before the passover-This was the Jewish sabbath, the Saturday before our Lord's crucifixion, the passover being celebrated on the Thursday evening following.

v. 2. A supper-a meal provided to do Jesus honour. Another evangelist mentions this supper as at the house of Simon, a leper, whom probably Jesus had healed, Matt. xxvi. 6.

v. 3. A pound of ointment of spikenard-anaromatic ointment obtained from a plant grown, it is said, in India, from which circumstance, probably, in part, its great value in Palestine.

There seems to be a discre

v. 9. Much people—that they might see Lazarus also-The resurrection of Lazarus had occasioned much talk, and awakened much curiosty, and therefore many came to Bethany.

EXPOSITORY.-First. THE HOSPITALITY OF CHRIST'S FRIENDS.

A feast was held in the house of Lazarus or in that of Simon the leper. The disciples accompanied their Master. The host of one was the host of the others also; and both Lazarus and Simon would be glad to show hospitality to one to whom they owed so much.

He

In one point of view it is a little surprising that Jesus should have come to Bethany. knew how full of enmity Jerusalem was against him; and he was fully aware of what was

pancy between the account of the anointing of Jesus, as given by Matthew and Mark, and that given by John. Matthew and Mark speak of the head as anointed, and John of the feet. Were there two anointings? This does not follow. Both the head and the feet might be anointed at one time, though both are not mentioned by each evangelist. This anointing is the same as is mentioned, chap. xi. 2. John wrote long after the events, and would therefore designate Mary by this circumstance, without saying anything about there being one anointing so give his friends in Bethany

or two.

v. 7. Against the day of my burying-Jesus did not mean that Mary kept this ointment intending to anoint him for his burial. Mary's anointing Christ with her costly ointment was an expression of her grateful affec

tion.

soon to befal him there. But he was voluntary in his sufferings. He had come to our world that he might suffer, laying down his life for the redemption of sinners; and nothing could turn him rom this

purpose. Before his death, he would al

another proof of his kind regard; and they were glad to receive him. They would get many to meet him. Martha served, as she had done on a former occasion, Luke x. 38-42; Lazarus delighted in the company of his blessed Master; and Mary most willingly showed

her affection with characteristic ing the poor. Covetous hypogenerosity and faith. All the crite that he was! ver. 6. A

parties were glad of the opportunity of receiving instruction from the Saviour, and showing how truly they loved him and prized his company. They received ample compensation for the hospitality they displayed. Seek opportunities of expressing love to the Saviour. Remember his wondrous grace to you, and praise him for it.

few days afterwards he gave melancholy proof of covetousness by betraying his Master for a few pieces of silver.

The Saviour, indeed, put a kind construction on the act of Mary. The disciples might at any time benefit the poor; the opportunity of bestowing expressions of love on him would soon be gone, ver. 8. He would have

Secondly. THE UNHAPPY FEEL- the poor relieved, but this duty, ING OF JUDAS.

Mary loved the Saviour, and deemed nothing too costly to express her affection. She had kept her precious ointment in its beautiful alabaster jar, or box, a long time, waiting for an opportunity of bestowing it upon him. And when at length the opportunity came, how gladly she poured all the ointment upon him

like every other, must be attended to in its right place.

We are not told what Judas felt at this rebuke. Perhaps it exasperated him. It showed that his heart was being read and known. He could not bear to have his hypocrisy laid open. Wickedness is often covered by well-sounding pretences, ver. 5. A bad man often cannot bear reproof and rebuke. Never disregard the poor. Feel that Christ has stronger claims than even the poor. Never pretend a generosity you do not feel. Refrain from censuring others.

Judas, and perhaps some others of the disciples (see Mark xiv. 5), failed to see in Mary's act the beautiful feeling it betokened. They thought the oint men wasted. Judas professed Take kindly the rebukes of a abhorrence of a prodigality friend. which stood in the way of reliev

strivings of the Holy Spirit; but in the summer of the year 1862, his convictions became so powerful that he was led to seek more earnestly the salvation of his soul. He did not do so in vain, for on September 21st, the Lord calmed his spirit by imparting the usual divine testimony to his adoption.

THOMAS TURNER, of New Mills, | his eighteenth year. Prior to this who, when four years of age was period he had often felt the sent to our Sabbath-school, and was therefore early instructed in the fear of the Lord, which ultimately proved to him to be the "beginning of wisdom." His love for the school was evinced by the regularity of his attendance and his eagerness to learn the lessons taught from Sabbath to Sabbath. He continued a scholar until his sixteenth year, when it being observed that he excelled in some of the best things, he was appointed to the office of teacher. In this capacity he strove in conjunction with the rest of the teachers, to further the interests of the school.

Notwithstanding the rectitude of his life, he remained destitute of the Gospel salvation, until

Having obtained the "pearl of great price," he gave all diligence to retain it. The night after his conversion he joined brother Wyatt's class, and afterwards was regular in his attendance. He was naturally quiet and unobtrusive in his disposition, and although on that account he did not strive to exhibit his religion so prominently

as some people do, yet he never failed to confess Christ at every seasonable opportunity, and he uniformly studied to let his light shine before men.

Having given his heart to God he felt anxious that others might share the blessings with which he was favoured. He would sometimes express to me and others the pleasure it would give him if the young friends connected with the school could be brought into the enjoyment of religion.

The temperance cause had likewise a large share of his sympathy. He had seen some of the evils that intoxicating drinks had brought on some who had been connected with the school and society during his history; with these facts before him he laboured assiduously with others to form a Band of Hope society in connexion with the school; and he efficiently discharged the duties of secretary.

by divine grace. He was visited frequently by his leader and various members of society, to whom he gave satisfactory evidence that his soul was happy in the enjoyment of religion. To the writer when questioning him as to his prospects for heaven, a short time before his death, he said, "All's right!" He exchanged mortality for life, September 11th, 1863, aged nineteen years. J. MORTON.

SARAH, the youngest daughter of Bullen and Elizabeth THISTLE, was born at Flitcham, Docking Circuit, August 28th, 1851. Being blessed with a pious father, she was brought up in the way in which she should go, and at an early age became a scholar in our Sabbath school, and attended regularly on the 4th of October last she was there for the last time, and went home to her mother with great glee, because her teacher had told her she should be removed to a higher class for spelling so well. On Wednesday morning, at four o'clock, her father and mother were awaked by her moans, and got up to see what was the

Being a young man of considerable promise he was put on the plan as an exhorter. In this sphere of labour, however, he was not permitted to continue long. After he had taken a few appointments, it became apparent that consumption had matter. They found she was taken fast hold of his system. Medical skill was resorted to in vain. His affliction was protracted over several months, and was occasionally severe, but in the midst of it he was supported

very ill, and desired to be dressed and to go down stairs. She was placed on a chair, and looking at her mother, she said,

My time is short." Her mother said, "Do you think so, my