nd of
mystery; and there was no shrinking on her part from all that the
fulfillment of this promise possibly might involve of suspicion and shame
and reproach and suffering and even death. Those who believe most firmly
in the promises of God, submit most patiently to his providences; they see
the glory which surely will succeed the gloom. Mary was to become the
mother of the Messiah, of the Son of Man, of the Saviour of the world.

C. The "Magnificat." Ch. 1:39-56

39 And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country
with haste, into a city of Judah; 40 and entered into the house of
Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when
Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; 42 and she
lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed _art_ thou
among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence
is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me?

44 For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine
ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she
that believeth; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things
which have been spoken to her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said,

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid:
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
And holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is unto generations and generations
On them that fear him.
51 He hath showed strength with his arm;
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
52 He hath put down princes from _their_ thrones,
And hath exalted them of low degree.
53 The hungry he hath filled with good things;
And the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath given help to Israel his servant,
That he might remember mercy
55 (As he spake unto our fathers)
Toward Abraham and his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto
her house.

The Magnificat, the lovely lyric which comes from the lips of Mary, has
been sung during many centuries as one of the chief canticles of the
Christian Church. Its occasion was a