The Newtown bee., 1899-01-27

Barabbas to be crucified, and let Jesus go, but the people cried out against it; and so, finally the Son of God was on his way to the cross. A little after Ba- rabbas was released according to the custom Of the day. AS he came out of prlsons he hurried out through the gate, and he found the people going toward the place of skull. He knew that Je- sus of Nazareth was being led away to be crucified. This interested him, for he had heard of the proposed exchange, and so he hurried with the crowd. He reaches the outside circle of the mob surglng about the cross, but this was not enough. He was not content until he ste cd ill the very inner circle, and near enough to the dying Saviour, almost to touch Him. l can see him folding his arms, and looking up into His face, and then hear him say, II don't know who you are, and don't know what you are, but do know that you are there in my stead" This, my friends, is the Gospel. HE TASTED DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.
 l am not ashamed of such 8 Gospel, are you?
 5. The Gospel means, Christ risen from the dead. He rose for our justification, "Who was delivered for our offenses and who rose again for our justification" By His death 1 am redeemed or pardoned, by His resurrection I am justified. There are distinguishing features between par don and justification, although the two l cannot be separated. An innocent per son when falsely accused and acquitl ed, I Is justified but not pardoned; and 8 criminal may be pardoned though be cannot be justified or declared innocent. If we were only pardened we should, in. l deed, escape the pain of punishment, but could have no claim to the joys of heaven
 works of man can merit; therefore they must be the gift of God. By going down into the grave, Christ transformed it from place of darkness and te rror to an abode of light and safety. By His resur. recsion, He has made the grave only a temporary abode. Many of our friends 1 are sleeping in the grave, but they are safe. Death did not hurt them, the grave cannot devour them, for when Christ arose He led captivity captive. Death and the grave are His two prison. CTS, chained and harmless, 80 now the child of God can sheur, o Death, where is thy sting, o Grave, where is thy vic tory! This is the Gospe', and of such 8 Gospel am not ashamed. Are you? 4. The Gospel is Christ ascended. 'tAnd when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up and a cloud received him out of sight," Ye men of Galilee, who stand gazing up into heaven to get another glimpse of your ascended Lord, do you know the measure of the height to which he has ascended, and why such Heights have been reach ed?'
 Could the eye of sense follow him, it would see him passing all principalities, all powers, all dominions, all names that are named, whether in this world or in the world to come, in order to gain the locality where His throne is established forever. If there be different orders ot angels. .-angels, chel ubim, and sera- phims and arch.angels; past all these celestial orders-on beyond all spiritual intelligencies, he rises.
 I would not be extravagant in my i'm agitation. nor speculative beyond what is taught; but where Jesus has gone, there His redeemed and blood washed ones will be. The burden of Christ's wonderful prayer, recorded In the l7sh chapter of St Johns Gospel, was for His disciples: Father I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am that they may behold My glory"
 To His sorrowing disciplee, he said Let not your heart be troubled; ye be. lieve in God, believe also in Me.'' h My Fathers mousse are many mansions -- I go to prepare place for you,--that where l am. there ye may be also.'' THE s'FATHER's HoUsE'' IS SPACIOUS
 HABITATIoN.
 Where shall we locate it What are it's l occupanta? I search the illuminated l star decked heavens; worlds of varlons