A great and noble army of holy women

A great and noble army of holy women

(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890) 

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“And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him” Matthew 27:55

These were the earliest of a great and noble army of holy women–attached to Christ by deep, personal love, following and ministering unto Him. 

In all the ages since, Christian women have shown similar devotion and constancy to Christ–and similar heroic love in serving Him. The record of women’s ministry to Christ, is one of the brightest in all the world’s history!

Women owe an incalculable debt to Christ. He has lifted them up from base thraldom and from degradation. Women have always been grateful too, and have served Christ with great devotion. 

Women are found in every sickroom, bending over the sufferer with unwearying solicitude, with matchless tenderness ministering to bodily comfort, and pouring the warmth of affection upon feverish spirits. They are found in the wards of hospitals, and upon battlefields, moving like God’s angels in blessed, loving ministry.

Faithful Christian mothers are following the Master and doing work which will shine forever in glorious luster! 

Faithful Christian Sunday school teachers are doing quiet service in lowly paths–which in God’s sight, is nobler than that of many of earth’s famous ones!

Everywhere, too, there is an open field for woman’s ministry. Christ is no longer here in person to be served, as He was served by these women who followed Him from Galilee; but in His needy and suffering followers, He is ever present; and whoever will, may minister unto Him! For He said that in doing acts of kindness to the least of His people, we do them unto Him.

Much practical teaching is in this picture, which is here held up before every woman, inspiring her to wholeheartedly follow Christ. 

Why do so many young Christian girls choose a life . . .
  of idleness,
  of love of pleasure,
  of aimless, purposeless existence,
  of mere dressing, promenading, and trifling–
when such a life of glorious service is open to them?