Entry #45: Sermons We See

I was inspired by my niece, Jennifer, to post a new entry. Has anyone heard this poem? If so (or if not), what do you think of it? I thought it was worthy of all acceptation:

SERMONS WE SEE (by Edgar A. Guest)  

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day;

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear;

Fine council is confusing, but example’s always clear;

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
 

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true;

But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,

But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
 

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.

When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind

Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me,

To become as big and thoughtful as I know that I can be.

And all the travelers can witness that the best of guides today

Is not the one who tells you, but the one who shows the way.
 

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;

One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.

Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,

For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
 – Matthew 5:16

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
– II Corinthians 3:2-3 

Entry #44: Better Make Mention of THIS WOMAN

Here is a good but sobering poem about the woman in the Bible and the alabaster box of ointment. I thought that not only the poem but THIS WOMAN and HER HUMILITY were worthy of mention:

She anointed Him with spikenard.
His feet she washed with tears.
She knelt before Him, broken,
‘Til He allayed her fears.

“What a waste of costly ointment!”
The disciple judged and said.
Nay! What she did, she did in love,
Remember when I’m dead.

For I shall rise again, dear friends,
And I shall conquer death.
But this is for my burial,
And done while I have breath.

My feet she washed with tears
And she wiped them with her hair.
What she did will be related
With the Gospel everywhere!

Now many Christians suffered
At the hands of wicked men,
With agonies unspeakable
Why should it be so, then,

That this woman who did cry
And wash our dear Lord’s feet
Should be spoken of so widely?
Is this not indiscreet?

Here then is that great secret
Of the alabaster box.
(And what a revelation
That one small key unlocks.)

The King sat at the table,
The Song of Solomon said.
His bride caused smell of spikenard
To rise there while He fed.

And Christ the Lord, He sat at meat
In that poor leper’s house.
The woman humbled at His feet,
In figure, was His spouse.

The parallel is clear at once,
The shadow we can see.
The bride of our Lord Jesus Christ
Is none but you and me.

The sober lesson we must learn
In parallel complete;
Through humility we become the bride,
By crying at His feet.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
- Matthew 26:13

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
- Proverbs 22:4

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- I Peter 5:5

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
 - Psalm 126:6