THE FAMILY AT BETHANY.

REV. H. HASTINGS WELD.

WE are told that Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. It does not appear that there were any other mempers of the family than these three, whom Jesus loved. No person in this happy household, while the others sided with the Redeemer, joined or sympathised with his enemies. When Jesus left those who endeavoured to bewray Him in his speech, or to find whereof they might accuse Him, and sought rest with his friends in Bethany, He knew that under that roof, as He loved all, all loved Him. Whom the Jews sought to kill, they aimed to comfort. Whom the Pharisees contemned, they honoured and ministered unto. Jerusalem was a short distance from Bethany; but to go from the city to the cottage was like going from earth to Heaven. The temple was at Jerusalem: those who worshipped God in spirit and in truth—and he seeketh such to worship Him - were at Bethany. The pomp of the truly magnificent levitical vestments- the swell of the loud Hosanna-the sound of sackbut and lute, and harp, and trumpet, thousands of rams, and calves of a year old, and rivers of oil, were at the city of David. At Bethany were

contrite and faithful hearts, the sacrifices with which God is well pleased and to Bethany Jesus delighted to turn from Jerusalem-for He loved the household there. And as He loved them, they loved Him. When in that house, the inmates saw "the man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief," toiling with weary steps over the Mount of Olives, to approach their dwelling, all hearts bounded to meet Him. All lips expressed His welcome. All hands contended for the honour of ministering to His necessities.

While Martha served, Mary rose from the table to express her grateful humility at the presence of Jesus, by anointing His feet with ointment and wiping them with the hair of her head. The sisters were of one mind in the reverence and love they bore Him. We read that once indeed Martha appealed to the Saviour, because that Mary chose rather to listen at His feet, than to busy herself with the affairs of the household. But Jesus loved Martha and her sister. He accepted the homage of both. He gently reproved, or He kindly admonished both for he knoweth our frames and remembereth we are dust. The characters of the two sisters are in striking contrast. Martha was active-Mary contemplative. Martha appears to have been a creature of impulse; Mary was slower of apprehension, and of course less sudden in her resolves and in her movements. Martha was the elder, and the head of the household, for it is written, "a certain woman named Martha received Jesus into her house." She had already become conversant with the character, and the works, and teachings of Jesus; and in the exercise of matronly hospitality testified her active respect and living faith, by tendering to Him the shelter of her roof, and the refreshment of her table.

Nor was it to the Master alone, that this hospitality was