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THE LEGEND OF MARY MAGDALEN

REV. C. DONALD M'LEOD.

Her sins are forgiven her, for she loved much.

"T WAS within a Hebrew palace,
At a Hebrew ruler's board,
From her alabaster chalice

Magdalen the ointment poured.
Flowed the precious perfume, filling
All the air with odours sweet;
But, from Mary's eyes distilling,
Poured an offering far more meet,

Even than the costly ointment,
For the worn and weary feet
Of the Blessed Lord.

Humbly weeping, humbly loving,

Meek she kneeled beside Him there;

Tears and perfume both removing

With her soft and clustering hair.

But there wakened thoughts of evil

In the minds of the Eleven;

And the first to scorn or cavil

Spake the traitor-cursed of Heaven :"How much better were this ointment

"Vended, and the money given

"For the poor to share!"

Thus Iscariot reproved her,

Thinking, "'T would my store increase:"

But when JESU looked, He loved her,

And He bade their murmurs cease; Saying. "Not for her preferment Doth she here before Me bow,

But it is for Mine interment

That she thus anoints Me now." Then he uttered, turning toward her That divine and gentle brow,

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Lamb of GOD! Our Priest and Pastor.

Who canst bid all evil cease,

Ever dear and holy Master,

Make our feeble love increase!

So that when we seek Thee, owning That Thy wrath is our deserts, Thou, blest Lord, at whose atonement All iniquity departs,

Mayest speak from thine enthronemen!

To our rent and wearied hearts,

"Sinner, go in peace!

HUNTINGTON, I. I.

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