Giving and Receiving

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 16, 1876

Giving and Receiving.

It is John, the Beloved Disciple, Who tells us the story so sweet, Of Mary, who brought the rich ointment, And poured upon Christ's blessed feet. 'Tis a tender and beautiful story, Of love for the Master and Lord; For she lavished her costliest treasure With never a thought of reward. She knew not, in lasting remembrance, Her name the far future should hold; She thought not, in gracious memorial, The tale of her love should be told.

But, e'en as she stood by the Master, And none but He thought upon her, The scent of her precious ointment Pervaded the house where they were. The offering she made unto Jesus; But all of the guests in the room Were told of the honor she paid him By the breath of that fragrant perfume. And Mary, in tenderness bending, Some service her sole loving care, In wiping the feet of the Saviour Bore the odor away on her hair.

O beautiful type of good-doing! Sweet symbol of what they may win, Who give their hearts' choicest and dearest, Thinking only of Jesus therein. The fragrance of offerings so precious, Shall be known in the spice-laden air, And the “Head shall with oil be anointed,” Though that were no part of the care. Oh, hasten to bring the sweet ointment! 'Twas a woman who offered it first, And for us in these later ages, The story of love is rehearsed. —Sel.