W.B. Crumpton and Associates

May 24

BEHOLD THY SON.-Woman, behold thy son; son behold thy mother. John 19:
26, 27.

MEDITATION.-By this time the crowd had lost interest in the
crucifixion, and had returned to their homes. The few faithful, but
timid ones, came to the cross. Among them was Mary the mother of
Jesus, and supporting her, was John the beloved disciple. I think
it comforted Jesus to have them there. I know it would have comforted
Mary could she have wiped his brow and kissed his lips. He was her
boy; she his mother. An unutterable grief pierced her soul. And all
the tears and agony and love of her mother heart went out to him whom
she once held in her arms and cradled in the soft hay of the manger. I
think endearing words passed between them, but only these are
recorded, "Woman, behold thy son; son, behold thy mother." What an
honor for John. He proved true to his trust. But how shall we think of
Mary? Do we think too little because others overexalt her? We cannot
believe her sinless. We cannot accept the foolish medieval legends of
her miraculous appearances. We cannot pray to her, or wear her symbol
as a charm against accident and disease. We cannot hail her "Queen of
Heaven." We cannot prostrate ourselves before her effigy. To us this
is idolatry. No, we think of her as sweet, beautiful, blessed among
women, but still a woman. We believe that Mary's son was Mary's
Saviour. The glory of redemption is all his. They, two, Mary and John,
extolled the One who saved them.

SUGGESTION FOR PRAYER.-Our Father, we come to thee in the name of
Jesus Christ, thy son. As Jesus cared for his mother so wilt thou care
for us. Thou art the God of all human relationships that are sweet and
good. Make our home like the home of John and Mary.

HYMN.-- All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown him Lord of all.

SCRIPTURE READING.-Matthew 1: 18-25

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These daily devotions come from an old book by Rev. Washington Bryan
Crumpton, 1842-1926. The book is called DAILY DEVOTION and was first
published in 1923 by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.

This book is now extremely rare. These daily meditations are copied
exactly from a precious copy the Lord led me to. There are no other
copies known to be available in an in depth search of the Internet,
although Rev. Crumpton wrote other books, one of which, ADVENTURES OF
TWO ALABAMA BOYS, can still be obtained for hundreds of dollars, or
can be downloaded free from the internet.

More information on W.B. Crumpton, including a picture of himself and
his brother, can be found at this URL:

http://docsouth.unc.edu/crumpton/illustr2.html

A search of google.com will also glean tidbits about the role of Rev.
Crumpton in the history of the Southern Baptist church.

May you find as much joy, comfort, and love in these old fashioned
devotions as I have. God bless you all.

Love,

Anonymous.