The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-29
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
First Quarter-March 30, 1~9O2-Easter
Lesson-John Xxx, els.

Across the dark and tragic scene OF the cru
cihxion some bars of light fall, silver against
an inky background. Friendship begs the body
almost before breath is out OF it Love super
intends the taking down from the cross. He
makes His grave with the rich in His DEATH as
the prophet said He would. A new and unused
tomb in a garden receives the body. Fair linen
and aromatic unguents swathe the marred form.
The grave. is visited and revisited. There is not
wanting the Oriental wailing aloud. There is
wealth and royalty Of love and friendship.
At the first intimation of resurrection there is
investigation-personal quick. associated. and
thorough. The naturalness and truth OF the
narrative is evident in numerous incidental
to~uches-such, for example, as the traits Of Peter
and John, respectively, as they approach the
sepulcher. John. in his reverence. loses the adj
vantage of his heetness. While Peter, heavier.
gains by lack Of reverence. impetuosity hurrying
him into the very midst of the tomb.
Centuries before the Crusader. woman is the
first and truest guardian of the holy sepulcher.
The tryst OF the Marys at the grave of Jesus is
incidental evidence Of universal womanly fidelity.
Well may Miss Barrett say:
Not she with t~rait'rous kiss her Savior stung,
Not she denied Him with unholy tongue.
She. while APOSTLES shrank. could danger brave
Last at His cross, and first at His grave
The dialogue between Jesus and Mary. in spite
Of brevity. is meaningful in the extreme. Mary
stands at the open tomb, weeping. STOPPING
down, she looks in. The angels on guard there
say, Woman. why weepest thou?' In the
blindness Of grief she does not recognize that
they are angels. and answers. Because they
have taken away my Lord, and 1 know not where
they have laid Him" Hearing a footstep. or
perhaps only conscious of another presence. she
turns. The stranger repeats the question Of the
angels. Supposing he is the keeper Of the gar
den she cries Sir 81 fhou hast horne Him
hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and
1 will take Him away" The words gush out
like a pent-up torrent of grief. The stranger
only utters her name 'Maryi' Like a hap
tism Of love that dear voice falls or her soul.
Recognition is COMPETE. Looking up with ador-
ing love, she cries In her native Aramaic. "Rab-
bonii'' my MASTERY Most remarkable recog-
milton of history Time: First Easter. Place:
Garden adjoining place Of crucihxion. Person:
The risen Savior.
New revelations always come while in the way
Of loving service. Loyal. unforgetting affection.
while on it's way to do its last rite. made the
most glorious discovery OF the ages-the empty
tomb Of the first Easter morning. Obedience.
running with fear and great joy, to bring the
disciples word. was privileged to hear Jesus
IAN hail.' and TO clasp His feet 1t is so yet
do and know"
The insufficient reason for excessive sorrow at
death Of friends is revealed in the question.
why weepest thou?' Whittier puts it well:
ALAS for 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 mournfui marbles play
Who hath not learned. IN hours OF faith.
The truth 10 sense and flesh unknown,
That life is ever Lord Of death.
And love can never lose her ownP'
QUARTERLY REVIEW.
Geographically: The lesson centers in Jeru-
salem. The places are Olivet. the upper room.
the temple. the court OF the Sanhedrin, and the
place Of the stoning. But already. in the mis-
sion to Samaria and GAIA. there are intims-
lions OF the bursting OF Christianity out OF the
shell Of Judaism.
Personally: There pass in review before us:
the ascending Savior. the descending spirit: the
apostles in general. Peter and John in particular;
Ananias and sapphira; stephen; Philip; the high
priest; seventy-;wo sanhedrinists in general.
Gamaliel in particular: the Ethiopian.
Deeds done: The ascension; institution OF the
church. healing Of the cripple: persecution OF the
church in general. OF stephen In particular: ex-
emplary punishment OF lying the scattering OF
disciples and attendant advantages: evangelical
ton OF a district in general samaria). OF an
individual in particular Ohe Ethiopian)
Time covered: About seven years. viz. from
May 90. a. D.. 80. to the summer % OF A. D.
81.
photography: Chiefly. the Acts OF the Apps
ties. a review Of the structure and contents Of
which fascinating book cannot but be profitable.
II has been called a witness OF apostolic doc
trine and primitive Christianity. a rule and
guide for - government. the discipline and the