Circuit in Galilee—Women minister

Circuit in Galilee. Ministering women.

(The Gospel History, Section 46)

And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve, and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven devils had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto them of their substance.

Circuit in Galilee—Women minister

(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book I Poem IX)

Behold the Master journeying to and fro
Through villages and cities, everywhere,
In Galilean borders: as He went,
With beauteous feet of Him who bears Good News
Upon the mountains and the plains, He taught,
And multitudes attended. Not alone,
The Lord; with Him the Twelve should be with Him,
And garner all those seeds of life He dropped,
Ready for sowing elsewhere: here were, too,—
Going from place to place where’er He went,
Hearing those words that healed, seeing the grace
Of the Divine Compassion in His looks,—
Those Women, blessèd above womankind
To be with Him, and hourly feed their souls
On words He spake! Nay, further were they graced;
To care for meat and drink fell not to Christ,
Nor were the Twelve encumbered to provide;
The women cared for these things,—happy, they!
The task they loved for sake of Him they loved
Fell to their lot, and of their wealth they gave
Things needful for the hour: now all of these,—
Mary called Magdalenè, Chuza’s wife
(He, Herod’s steward, high in place and power),
Susanna, many others,—every one
Had by His word been healed of certain plagues
Destroyed her and oppressed:—would that we knew
The name of every blessèd woman graced
To minister to our Lord; for us, to express
In grateful service sense of all she owed
To Him had healed her of infirmities,
Cast forth besetting devils, made her whole!
Ah, how would every woman joy to go
In train that followed Jesus, minister
Of all she had in thanks for great work wrought
For her and hers and all the sinful world!
All women born bless you, ye happy few,
Who did the part of all in Galilee!

St. Luke viii. 1-4.