And as soon as you make ready a blessing—not a compliment—in your hand, unfashionable dresses will not matter, untutored tongues will sound sweet; and your feast will be all glorified, for the Lord himself will be there.
"Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared." [31]
"The Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow," [32]—"the poor that are cast out" [33]—these were Israel's special charge under the law. But the gospel gives deeper work.
"When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." [34]
The Lord dates the note of payment far ahead, but indeed I think he is better than his word, and deals out much coin as we go along; it is such wonderful pleasure to fill an empty cup! This is "recreation," true and sweet; for of all the refreshments from one's own toil and sorrow, I think ministering to other people is about the best.
I have said nothing—is it needful to say aught?—of the Bible rules for behaviour at a feast. One is ready to imagine that Christians do only that which is "lovely, and of good report." Yet notice a few things.
"They love the uppermost rooms at feasts," [35] was spoken of the Pharisees; but to his disciples Christ said: "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." [36]
"When thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room." [37]
Other things follow close and easily upon that.
"Be courteous."—