for having brought her to a better state of mind and heart. It was her way of showing by an outward act the strong inward feeling of her soul. The Pharisee thought that if Jesus were indeed a holy prophet he would know what sort of woman she was, and would not suffer her to touch him, for he considered it pollution to be touched by such a person. Jesus perceived what was passing in the Pharisee's mind, and determined to show him that he condemned both the woman and himself unjustly. He therefore said, 'Simon, I have something to say unto thee.' Simon answered, 'Teacher, say it.' 'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty: but since they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which, therefore, of them, tell me, will love him most?' Simon answered, 'I suppose that he will to whom he forgave most.' Jesus said, 'Thou hast judged aright.' Then turning to the woman, he added, Thou seest this woman: I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet, but she hath wetted my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair: thou gavest me no kiss, but she, from

the time I entered, hath not ceased to kiss my feet: thou anointedst not my head with oil, but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins have been forgiven, and they were many, for she hath loved much but he to whom little is forgiven loveth little.' The Pharisee, it is true, had asked Jesus to dine with him, that was for his own gratification; but he had omitted those little personal attentions which were customary toward an honored guest, and which would have proved that he had really a kind and respectful feeling toward our Lord. The woman had no selfish or ostentatious feelings to gratify: her only and her pure motive was her deep love for him who had saved her from her sins, and introduced her into a new and holy life. The contrast is very strong, and makes us ashamed of the Pharisee, for thinking there was any pollution in the touch of one so filled with repentance and affection, for condemning her and him who had saved her from her true pollution.

Among the parables just now spoken of, is that of the good Samaritan, which you will find in the tenth chapter of the gospel by St. Luke.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE FEAST OF DEDICATION.

THIS was not one of the feasts ordained by Moses, and, therefore, to keep it was not binding upon the Jews. It was, however, pretty generally observed; for it related to the restoring of the pure worship of God by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, an event to which the whole people looked back with much gratitude and pride. The story is too long to be told here it is to be found in the book of Maccabees, an ancient Jewish writing, but not commonly bound up with the writings of the Old Testament, as not being of equal authority with them.

Jesus went to Jerusalem at this feast. As he was going he was received into the house of Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary, all three of whom were then, or afterward became, intimate friends of Jesus. Martha was very anxious to show her respect, by making a great entertainment for our Lord and his followers, and was vexed that Mary sat listen

ing to his teaching, instead of helping her. She went to Jesus and said, 'Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.' Jesus told her that there was no need of so much preparation; and intimated that if she chose to give herself so much unnecessary trouble, she ought not to expect Mary to help her, and so lose the opportunity of gaining that instruction which she would be able to treasure up in her heart forever. He did not blame Martha: she took her own way of showing her love for Christ: but he would not suffer her to be unjust to Mary, who showed her love by listening at his feet. Had Mary refused to assist Martha in the necessary labors of the occasion, Jesus would doubtless have told her that in her desire for instruction she must not be unjust toward her sister.

The feast of Dedication was celebrated in December. The covered porticos of the temple at Jerusalem were therefore much frequented, both by those who went up to the feast, and by the regular inhabitants of Jerusalem. On one occasion Jesus was walking in Solomon's portico, and the Jews came

around him and said, 'How long dost thou keep our mind in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you, and ye believe not. The works that I do in my Father's name, these bear testimony concerning me.' After some further conversation, in which he said, 'I and my Father are one,' they took up stones to stone him. He asked them for which of the good works which he had done they were ready to stone him. They answered, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.' They pretended to understand, or perhaps did really understand, by his words, 'I and the Father are one,' that he declared himself to be God. He replied, 'Is it not written in your law, I said ye are Gods? If he said those are Gods unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken, say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, 'Thou blasphemest,' because I said I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do them, even if ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye