Page:Ritual of the Order eastern star (1921).djvu/64

54 faith, in the hour of trial and hope of immortal life, as illustrated in the history of Martha.

Martha. The history of Martha is that of a young woman oppressed with grief at the loss of an only brother.

The family, consisting of Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus, were residents of Bethany. They were known among the people of the country as followers of Christ. During the absence of Jesus, Lazarus was taken ill and in a short time died. At the close of the fourth day, intelligence reached them that Jesus was returning to Bethany. Martha hastened to meet Him, raising her hands imploringly towards His face, looking upward with suppressed emotion, cried aloud: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee."

"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."

"Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

"Jesus saith unto her, I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live, and