The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-25


the officials removed, in order, as they sup
posed, that it might be subjected to further
injury or insult.
At this point, while the general company
of Galilean women were being drawn to
explore the open tomb, Mary Magdalenc
fastened to bring the news to the disciples.
She found Peter and John. As soon as
these disciples received the strange word
of Mary, they ran to see for themselves
what had occurred. "John outstripped in
speed his elder companion, and arriving
first, stopped and gazed in silent wonder
into that open grave. The grave was
empty, and the linen cerements were lying
neatly folded each in its proper place.
Then Peter came up, and with his usual
impetuosity, needless of ceremonial pollu-
ton, and of every consideration but his
love and his establishment, plunged into
the sepulchre. John followed him, and
saw and believed; and the two disciples
took back the undoubted certainty to their
wondering brethren"
The revelation, thus far, was only that
the sepulchre was empty
2. A Vision of Angels,-vs. S.
On the coming of the women to the en-.
trance to the sepulchre, according to
Marks record, they san a young man sit
ting on the right side, clothed fn a long
aOAife garment This is, beyond question,
intended to be testimony that the women,
on entering the sepulchre, beheld therein
a radiant angelic occupant. They saw in
his face the sign of immortal youth. He
was from the realm where the inhabitants
never grow weary or old. He was clothed
in the white robe which has, from imme-
mortal time, been the symbol of purity and
sanctity.
Matthew agrees with Mark in stating
that there was one angel. Luke, however,
varies the record by stating, Behold, tsvo
men stood BY them tn shining garments
Why such variance in the statements?
But is there vital variance? Are the dis
crepancies unnatural? The general testi-
mony is a unit in this, that the women felt
themselves in the presence of angels.
They had the amazement which all mortals
must feel in such company. Some of them
seen two angels. There would be, in the
essential unity, natural disagreements as
the experiences of the different women at
different moments were recalled. The
impression we receive from the varied ac-
counts which with all their variances
blend in essential harmony,-is, that there
were many angels then present at the sep
ulchre. Jesus was greeted by innumera-
Bile immortals on his entrance into their
own realm. There were angelsin the Sc
ulchre, angels about the sepulchre, angels
beyond numbering in that garden, which
became for the time an open way between
heaven and earth.
3. The Announcement of the
ResurrectiOn,-vs. 6-S.
The angelic being said to the women
at the mouth of the sepulchre: Be not
amazed This was soothing to their ex-
element, in which grief strangely mingled
with ravishing hope; it was summons to
such command of their faculties as would
make them sane observers and confident
reporters. Ie seek Jesus the Nagayens,
7Vhich hath been cyncifed The angel
thus designates Jesus by his humblest
name; he speaks of him as the women had
known him, as citizen of despised Naza-
reth, and as one who had suffered the visi-
| BILE shame and dreadful horror of crucifix-
ion. He is risen. Wondrous announce
ment 1t is the essence of the Gospel.
1t is, as Introductory to the spiritual reign
| of Jesus in the hearts of his earthly follow
ers, the condensation of the whole story
that was to follow.
He is not here. :. behold, the place aDAere
they laid him! The women had come
with their spices and unguents to anoint a
dead body. The heavenly being gave to
them, in showing them the vacant place
where he had lain, demonstration that the
sepulchre no longer imprisoned that body
BIT go, tell his disciples, and Peter.
And Peterl Why is this apostle singled
from among the others? We recall: Peter
was, when we saw him last under heart
rending self condemnation, because he had
denied his Lord Swift and bitter repent
ance had followed. He is, we infer, yet
in the despair which he had, by his recre
| duCy, DlOuSut upOu HlulSSl. Dut tliO iONS
he had wronged had not let him go. This
special angelic message to Peter, which il
not from the person of Jesus himself, is in
exact harmony with his spirit, is touching
and far-reaching revelation of the forgiv-
ing nature of the Saviour's Gospel.
He g0eth before yoW into Galflee. there
shall ye see him, as he said unto yen
why this direction, several times repeated
that his disciples assemble in Galilee and
there wait for his temperance The
reason why such exclusive prominence is
given to this Galilee meeting is thus rea
sonably set forth by Edersheim: "With
the sea tering of the eleven in Gethsemane
on the night of Christ's betrayal, the Apos
tolic College was temporarily broken up
They continued indeed still to meet as in
dividual disciples, but the bond of the
apcstolate was for the moment dissolved
And thc apostolic circle was to be re
formed, and the apostolic commission re
newed and enlarged in Galilee; not indeed
by its Lake, where only seven of the clever
seem to have been present, but on the
mountain where he had directed them t.
meet him. Thus was the end to be lik'
the beginning. Where he had first called
! Il e.. fbar,