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Show ! rtPersonages of the Bible By REV. LEONARD A. BARRETT .... ft- "fary te Virgin RY THE VIRGIN was of royal M descent from lvJ- sl,e ,VHS 9 blood relative of lOll.abeth, who ' ,he wife of Zacharias, the priest. . an unwritten law that only " h" rs of the royal families were mti to unite in marriage with forlests Though of royal blood, h! was poor. Evidence for this is n In that Joseph was a carpenter, "hico trade did not bring large flnun-! flnun-! , returns; and also from the value f the gift Mary and Joseph offered sacrifice when they brought Jesus ho the temple. The sacrifice counted cou-nted of a pair of turtle doves and L young pigeons, a small gift as compared with those of the wealthier class of her day. 0ne of the most interesting experiences experi-ences in the biography of Mary was w attitude of mind and heart when ine was Informed by the shepherds of l,e Important place her son would occupy oc-cupy in the future history of her nation na-tion To her the information came as a great mystery. She could not comprehend com-prehend why she should be regarded with such special favor. The writer of lier biography Informs us that instead of giving expression to her feeling in rid excitement and overstrained nervous tension, she remained eloquently elo-quently silent. "Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart." Xo one but a mother knows the secrets which she hides away in the sanctuary sanctu-ary of her heart. Not only was the prophecy concerning concern-ing Jesus locked up in Mary's heart ; She also treasured there the mystery which surrounded her child Jesus. She could not altogether adjust herself to His dual nature. Truly He was her son, but He was also the Son of God. Pathetic is the Incident for Mary when she discovered that after leaving leav-ing the temple she had lost her Son. She sought for Him diligently, but no-' where could He be found. Upon reluming re-luming to the temple, hoping that she might find Him in the crowd, imagine her consternation when she discovered that Jesus, though but thirteen years of age, was occupying a distinguished place in the temple. He was arguing with the intellectual men of His day upon matters of the law. Even more mysterious was the reply of Jesus when Mary spoke to Him about His absence, "Knew ye not that I must be in My Father's house." After this incident, He returns to the humble home in Nazareth, but Mary, perplexed and bewildered, "kept all these things In her heart." a mother's pride and confidence Tn her son is beautifully portrayed through an incident which occurred In C'nna. The occasion is a wedding feast and the refreshments which were furnished for the feast had given out. Mary interceded with Jesus in behalf of the guests and the embarrassment was relieved by the first miracle which Jesus performed. The confidence which Mary had in her Son is expressed ex-pressed In her command to the servants, serv-ants, "Whatsoever He salth unto you, ilo it." Upon another occasion Mary, moth-erlike, moth-erlike, desired to speak with Jesus, doubtless upon a subject of vital concern con-cern to herself, but which Jesus felt was not as important as the work of preaching and healing. While Jesus was speaking to the crowds of people, Mary stood outside waiting for an opportunity op-portunity to speak with Him. When lesus was Informed of her wish, He made a reply to His followers which was a frank declaration of His spiritual spirit-ual mission. Motherlike, Mary again "Kept all this in her heart." At the crucifixion, the concern which Jesus had for His mother is very beautiful beau-tiful and tender. He provides for her future care and gives her a parting assurance as-surance of His love and devotion. But Ji'sus, her Son, whom she perhaps "ever did thoroughly understand, was being crucified. Again, the only place where Mary could safely hide her sor r"w and her pain was in the sanctuary f her heart. This attitude of . Mary, of hiding "'hiss in her heart, stands out as a . ver' unique characteristic of her na-hture. na-hture. The only safe place of sure repeat re-peat Is the human heart. The wisdom of the heart Is many ""ies more valuable than the wisdom f the mind. "Out of the heart are "ie Issues of life." The lamps of cour-"w. cour-"w. sympathy, and strength are lit within the temple of the heart. The real man is always, "the hidden man of the heart." 1(9. 1D2S. Wsstnrn Newspaper Union.) |