SPIKENARD. 151 



fume, it should be remembered that it is probable that the 

 ointment spoken of by the Evangelists Mark (xiv. 3) and John 

 (xii. 3) was not simply spikenard, but that substance mingled 

 with others, and that this art of compounding was more suc 

 cessfully practised in some places than at others. Thus, Lao- 

 dicea and Tarsus had the reputation of forming the best, which 

 was preserved in alabaster boxes, as most retentive of the 

 fragrance; and the perfume of those places is frequently 

 referred to by Herodotus, Cicero, and Pliny. The vessel was 

 sealed at the top, and gave forth the scent sparingly until the 

 sealed cover was broken and the ointment poured out, which 

 was seldom done except on festal or remarkable occasions. To 

 this custom of using the spikenard Horace alludes when he 

 invites Virgil to the feast where he promises to produce the 

 little alabaster box of spikenard (&quot;nardi parvus onyx&quot;) on 

 condition that Horace shall furnish the wine. The alabaster 

 was also called onyx, as we see from Dioscorides, (v. 153.) 

 The lavish use of the ointment upon the feet of Jesus by Mary 

 at the supper (John xii.) was in keeping with the highest style 

 of affectionate compliment at royal feasts. Mary was able to 

 purchase the ointment, which, as the penny was worth sixteen 

 cents, according to the value of that coin as determined from 

 recent investigations, would cost nearly fifty dollars. The 

 breaking of the box was simply unsealing the top. This. 

 therefore, was an appropriate gift from a woman of property, 

 such as Mary evidently was, and one manifesting her gra 

 titude to Jesus, who had restored to life that brother whom 

 she loved with such tenderness. 



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