the flesh and rising to the height of his great work.  What a contrast is presented between the second and the first Adam!  The first Adam yielded without remonstrance to Eve, who had worshipped the creature rather than the Creator, and thus paved the way for the introduction of idolatry; while the second Adam—­the Lord of Glory—­withstood the influences of Mary, rebuked her intermeddling and dictation, and stood forth to his work in the declaration as he Stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold my mother and my brethren.  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is MY BROTHER, AND SISTER, AND MOTHER.”

Again, while Christ was conversing with his disciples, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, “Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.”  Thus suddenly flamed up this passion for Mariolatry.  It was instantly rebuked by the words, “Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it.”  Thus he tore the crown from the brow of Mary woven by the irreligious, and intimated that, as Mary was greater than Eve, because of her identification with Himself, so whosoever should believe in Christ, and serve him, should be the equal of Mary.  The purpose of God in forming Eve, should be realized in the womanly character resulting from a reception of the truth as it is in Jesus, and by doing the will of God on the earth.

Thus he severed the tie binding him to family, and proclaimed himself the Son of Man, and the Son of God, the Brother of the Faithful.  From this declaration came the brotherhood and sisterhood of the church of Christ, so that no matter what be the rank or position of the worldling redeemed by the blood of Christ, he becomes an equal shareholder in love, and is recognized as a partaker in the fellowship of the church.

At the cross we find Mary standing with others.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold thy son.”  Then saith he to the disciple, “Behold thy mother.”  And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own house.  Once more she appeal’s as worshipper, and not as the worshipped.  Her name is mentioned, with others, in Acts i. 14, as being with the disciples in the Pentecostal chamber waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit.

From this scriptural testimony, it is apparent that the Saviour, by his conduct towards his mother, shielded the church from the curse of Mariolatry.  Had he yielded in one instance, reasons for supporting the claims of Romanism had been furnished.  Mary was only a woman.  She was honored of God just as far as she served God, and when she turned aside she was no more than any other person.  Her perceptions of Christ’s work were not as distinct or comprehensive as were those of Mary the sister of Lazarus, or of Mary Magdalene.  In this Mary was not peculiar.