S. LOVE AND HUMILITY

Love and Humility An Address delivered at a Prayer-meeting at Salem Chapel, Bristol, April 30th, 1866, after the reading of the narrative of the woman pouring precious ointment on the head of Jesus.

WHILST our brother was reading of this dear woman so full of love to the Lord, I felt it was impossible to read the narrative without feeling that this love was coupled with deep humility of soul. She stood behind her Lord, deeply conscious of her vileness, of her unworthiness. She did not think herself worthy to look Him in the face. To understand the narrative, we must consider the manners of the people at those times, that when partaking of meat they did not sit at the table as we do; but reclined, leaning on one side, lying on bolsters or couches, and so reclining that the feet were behind the upper part of the body. Now she felt herself so unworthy that she stood behind. This feeling of love, coupled with that of humility, is what we have especially to pray for. I never read this portion without asking God to give me more of the love of this dear woman, and more of her deep humility of soul. Our dear brother—not connected with us in Church fellowship, but connected with another Church in this city—has read to us this deeply interesting history; let us carry it home from this meeting, and ask God to give to each of us more of the love found in this dear woman, and more of her deep humility of soul.