The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-03-27
EASTER LESSON.


Copyright, Davis W. Clark.
Across the dark aud tragic scane OF
the crucifixion soma bars OF light fall,
silver against al lnky background.
Friendship begs the body almost be-
FIRE breath is out OF it. Love superin-
tends the taking down from the cross.
"He makes his grave with the rich In
bis DEATH" as the prophet said be
would. A new and unused tomb in a
garden recsives the body. Fair linen
and aromatic unguents swathe the
marred form. The gravs is visited
and revisited. There is not wanting
the Oriental wailing aloud. There is
wealth and royalty of love and friend
ship.
a
ton there is Observation-Disclosures onal,
quick, associated and thorough. The
naturalness and truth of the narrative
is evident In numerous incidental
touches-such, Tor example, as the
traits Of Peter and John, respectively
as they approach the sepulcher. John,
in bis reverence, loses the advantage o:
his fl :etness. Whlls Peter, heavier,
gains by lack OF reverence, impetuoei:y
hurrying him into the very midst oi
the tomb.
Centuries before the Crusader, wo
mar is the first and truest guardian
of the holy sepalcher. The tryst O
the Marys at the grave of Jesus is Incl
dental evidence of universal womanl,
fidelity. Well may Miss Barrett say:
..Not she with tra.t'rous kiss he1
Savior stuug,
Not size denied him With unhol;
tongue.
She, while apostles shrank, coult
danger brave
Last at his cross, and first at hi'
grave"
The dialogue between Jesus ant
Mary, in spite CT brevity, is meaning
full in the extrems. Mary stands a
the open tomb, weeping. Stoopin:
down, she looks in. The angels o.
guard there say, "Woman, why weep
est thou?" In the blindness of grie
she does not recognize that they ar
angels, and answers, "eB:anse the.
have taken away my Lord, and knoT
not where they have laid him" Hear
in, footsteps, or perhaps only con
scions Of another presence, sho turns
The stranger repeats thu question O
the angels. Supposing he is the keep
er OF the garden, she cries, "Slr, i
thou hast borne him hence, tell m.
where thou hast laid him, and l vii
take him away" The words gush ou
like a pent-up torrent OF grief. Til
stranger only u:ters her name, "AIary
Like baptism OF love that dear voic
falls on her soul. Recognition is com
plete. Looking up with adoring loyt
she cries in her native Aramai.
"Rabboni !" (My Master y Most re
narkable recognition OF history
Time: First Easter. Place: Garde
adjoining place Of crucifixion. Person
The risen SAVIOR.
New revelations always come viii
in the way Of loving service. Loya
uniorgett,ng affection, while on i
way to do its last rite, made the mo.
| glorious discovery Of the ages-th
empty t. m, of the first Easter morn
ing. Obedience, running with fes
aud great joy, to bring the disciple
word, was privileged to hear Jesc
call hail !" and to clasp his feet.
Is so yet. "Do and know"
The insufficient reason for excessi
sorrow at death OF friends is reyeale
in the question, "Why weepes: thou
Whittier puts 1t we'll:
"Alas 10: him who never sees
!: The stars shine through his cypress
trees
Who hopeless lays his dead away,
Nor looks to see the breaking day
Across the mournfnl marbles play
Who hath not learEe in hours ,
ta;th,
TIE truth to sense ard flesh u.
known,