At the house of Martha
Martha and Mary. The good part.
(The Gospel History, Section 90)
Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
At the house of Martha
(The Saviour of the World, Vol VI Book II Poem XXIII)
Now, as they trod that dolorous way
Towards Jerusalem, to meet the end,
They came upon a certain day
To village which should shelter lend,
Dear welcome to most honoured Friend:
Martha made haste Christ to receive,
And for her sister did she send;
For He is here in whom believe
The happy sisters twain who erst did sorely grieve.
Then Martha hastes to make a feast
That worthy of their Lord should prove;
And Mary—sure, she might at least
Set out the tables, plan, remove,
Bring silver vessels from above
And spread their fairest napery;—
In dainty cates they’d shew their love!
The anxious hostess could not be
Content to let her sit devout at Jesus’ knee.
Vex’d Martha, cumbered with these cares
Of busy housewife, makes complaint,—
“Lord, car’st Thou not that she forbears
To help me who am nigh to faint,
As one must be who, sole, prepares
Supper for guests? Nay, bid her serve;
We two must take our equal shares
In work and leisure; I deserve
That she should think of me, o’erstrained in strength and nerve.”
With kindly smile the Lord regards
The fussy housewife, apt to fret
E’en while she, generous, awards
Excessive service, and is let
And hindered by her sister—set
On one thing only—diligent
To catch each word as in the net
Of her fond heart: she would prevent
Sweet Mary’s serving, too, in the way her Master meant!
“Nay, Martha, Martha, quiet thee,
Let thy uneasy heart be still;
Scarce blesséd shall thy service be
Whilst thou discernest not My will:
Mary hath known her heart to fill
With My peace; upon quiet ear
Shall drop the words of life; for, see,
One thing is needful; draw thou near—
Thy zealous works be less than words thine ear may hear.”
And Martha felt the word as oil
Drop soothing on her troubled breast;
’Gan she to know how idle, toil,
How wilful all her quick unrest;
Not thus should come to her that Best
Which Mary had the wit to seize;
An ear to hear His words address’d—
Behold, the secret of all ease;
For who will hear the Son, that soul the Father sees!
St. Luke x. 38–42.
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