Thought and Activity
F. Jacox., Longfellow., Anon. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village… We read in the biography of old Dr. Lyman Beecher that the young lady he married, Roxana Foote, had thought herself converted at five or six years of age, though far from satisfying the exactions of an apostle of absolute election; but at least she was the Mary among the three granddaughters of General Andrew Ward, who used to say that when the girls first came down of a morning, Roxana would put some thoughtful question, suggestive of study and meditation, while Harriet's voice could be heard briskly calling out, "Here I take the broom; sweep up; make a fire, make haste." Harriet's namesake, Dr Beecher's celebrated daughter (Mrs. Stowe) is fond, like other American lady-novelists, of referring to the Bethany sisters, as often as not in a vein of humour; where, for instance, Mrs. Twitchel characteristics her indispensable "help," Cerinthy Ann, as "one of the most master-hands to turn off work. Deacon was a-saying, if ever she was called she'd be a Martha, and not a Mary." (F. Jacox.) MARY TO JESUS IN THE HOUSE. "O Master! when Thou comest, it is always A Sabbath in the house. I cannot work: I must sit at Thy feet, must see Thee, hear Thee! I have a feeble, wayward, doubting heart, Incapable of endurance or great thoughts, Striving for something that it cannot reach, Baffled and disappointed, wounded, hungry; And only when I hear Thee am I happy, And only when I see Thee am at peace. Stronger than I, and wiser, and far better In every manner is my sister Martha. Thou seest how well she orders everything To make Thee welcome; how she comes and goes, Careful and cumber'd ever with much serving, While I but welcome Thee with foolish words l When'er Thou speakest to me I am happy; When Thou art silent I am satisfied. Thy presence is enough, I ask no more. Only to be with Thee, only to see Thee Sufficeth me. My heart is then at rest." (Longfellow.) CUMBERED ABOUT MUCH SERVING. Christ never asks of us such busy labour As leaves no time for resting at His feet; The waiting attitude of expectation He ofttimes counts a service most complete. He sometimes wants our ear — our rapt attention, That He some sweetest secret may impart; 'Tis always in the time of deepest silence That heart finds deepest fellowship with heart. And yet He does love service, where 'tis given By grateful love that clothes itself in deed; But work that's done beneath the scourge of duty, Be sure to such He gives but little heed. Then seek to please Him, whatsoe'er He bids thee, Whether to do — to suffer — to lie still; 'Twill matter little by what path He leads thee, If in it all thou seek'st to do His will. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. WEB: It happened as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.