The National tribune., 1895-04-11

ing as to Just tho exact day which Should DC
kept for Easter. The Passover Day proper
would he the anniversary Of Christ's death, but
the special purposes of Easter to celebrate
the resurrection. It was finally decided to
keep tho death of Christ in memory on the
Friday before Easter-calied, commonly. Good
Friday-and celebrate the resurrection the
Sunday following.
The fixing the date of Easter each year Is a
purely astronomical fact. Hero Is the rule:
Easter day is the first Sunday after the 14th
day of the calendar moon mot the full moon)
which happens on or next after March 81"
/ Cor, Is: 3-A.
This paragraph establishes beyond question
the fact of Christs resurrection. Those who
knew him well before his cruc6 xion saw him
time and again after his resurrection aud
identified him beyond all doubt.
Good Friday is plainly referred to in V. 3.
Christ died. This historic fact is admitted.
st. Paul would never have ventured to
speak so positively of the resurrection had he
not satisfied himself of its certainty.
While some to whom he spoke and wrote had
fallen aseep-had died-(Y. g., yet many were
still alive aud prepared to approve contra
dict the statement of st. Paul. We find
Acts, o: 4, 5. and other verses of that chapter
show st. Paul was himself convinced Jesus, who
had been slain, was afterward alive. We may
be sure st. Paul would never have suffered as
he says ". 10) he did had he not thoroughly
satisfied himself that Christianity as true
as anything-even mathematical demonstra-
tion-couId be. We notice the Apostle st. Paul
makes the resurrection of Christ tho pivotal
fact of Christianity. Everything claimed by
the Christian Church hinges on this grand
doctrine. VS.. IL, 13. If this item OF faith be
shaken. then away goes all value to preaching;
the Bible the Church, the sacraments-all are
gone, useless, vain.
But if Christ rose from the dead, then the
doctrine in general of the resurrection is fully
established. V. IL. No one has reason to
question the doctrine of the Apostles creed:
a. believe in the resurrection of the dead"
Conclusion.
This is Easter Day-Easter Sunday. We
speak of Easter Sunday, because there is an
Eastertide covering several days. In this tide
first of this tide-is Sunday-Easter Sunday,
Blessed Day. Welcome joyous festal tide. 1t
always comes the harbinger of gladness. 1t
comes and brightens all the year. It's sweet
lessons cheer the dying. 1t brings life to the
burial field. 1t is as angel visit to every
grave. 1t rolls stones away from sepulchers.
1t snaps the seals death fixes on tombs. IL is q
voice to every Lazarus, bidding him Come
forth!" 1t is sunshine in darkness. 1t stirs
up feelings which gain expression in music and
carols and flowers and joyous salutstions.
We cannot tell when Easter was not cele-
brated We can trace its history back to the
first century. Here is the Day. What is in
fidelity going to do with Easter? How can
skepticism account for this day and its con-
tinued recognition in various parts of our
world during all these centuries2 The very
Festival Of the Church is standing protest
against infdelity.
We notice the utility of observing Church
Days. Teach children to keep Christmas and
Easter, and it will need more argument than
unbelievers can command to convince the ris-
ing generation that Christianity is a myth.
Easter is the historic confirmation of Christi
anity.
How does it happen we have the Fourth Of
July2 1t has been observed all these decades.
We cannot account for it by any other fact than
that it celebrates an actual incident of history,
and is proof of the truth that incident actually
occurred IF no Declaration of Independence
were signed July 4, 1776 we would not have
our annual demonstrations of joy every Fourth
of July. The National Festival is proof of the
signing Of said document.
Easter is an irresistible argument in favor of
the resurrection of Christ
We are on the eve of our Memorial Day.
What comfort the memories of Easter bring to
are to live again.
There is some close connection between the
religious sentiment and patriotism. Each is
more beautiful for the other.
Let US think of the departed not only as to
the grand deeds they have done but as to the
splendid victories they are to achieve-victories
over death and the grave.
May the memories of Easter be comfort as to
the dead, comfort for the dying, blessed COM
fort to each OF US when passing from life and
comfort to the friends we shall leave.