Chapter I: Section IV

Brief account of the extravagant regard which has been paid to the
Virgin Mary at different periods--the names by which she has been
addressed, and the festivals instituted to honour her memory--general
remarks on the nature and character of superstition, particularly that
of the Catholics

Elizabeth--Chapter II.

The angelic appearance to Zacharias--birth of John characters of
Elizabeth and Zacharias--importance of domestic union being founded on
religion, shown in them--their venerable age--the characteristic
features of their piety--the happiness of a life like theirs--the effect
it is calculated to produce on others--the perpetuation of holy
friendship through immortal ages--the miserable condition of the
irreligious

Anna--Chapter III.

Introduction of Anna into the sacred story--inspired description of
her--the aged apt to be unduly attached to life--Anna probably religious
at an early period--Religion the most substantial support amidst the
infirmities of age--the most effectual guard against its vices--and the
best preparation for its end

The Woman of Samaria--Chapter IV.

Account of Christ's journey through Samaria--he arrives at Jacob's
well--enters into conversation with a woman of the country--her
misapprehensions--the discovery of his character to her as a prophet her
convictions--her admission of his claim as the true Messiah, which she
reports in the city--the great and good effect--reflections

The Woman Who Was a Sinner--Chapter V.

Jesus and John contrasted--the former goes to dine at the house of a
Pharisee--a notorious woman introduces herself, and weeps at his
feet--remarks on true repentance and faith, as exemplified in her
conduct--surmises of Simon the Pharisee--the answer of Jesus the woman
assured of forgiveness--instructions deducible from the parable

The Syrophenician--Chapter VI.

Introductory observations--Christ could not be concealed the
Syrophenician woman goes to him on account of her daughter--her
humility--earnestness--faith--the silence of Christ upon her application
to him--the disciples repulsed--the woman's renewed importunity--the
apparent scorn with which it is treated--her admission of the
contemptuous insinuation--her persevering ardour--her ultimate
success--the necessity of being importunate in prayer--remarks on the
woman's national character--present state of the Jews: the hope of their
final restoration,

Martha and Mary--Chapter VII.

Bethany distinguished as the residence of a pious family, which
consisted of Lazarus and his two sisters--their diversity of
character--the faults of Martha, domestic vanity and fretfulness of
temper--her counterbalancing excellencies--Mary's choice and Christ's
commendation--decease of Lazarus--his restoration to life at the voice
of Jesus--remarks on death being inflicted upon the people of God as
well as others--the triumph which Christianity affords over this
terrible evil--account of Mary's annointing the feet of Jesus, and his
vindication of her conduct,

The Poor Widow--Chapter VIII.

Account of Christ's sitting over against the treasury--he particularly
notices the conduct of an obscure individual--she casts in two mites--it
is to be viewed as a religious offering--the ground on which it is
eulogized by Christ--the example honorable to the female sex--people
charitable from different motives--two reasons which might have been
pleaded as an apology for withholding this donation she was poor and a
widow--her pious liberality notwithstanding--all have something to
give--the most trifling sum of importance--the habit of bestowing in
pious charity beneficial motives to gratitude deduced from the
wretchedness of others, the promises of God, and the cross of Jesus,

Sapphira--Chapter IX.

Mixed constitution of the church of Christ--benevolent spirit of the
primitive believers at Jerusalem--anxiety of Ananias and Sapphira to
appear as zealous and liberal as others--Ananias repairs to the apostles
to deposit the price of his possessions--is detected in deception and
dies--similar deceit and death of Sapphira--nature and progress of
apostasy--peculiar guilt of Sapphira--agency of Satan distinctly
marked--diabolical influence ascertained--consolatory sentiments
suggested to Christians,

Dorcas--Chapter X.

Joppa illustrious on many accounts, particularly as the residence of
Dorcas--she was a disciple of Christ--faith described as the principle
of discipleship--the inspired testimony to the character of Dorcas--she
was probably a widow or an aged maiden--remarks on reproaches commonly
cast upon the latter class of women--Dorcas exhibited as a pattern of
liberality, being prompt in the relief she afforded--her charities
abundant--and personally bestowed: observations on the propriety of
visiting the poor--the charities of Dorcas often free and
unsolicited--wise and conducted upon a plan--the pretences of the
uncharitable stated and confuted--riches only valuable as they are used
in bountiful distribution,

Lydia--Chapter XI.

Account of Paul and his companions meeting with Lydia by the river-side
at Philippi--the impression produced upon her heart by the preaching of
Paul--the remarks on conversion, as exemplified in the case of this
disciple--its seat the heart--its accomplishment the result of divine
agency--the manner of it noticed: the effects of a divine influence upon
the human mind, namely, attention to the word of God and the ordinances
of the Gospel, and affectionate regard to the servants of
Christ--remarks on the paucity of real Christians--the multiplying power
of Christianity--its present state in Britain--efforts of the
Bible Society

Female Scripture Biography

Vol. II

The Virgin Mary.