Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-04-18
Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

kew. j. >. Lemon OF washington, ID.
c., had charge of the Easter services in
the place of the rector, d. l.. Sanford,
who is ill. The text Sunday was l
Corinthian 15:20-"Now is Christ risen
from the dead" The speaker said he
purposed simply to give himself up to
such reflections as suggested themselves
by meditation on Christ's resurrection
suggested themselves without effort or
logic. The argument for the resurrec-
ton has been often presented and it
was safe to assume there was no skep-
ticism in the congregation on that sub
ject. Each could say, II believe in the
resurrection of the dead" The day is
rather one for rejoicing, the speaker
said and not for tedious reasoning.
REFLECTIONS. 1. Let us attach
sacredness and Importance to Easter.
1t is well, indeed, we have day spec
tally designated for celebrating Christ's
resurrection for meditation on this
precious doctrine, for instruction as to
it's relation to Christianity, for consid-
Grafton of its bearing on our own resur-
rection. The doctrine of the resurrec-
ton can never seem to us so luminous,
SO precious, SO instructive as on Easter.
The thoughts of the day will go with us
all through the year and be comfort to
us in every death scene. When we
visit our dead in the burial field, the
lessons of Easter will be balm for our
sorrow. AS, through the year, the an
niversaries OF their deaths occur, the
beautiful carols of this day will be as
sweet strains of music to our troubled
souls. When we go to house of
mourning, we shall remember the
sepulchre which today we find empty.
2. Remember, every Sunday, all the
facts of Easter. Each Lords Day we
may exclaim:
welcome sweet day of rest
That saw the Lord arise"
1t is judged that the reason of the
change from Saturday, the Jewish Sab
bath, to Sunday-from the seventh to
the first day of the week.-mrs. based on
the fact that Christ rose from the dead
on Sunday, that the completion of the
work of redemption was a greater rea-
son for commentator than the finish
ing of creation. The doctrine of the
resurrection is one of the most vital of
the whole Christian system, and it is
well to be reminded of it each week. 1t
is the most joyous fact that ever oc-
CURED in our world, and it is well we
be gladdened each Lords day by its
hallowed associations. 1t was the bur-
den of apostolic preaching and the
theme of early hymns, anthems and
carols.
8. We must remember the nature of
Easter. 1t is time for rejoicing. We
do not think now of a crucifed, but of
a risen Savior. We do not meet, today,
demons around the cross, but angels at
an empty sepulchre. Life, not death,
busies our thoughts on this festal day.
We do not want requiems, but carols;
not ashes, but flowers. We should re-
joice today as Mary and Martha rejoiced
over Lazarus, Jairus and his wife over
their little girl, the widow over her son.
4. Let us triumph with Christ. We
see him, Easter, as Victor. We were
interested in His conquest. When we
say, Christ is risen, we mean,
death is defeated-the grave is emptied
-shrouds and napkins are wrapped up
and laid aside. Jesus Christ is
''No dead fact, stranded on the shore
| OF the oblivious years,
But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
A present help is He.
| And faith has still its Olivet,
| And love its Galilee
| The healing of His seamless dress
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch Him in lfe's throng and press
| And we are whole again."
5. Easter brings proof of the truth
fulness of our religion. If the facts of
Easter are true, then Christianity is es-
tablished. Jesus repeatedly intimated
He would rise from the dead, and even
| specified the time of His resurrection.
| We have these facts: Christ lived,
Christ died, Christ stated He would rise
from the grave and staked the truthful
ness of Christianity on His SO doing.
Did He rise again? Then Christianity
is fact. Then all its promises shall be
fulfilled. Then Heaven is a fact. Then
our faith is not in vain. Then our
bodies shall rise again. Then we shall
meet by and by all our deceased friends.
Then Christianity is the hope of the
world. 1t is worthy our love, our sup
port, our sacrifices. How much hangs
on Easterl The Apostles attached
great Importance to the doctrine of the
resurrection and made it a principal
point in their preaching. See l Cor.
f5:14 II.