this, it was considered by Him as the embalming of His body for the grave, and was declared to be her memorial in all lands and to all time. This act of Mary's was one of unconscious influence. It was intended for Christ alone. Mary's thought did not extend beyond her Saviour, but the influence of her deed has extended to untold numbers besides. Those present saw it, and inhaled the odour of the ointment. Her deed had its effect upon them: an effect very different from what she could have desired, for it moved them to murmuring and complaint. Amidst every conceivable effect, this might well be the last to suggest itself to her mind. Even if she supposed her act would attract attention, which is doubtful, it is certain she had no thought of the widespread fame and influence which would follow it. Utterly beyond her foresight and imagination was the fact, that "wheresoever the gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, this that she had done would be spoken of for a memorial of her." Little did she dream that thousands and millions of persons then unborn, would hear of her deed and be influenced by it to give their best to Christ. Words and deeds wrought in private, without any idea of their becoming public, which never would have been wrought had it been supposed they would be known, often gain an estimation and wield an influence which actions done for the sake of ostentation and popularity never acquire. The indirect influence of our deeds frequently very far transcends their direct and purposed object and aim. This act of Mary suggests the manner in which woman's influence is gained and wielded. It was peculiarly a woman's act, and in so far as this was the case it was likely to be influential. When persons step out of their own proper sphere and engage in works unsuited to their sex and station, they lose rather than gain in moral power. Not by interfering or intruding upon the domain and functions of manhood, but by making the most of her own, is woman's influence best secured. The act was one of domestic and personal ministry, and it is by such acts that the majority of women gain and exert their power. A gifted few there are who write books, which command a wide circulation, or sing songs which charm the world's ear, or organize movements of a philanthropic kind, but they are few who have either the talents or the opportunity to achieve great results in these vocations. The influence of the great majority of women is acquired and exercised in the family, and in a limited social circle. And the acts which are most appreciated in their sphere are those which best contribute to the comfort, refreshment, and happiness of others. This anointing of the person of our Lord, may be regarded as a special example of a thousand acts of personal attention and most considerate kindness, which it is delightful both to perform and receive. These need not be mentioned, they comprise the whole range of service which it is in the power, and peculiarly the province, of woman to render. Not by achievements of learning or skill or prowess, nor yet by companionship in travel, study, or amusement, do women generally acquire their influence; but by gentle ministries of help and comfort and sympathy in the constant concerns and vicissitudes of life. The act was pre-eminently an act of Love. Love is the strongest moral force in the universe. "God is love," this is His grandest attribute, and that by which He has His greatest hold upon the hearts of men. Love has tamed the wild-beast, subdued the savage, and conquered enemies whom no weapons of warfare could vanquish. Its rule is not only the sweetest but also the mightiest. Its magnetic force is greater than that of the loadstone; its little finger can draw and bind what a giant's arm or a corps of soldiers could neither stir nor enchain; it can move the heart which nothing else can touch, and bend the will, proof against every other appeal. All beings in heaven and on earth, angels, men, and beasts, are susceptible of its influence and subject to its sway. This power of love is pre-eminently the power of woman, her heart was formed to find its life therein. Let her daily life be the out-growth of constant self-sacrificing love, and the influence she will wield over those who are its objects will be wellnigh supreme. Men are almost afraid to acknowledge its full extent and power, they have sometimes trembled that a fallible mortal should exercise such a power over them. Within the limits of reason and propriety, there is scarcely anything to which she may not lead those she loves, if she uses her influence quietly and wisely. Love that is fitful and capricious, that delights to display its power, that borders on the tyrannical, will soon lose much of its charm and power. We can all be led much more easily than driven. Men especially resent efforts to sway them by direct and voluntary control; they dislike to be subject to asserted authority, especially that of the other sex. They are most readily subject to conduct and speech which asserts no superiority or rule, but whose simple and unostentatious worth disarms suspicion of intended sway and wins admiration and confidence. Love which is "True as the dial to the sun, Although it be not shone upon;" This love which is self-forgetful rather than exacting; whose moods are indicative and subjunctive, but never imperative; such love wins and wields a sway more potent than that of monarchs. The blessed Saviour was not proof against its influence. deed of Mary moved Him to speak such words as no other action ever evoked from His lips. They approach nearer to a form of canonisation than anything else in Scripture. "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." This act of Mary illustrates the force of silent and unconscious influence. She uttered no sound or word. Silently she crept to the Saviour's feet, and as silently wrought her "good work." Silently the spikenard diffused its perfume, and silently it refreshed the body of her Lord. Unuttered by her lips was the mighty love which filled her heart, and was the motive to this deed, which thought nothing too good for her Saviour, but lavished on Him the best she could procure. But her act was none the less but rather the more expressive and striking because of its stillness; any stir or commotion would have robbed it of much of its charm, its silence was more eloquent and influential than any words could have been. The greatest forces of nature are those which are most silent; such is the all-pervading force of gravitation, which keeps the universe in order. Without stir or sound, the sunlight falls upon and floods the world, it makes no rustle, wakes no echo, stirs no film. Noiselessly the spring-time puts forth her millions of buds and flowers, and as noiselessly does winter seal the earth and waters with its icy bond. The greatest forces of nature are not the waters which wear away the stones, nor the thunder which reverberates through the midst of heaven, nor the fierce tornado which leaves desolation in its track; but the invisible and noiseless gravitation, the strong yet soundless frost, the swift and silent light. And in the lives of men, but most of all of women, the quiet and silent actions are really more influential than the open and declared ones; and their indirect and unconscious influence more potent than their direct and active influence. For the gentler sex especially, the prayer of the poet is appropriate, who, after dwelling on the fact that "light is ever silent, most silent of all heavenly silences," says— "Such let my life be here; Not marked by noise, but by success alone; Not known by bustle, but by useful deeds, Quiet and gentle, clear and fair as light; Yet full of its all-penetrating power, Its silent but resistless influence; Making no needless sound, yet ever working This act of Mary was an act of religion. Mary had chosen the good part which would never be taken from her. She loved her Saviour with supreme affection. Her love found expression in deeds rather than words-in silent |