeping." Her full heart gave vent to its miseries in tears. The drops of penitence fell fast and thick from her swollen eyes; and her bosom throbbed with the bitterest emotions. She "washed his feet with tears," says St. Luke; indicating thereby the excess of her sorrow, and the conflict of her awakened feelings. When she had thus washed his feet, she “wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."

Could anything describe more powerfully the extent and truth of her love than these mute tokens? Nothing but faith could have produced them in one so circumstanced-in one who could expect no temporal advantage, and who does not appear to have needed it. Our Saviour was poor and lowly, not having "where to lay His head." He was despised by the great-derided The very Pharisee, who invited Him to his house, disbelieved the veracity of His mission. "This man," said he in his heart, "if

by the humble.

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