The Women of Scripture.

By the Rev. J. E. Sampson, Vicar of Barrow-on-Humber, Lincolnshire. XV. THE ROMAN WORKERS.-II.

ROMANS XVI. 6.

WONDER who this Roman Mary was, whence she came, what

her rank, and the character of her Christian service. I am

tempted to conjecture, but refrain.

It seems that hers is the only really Jewish name on the roll of labourers in Rome. All others are natives; she, it appears, is a stranger. Perhaps married, though more probably not, as she appears alone. More probably not again, because she is evidently so far without carefulness' that she 'careth for,' and has time to bestow 'much' labour on, 'the things that belong to the Lord.'

Was she, after all, one of those other Marys of whom we read in the Gospels? I think not, seeing there is no allusion to those 'Gospel' days. Where had she ministered so faithfully to the Lord's Apostle? Not in Rome, for he had not been there. But where we know not.

She just saves this Roman church, so far as we see it in this chapter, from being a purely Gentile church. She, a Jewess, is one in Christ with Roman, noble or plebeian. In Him rank and nation, male and female, are lost distinctions, while, as regards our relation to the world in which we are left, these distinctions yet remain, and yet entail their several duties and responsibilities. For it is written, 'Let every man, wherein he

is called, therein abide with God.'

Mary is an honoured name, though it has been darkened in our own land by the Queen who bore that name. It carries our hearts to Bethany, to the feet of Jesus with our ointment, to the stable in Bethlehem, and the hill of Calvary. It tells of tears and of love, and of devotion and selfsacrifice, even unto the death of the Holy One. Its memories fill this Roman house with a fragrant odour. God had His Mary even there. It is refreshing to meet her, and bearing, too, the demeanour which has hitherto characterised her name, in the great Gentile capital.

It is said of her that she 'laboured ;' nay, that she laboured 'much.' She was no ordinary worker. Whatever her work might be, she did it diligently. If her woman's talent was not conspicuous, yet she used it well. There is a delicate discrimination in the bestowal of the praises which the Apostle so lovingly scatters among his friendly greetings to the Roman Church. All that came to David in the hold were made 'captains of the band,' but all'attained not to the first three.' But our Roman

woman-worker' was 'more honourable than the thirty,'—she had her name among the three.' She stood in the front rank. She 'bestowed much labour.'

Can we trace the character of her 'labour'? Our Authorised Version says it was bestowed ‘on us,' that is, on the Apostle. The Revised reads it,' on you.' But Alford retains the 'us.' Critics are much divided about it, and I think it is one of those points in which the Revisers have yielded to that love of minute changes which so manifestly mars their work. We may therefore safely retain the 'us.'

But what labour had she bestowed on the Apostle? It was not in publicly ministering the Word with him. The position of woman in those days forbids us to think that this was her 'labour.' It was rather labour bestowed personally on the Apostle, whether in sickness, or in his imprisonment, or in his fatigues, 'in weariness and painfulness,' we may not know.

But this let us notice, that her own fatigues were not passed by. If, footsore and weary, she 'ministered' to this ‘saint,' it was a ‘labour of love’ which she had 'showed toward His name.' Ah! we think much of great things, of published works, of man's 'well done.' I love to think how God acknowledges what we call little,-a cup of cold water,' the visit paid to God's suffering ones in their affliction.' These ‘ministerings' are the works which God is not unrighteous to forget.' Nay, He dignifies them with the title of 'your work and labour of love.' Works with Him are great when they are works which by us are all-unconsciously done for Him. 'Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?'

We need not, I am persuaded, seek for great works to explain the 'much labour' of Mary. Do the next thing,' however small it may be. The little things are the great things. Thou hast been faithful in a very little.' When we turn our eyes from the earthly view of 'much labour,’ and look upon it in its heavenly aspect, we cease to picture our Roman woman-worker doing some great thing. We see her, rather, thinking only of her Lord, carefully tending a weary servant, or succouring a needy saint.

So let us cheer those Marys who do our work in India. A fierce sun makes them often weary, often ready to faint. In helping the work we help them. And in doing thus what we can we may find at last that it may be said of us, though we will not think of it, that we have 'bestowed much labour on' them.

I think that the terms used by the Apostle here justify this view

of the quietness and unobtrusiveness of Mary's 'labour.' They, in Rome, might be passing her by as doing nothing. But Paul, in writing to them, 'Give her a greeting,' he says, 'for she

draws their eyes towards her. bestowed much labour on us. her well.'

Sowing and Reaping, or Labour in the Field.

'In due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not.'

'He is faithful that promised.'

KRISHNAGHUR.

MISSIONARY STAFF.

WILL our readers especially pray for this important station: that the work may be prospered during Miss Collisson's approaching visit to England, and that the Committee may be able soon to strengthen and extend their mission at Krishnaghur?

MISS COLLISSON'S REPORT.

'December 1, 1883.

