SHE lived in a cottage on the property of a well-known Duke. At a certain season of the year she got into arrears with her rent, but was enabled to pay it all off when the time came for realizing her produce. This was an understood thing between her and the Duke's agent for years.
But the agent died and a new man was appointed in his place. Noticing the arrears of rent, he sent word that she would either have to pay in full, or leave her cottage. Explanations made to him, the pleading of old custom, did not alter his decision.
The old woman conceived the bold idea of stating her case to the Duke himself. She had never spoken to him before, nor had she been to his beautiful castle.
So she made the attempt, and was successful in laying her case before him. He listened sympathetically, told her to her infinite relief to put her mind at rest, that he would speak to his agent and she could remain in her cottage, and pay her rent when able to do so.
He added to his kindness by showing the gratified old woman over some of the grand rooms of the castle. Handsome saloons, grand pictures and statuary were all inspected, when the Duke led her to a small room, telling her this was where he got the most comfort in his stately home. He drew a curtain aside, and showed her a little oratory, with a picture of the Virgin Mary. With this before him, he was accustomed to pray to the mother of our Lord.
Now the old woman was a true Christian. She knew the Lord Jesus as her Savior and Lord.
So she addressed the Duke, reminding him that when she had got into trouble about her cottage, she had turned her back on the agent, and had come direct to himself, and with happy results, and she exhorted him to have nothing to do with an agent who could not help him, an agent not appointed by the Lord, and therefore no agent at all, but to go straight to the Lord Jesus. For He had said, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Whether the Duke paid heed to the exhortation we don't know, but the advice was sound and good.
The Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord according to the flesh, was blessed among women." The Lord was perfect in all His relationships and you may be quite sure He was the most wonderful Son that ever gladdened the heart of a mother.
How illogical and irreverent is the title given to her—"Mother of God." She was privileged above any in being the mother of the Man Christ Jesus, but she could not be the mother of God.
Nay, further, as a sinner, beautifully instructed by the Spirit of God, she could sing in the exultation of her heart as she contemplated the high honor that was put upon her that wonderful Magnificat recorded in Luke 2:6-55, yet she forgot not her true state in common with every child of Adam's race when she said, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (verse 47).
Yes; she needed a Redeemer, and found a Savior in Him who was her Son according to the flesh, yet withal "the mighty God, the everlasting Father [literally, the Father of Eternity]" (Isa. 9:66For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)), the Object of her faith and worship.
And see what dishonor is put upon both her and her Son in praying to her. The usual statement is that her heart is loving and tender, and what son will deny his mother a favor. So she is superstitiously approached and prayed to that she may intercede with her Son.
First, there is no warrant in Scripture from cover to cover for this.
Second, she cannot hear the prayer offered to her. She is happy in her Savior's presence but has not the attributes of deity—omnipotence and omniscience. She is not appointed an agent to hear prayer.
Third, what mother would be gratified to be approached on the ground that she had a heart more tender than her son's. That would be an insult to both mother and son.
On the contrary, none could rejoice more deeply than the blessed virgin 'to know that her Son is so gracious and compassionate and tender that sinners would rather o to Him direct and with fuller confidence than in any other direction.
Not one who goes to Him in repentance and need comes away disappointed. He is the Savior of sinners. A dying thief, a Mary Magdalene, a Saul of Tarsus, and countless thousands will testify to His grace and power.
What about you, my reader? Have you ever repented and felt your need of Him? Oh! trust Him as you read these lines. You will never repent doing so. "If thou shalt, confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED." (Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)). This is God's word and you can trust it.
It is God's own plan of salvation and it cannot break down. At infinite cost to Himself He has procured it, and in righteousness and in mercy He offers it to "whosoever will." It has been well said that it cost God a word to create the universe, but that it cost Him His Son to save a soul. May such love as this win your heart. Almost the last line of the inspired Word we read the loving invitation: "Whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)). Will you?
THE EDITOR.