Omaha daily bee., 1896-04-05

! ization rests upon Christianity as basal
! fact. Christianity rests upon the resurrec-
1 ton.
Second-It certlfes that death is only a
transition. We have hoped as much. We
have encouraged the belief In all our genera
tions David taught, yea. though l walk
through the valley OF the shadow OF death"
But here Is rest and certitude. Every BURST
ing bud and springing blade In all the glad
earth today is an artlculate voice saying
Christ is risen" The tomb then becomes
"a covered bridge that leads from earth to
paradise" shadowy passageway in our
journey TO a better state.
Third-It certfes that death does not dis
turb tie continuity Of our existence. Not
only Is there life beyond, but continuity OF
life unbroken by the tomb. The resurrection
sets the seal Of truth to the claims of Christ.
We know that "quckened in spirit lie
went and preached to the spirits In prison"
that lie was with the thief In Paradise
while His body rested Ia the tomb. Even
as He was so shall we be. Easter calls at
tenton to this fact and certifes II.
Fourth--It certlhes to the resurrection OF
the body. Every thoughtful man has felt
that an mclothcd. disembodied spirit was, to
say the least, an unsatisfactory condition.
Our dream is not "to be wclothed,' but to
"be clothed upon" that "mortalty might be
swallowed up of life" Redemption without
the body Is Incomplete The whole creation
is waiting for the finished work OF Christ.
Easter is the warrant for this hope. We now
know that whatever changes may come,
whatever the process we may undergo, we
shall be redeemed from death in all the
powers and faculties OF the perfect being,
body, soul and spirit.
Fifth-It certifies to fellowship In an age
to come. For one | have always felt that a
state of ecstatic feeling was not sufficient.
do not care to "sit and sing myself away
in everlasting bliss" The fact Is that our
greatest joys arise from our rclational life.
The fellowship of wife and child and friend
| constitute what heaven we have here. III
the fellowship of the risen Lord we have the
token of our own condition when we meet
and mingle with the host beyond. We shall
see and know. This fellowship is assured by
the open tomb of Easter.
Sixth-It certifes to the worlds redemp-
tion When we look at the sin and suffer-
ing, sorrow and death, regnant all about
us. faith is staggered, and the heart Is sick
with hope long deferred. Easter bids us
be of good cheer, for Christ hath wounded
the Head over the mighty earth. There
can be no question as to the outcome OF
the struggle between evil and righteous
ness. Truth is mighty and VIII prevail
Evil is mighty today, but the coming and
the kingdom are certainties. Here Is en-
couragement for the lovers of righteousness.
The resurrection is the seal of verify upon
every promise made by a risen Redeemer.
Never In the worlds history have we
needed this truth emphasized more than In
our own day, Let Easter mean 10 every
lover of the truth a sure and speedy victory
over every iniquity in all the earth.
Seventh--It certfes our right to rejoice
even now over death, and all Its entailment
of sorrow. The world Is full of pathos, ana
the plash of tears. Time will be when sor-
row and signing shall flee away. While we
read these words many soul is journeying
out beyond us, many vision Is for the
time limited by the earth in the bottom OF
a grave. But the promise is sure. the
very grass soon to clothe the little mound.
speaks in Easter gladness of the passing or
death. In the light of all these truths, GER
titled by our Lords resurrection, which we
celebrate in Easter, we should not sorrow
as others having no hope. And as for our
own dissolution like Paul, we should be
ready with joy, to "set sail'' for the other
shore. and as our little barque puts out
from the bay, say.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me.
And may there be no moaning OF the par,
When put out to sea.
For though from out our bourne of time
and place
The food may bear me far,
/ hope to see my Pilot face to face,
When l have crossed the bar.
HOWARD MACAYEAL.
Pastor Plymouth Congregational Church.