January 14

Thou art my portion, O Lord. — PSALM cxix. 57.

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. — LUKE x. 42.

DO not let me judge Mary lazy. She has done her work and "left" Martha to the cumbrous service she did not "choose" to do. Surely the Master had not favored neglected duty. Work we must, and that hard, for whatsoever our hand findeth to do, we must do it with our might. But let me never lose the one thing needful by choice, for that was Martha's fault. Martha chose excess of service. Mary chose "the one thing needful."

Every day brings its own cares and duties: every day, like Paul himself, we must serve God "with many distractions:" but amid them all, like him, we must be able to say, "This one thing I do . . . I press toward the mark."

Pause, O my soul, and consider! What life am I choosing? Fretful, irritable, do I make my much service an excuse for neglecting prayer and praise and God's word? That is Martha, — blamed. Calm, tranquil, do I do what I can in this life, yet careful to serve God always "with a quiet mind"? That is Mary, — praised. What shall I do to-day and always?

E Wayne Warren

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people, pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!

Give me a calm, a thankful heart, From every murmur free; The blessings of thy grace impart, And make me live in thee!

STEELE.