Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-22

faith. to he charitable, and to live
hopeful life. Than that which is good
will come to you, for God, who is
merciful, is Just.
Sometimes, and to-day, especially,
when look at my liliss, and know
that in my own home they call them
the flowers OF the annunciation, l Won
der how women can even pretend not TO
believe in hereafter. They have been
brought so close to the gate of death;
they hover, So often, between life and
death, when to them is accorded the
great blessing of bringing sons and
daughters into this world. How can
you look upon your living, or how Gao
you remember your dead baby and be-
lieye that it is soulless? And always,
sill through history of Christ, it
was women to whom He WAS most gen
tie. and women TO whom He showed
greatest honor. 1t was the patient, BIO.
lieving women who stood near Him
while He suffered agonies worse than
death, yet they never lost faith in Him.
1t was woman who was earliest at the
grave of Him who had promised that
lie would rise again. And always did
He preach that gentleness should be
shown to women and little children. 1t
may be that you think of Christ as a
good and great man, whose teachings
arc well worth following. 1t may be
that you see in Him the Lord indeed.
But, however, you look upon Him.
whatever your thoughts may he regard
ing Him, you must confess that His
teachings are those that make women
better daughters. better wives, and
better mothers. None of us can ask
that our brother agree with US exactly.
This was not asked by Christ Himself,
because His apostles, speaking through
Him, said s!Let no man therefore Judge
you in meat or in drink, or in respect
to an holy day or OF the new moon, or
of the Sabbath days; which are a
shadow of things to come. God
does not ask that you, or l. or some
body else shall absolutely agree as to
our mode of worship. 1t is only asked
that We love God with all our hearts
and with all our souls and all our
bodies, and our neighhor as ourselves.
It's simple creed, but how many of
us live up to it?
How many of us, on this Easter Day,
can cluim to have done our duty. But
that's where the beautiful part OF tho
Easter Day comes inf we fell yoster
| day We can lift ourselves up to-day.
and praying, hope to do better things.
The words are welded to each other
Easter and hope. There can never be
a single soul entirely unhappy while it
/ can lay claim to little hope. AMI
united with faith and charity, hope
grows SO to make life SO beautiful.
And it becomes so certain, until, be-
lieving and hoping, you see, pictured
| on the white leaves Of the lilies. that
city which has about it the glory ui
| God. Where God shall wipe away all
tears, for all eyes will be bright with
| joy. And there is no temple therein, for
creeds are unknown and each soul,
sends forth, like sweet incense. its
| glorification of God. And to US, who
have known the darkness of SORROW,
there shall come exceeding gladness,
for there shall be co night there. ]
cannot preach sermon. l can only tel
you, on this Easter Day, OF how the
lilies that came from the SOUTHLAND
made me feel. and / can only say tc
you, as an Easter salutation, thost
words that seem imprinted on my heart,
because they were taught to me by on,
who sleeps quietly under the Southern
magnolias:
Hope on, hope ever Though to-day be darl
The sweet sunburst will smile on thee to
morrow.
Though thou art lonely, there's an eye vii
mark 5-
Thy loneliness and brighten all thy sor
row.
Though thou must .oil among cold ant
sordid men
With none to echo back thy thoughts, OF
love thee;
Hope on. dear heart, for all is not in vain
Since Heaven is over all, and God abov,
thee.
God give everybody happy Easter
tide. Bah,