d this low thing, the mean position of a Samaritan in the
estimate of the scribe, he will at the same moment exalt. He hath done
all things well.[63]

[63] In the case of the ten lepers (Luke xvii. 16), which is not a
parable, but a history, we learn that the one who experienced and
expressed gratitude to God for his recovery was a Samaritan. Whether
their low and despised condition had been to some extent blessed in
making them more humble and receptive than their Jewish neighbours,
we do not know; but, in point of fact, in the historical incident a
Samaritan was more ready than the Jew to give praise to God; and in
the construction of the parable a Samaritan is represented as also
more beneficent to men.

In connection with this case a striking example may be seen of the
divine impartiality of the Scriptures. Some persons, with a view to
objects of their own, take pleasure in representing ministers of
religion as more self-seeking and less generous than those who make
no religious profession. The contrast between the Levite and the
Samaritan, if this case stood alone, might seem to support their
theory. But there is no respect of persons or classes with God; you
may learn from the Scriptures--and that, too, from the writings of
the same apostle--that the Samaritans were not all kind, and the
Levites not all hard-hearted. They were Samaritans (Luke ix. 53) who
would not permit Jesus and his disciples, when they were weary, to
pass the night in their village; and he was a Levite (Acts iv. 36)
who was named Son of Consolation, and sold his property that he
might distribute the proceeds among the poor.

The Samaritan had compassion on the wounded man; and the emotion is
known to be genuine by the fruits which it immediately bears: he bound
up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine. These methods doubtless
represent the opinions and practice of the time and place as to the
treatment of wounds. They constituted the expression of the Samaritan's
painstaking compassion; and for our present purpose no further notice of
them is needful.[64]

[64] The Samaritan was riding; for he set the wounded man "on his
own beast." What of the priest and the Levite?--were they riding, or
performing the journey on foot? If they were both pedestrians, while
the Samaritan had a mule or an ass, it is obvious that the two
parties were not on equal terms, and that consequently no fair test