The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-27
rHE n-KsuRREcrroa LIFE.

ALHE#
It is q mighty theme-the central truthsof
the worlds history, the foundation OF our
faith, the crown Of our religion. II Christ
be not risen our faith is vain; we are yet in
our sins.
But there is no room for doubt on this
momentous question, because the testimony
of history to the physical fact that Christ
did rise from the dead is overwhelming and
incontroyertible.
He who will receive it can, however, have
more satisfactory evidence than any that
and power Of Christ's resurrection, For he
MAJ have the witness Of the Spirit OF God,
bearing witness with his Spirit, not only
that Christ is risen, but that he himself also
ia risen with Christ-dead unto sin alive
unto G~od-cruci6ed with Christ in the flesh,
but living with Christ in the Spirit.
Mary looked into the empty tomb TO dnd
her Lord; aud He was standing beside her
grieying over her unbelief. How many OF
us have not got any farther advanced in our
spiritual life than Mary was on that resur-
rection morning! She believed in Jesus ; she
loved Him-but she thought He was dead
and gone. She could not realize that He
was alive and waiting near her to speak
words of cheer to her discouraged heart.
We, too, stand over the tomb OF Jesus and
bless God for His atoning sacrifice on the
cross. Well may we do so; but let US never
forget that 1t was when he assembled up on
Gifts unto men, Christ in His humiliation
passed through infinite sorrow for US and
paid the penalty of our sin, but 1t was Bis
eXaltatIon which gave Him power to make
His own sacrifice effective by the bestow.
ment of the Holy Spirit. off I 90 not
away" He had said, ''the Comforter will not
come unto you. but If I depart I will send
Him unto YOU" Truly, then, might BE
say, "It is eXpedient for you that l go
away" although that %utterauce must have
been incomprehensible to His sorrow-
stricken disciples at the time, and sounds
strange even in or ears. Indeed, II BE bad
not said 1t Himself 1t would seem like BIAS
phemy.
how gladly would we forsuke every worldly
pursuit and run to Him. We think so, at
least. But suppose He should come again
in the guise Off poor peasant and lead US to-
ward the hooking and the scorrginc and the
crucifxion, would we really be glad to gof
Would we not, like Peter, first lag behind
following afap of-and then deny Him alto
gether?
suffering in His own person, but he Is here
in the persons of his poor brethren and sis
tiers of whom He has said, "Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one Of the least OF these,
We have done it unto Me-" AND we have
the opportunity every day Of visiting Him,
and nursing Him, and feeding Him. and
clothing Him, and cheering Him. Nor is It
q mere figure of speech to say that Christ is
among us, waiting to receive the kindly
Offices which He calls upon Us to perform;
for in some mysterious way which is beyond
the comprehension Of our finite minds Christ
is personally present by the power OF His
Shirt in the hearts of those who love Him
and He does personally receive the service
rendered to Him in the person OF one OF His
disciples; it does give Him personal pleas
ure. -,
And he, too, who renders su"h service, or
In any way gives proof of love to Christine
also is a living temple Of the holy Ghost; he
ALSO is not only a representative of Christ,
Int is himself q living embodiment of Christ
to the extent to which he has yielded his
will to the guidance and control Of the Holy
Spirit.
lives of thousands of believers, scattered all
over the world, testify to the power OF His
resurrection life. Alas, how many there are
who believe in the death of Christ. but have
not yet felt the power of the life Of Christ
energizing their mortal bodies and vivifying
their spiritual natures!