The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-22
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

OEUhCA Oc Lid
The Story of the Crucifxion and Re.
surrectfon-The Darkest Night the
Precursor of Brighter Days.
There was a far attendance at the Church Of the
Disciples yesterday morning. Mr.. Hepworth Sc
lected his text from ST. Luke, twenty-fourth chap
ter and tnirty-ourth verse-"The Lord is risen in
deed, and hath appeared to Simon" l suppose,
said the preacher, the darkest night that ever
shrouded the earth was that following the cruel
fxion, and l am sure the brightest day that ever
shone was that which began with the following
Sunday morning. The whole scene, which is de-
scribed IN the last chapters OF Paups epis.les is
one Of exceeding interest and pathos; can
hardly read the closing chapters in the earthly lie
OF the Master without following his footsteps with
tears.
There were three classes OF persons who looked
at that event. each IN It's own peculiar way and
IRON its own characteristic standpoint. The Phar-
isees were exultant; their efforts had been
crowned with victory; they had tried and failed
many times, but after three years OF unsuccessful
plotting they had succeeded in enmesnln2 the
LORD. When 1t was impossible to condemn him py
proceedings legally carried on, they subornea wit
nesses VINO testified falsely aud the verdlct OF death
came not from judicial lips, out from the hot tenn
pered passion OF mob which had prejudged the
case and determined on the penalty before the end
OF the proceedings had been reached.
The Pharisees then looked upon themselves as
WORTHY WARRIORS,
who had won a signal victory.
The disciples, on the other hand. were in q
grievous plight; their londest hopes had been
biighted, their ambitions thrown to the ground.
don't say that doubt concerning Jesus crossed
their minds but yet their faith was not quite per-
lect-the end was so unexpected, so different from
what they had looked for. Knowing, as they did,
that Jesus had thus far escaped the pots laid for
Hun. they thought He would stand forth victorious
to the end: they ana not know that His death
GLOOMY PROPHECY
that His Kingdom was to be RACED to the ground.
They went to their homes in the deepest grief and
much bewidered concerning the future.
Next we look at the common people, those
whom Jesus had blessed, IN whose souls lie mad
stirred up hope, whose inward eye He had opened
and whose understanding he mad upliited. They
this Is just what might have been expected in the
beginning; he was wrong, poor man: we are
and His enthusiasm stirred our inmost depths;
He was wonderful man, but the Pnarisees re-
garded Aim as traitor and punished Him, and
And yet over all this there hung
VAGUE, CURIOUS PROPHECY
to this enect-that Jesus would rise again and
finish His work on this earth. II was wonderful
prophecy, but He had kept His word up to the
OF HIS st death ros and perhaps
had heard OF this and were curious con-
corning the result. the disciples treasured
the prophecy and looked forward to the emo OF the
three days with dIrn and vague hope. The Pnari
sees remembered His promise and put guard Of
Roman soldiers at the Sepuchre, lest the victory
so hardly obtained should slip from their grasp.
They we're governed In this act by bitter hatred !;
they had crushed His body and now they hoped to
crush his soul.
The third day came. and 1T was announced that
the sepulchre was empty. No one knew who had
rolled the stone away. The angels had left the
melody OF their presence there. All was calm and
still No Christ was there.
mind de termined 10 go home to Emmaas, few
miles from Jerusalem. II was natural mat they
should do so. They wanted time TO think OF the
so they started. 1t was over rough
road and they journeyed on talking 10 each other
the problem they simply wondered. and alter they
had gone some distance they saw stranger
coming up behind them; soon ne caught up with
them and walked by tneir side. When asked what
they We're talking about they said, "Of what could
we talk ABOUT but the one thing? Have We come
from Jerusalem and do not know OF Jesus crucihx-
ION and now He IS risen and we do not know wnere
He l3Yn And the stranger opened the scriptures,
beginning with the Ola Testament and ex planned
the history OF Gods presence IN the world until at
last they looked on hum as wonder, and when they
arrived ut Emmaus he would nave left them, but
they invited him TO their home and he went and ne
broke bread with them and asked blessing and
they were thunderstruck, for there were tue red
prints OF the nails which Roman cruelty mad driven,
ana they CRED, 1T Is the Lordr and would have
fallen down to worship Him, but He vanished out
OF their signt.
so lar the picture is perfect; let us follow II TO
the end The disciples were too excited by what
they mad seen TO sleep or eat, and they started
back TO Jerusalem TO communicate the glorious
tidngs. Through the long night their weary steps
fastened, and at last, worn out In body bat iresn
in heart they entered the gate Of the city
and Knocked at the door OF that house in which
the Lord had eaten with them the last supper they
Knocked but an were asleep, but IN "a few
minutes they were awakened and the disciples
gathered inside, and the hrst words they used
were the words OF my text-"Ihe Lord IL risen
indeed and hath appeared TO Simon.n Glorious
news IL was, IKE sunlight bursting unexpectedly
on their grief, ana then, While they ali WON
derng the doors being shut, this
MYSTERIOUS STRANGER
stood in their midst, and, holding out his hands o
second time, SAID Peace be unto your Yes, IL
was indeed Christ; He had kept His promise.
Brethren, that is the story. Let me speak for a
few moments concerning the Improvement OF the
text. Let me say, IN the first place, learn that 10
is not always darkest when II seems So There are
times in our experience when we almost
abandon hope. Remember, Christ always Keeps
HIS promises, and If we trust shall De justified
In the end and our course vlndicated by that Cod
who never changes. third and lastly, please re-
member that the Lord appears TO US as He did tc
the disciples.
JESUS LIVES NOW
and can make Himself manifest unto as at ali
times.