'This year's work has been somewhat more encouraging than the last. The fever epidemic has very much decreased, and our School and Zenana work have consequently been much less disturbed. In February I was joined by the Hon. W. Sugden, who has now, however, gone to Agurparah.

'In March Miss Dawe joined me, and, as help was so much needed in the work, she kindly relieved me in many ways, besides studying for her first examination, which she passed in April, after which she undertook a great portion of the work, visiting the schools regularly, and the Zenanas, and often taking the daily teachers' Bible-class. In July I was obliged to apply to go away for a change, being unfit for work. However, just as I was about to leave, Miss Dawe was taken ill with a strong and prostrating attack of fever. As soon as she had recovered strength enough, we both left for a good change, and only resumed work again in November, or rather I should say, Miss Dawe has resumed the work at Krishnaghur, while I have come out with Mr. and Mrs. Williams on my first village itinerating tour, which I was anxious to accomplish before going home in March.

'Our schools have somewhat improved this year. The children have been in much better health and spirits and condition to learn, and the teachers are improved in every way. Miss Dawe's good help, too, has been most welcome

and useful.

'One school, near our own house, is not so satisfactory as the others are partly on account of a Hindu school established near.

6 woman-worker' was 'more honourable than the thirty,'-she had her

name among the three.' She stood in the front rank. She 'bestowed much labour.'

Can we trace the character of her 'labour'? Our Authorised Version says it was bestowed 'on us,' that is, on the Apostle. The Revised reads it,' on you.' But Alford retains the 'us.' Critics are much divided about it, and I think it is one of those points in which the Revisers have yielded to that love of minute changes which so manifestly mars their work. We may therefore safely retain the 'us.'

But what labour had she bestowed on the Apostle? It was not in publicly ministering the Word with him. The position of woman in those days forbids us to think that this was her 'labour.' It was rather labour bestowed personally on the Apostle, whether in sickness, or in his imprisonment, or in his fatigues, 'in weariness and painfulness,' we may not know.

But this let us notice, that her own fatigues were not passed by. If, footsore and weary, she 'ministered' to this 'saint,' it was a 'labour of love' which she had 'showed toward His name.' Ah! we think much of great things, of published works, of man's 'well done.' I love to think how God acknowledges what we call little,-'a cup of cold water,' the visit paid to God's suffering ones in their affliction.' These 'ministerings' are the works which 'God is not unrighteous to forget.' Nay, He dignifies them with the title of 'your work and labour of love.' Works with Him are great when they are works which by us are all-unconsciously done for Him. 'Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?'

We need not, I am persuaded, seek for great works to explain the 'much labour' of Mary. 'Do the next thing,' however small it may be. The little things are the great things. Thou hast been faithful in a very little.' When we turn our eyes from the earthly view of 'much labour,' and look upon it in its heavenly aspect, we cease to picture our Roman woman-worker doing some great thing. We see her, rather, thinking only of her Lord, carefully tending a weary servant, or succouring a needy saint.

So let us cheer those Marys who do our work in India. A fierce sun makes them often weary, often ready to faint. In helping the work we help them. And in doing thus what we can we may find at last that it may be said of us, though we will not think of it, that we have 'bestowed much labour on' them.

I think that the terms used by the Apostle here justify this view

of the quietness and unobtrusiveness of Mary's 'labour.' They, in Rome, might be passing her by as doing nothing. But Paul, in writing to them, draws their eyes towards her. Give her a greeting,' he says, 'for she bestowed much labour on us.' 'You may not know her; I remember her well.'

Sowing and Reaping, or Labour in the Field.

WILL our readers especially pray for this important station that the work may be prospered during Miss Collisson's approaching visit to England, and that the Committee may be able soon to strengthen and extend their mission at Krishnaghur?

MISS COLLISSON'S REPORT.

The

'December 1, 1883. 'This year's work has been somewhat more encouraging than the last. fever epidemic has very much decreased, and our School and Zenana work have consequently been much less disturbed. In February I was joined by the Hon. W. Sugden, who has now, however, gone to Agurparah.

'In March Miss Dawe joined me, and, as help was so much needed in the work, she kindly relieved me in many ways, besides studying for her first examination, which she passed in April, after which she undertook a great portion of the work, visiting the schools regularly, and the Zenanas, and often taking the daily teachers' Bible-class. In July I was obliged to apply to go away for a change, being unfit for work. However, just as I was about to leave, Miss Dawe was taken ill with a strong and prostrating attack of fever. As soon as she had recovered strength enough, we both left for a good change, and only resumed work again in November, or rather I should say, Miss Dawe has resumed the work at Krishnaghur, while I have come out with Mr. and Mrs. Williams on my first village itinerating tour, which I was anxious to accomplish before going home in March.

'Our schools have somewhat improved this year. The children have been in much better health and spirits and condition to learn, and the teachers are improved in every way. Miss Dawe's good help, too, has been most welcome and useful.

'One school, near our own house, is not so satisfactory as the others are partly on account of a Hindu school established near.