The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-04-05
EASTER SERMONS.

The several churches were beautifully deco
rated on Easter Day. and the services ornate
and of special interest.
The afternoon Childrens Service at Grace
Church, and those in the evening at the Meth
odist and Congregational Churches were par
ticularly appropriate and enjoyable.
Below we give a synopsis of the morning |
sermons preached from the five pulpits.
Rev. S. w. Meeks subject was " Marys mis-
takes at the empty sepulchre." John 20: 10.
They have taken away my Lord, and I know
not where they have laid him." These are the
words of profound disappointment and grief.
Early in the morning of the first day of the
week, St. John says "while it was yet
dark" Mary and her friends were has,
tening to the vault where the body of
Jesus had been laid on the Friday eve
ming before, that they might complete the work
of embalming. which there had not been time
enough to finish on the evening of the cruciix-
ion. AS they drew near the place, they began
to wonder how they would get the great stone
away from the door of the vault. As they talk
ed they came near enough to see that the stone
was already rolled away. The fact gave them
shock Of surprise. if not of fear. Mary with
out further information, jumped at the conclu-
taken the body away. Her first impulse was to
| run and tell His disciples. Without moments
delay she turned and ran back into the city and
| told what she supposed had happened. And
| then she hurries back to the empty sepulchre to
| throw herself upon the ground at the door Of
| the vault in fit If uncomfortable grief. Yet
all these tears and all this terrible grief was
wholly unnecessary 1t was a clear case of pre-
judgment. Swept along by the swift current of
her feelings, she is plunged into despair, when
if she had only taken time to learn the actual
facts of the case, she would have been filed
with unbounded joy.
| A large part of the heart burnings and sore
i griets we suffer are of the same character. How
easy it is where patient and charitable spirit is
wanting, for little misunderstanding to divide
brethren when there is really no occasion for it,
Mary's hasty conclusion about the empty
tomb led her to lose sight of Gods hand in the
matter. "They ;" have taken away my Lord
meaning men have done it. Yet it was God
who had opened that tomb and made the vault
to be empty. Let US not lose sight of Gods
hand even in our day of disappointment and
sorrow.
.Mary's hasty judgment caused her to fail 10
recognize Jesus when he stood alive before her.
And do not our hasty judgments often cause us
| to do the same Some can never recognize
their Lord unless he stands before them dressed
in certain form of worship. They cannot
recognize him unless he comes in the solemn
march of ritualistic service, while others know
him when arrayed in the spontaneousness of a
camp meeting. Some can never recognize their
Lord unless he is dressed in particular theol-
ogy or creed. Some can never recognize Jesus
at the communion table unless all are excluded
who do not believe alike, while others are ex-
actly the opposite. There are some who seem
to think they never could meet and recognize
Jesus unless in some particular house of worship.
conclusions founded on ignorance. instead of
knowledge of the facts?
| What Mary needed was clearer and more
spiritual views of her Lord and Savior. And
so do we all. Let us then dry our tears at the
coming of his gracious footsteps, so that when
he calls us by name in his own loving way, we
may forget our empty tombs and mistaken griefs.
and throwing ourselves at his feet, as did Mary.
cry RABBoNI. which is to say Master.
Rev. James A.. Brown. Rector of Grace Epis-
copal Church.. took the following. text for the
| basis of his sermon 80
And their eyes were holden that they should
not know Him. And their eyes were opened
and they knew Him."-St. Luke "a: 1920.
This Easter morning we stand by an open
grave-empty, and for all time-for He who
was buried is alive and risen forevermore. The
witnesses to this startling fact are many, for
eleven appearances of the Lord are mentioned.
One characteristic marks them all. The Lord
made himself known, as it pleased him. The
disciples were not discoveries, but the Lord was
| the revealer. Only as he wilIed could they see
him. Is not this truth now in Crace7- Only
as God wills do we spiritually discern him
While so, yet is there no partiality for one and
not another. He looks within, and grants OF
refuses the vision of the King. as we desire him
or not. The Easter manifestationSwere typical
also. In the story of the Passion the writers
refer to the Scriptures and say even of the least
sent. g And thus it was that the Scriptures
i was to be prophetic of his coming to his people
in all ages. Mary knew him when he called
| her name. Many Christians unlearned rest
contentedly on Jesus, and say they do so be-
tcause of personal experience. Others firmly
accept the truth of fhe Resurrection because
the Lord has made plain the Scriptural teach
ings to them, as to the two Disciples on the way
to Emmaus. To Thomas he gave evidence by
touch and sight. Some today have reached
belief by logical argument and study of the
evidence.
Fo ALL however, who come to Christ, there is
| the experience of themselves and others who
testify to prove that the risen Jesus is powerful
| today. and if alive now, as they feel him, he
must be risen again. How many precious souls
have, borne this witness; how many have left
| their testimonies in biographies and confessions,
| for all ages to come. Jesus desires our service.
To- any willing to seek he comes and takes up
his abode with htm. If Jesus went SO early to
the lake GaliIee, in the chill damp and fog OF
1 -
the morning, seeking the disciples. and standing
there in the darkness. drew them by some at
traction which they could not explain, resist,
SO as to see and talk with him-the same Savior
now as then-he must wish all to come to him
and is looking up and down for you and me.
What better evidence can we have of our Savior
risen and living, than we get from our expert
ence of Jesus now influencing our lives. chang
| ing our characters, judging us day by day !?
For Christianity is not mere sentiment, but
| abiding trust in living person--our friend and
Savior STILL though risen and assembled into
the Heavens.
The following is the substance of Pastor O..
A. Richards. morning discourse at the Disciples
Church, his subject being "The Resurrection
of Christ" Text, Acts 20: s. Why should
it be thought a thing incredible with you. that