A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Mary Magdalene
MARY MAGDALENE
Seems to have been an inhabitant of Magdala, otherwise called Dalmanutha. The city is supposed to have been situated somewhere on the eastern coast of the sea of Galilee. Wherever it was, it probably gave the surname of Magdalene to this Mary. It has been asserted by some writers, that she was a plaiter of hair to the women of the city, but all we certainly know of her is contained in the New Testament. We are there taught she had been a great sinner, that she repented, came to the feet of Jesus, while he "sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with precious ointment." Her penitence and humility are graphically portrayed; and she has ever since that time been as a star of hope to the fallen sisterhood, proving. that from the lowest depths of degradation the true penitent may be raised, if she will, like Mary Magdalene, turn from her sins and love the Lord Jesus Christ. From the moment when Mary Magdalene heard those sweet words from the Saviour, "Thy sins are forgiven," she seems to have devoted herself to his followers; and at the cross, and at the sepulchre, she proved that her faith was as firm and devoted as her love was true and holy. According to the apostle St. John, Mary Magdalene was the first person who reached the sepulchre on the eventful morning, "when it was yet dark;" she first discovered that the stone was taken away from the sepulchre; and to her the risen Saviour first made himself manifest. This female disciple was honoured above even the beloved John; for he and all the other disciples were taught by her that Jesus had risen from the tomb.