The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-07-16
"Dieth no More.

At the table of our Lord, we are wont to
call to remembrance his dying. We think
of the exceeding sorrowfulness of his soul
in anticipation of his agony; of his plaintive
entreaty that, if possible, the bitter cup
might pass from him; of the insults in Pilates
judgment-hall; of the scOurging, of the buff
feting, the nails, the thirst, the unutterable
anguish, and the heart rending dying cry.
Such thoughts as these make our hearts ache,
as did Mary's and Johns when they stood
beholding Such thoughts bring over our
spirits darkness like that which overhung
Judea, when her rejected Messiah was ex,
piring. We hide our faces in pepitent shame,
at the thought that all that was for our sins !
Is it thus our Lord would have us remem-
Der him at his table? Surely not only thus.
When he broke the bread, and gave the
cup, he tenderly said, "Do this in remem-
brance of me-" He did not say, :" Do this
in remembrance of my dying" Doubtless
he included that, and well knew that the
thankful hearts of loving believers could not
help including that But it was not that
alone for which he meant to secure place
in our minds and our hearts. He intended
this supper to be observed after he should be
risen, and when those observing it should
know that Christ being raised from the
dead dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over him, should remember him
not only as the one who had died for them,
but "whOm God had raised up, having loosed
the pains of death, because it was not pos
sible that he should be holden of it.
Sitting now at his table, we should not
only remember his dying, and let our hearts
melt in sorrowful sympathy; we should con-
slider what glorious life has sprung up out Of
that painful death-what glorious triumph
that seeming defeat has proved to be. We
look not hence to the pale face and marred
form of our dead Lord; but to his glorious
Forthcoming from the sepulchre, and ascend
ing upon high, the cOnquerOr of death,
"leading captivity captive" Our faith re-
CARDS him as table to save them to the ut
termost that come unto God by him, seeing
he ever liveth to make intercession for
them" Our faith beholds him as John saw
him on Patmos, appearing in such overpow-
ering splendor that the disciple fell at his
feet as dead; and do not we also feel his
right hand laid upon us, and hear his reviv.
ing voice, saying, Fear not +: l am the first
and the last: | am he that liveth, and was
dead; and behold, l am alive for ever more,
Amen 2"
Yes, even SO, Lord Jesus verify thou didst
die for us; but verify now thou livest and
reignest. We remember thee at thy table,
as thou vast in Gethsemane, and on Calvary
we trust in the efficiency of that death for
our redemption and SO trusting, we haste
away from the cross, and the sepulchre; we
thankfully follow thee to 0livet; we gaze
upward for one moment at thy ascending
form, and the cloud which it marvellously
illumine8; and then, girdng up our loins, we
go forth in thy service, strong and happy in
thy joy and strength, assured that thou art
with US always, even unto the end of the
world; and then that we shall be with thee
where thou art and behold thy glory, and
share thy holy bliss and holy love, for ever
and ever Christian Wsekly.