After stating the general notice which Jesus Christ took of the variety of opulent contributors to the treasury, the sacred narrative informs us of his particularly remarking the offering of a certain individual, whom he exhibited to his disciples as a pattern of unrivalled generosity. The comparative value and magnitude of this gift are recorded; and though the name of this honorable character is concealed, the benevolent deed can never be forgotten. We are not informed of the sums given respectively by wealthy persons upon this occasion, but only in general that they were very considerable: "many that were rich cast in much." It is astonishing what large contributions have been sometimes advanced for charitable and other religious purposes: and from knowing that Jesus Christ selected for remark, and distinguished by an extraordinary eulogium, the offering of a certain woman to the treasury, we are eager to inquire who was the donor, and what the gift so celebrated. But we must suspend our prejudices. Let us remember, that "God seeth not as man seeth"--that our calculations of value and of magnitude are often false, because we do not use the balances of the sanctuary, but are governed by the erroneous opinions of mankind--and then we shall be prepared to learn, that on that memorable day, when Jesus sat over against the treasury beholding the numerous and splendid donations of the rich, a _female_, a _widow_, "cast in more than they all"--more than any one individually, and more than all collectively! What then were her resources? Was she some Eastern potentate, who, like the queen of Sheba, "came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold and precious stones"--a queen who was able to present Solomon with "a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones?" No, she was a _poor_ widow! Our astonishment increases. But some poor persons have great future prospects, or great present connections. Had she then sold an hereditary reversion, or borrowed extensively of some wealthy friends, and impelled by a zeal for God, given it to the treasury? No--she gave only out of her _poverty_--"she threw in _two mites_, which make a FARTHING," or about _two pence_, according to the proportionate value of English money. [41] This was the donation that led Jesus to call his disciples, and address them thus, "Verily, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."