The Twenty Fourth of March.

THAT GOOD PART --- Luke 10:42.

"One thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." --- Luke 10:42.

We must not pretend to serve God with only going to church, and doing other outward acts of devotion; whilst we are dead and cold, our religion is in vain. Who first, by faith, seeks grace from the words of Christ, like Mary, is served by Christ; and this constrains him to serve Christ and his neighbour readily again.

It is almost impossible for such to go in haughtiness, envy, hatred, and disobedience. Grace and faith will resist it, and make them lowly, gentle, willing, obedient, active, without relying on any works of their own.

He that obtains Christ, the one thing needful, receives with him all the rest, and has no more need to be troubled about many things; he being our all, we may always live happily; whereas, the children of the world must always be cumbered and divided between fears and hopes about their fate.

In vanity we shall never find this good part; neither is there any salvation in the works of the law. Faith alone takes hold of it; and whoever withdraws his heart and senses from the noise and bustle of this world, who quietly looks for salvation through the blood and righeousness of Christ, will certainly find it his better part.

The one thing needful, that good part
That Mary chose with all her heart,
I would pursue with heart and mind,
And seek, unwearied, till I find.

O Lord, my God, to thee I pray,
Teach me to know and find the way
How I may have my sins forgiv'n,
And safe and surely get to heaven.

Hidden in Christ the treasure lies,
That goodly pearl of so great price;
No other way but Christ there is,
To endless happiness and bliss.