The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-15
nun ASCENSION or CmHIsr.

o., published in full
We stand tonight very near to the
dav recognized and celebrated as the
snn,ersary OF the ascension of our
I.rl. A spirit of thrilling interest pos
.ts>es our hearts as we contemplate the
wonderful event, and, like the men of
Galileo. We stand gazing up into
heaven, our line of vision running aud
extending along the ethereal track, over
which moved in ascending triumph our
Lord aud king. As we gaze in silent
amazement we wonder what unseen
threadlets lifted him. what subtle at
traction. what spiritual affinity.
Is this tho last OF him? Does he
spurn the highest pinnacles OF earth 5
grandest temples. aud, lifting himself
tar above aud beyond the TemOtest star
that shines as sentinel on the border
lines of the stellar universe, shall mys-
terry and darkness close i'm upon the
path luminous with the divine glory
If his ascension: MAY the good angels
in white apparel stand By us tonight
and quiet our perturbed spirits, giving
u, the assurance that the same Jesus
who Was taken up from us into heaven
shall u like manner come again.
], need hardly be said that every
event ln the history aud life of Jesus on
the earth from the time when the an
gels thrOnged the heavens. the shouting
harbiugers of his birth. till lost 10 ma
tural vision. he passed into the glory of
heaven. the "h0ly of holies.n is replete
with lessons of most profound interest
and instruction. As the last act in a
well sustained drama Is always the one
OF chmacteric interest, 50 this the last
palpable manifestation OF Christ ON the
earth the closing and crOwniug miracle
ofhls life. should be TO us the miracle
of greatest interest, and act Of most pro
found importance.
1t is very appropriate that our order
of Knights Templar should assemble
here tonight, snd with becoming cere
mOny and service celebrate the event.
Oar order to day Is not what 1t was "A
few centuries ago. ia the fatigue OF the
march aud in actual conflict We no
longer spring into action ut the COM
mapd of Hugh De Pdyens or Godfrey
bravCly Confronting the clash Of battle
and the shock of arms. We no longer
stand sentinel, guarding with sacred
devotion the holy iaud, the empty Sc
pulcher, and the pilgrim worshlppers.
We are not called to-day 10 surrender
life mia flame aud torture. as
did Nolay i'm attestatiOn of our devotion
TO truth and right. Ii is no longer ne
cessary that We, As Knights Of the Tenn
pie. should draw our swords. flashing
. ld cleaning in the sunlight, whose
untarnished brightness fifty represents
the purity of our motives and the
eacredness of our principle. II is no
longer necessary that we, with the CHI
alric spirit of brave knight. should
grasp cur sword and WELD 1t for
the denfense of the helpless wi
low. orphan, or oppressed. To day
]. may be appropriately sand Of Us
the weapons OF our warfare are not
carnal. but spiritual, invisible, eternal.
Tine spirit that inspires the true knight
ouiliNe- the Cru-ades. The principles
chat characterize US are to-day as strong
aud as dearly cherished by every mem
btr OF our ancient and honorable order
"a, when the blood Of the knights of the
Temple was freely shed ia atteslatiOn of
their valor. their devotion TO the right
and protection of the d, f-nseless.
As operative masonry, whose sur
passing tkill and knowledge of The laws
Os lust proportion and beauty gave Eu-
rope her magnificent cathcdrals and
temples. go We, intoxicating the princi-
piles OF the true knight, rear structure
of character whose foundation is inn
movable. resting on eternal truth. and
whose proportions and architectural
beauty shall far surpa,s the most i'm
posing temple that adOrus the Old
World. BE this. Sir Knights, our aim
and delight. aud that we may be the
better ftted for The work, let us
study che life aud initiate the
character of Him whose life
here ON earth evinced spirit of
knighlhoOd. royal and sublime. We
are now ready 10 be led out IN company
with Christ and his disciples. We 20
with them as far as Bethany. one Of
the districts Of the Mount of Olives. a
section familiar in the walks aud visits
of Jesus, for here was the home Of Laza-
rus. Martha and Mary. Forty days
have elapsed since the resurrection.
when. by the exercise Of. omnific pow
or. Jesus "burs. the bars of death and
triumphoG over the grave But why
dill he lingcr forty days. Why did he
not. as the priest, present himself
before che Father IN the Holy of Holes
Immediately? Mau' eternal salvation
is the subject filling the mind and pos
ses-lng the heart Of Jesus. Ii need be.
he eau afford to delay. and thus break
the harmony Of types. He must show
10 the world that he Is the risen Lord.
The proof shall b. p1lpsble and irrefu-
table. Had he risen, bounding from
the dark prison of the tomb, and flying
like bird cutting the air, To his native
home, who would have believed in the
truth of his resvTrectionf He comes
forth victor over death and
the grave. and shows himself
10 be the voritable Christ, who was
cruciiied aud buried, now risen
HIS disciples needed his presence, that
they might be- strengthened and con.
firmed IN the faith and hope of the Cos
pei. They needed also to be instructed
IN that which pertained TO their office
and ministry. They had need of his
loving counsel. He must open 10 them
the scriptures, iustrucling them in
things relating 20 himself. lie must
commission them anew TO preach the
gospel, 50 tina! they may 20 forth with
credentials from our risen Lord. Spe-
cial force, emphasis and authority
will be given the word they
preach by the fact that they
have been with the risen Lord.
Forty days is sufficient for the ac-
complishment Of this important work.
Ii Is completed, and he must return to
the Father. He must 80 up 10 heaven.
and as priest present himself in the
presence Of God for US. BIT how will
ne 60? What method will no employ?
What agency will he bring into requi- /
sitioDy How, when, and in what way /
will he leave the earthy Let US OBJ
= I'VE well. for he is going 10 heaven,
The home Of the Father. the promised
Inheritance OF the saiuts. lie will not
10 by way Of the tomb, for he has o.