The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-04-11
At the Graves Of the LeperS
in Surinam Dutch Guiana
South Africa
nr Rer. Henry I. weIss.


posjte side of the Surinam river shines
the constellation OF the majestic
southern Cross Myriads of stars
move along in their silent course
Also in the cottages Of Bethsada, the
teper village. all is still Only from
one Of these cottages is heard a cry
OF distress. the cry Of an unfortunate
inmate approaching BIS dissolution.
6.3O A. M.-Dull burn the few lamps
In the chapel Of the lepers in which,
during the last weeks, they have so
often gathered in order, in spirit, 70
follow their suffering Saviour on his
-dolorous road to coIgatha's cross.
Quietly the congregal' w awaits the
arrival Of the missionae. Now he
enters with the joyful Easter greet
dng: "'The Lord is risenl" The lepers
arise responding with the words
-''He is risen indeedl' and triumphantly
the words sound forth in the Easter
might.
Hail, all hail. victorious Lord and
Saviobfl
Thou hast burst the bonds of death;
Grant us, as to Mary that great favor,
10 embrace thy feet in faith
Thou hast in our stead the curse en-
dured,
And for us eternal life procured
Joyful. we with one accord.
Hail Thee. as our risen Lord.
The Iepers n0w all pass out, in mute
procession. into the starlit night, to
S.he last resting place Of the dead.
Silently they move along, each one alb
ssoFaod iR his own thoughts.
On the edge of the forest In dark
outline, rises n cross from among the
RaII grass They have now reached the
peaceful grave yard of the leper col
0ny No high monuments of brass or
stone adorn this resting place of the
dead No kneeling angels guard the
graves OF the sleepers. In vain would
you se.k even the simplest grave
stone The giant trees OF the prim-
eval forest stand here like a death
watch The waves of the Surinam
river aurmur a funeral dirge to the
departed
"a am the resurrection and the lifel
Whosoever believeth in me shall live
Ehorogh be were deadl' Thus sound
4he words Of life and nope over the
dowiy mounds of earth.
Now rises. on the opposite shore,
above the woods. the fiery orb of day,
fIis seams tremble through the thick
foliage OF the primeyal forest. they
plunge into the current Of the stream
uhey inumine the cottages where pain
and suffering dwell they surround
with ileeting luster. the cross on the
hela IT death
ssnuck by the wind the tall grass
ssurges up and down-like crystal
asea and the lowlands far and wide
ssiistfn and sparkle with heavy dew
IA the bright Easter morning light
The company of cripples, men, wo-
men and children. all clad in spotless
white. surround the graves OF their
forRler companions and friends whose
1ong path OF suffering has ended here
Not far from these Christian lepers a.
Aas1ge number Of heather Coolis listen
20 their Easter hymn Of rejoicing
Iesus 7ivesi henceforth is death
But the gate Of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
when pass its gloomy portal;
Faith shall cry. as fails each sense
Lord thou art my confidence
Tsie hymn has perceptibly moved
'the swarthy sons from midas pearly
strand as the expression on their faces
would indicate Leaning on his stan
bent forward. Buddhas priest looks
down to the earth He seems, at this
moment. TO feel something like a long
ing Tor Heaven and he is conscious
that One who IS invisible TO the hu-
man eye. yet omnipresent, is here
passing through the groups Of Chris
Gian lepers and that He Is mightier
tthHn Buddha
The hymn has died away The
Christian congregation unites in pray
ser - the risen Prince OF Life.
Those. among the lepers whose
amds stin remain royently fold them.
'Kho others cross their crippled mem
beers. while the coolis place their arms
sbver their breasts The missionary iu
ais prayer remembers the departed
ne u0mmends the living Of this village
sof exiies from home ami kindred, %
she heart Of the All compassionate