First we have the general proposition that righteousness, that is, one’s religious duties, should

not be done for the sake of display; and that principle is then applied to alms, prayer, and fasting—the three departments into which the Jews divided personal religion.

The words take heed in v. 1 are very searching! We are all likely to put better goods in the window than we have anywhere on our shelves; and to show fairer samples than we can supply in bulk. The Greek word for hypocrite means stage actor. We are tempted to assume on Sunday a religious attire which we certainly do not wear in the home or in business.

In her account of the first Burman convert, Mrs. Judson says: “A few days ago, I was reading with him Matt. 6. _He was deeply impressed and solemn. ‘These words,’ said he, ‘take hold of my very heart. They make me tremble. When our people visit the pagodas, they make a great noise with trumpets. But this religion makes the mind fear God’ ”