The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-17

Whoever u was. heather or Christian, that
cove tha name OF Sunday to the first day OF
tho week. was doing great deai moro Una"
he wa, probably aware OF. On that day hsh'
wa, created: so the day bears the name OF the
source Of Light. and proclaims what was 70
-. tho first manifestation of the power OF the
| Creat Creator. On that day God said: Let
,b.re be light" and there was light. On that
same first day Of the week. when darkness
covered the earth and gross darkness tho peo-
| ple. prophetic order was fulfilled: Let rou
arise, end lot his enemies be scattered anu
the darkness of death was overcome.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead (the contamination OF miracles on tne
first day of the week. and on that day which
Wa now call Easter, was q grander still crea-
ton of light Darkness then covered human
ty. and. as in the beginning. the spirit OF Goa
brooded over the depths of the soul. Chaos
and darkness were but pictures Of the nope
less condition of mankind when the lie came
that was to DO the Light of the World.
Divinely blest and marvelously suggestive
is this first day of the week. Inc oun OF
Righteousness. with healing in his Wings
arose from the dead never to set upon human
ity. The grand triumph was to make On end
of sin: 10 make reconciliation for iniquity: to
bring in everlasting righteousness and Anoint
the Most Holy.
You NAV reason as you please about life;
you may philosophize to the EXTREMIST limit
of materialism or intellect you may allow
science under whatever shape or name its
greatest achievements socialism or legiti-
mate government may reach its highest per-
lection; all capabilities and possibilities OF
manhood may be attained man may DO ele-
waited in his highest throne, crowned with all
the honors of this estate, and at last within
his hollow crown Death holds his court
knocking his state and ernning at his pomp"
The order was given TO the race in the
person Of their first father: Dust thou
art. and unto .dust!Ishslt.. thou return" No
fact is so familiar to us all as death; nor any
route as that which leads to tho cemetery.
Tho grim-yisaged monster holds our NOR
tally in absolute sway and knows no dis
tnctions The warrior and emperor slowly
waste away at the touch of.his finger. Tho
millionaire bows his head in the showroom
of bis palace and lets 60 all his wealth; the
magnate yainly bestows all his power on tho
physician, himself struggling in the fatal
clutches. and the lovely and the beautiful.
the innocent and the revered have no plea
to touch the dull. cold ear of death" The
direful spectre visits all abodes and threatens
all conditions. It's shadow chills and da.kens
all that men cherish. hope for or delight in.
His reign is the hour and power of darkness,
the bleak winter Of mankind.
But God said let there be light and this
historic, sacred Easter day commentaries
the life that first appeared beyond the grave;
the victory over death; life and immortality
brought to light by the Gospel. The resur-
rection dav in the midst Of spring looks like
very growth--a product of nature In such
beautiful harmony with al around. Earth,
air and skies; leaves. blossoms and buds
heart, mind and body-ai the works of ma
ture join in the joyful shout. The funeral
dirge is changed into hymn of praise. AS
in Adam al die. even so in Christ shall all be
made alive" Death is swallowed up In
victory" And tears Of sorrow are turned
into springtide showers. each drop glittering
with sunlight and all full of resurrection and
of life