Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-14

edge that success is certain, and at last he
accomplished it, That was about the be-
ginning of Lent.
When he realized that the picture was
completed he covered it with sheet and
spent his days In long walks upon the
country roads, SO that during four weeks
or more he did not again look upon his
| work. And those who had known Philip
Southeriand in the past could scarce have
recognized him now.
One week before the fulfllment of his
contract was due. on the morning of the
Sunday before Easter. he uncovered the
painting for the first time since its COM
pietion. He studied it critically, and then
with sigh of regret that his work was
done, he telegraphed to his friend:
Come on Easter morning. The painting
is completed. and on Easter morning Rod
erick Douglas arrived.
The early morning bells were ringing out
merrily from the Steeple of the little cOun-
try church near by when they entered the
studio together.
Stand here" said the artist. placing his
friend the spot where he himself had
passed 50 many hours studying the work.
Then he removed the screen.
What do you think of it, Roderick?' the
artist asked, after long silence
Il see more than you meant that any man
should see, replied Douglas dreamily Il
see your own salvation in the work that
You have done. 1t is the Christ that has
risen within you. Phil. that has painted this
picture. not your talents alone. They never
could have accomplished such work as
this. You have painted a leader of men.
commander, almost dictator, not a sup
plant. You have depicted a man who lived
in stirring times when the Romans were in
power, when stature, strength and dom-
nant personality were the gods they wor-
Shlped. You have pictured man. who,
when he proclaimed himself to be king of
the Jews. meant it, and compelled others
to realize it. Those piercing eyes penetrate
my inmost soul and humiliate me before
their steadfast gaze. That lofty brow sug-
geStS infinite dignity and kipGracS
terable resolution. The pose of the head is
the attitude of a commander. The figure
and the pose are those of a man who is
greater than his kind. and who is conscious
OF his power. You have succeeded, for You
have painted perfect man. Tell me how
you did it,
The artist was silent for a moment, and
then made answer slowly:
DO not know, Rod 1t was born In me.
l think. last Easter morning when heard
the words. Christ being risen from the
dead dieth no more. Sin hath no more do
m.nion over Him. was dead then, Rod
that is. every good impulse in me was
dead, when | walked into the old church
Where we used to go together when we were
boys. l thought then when / heard those
words, II Christ rose from the dead why
cannot /. | had been three years dead and
during my year of work upon that painting
| have risen and am again alive Sin hath
no more dominion over me. In painting the
determination OF purpose in that face | my
self have become imbued with it, In depict
ing that lofty character l have striven to
attain 50 much of ii as a human being may.
1hat dead thing which l carried into the
cnufch last Easter morning is today re-
Vived, and Easter has a meaning for me
now that it never possessed before. and
which but few men live to realize You
gave me your hand. Rod, when ! needed il
most, but ! know that ! should have found
a way 10 rise. even if l had not seen Won
mat day year ago"
tie dropped the screen over the painting
again, and together they left the house; and
as they walked up the aisle of the little
country church, by strange coincidence
the minister was saying: Christ being
risen from the dead, dieth no more Sin
hath no more dominion over Him
fThe end)