The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-01-21
TIE RtsrnnrcrInN LIFE.

II l. mighty theme-thc central truth OF
The worlds history, the foundation of oui
faith, the crown of our religion. II chris
bc not risen our faith ~ vain; we are yet il
our sins.
But there is no room for doubt on thi,
momentous question, because the testimony
Of history to the physical fact that Chris
lid rise from the dead il overwhelming ant
incOntrONCrthlc.
lie who will receive II can, however. hay,
more satisfactory evidence than any that
could be given him 10y others 10 the truth
and power of Chri,t'S resurrection For u,
may have the witness Of the spirit of God
bearing witness with his Spirit not only
that Christ u risen, but that he himself also
Is risen with thrlst-dend unto sin, alive
unto God-Crucilcd with Christ in the nc,h,
but living with Christ IN the Spirit,
Mary looked into the empty tomb tn find
her Lord; aud He was standing beside her
gricNiug over her unhcrf. How many OF
nv have not got any farther advanced in our
spiritual life than Mary was on that rcsur-
rcctiuu morning! She believed in Jesus: She
loved llim-hut she thought lie wa, dead
and gone. She could not realize that lie
was alive and waiting near her to speak
word, Of cheer 10 her discouraged heart.
We too, stand over the tomb Of Jesus aud
bless God for His aiuuing sacrifice on the
cross. Well may we do so; but let H. never
forget that II was when he nsreuded up on
high that "llc led captivity crptiyc and gave
gin, unto men" Christ in His humiliation
passed through infinite sorrow for Il, aud
paid the penalty Of our sin, but II was His
cNa.tatlon which gave Him power to make
His own sacrifice effective by the be,tOw-
ment of the Holy Spirit. ''lf | go not
away He had said, the Comforter will not
come unto YOU. but II depart ] will send
Him unto you" Truly, then, might lie
Say, 1T Is eNpedient for you that 20
away, " although that nttcrancc must have
been incomprchcnsibe to His SORROW
stricken disciples at the time, and sounds
strange even in or ears Indeed, II He had
not said II Himself II would seem like blaS
phemy.
If Christ should come todav-tomorrow--
how GLADLY would we forsake every worldly
pursui, and run to Him We think 50, at
least. But suppose He should come again
In the guise of a poor peasant aud lead us to-
ward the m0cking aud the scourging and the
,ruCitNiOn, would we really be glad Ia gUl
Would we not, like Peter, first lag behind
following afar oll-and then deny Lin alto
scthcr?
Christ Is not coming again in poverty and
suffering In His own person, hut he is here
IN the persons Of his poor brethren and sis
ers OF whom lie has said, "lnasuuch as We
have done II unto one Ofthc least Of these,
ye have done il unto Me-" AMI we have
he opportunity every day of visiting Him,
lnd nursing Him, and feeding Him, ana
clothing Him, and cheering Him. Nor Is II
I mere figure of speech to say that Christ is
among us waiting to receive the kindly
offices which lie calls upon us 10 perform;
or in some mysterious way which is beyond
he comprehension Of our finite minds Christ
: personally present by the power Of His
spirit in the hearts of those who love Him
md lie does personally receive the service
'endered to Him In the person OF one OF His
disciples; it does give Him personal pleas
are.
And he, too, who renders su h service, or
n any way gives proof of love to Christ-ne
also Is living temple OF the Holy Ghost; he
ilso is not only a representative Of Christ,
out Is himself a living embodiment OF Christ
% the extent to which he has yielded his
SIll TO the guidance and cOntrol Of the HSy
Spirit.
Yes, Christ Is risen. aud the regenerated
ives OF thousands OF believers, scattered all
over the world, testify 10 the power OF His
'esurrection life. Alas, how many there are
who believe In the death of Christ, but have
rot yet felt the power of the life OF Christ
their mortal bodies and ylyifylng
heir spiritual natures!