Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-07
Christ's Resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is one OF the
sublimest facts in the gospel history IL is
a great hinge truth. II is the climax of
miracle. 1t is the dynamic element of evan
gelization. IL was the Irresistible argument
Of the apostles. 1t made their Christ cruel
fed the Son Of God with power. The chief
priests and Pharisees seem to have feared
the predicted rising of Jesus more than they
had his wonderful life. If it should get out
that he had risen this last error, as they
termed it, would be worse than the first.
But the event transpred, as do all Gods
plans and purposes, to the discontinue of
his enemies.
That Sunday morning of the Passover
was the brightest that ever dawned upon
our world. For it witnessed the resurrec-
ton of the Saviour, and was hence conse-
Grated as the Lords Day or Christian Sab
bath-a perpetual memory of the greater
finished work of redemption. 1t would al
most seem that creation wore a brighter
smile that morning, and every one of its
myriad flowers sparkled as with celestial
hue. We know that bright angels then Wis.,
tied the earth and spoke of the glorious
event.
The evening before the Sabbath, tenderly
and by loving hands was the body of Jesus
taken down from the cross, ftly prepared,
and laid in the new tomb Of Joseph in the
border of the garden that stretched away
from the foot of Calvary. 1t was gloomy
night to the disciples Strong hearts were
melted down, and trusting women wept 1t
was to them sad, silent Sabbath that sue
ceeded. A pail was on their hearts. In
their heavy grief great truth was OBJ
scured But it was that deep darkness that
L. 4 l.x,, hnx,
done what they could of kindness to the
dear form now enclosed in the rock-hewn
sepulcher. They will come again as soon as
the Sabbath is past and finish the embalm-
ing of their Lords body.
Hardly had the first streaks of day ap-
peared over Olivet ere their steps were near
ing the hallowed tomb-the loving Marys
being in advance with their spices. How
shall we roll away the stone they said, as
they approached the sepucher. God re-
moves difficulties before those who are early
and earnest to serve him. What strange
emotions were theirs as they found the door
open-as they entered in-as Jesus was not
there-as they saw an angel sitting on the
sepulchral couch--as in sorrow they went
and said to Peter and John, "They have
taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher,
aud we know not where they have laid him "
as they returned and saw two angels and
bowed in fear to the earth, but were cheered
by the angels, who bade them seek not
the living among the dead, and proclaimed
to them the resurrection of their Lord-as
they saw the risen, living Jesus himself and
heard his All hail." and other gracious
words that calmed their fears
The glorious fact is accomplished. The
tomb is empty. The Redeemer lives. He
bears the keys of both death and the grave.
The new life of the Risen One was mightier
than all the craft and malignity of his ad-
versaries. They bribed the soldier-guards
to stop the mouths of living reporters but
the dead arose as witnesses to the astound-
ing miracle. "Many of the pious dead,
through whose bodies flash of returning
life had thrilled at the moment when the
powerful Victor's cry, /" 1t is finished" re-
sounded from the cross, came forth from
their graves with the Prince of Life, awak-
ened by his death-subduing power, "and
went into the holy city and appeared unto
many" These were witnesses the Pbari-
sees could not pervert. And Jesus, appear
ing in his risen body with its nail-scars and
spear mark, was to his disciples the crown
ing demonstration of his resurrection. The
signs following, even to the Pentecostal re-
vival ere long, confirmed wondrously the
glorious fact.
Well might they, and we as well, preach
Jesus and the resurrection. lie has verified
his own words, and can fulfill every prom
Use. He is surely the Messiah and Saviour
In his resurrection we see the type and Ger
tainty of our own.
81 am the resurrection" hear him saying!
Z" ! am the life: he who believes on me
Shall never die: the souls my call obeying,
Soon where am forevermore shall be-
Sing hallelujahl light from heaven appearing,
The mystery OF life and death is plain:
| Now to the grave we can descend unfearing,
In sure and certain hope to rise againl