Newport weekly independent., 1903-04-03

the indictment of the world. "Ye have killed the Prince of Life, " is the charge. Your sins and my sins, and the sin of the world nailed Him on the cross. The Easter message of a risen Christ brings condemnation to the world while it makes glad with hope the be- lieving heart. How can the voice of the world be lifted to swell the glad Easter song of a Living Lord, while the indictment of sin stands against it un- satisfied? No song of rejoicing escapes from the prisoner in the dock while the indictment declares his crime and the guilt of lawlessnesS rests against him. Rather does he plead for mercy. But let some one step before the judge and offer to take the punishment and let the prisoner go free, and hope springs anew in his heart and gives birth to the glad song which bursts from his lips as he goes out of that courtroom a free man. The world until it is reconciled through Christ Jesus is at enmity against God. The guilt of sin rests against it until wiped out by the pardoning power of Jesus blood. That pardon must be accepted before it becomes eff ficacious to save from the penalty of sin. How is it possible for the pris- oner to gain his liberty if he refuses to accept the pardon which is offered him? How is it possible for the world to escape the penalty of sin If 1t either thoughtlehsly or wilfully refuses to receive the pardon which God offers through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ? God says: ''IIe that beleveth not is condemned already, because he hath not be- lieved in the name of the only begot- ten Son of God" And He also de- clares that there is no condemna tion to them which are in Christ Jesus"
 | EFT us go back to that first Easter L. morning as it broke in all its beauty and hope over Jerusalem and consider the contrasts between the song sung then and the Easter music as it swells throughout the world to- day. Then custom had not come to claim the day and plan it's celebra tlon as it has to-day, but only the believing hearts echoed the Heaven born music of a Saviour risen. The angels came singing of the Living Lord and the disciples quickly caught up the refrain and went speeding everywhere with the glad message. But the world could not join in that song. With the bursting of the tomb and the stepping forth of the Living Lord, the soldiers "did shake and became as dead men," And the world shared in that fear and dreadful apprehension. Sin, untorgiven sin, always awakens in the human heart deadly fear when it is brought face to face with God. Then the world had not learned to look the facts of Christianity in the lace without meeting God face to face, but when Constantine popular ized the religion of Jesus Christ, "the Kingdom of Heaven suffered violence, and the violent took it by force" Pagan festivals were re habilitated in Christian garb, and the world soon was celebrating with the true believers the birth and the resurrection of Christ. The very name Easter is of pagan origin, and is derived undoubtedly from Eastre. the Saxon goddess, whose festival was annually kept about the same time as Easter. The customs which have grown up around Easter are of secular and heather origin. The song which the world has learned to sing is about the risen and Living Lord, but He is not allowed to en- ter. He is not enthroncd in the hearts of multitudes of those whose lips sing His praises.
 C URELY there is no swectermusic in ey the ears of Heaven than that which bursts from the heart which has been cleansed from all sin by Christ's blood and which has en- throned the Living Lord therein, but what think you it must be to God to hear human voices raised in praise