The New York herald., 1870-05-02
sK Lon (coLoRED) CHURCH.


Mary at the Tomb OF Jesus-scrmon by n
sexton Of the Twcnty.third Street Presby-
aertan Church.
At this church yesterday afternoon and at the
usual hour for assembling, three O'clock Mr.. 4. $.
Titus the colored Sunday school teacher was bushy
engaged In instrucng score of boys and girls III
praiseworthy manner At a quarter past three the
school was brought TO q close by singing Dear Sa'
viour by My Side,r when Mr. Titus delivered snort
address on the progress mace py the schoo''
which Is not what It should be, bu. encour'
aging, and exhorted the members OF the con-
gregation present, few in number TO take some
interest Ia It, While waiting for the minister 70 ar
rive he mad an extended conversation with the wri
ter and deprecated considerably the hostiliies be-
tween the trustees and the Presbytery which he
said would be the ruin OF the church. AT forty min
utes past three O'Clock no minister appearing, he
went TO the platform and, after regretting bitterly
that the congregation should meet Sunday after sun
day TO find no minister TO preach the Gospel, said
they had no alternative but to adjourn, and pro-
posed singing the hymn "Almighty God in Humble
man entered the church and seated himself on the
platform. who proved to be Mr. r. p. Wood, the
sexton OF the Twenty-third street Presbyterian
church. who mad heard Of the situation Of Shiloh and
had very generously come to the rescue.
Mr.. Wood commenced by reading the twentieth
was sung:-
Faith a, ada. now charms char, to s.rhy bli"
1t. aid in every duty brags,
And sottens all my cares,
which was followed up by PRAYER INV In which 1 te
beautiful day, for the peace and qu.etness the commu
nifty enjoy and for all Ills good gifts. lie mplored
the Gver OF all good to instl into the hearts OF his
hearers feeling OF awe and reverence on approach
Ing Him and one OF thanklulness at Ills goodness
have erred and are poor and aeea ont tps
His sanctuary. He impl0red the influence OF the
Holy Spirit on the days meditations, and asked q
blessing on the church. the city and tile ma
ton, and that the boon OF citizenship might
be appreciated by all TO whom j. extends.
Wood chose MS text from John xx., l6-NJesus saith
unto her, Mary. She turned herself and saith unto
an adrab sermon % Te subject or dns his
discourse was Mary ct the tomb OF Jesus, and alter
describing the horrors OF the preceding Friday and
the chapter from which the text was taken, said that
The love shown for Jesus may have been IN
teipreted to arise rom worldly motives.
Romans and to occupy the throne of David.
When, therefore, His execution came to pass II
Tor HIM woud have vanished. me disc pies mig ht
nave cxpecFed to be His prime ministers and the
wcen 10 be attached to His conrt. Did this occur9
lying in the tomb they prepared everything neces-
sary to elnbalm Him with and starred with all haste
on their sorrowinl journey. This shows what power
Jesus had over them. Their love for Him was as
strong as ever. The sorrOwiGg women started
IN lear at the graf store oyer oyer the
ter fun OF faith they wended their way
70 the tomb. What croWning grief t. find The se-
pulchie empty. What ihe ughts must lave Crossed
their minds Jesus, their Syiodr, removed and per-
haps suffering unheard OF indigniic 1T The hands OF
the jews. All left but Mary seek of recov-
ering their Lord body. She IN her love perseyered
with vague idea Of fndliig him somewhere la the
nelgDborn0od, and as she = ood wee pin. se saw the
glorious VISION OF the ange.s, turned and saw her
Lord. In her mistake Jesu, nl,s nave reen pleased.
Her erie-lt inqaiiy after io Sayiour's body must
have me, cd his heart, ami the word MARY must
have been lovingly pronounced IN mis- usual tone of
Voice for she was one whom we regard impure
and Out OF whom jesus himself had cast out seven
devils.
A great artist has dellucated this scene and low
ing heart guided skillul hand, Tor er great
or justice done 9abjeCt. II may seem strange that
John Is the only evangelist who has described this
meeting, but his peculiar office 10 set Oil Jesus
loving nature.
The lessons to be drawn from this scene are many.
The character OF Jesus IS strongly given. After death
no change had taken place. His love- voice and
manner were the same. With regard 10 putting
Mary back, IL may have been that, seeing her frantic
joy he wished to remind her that she must longer
throwing her arms about him TO retain him. That
there was nothing aDout Him too holy for Him to be
approached Is proved nom the TACT that Thomas,
but snort time after, not only approached Him,
but placed bis finger into His wounds. The last and
greatest lessons that In the times of the greatest
s0d over man. Mary was in her greatest trouble.
Jesus came before her. The Jews mad sealed up the
scpulchre. God hurled back the stone. Mary's
answer" "Master'-sholld teach us how TO regard
God iii obedience ana love. AT the conclusion OF the
sermon prayer was given and the hymn, 'Best
are tn. men whose souls do move" sung. when The
congregation were dismissed with benediction.