The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-05-27
The Resurrection of Jesus.

10 THE EDITOR OF TIE JOURNAL: There is a
clause in communication in your last weeks is
sue which requires a word of explanation from
me Your correspondent states that "the much
emphasized talk about the great precautions said
to have been taken to guard the tomb in which
the sacred body was placed, is misleading etc.
In speaking of Christ's resurrection, l have
often referred to the precautions taken by his foes
In guarding the tomb, as one of the many proofs
| of the browning miracle of his life. In the Jour
nal of April %, under the name appended to this
article. are these words ''The enemies of Jesus
took every precaution to prevent his rising. The
tomb was sealed, and then guarded by Roman sol
diers night and day. The military guard made the
sepulchre secure. But Christ rose the third day
as he had predicted, etc" My authority for these
statements is based upon the words of Matthew,
chap. p G266 snow on the morrow, which is
the day after the Preparation, the chief priests
and the Pharisces were gathered together unto
PLATE, SAYING, Sir, we remember that that decev
cr said, while he was yet alive, After three days
| will rise again. Command therefore that the
sepulclrc be made sure until the third day lest
haply his disciples come and steal him away, and
say unto the people, lie is risen from the dead.
plate said unto them, Take guard: make it sure
.
sure scaling the stone, the guard being with
them" Did those soldiers guard an empty tomb?
Had the body been stolen before the sepulchre
was sealed? Did Joseph, the good man and the
just" commit Glowing theft" steal him away by
night IN order to say unto the people, He is risen?
'These are eventful DAYS" say the enemies of
Jesus LET Us guard well his tomb till the third
day, when his prediction closes: for by not allow
M lnn "a,
sepulchrc we shall end the work of the false
teacher"
But on the third day the tomb was found empty
The Jews had the strongest reasons ion producing
the body if they knew where it was. Such would
have destroyed the testimony Of the apostles at
once The notion that Jesus did not really die
but revived from ewoon, has but few adj, COATES
at the present time He dict lie to life
again. Therefore christianity is founded on Il
fact and not on tlcuSion. Even Keen critic
As Heinrich EWad ailirms that the resurrection of
Jesus is one Of the established facts of history.
But do not consider the 'prccaution" argument
the strongest. In fact, iii my scrmon-outlnc.
quoted above, it stands in the first or weakest
place. The testmony of one ofthe caimest ofrrason-
ers, speaking twenty Years after the event, with
many, has more weight. "Christ died, and wts
pafleu ana rose AGAIN the third day. He appeared
to Ccphos. then to the twelve. Then he appeared
To above five hundred brethren at once then To all
the apostles; and last of all, he appeared to me
also" q Cor. ID There many other proofs
that Christ rose from the dead. Each one has its
value. Their collective strength must he taken
int" account. The bundle OF willis il stronger
than the single rod. Each thread in a cable adds
its quo.a Of strength All united may holt the
ship. Very truly
Belfast, May II, SO. GEO. +. II RS.