May 24

The lobe him, because he first lobed us. — 1 JOHN iv. 19.

Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. — LUKE vii. 47.

PURITY and gentleness incarnate have crossed the path of sin and shame. Had either been alone, the purity had made her cower away blinded by excessive light, while gentleness alone could convey no promise of help, but together they have inspired a faith which enables her to face the Pharisee's proud scorn; and lo! she finds them linked to a Power which can forgive sins also. Humbled and melted she will unobtrusively pour out the wealth of her heart upon the feet of that One who alone "bath power on earth to forgive sins." Her love and gratitude are proportioned to her sense of former guilt and ill desert, while both enhance the value of that grace "unmerited and free" which has brought to her the consciousness of pardon. It was not that in the eyes of the Master her guilt was intrinsically greater than that of the cold, hard Pharisee, but that in her consciousness of sin her perception of all the sins of others lost itself. To affirm that she was forgiven because she loved much would be to misrepresent the whole teaching of the parable, for the love was not the spring but the evidence of the forgiveness. — the strength of the one indicating the extent of the other.

It is when we know how much we have owed and how much we have been forgiven that the measure of love and gratitude overflow.

Merrett Hubbard

Nought can I bring, dear Lord, for all I owe;

Yet let my fall heart what it can bestow.

Like Mary's gift, let my devotion prove,

Forgiven greatly, how I greatly love.

S. J. STONE.