The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-05-14


from Jerusalem. Between it and
the city there is valley through
which the brook Cedron flows. 1t
is so high that from it one can over
look the city of Jerusalem. Our
Savior commenced his passion on
Mt. Oliyet. On the day of his
ascension he passed over the brook
Cedron by the very same way which
he had chosen on the mournful
night when he was betrayed by his
ungrateful disciple into the hands
of his enemies. The same noun
tain being thus the mount of his
passion as well as of his ascension,
we are reminded that Christ entered
into his glory through sufferings,
and that the obligation is imposed
upon us to suffer with him. "We
are joint heirs with Christ, yet so if
we suffer with him, that we may be
also glorifed with him.
The manner of ascension is thus
described by the evangelist: "And
he led them out as far as Bethania;
and lifting up his hands he blessed
them. And it came to pass, whilst
he blessed them, that he departed
from them and was carried up to
heaven" Luke "a 80, 81. Christ
blessed his disciples, not by mere
pious wishes, but in reality. In
consequence of this blessing, the
apostles were protected from the
contamination of the world, they
preserved the unity of faith and the
bond of charity, and after glori-
Gus martyrdom entered into the Joy
of their Lord.
Christ assembled into heaven by
his own power. He was not alone
but surrounded by all the just of
the old testament. "Ascending on
high he led captivity captive"
Eph. As. He led those souls that
were captive in limbo, the saints Of
the old law, captive by the bonds of
charity. At sight of the heavenly
Jerusalem they must have ex-
claimed in an ecstasy of joy and
admiratirn, GLOW lovely are thy
tabernacles. 0 Lord Of Hosts! my
soul longeth and fainteth for the
courts Of the Lord (Ps. SO ~:
whilst the angelic choirs, meeting
their incarnate God, hailed him
saying, "Worthy is the Lamb that
was to receive power, and divinity,
and wisdom, and strength, and
honor, and glory, and benediction. "
| Apoch. 5 IL.
Christ assembled into heaven for
his own sake, and for our sake. He
assembled for his own sake. He
celebrated his triumph as conquerol
of death and hell and took posses
sion of the crown prepared for him
by his virtues and merits, to be re-
warded for his obedience to the
Father. ''My food is to do the will
of him that sent me, that | may
perfect his work" John 4 "a. II
our heavenly father rewards those
who give even a drink of water IN
his name ii. e. in charity,) his just
ice required that he should also
reward his son for SO many virtues,
Therefore. Christ himself said to
his heavenly Father, 81 have glori-
fled thee upon earth; | have finished
the work which thou gaYest me to
do. And now glorify me, 0 Fa-
Their with thyself, with the glory
which / had with thee before the
world was" John IVA, 81. 81
an 7r10 am. Before .15ra1am wos
mate, I an"
Verify for his establishment and
obedience unto the death of the
cross. Good hath exalted him,
and hath given him a name which
is above every name; that in the
name Of Jesus every knee should
bow, Of those that are in heaven,
on earth and in hell; and that
every tongue should confess that
the Lord Jesus Christ is the glory
of God the Father" Phil. 2 Oil.
Christ assembled into heayen for
our sake. He opened the gates Of
heaven for US which heretofore had
been closed even to the just. "In
my Fathers house there are many
mansions. i 81 | 90 to pre-
pare a place for you; | will come
again and take you to myself, that
where | am, you also may be-"
John 14:2, 3.
There is a pious tradition that
Jesus Christ left his foot prints on
the spot whence he assembled. His
face was turned to the west, toward
Europe, thus blessing our Pagan
forefathers. Let us manifest our
gratitude to our Divine Savior by
clinging to him firmly. "We have
no lasting city here, hut seek one
to come" Heaven is our home:
; l. l.