The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

within you" [ apprehend that much OF the
confusion, timidity, and distress which appeared
among nearly all of the disciples at the time of his
death is explained in the language of two of their
namber who said as they walked sorrowfully to
wards Emmaus-'we trusted that it had been he
which should have redeemed Israel" Now, from
such narrow and erroneous views the mind OF
Joseph was free, and hence he was not disprited
and dsheartened by the death of Christ as they
were whose minds were filled with wild notions OF
the conquests, pomp and glory of the Messiahs
earthly kingdom Thus it was, apprehend, that
the once brave Peter becomes a coward, and the
once timid Joseph becomes brave.
Finally it is said of Joseph that he went in
boldly unto Plate and besought him that he might
take away the body of Jesus. This step called for
a large amount of selt-denia courage, and zeal in
the cause of Christ. His mind and heart must
have been painfully impressed by realizing the ex
tent to which he and his people were now a subju-
gated and oppressed race. For such a man as
Joseph to be compelled to ask such favor, from
such man as PLATE, must have been most painful
and most humiliating But he has now lost all fear
of the jews all fear of the Romans, and as the
difficulty and danger increase so his courage in
creases, and he enters boldly into Pilates judg-
ment hall, and asks permission to take down and
bury the body Of Jesus. He accepts the stua-
ton, confesses the melancholy fact that he and
his people have been overcome, and are now thor
oughly subjugated by the proud, imperious Ro-
mans, and demeans himself accordingly. The
tyraunical power which Had ordered the elevation
of that body upon the cross, can alone authorize
the taking of it down from the cross Joseph was
not factious. Being overpowered by the cruel in
vaders of his native land-like multitudes now in
our subugated Southern land, he bows, but, like
them too, he bows rather to God than to man.
Plate knowing that cruci6ed persons often live
for several days, is surprised to hear that the Sa-
viour was already dead. But he only hears this
from Joseph, ard he being "a rebel cannot be
believed So he sends for one of his subordinates
and orders him to inquire into this matter. The
centurion $ testimony confirms that of Joseph and
Plate can no longer refuse or delay his consent.
Joseph, passing over in Christ-ke silence the in
dignity Plate had cast upon him by refusing to
accept his testimony, bows, and enters upon bis
pious mission. Thus by signal interposition of
Providence, the Roman Governor is made the in
strumentof confirming the certainty of our Saviours
death, and also of confirming the truth of his re.
surrection.
And now by the help of his servants, he took
the body of Jesus from the cross Joined by his
friend Nicodemus-the same which at first came to
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of our Lord with mixture of myrrh and aloes,
generously provided by Nicodemus, and wrapped
it in clean white linen as generously provided by
Joseph. The whole narrative is concluded with
these simple, but sublime words, "Now, in the
place where he was crucifed there was garden,
and in the garden new sepulchre wherein was
never man laid. There laid they Jesus, therefore,
because of the Jews preparation day; for the
sepulchre was nigh at hand" And this sepulchre
was the property of Joseph. If the supposition
of some respecting Nicodemus be true-that he
came at first to Jesus "by night, because he was
afraid or ashamed to the day, then the COIN
cidence of his cooperation with Joseph in this
burial service becomes eminently suggestive They
who were at first, most timid are now most cour-
ageous. And we may learn from this that they
who, in the beginning OF their Christian course,
talk the loudest, and even sing and pray the loud,
est, and seem the bravest of our Saviour's disci-
pies, do not ordinarily run as well, and labor as
faithfully as they do who are difldent Of them.
selves and fearful of others in the beginning
But l reserve few other practical deductions
from this thrilling narrative for another number.