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

The following is synopsis of Rev. Henry D.
Stafer's Easter sermon at the M. E. Church.
Text" Because T live. ye shall live also."-
John IA: 10.
Human life presents two phases alternately.
The one we call the dark side. with its doubts
and somber hues. the other the bright side. with
its faith. its golden colors and abiding bow of
promise.
The disciples were disappointed. The Lord
they had followed with admiring devotion was
on his way to the tomb. Melancholy threw the
mantle of gloom over all the prospects for the
/ future. This darkness. however. should lift and
foat away-the promise of their Lord throws a
/ new light upon their pathway.
1 We shrink from the grave. and turn in terror
| from the approach of the death. But many OF
our fears are due to deep sense of our ignorance
This was true in the case of the early disciples
| After the resurrection. Jesus appeared to them
| they heard again his loving voice. His message
was :" Peace be unto you" But the messenger OF
peace " filled them with terror. Perhaps when
our knowledge increases and we understand more
perfectly death and the grave. we will welcome
as messengers of peace. s.s
/ This day commentaries an event. in benefits
1 CO. extensive with the human race. in influence
as far reaching as in6nitude.
4 Events IN themselves are m6au luBtcsS' Ans
Declaration of Indep pendence and the seven years
of bloody struggle which followed. meant the
establishment of justice and the enjoyment ot
the blessings of liberty never before realized by
a nation.
The event this day memorializes is not only
| ladened with meaning but lovingly distributes
4 its blessings of life and hope.
| s. He rose;
/ And with Him hope rose. and life and light;
Men said, Not Christ. but Death died yester
night:
And Love and Joy and all things virtuous
Rose when He rose.'"
What is more natural and rational than for us
to be impressed with the thought of Gods pow
er over matter and spirits we stand by the open
sepulchre.
:. The ALL-PowER on Calvary for brief period
surr endered. is here again asserted. as when at
Bethany the departed spirit of friend returned
and at Galilee the angry waves were hushed to
mere command.
At the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea we
have striking illustration of the Almightiness
of the Almighty. -.
If He can send forth into immensity burning
suns. give to each system of worlds. and uphold
them all by the arm of His power; if by His
word He can bring order out of chaos. clothe the
everywhere. and make earth tingle with life and
vocal with song. surely we might expect Him to
be able to open the door of Joseph's tomb and
thrilliwith life again the devitaIized form OF
| Jesus. V-
Meditation here should awaken faith stimulate
confidence. and brighten hope in every breast
So Paul was affected when with mighty emphasis
he affirmed Our Savior Jesus Christ hath abol-
| ished death. and hath brought life and immor-
| tality to light" r
Here is our pledge of personal security. God
will see to it that in the terrible encounters Of
life in the final contest we shall not suffer loss
defeat shall be turned into victory.
Butiwe live in constant terrorof thes dreaded
pursuer. We are taught the uncertainty of all
things earthly. We are taught to watch and
pray. for we know neither the day nor the hour
when the Son of man cometh. We are daily re-
minded of our inability even to discern what a
day may bring forth. Death is by day and by
night our dreaded pursuer. and there is no escape
| He tears from our loving embrace those SO deal
| to our hearts. Then how dark and desolate is
the home. But not forever. Though the dark
home at Bethany. Because I live ye shall live
also." 81 am the resurrection and
the life'' He that believeth in me. though he
were dead. yet shall he i've and living. he shall
never de-" u go to prepare place for you.
win come again and receive you unto myself
The fond faces turn to dust. the bright spirits
vanish from our presence. but they shall come
again. Like the Tyre discovered in the Egyptian
tomb. sending forth beautiful strains. as it did
thousands of years before. SO these fond hopes
will gleam again. these bright spirits will shine
| and their voices we shall hear as of old.
But with what body do they come ?"-this 9
| rational question. We are under the economy
of Redeeming Grace affecting our bodies al
well as our spirits. The resurrection of the
body is the finished redemption of the man. The
| unclothed spirit shall be clothed upon. and
adapted to the New eaTen and the new earth
God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him.
Our vile body % shall be changed. that it
may be fashioned like unto His glorious body
according to the working whereby He is able to
subdue all things uoto Himself"
We are told in the Zend-Avesta that there is a
tree the King of trees. which is called the death
destroyer. 1t grows by the fountain of life. The
sap of this tree it is said. confers immortality.
This is but a legend taken from the Bible.
Christ is the life giving tree. They that feed
on him by faith gain an immortality of bliss.
IS He that hath the Son hath life"