your holy profession™. " Have your loins continually girt, and your lamps trimmed, and yourselves as those who wait for the coming of their Lord n."]
m 1 Thess. v. 2, 4—8.
11 Supposing this were a Funeral Sermon for a truly pious person, some little mention of his character might be made here.
Mark xiv. 8. She hath done what she could.
OCCASIONS sometimes arise, wherein it is difficult to discern the precise line of conduct we should pursue. In a season of public festivity, for instance, or on account of some domestic occurrences, we may be called to unite in feasting, and perhaps to incur con- siderable expence in providing entertainments for others: and a doubt may well arise in our minds, how far we ought to countenance such proceedings, and whether we ought not rather to save our money for the support of the poor. But we must not expect to have our path so clearly marked, but that there shall be abundant room left for difference of opinion in such things. All that seems practicable is, to lay down general principles, and to view the Lord Jesus Christ as an example best fitted to assist us in the application of them. There certainly are times, when, according to our rank and station in life, we should " be given to hospitality and unite in " rendering honour to whom honour is due." Yet we have need, on the other hand, to guard against the indulgence of an ostentatious or worldly spirit. To lean to the side of moderation is undoubtedly the safer plan : nevertheless, when just occasions present themselves, there is a liberality that well befits the Christian character.
We read in the preceding context that a feast was made for our Lord in the house of Simon, the leper ; and that Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead,