grntHude. There was II VRst difference between this meeting and the last. One of the members of the family had pnssed away. Lazarus wa,i in his grave, but now there iH no talk of him. Grief for him is for the time lost in the joy of the Ma.!!ter's arrival. (8) 'l.'/1e MaRter's invitation. "Calleth for thee." He will call some ono else by-and- by, This call of Mary is not recorded by the evangelist, but it comes out in thlcl messnge of faith. It is personal nnd gracions, and full of personal fiiendship and affectioncite consideration nnd sympathy. Sho is not forgotten by tho Master. II. CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE FAITII OF MARY. 1. The readinus of he'I' faith. "As soon as she heard," etc. The readiness of her faith is not only proved by her prompt responso to the kind invitation of Jesus, but also by the interview between them. Jesus had not so much work to inspire and strengthen Mary'8 faith as he had with thnt of Martha, Her faith had been long ago nursed, strengthened, and prepared at his feet. Faith thrives well at the feet of Jesus. 2. The a/,acrity of her faith. "She arose quickly." This was rather unusual for her. Martha was impulsive and quick in her movements. Mary was reflective and slow. Impulsiveness rnns; reflection walks slowly, and often sits under its heavy but delightful burden. When the more reflective and deeper nature of Mary was thoroughly stirred, her movements were exceptionally quick, to the surprise of all who saw and knew her. Faith is very swift. There is only one swifter in movement, that is Jesus. Faith is willing to give up to him in the race. "He fainteth not, neither is weary." 3. The attractive ObJect , of her faith. What made her rise and move so quickly? The known arrival of Jesus, his kind and gracious invitation, and the resistless attraction of his near presence. The Jews thought that she had gone to the grave to weep; but this W:J.S a mistake, and not the first nor the last mistake with regard to the movements of faith. She had now stronger attractions than those of the grave-the attractions of him who "is the Resurrection and the Life." He called, and she ran. A happy illnstration of the words," Draw me, and we shall run after thee." 4. The story of her faith. (1) The story of the death of their 'Irr-other. It was the same story as that of Martha. This was the sad tale of Bethany, and especially of the bereaved family in those days of weeping. Nothing else was scarcely thought and spoken of. (2) The story of a c<mditional and gloriO'U,S certainty. The presence of Jesus would have certainly prevented their brother's death. A present Saviour would beyond doubt result in a living brother. "If thou," etc. How many "ifs" have we in relation to the death of dear, dear friends I If we had done or not done this or that! if the doctor were here in time I How groundless are our "ifs" generally! But in the "if" of these sisters there was a glorious certainty. (8) The wail of a lost opportunity. Past possibilities and especially conditional certainties with regard to departed friends are ever very painful. It was so here, and the pain felt bursts forth in a wail to the Saviour. "If thou," etc. 6. The attitude of her faith. Its story is the same a.~ that of Martha'e, but its attitude differs, and this makes all the difference. " She fell down at his feet." (1) The attitude of deep humility; of a burdened and a broken heart, and a contrite spirit; of· conscious unworthiness to address him but at his feet. (2) 'l'he attitude of profound reverence, of humble homage, affectionate devotion; an acknowledgment of the majesty and graciousness of his presence; and gratitude for ',his kind invitation and continued esteem. (3) The attitude of earnest prayer. Tho deepest prayer of her faith could only be expressed in the silent but eloquent !language of her prostrate and suppliant attitude. The attitude of simple submission ·•nd trust. Submission with regard to the past, and trust with regard to the future. ',What Martha said to Jesus, Mary says also, but at his feet. lf she complains, she pours her complaint out at his feet; and there leaves the profoundest prayer of her faith and the heaviest burden of her heart in simple trust and submission. ' LESSONS. 1. In 0'1/,T bereavements Jesus ever co1iies to '11,S, When we a.re in trouble the is never far, nnd even his delay is only to try our faith, aod agreeably surprise it at last. How welcome is his preseuce in such an hour I 2. In owr bereaWffl81lt3 l,11 has a ,&pecial message t-0 us, and the message is gracious and personal. " He cal le~h for thee.", Ue calls through the living and the dead. Departed pious aouls are his ministeriog ~pirits. He calls us through others who have been with him. Martha, fresh from the' Saviour, called Mary to him to share the same comfort. 3. If JeS"W is met by faith, we ,hall find more ehan we have lo,t. He takes away to give us more-to give us himself 122 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO BT. JOllN. ( oH. xt. 1--6',
more fully. Defore he could not draw u11 ncRr enr>ugh to himself, neither was tho way cll'!lr for him to come to us. When the temporal sea ebbs, let us look out for the flow of the eterne.l. 4. Rather than go to the graves of departed friends, let tta go to Jesua, tclw u the Ret1Urrection and the Life. And if we go b) their graves, let us take JeaUB with us 116 e. Compe.nion. He is the only safe Guide through a graveyard. Without him it is de.rk, dead, and dangerous; but he will fill it with light, life, 1md joy and will restore our friends, not to sense, but, far better, to faith, and bring us even' now into spiritue.l fellowship with them, and a bright prospect of a oomplete reunion in the future.-B. 'l'.