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We have seen (Luke 2:36-38) that woman, in the person of Anna, welcomed the infant Saviour to the world; it was most fitting that she should do so, for Christianity and womanhood have had a very 'close relationship, and undoubtedly will have even to the end.

I. WHAT CHRISTIANITY OWES TO WOMAN.

1. Its Divine Author and the Object of its worship was, "as concerning the flesh," born of a woman (Galatians 4:4). The Son of God was, in a true and important sense, the "Son of Mary."

2. He owed the care and the training of his childhood to a human mother.

3. He received, during his active life, the generous provision of ministering women (see text); these, out of" their substance," supplied his necessities.

4. He found some of his best disciples and of his most faithful attendants in women (Matthew 27:65).

5. He had the comfort of the near presence of three devoted women in his last agonies (John 19:25). Closer to him in that awful hour than the ruthless soldier and the taunting enemy, rendering him a silent and sorrowful but not unvalued sympathy, stood three women who loved him for all that he was in himself and for all he had been to them.

6. Last at the cross, women were first at the sepulchre (Luke 23:55, 56; Luke 24:1).

7. Women were united with the apostles in the upper room, waiting and praying for the further manifestation of the Lord after his ascension (Acts 1:14).

8. The apostle of the Gentiles owed much to women in his abundant and fruitful labours (Philippians 4:3).

9. From that time to this, women have been rendering valuable service to the cause of Jesus Christ: the mother of Augustine, the mother of the Wesleys, and many hundreds more have, by their holy and faithful motherhood, done signal service to the gospel. In these later days, moved by the Spirit of God, women have, by their writings and by their "prophesyings," effected great things for the furtherance of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. And it is right that it should be so; for we have to consider -

II. WHAT WOMAN OWES TO CHRISTIANITY.

1. We know what barbarism does, and fails to do, for woman.

2. We know also what Greek and Roman civilization did, and failed to do, for her; in how unsatisfactory a condition it left her; how completely it failed to raise her. to her true spiritual dignity. We know what Christianity has done and is doing for her.

(1) Jesus Christ taught and enforced the transcendent value of every human soul.

(2) He admitted women into his kingdom on the same terms on which he received men: "In him is neither male nor female."

(3) He gave to women a sphere of honorable service in his kingdom; not only (as above) accepting their loving ministry for himself, but for his disciples also.

(4) Influenced increasingly by these ideas, the Church of Christ has been giving to woman a place of growing honour and usefulness; it has made her the full helpmeet and equal companion of man; it has opened for her the gateway of knowledge and influence; it has placed her on the highest seat to receive its respect, its affection, its service. We may look at -

III. THE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH WOMAN MAY RENDER.

1. When not bound by domestic ties, she can offer, as these women did, of her worldly substance.

2. She can minister, as man cannot, to the sick and suffering; she has a gentle touch of hand and a tenderness and patience of spirit for which we look to man in vain.

3. She can train the child in the home, and, by giving to him or her the earliest and deepest impressions concerning Divine love, prepare for noblest work in after-years in various fields of holy service. - C.

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KJV: And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

WEB: and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;