The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-13
GOOD FRIDAY.

Today, Good Friday, is one of the
most sacred in the Christian Calendar.
1t is celebrated in commemoration OF
the crucifixion Of our Lord, and has
been kept as a day of mourning since
very early period. 1t was one of the
two paschal days celebrated by the
Christian church and in memory OF
the crucifxion, was called by the
Greeks paScha StGuroSimOR or the
"Pasch of the Cross.n The past week
has been known as "Holy Week.
and each day marked some important
epoch in the closing days OF Our
Saviour's life on earth, leading up to
his awful death on the cross. The
day has been generally recognized by
Christians of almost every denomina-
ton. 1t is legal holiday and there
is a general suspension Of business so
that the impression of the lesson
taught by this solemn occasion may
be more deeply impressed.
There is no more fitting time for
each and every one to give his mind
and conscience a most searching ex-
animation. The day should be spent
in meditation and prayer for the sins
we all have committed. We should
this day above all others realize that
we came into this world as sinful
creatures, with the downfall Of our
first parents enshrouding us from the
first ray of dawn we behold to the sad
set for US on every hand, and the
broad road of everlasting ruin is the
most inviting whichever way we turn.
Realizing this with the help Of our
crucified Saviour, we should resolve
to live better lives, and endeavor each
day to grow stronger and stronger to
resist temptation.
There are two classes Of sinners in
this world, the sanctified and the I'M
sanctified. For the former class we
fear there is very little hope. They
are indeed the worst class of sinners
and following persistently life far
from the path of rectitude, they hope
to hide their villainy under the broad
cloak of religion. They may sit high
up in the church pews, respond vol
uably to the services and chsht loud
anthems. thinking thereby they are
hoodwinking their neighbors and even
themselves, but they cannot deceive
L, ~
life can expect but little in the here
after, as there can be no hope of re-
demption to such hypocrites. The
dying thief on the cross will stand q
better chance on the day of Judgment.
To the other class of sinners much is
held out in return for a truly peni
tent heart and resolution to live a
better life. Salvation is promised to
all, who, seeing the error of their way,
stop and resolle to do better.
Easter Sunday comes to those re-
juvinated, so to speak, as bright and
joyous morn of resurrection to a new
life. The past is dead and all that is
abhorrent dies with it. The repent
ant soul, strong in his new resolutions
looks forth to the future with eager
anticipation of all that is to come. A
new life is opened. The world grows
more beautiful each moment and we
gaze on it in higher and holier
aspect than we ever did before. Into
our minds new thoughts spring up.
Our actions are guided by different
motives. Each day succeeding, we
feel sure, will add to our lives some
good work done. So let us now at
this Holy season bring ourselves il
closer contact with our Creator and
attempt with His help to hereafter
live better and purer lives, endeavor-
ing to follow in the footsteps of One
who has suffered and done. SO much
that the world might be saved.