Arizona republican., 1904-04-04
AT THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

AT THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. ed with evergreens and flowers. and the music was inspiring. The Rev. J. w. Roland of Solomonville occupied the pulpit. Mir. Roland was greeted with good audience, and his sermon was a synopsis of his sermon:
 Immortality. If a man die shall he live again ?"-Job 14:14
 From the time that Job spoke these words, and how long before we know not, until the present man has been asking this questisn. It is one which will not be downed. It ever arises in the mind of man. Happy the mortal that has his thoughts directed alright and goes to the right source for an answer to this important question.
 Man turns to nature and in her he seeks ar answer to the question, If a man die shall he live again2" He sees the seed planted in the spring. and in the fall many more seeds are produced. The casting of the seeds into the ground IS not a waste. 1t is not lost. It is necessary to the production of it's kind; # is thus saved
 Or take the caterpillars, which are so numerous at this time. They VIII not always crawl. They will soon make for themselves a tomblike en- easement and pass into a chrysalis form and lay in a torpor for q season, but at the time appointed by the god of nature they will emerge from their tombs into a higher form of life. They then appear as the beautiful butter flies, prepared for new experience which they could rot enjoy before. In- stead of crawling. they now fly from flower to flower. Instead Of making snail-like progress, they now move with the rapidity of the swift winged bird. Their beauty is now increas scd. Their sphere of life is now enlarged.
 These are the best that nature has to offer IT reply to the question. "If a man die shall he live again?" When the question is answered there are fig ures which we can use. but il them selves they do not answer the question. They corroborate. but do not prove, the resurrection
 Man then turns to science and asks the same question. He goes down with the geoiogist into the bowels of the earth and he tries to read an an sWer to this most important question. He listens with rapt attention, but the oniy reply is the echo of his own voice Then. with the astronomer he takes in the realms of endless space. He scans with care the heavens with their mum berless worlds. an while the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firm ament sheweth His handiwork," yet from then ali he is unabl to draw Il satisfying answer to this important question, "If a man die shall he live again Q"
 , And thus man goes the whole crea- . tion OCT but no satisfying answer does he receive. In his despair he turns to the Word and finds in the blessed Christ of God an answer to the ques- ton which ever arises within him, 'Ii man die shall he live again?" Lis ten: T am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead. yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' So speaks the Mas ter in John II, 25-2G. No words oi doubt are these They are the words of one who knows. He rose from the dead, and with the same power He will raise us up. It is not the spirit spoken of. for the spirit never dies. II Is these bodies of ours which shall hz raised up in newness of life at the last day. Not the body which now is, but the glorified body which God shall giv. to each as his own. This is what ro5s the grave Of it's victory. Even in the presence of death we can say, "Oh Death. where is thy sting? Oh, grave where is thy victory"
 The follower Of Christ may fall here ;e
 may bleach on the desert; his flesh may form food for the myriads of fish in the ocean depths; his body may be buried in the jungles of India; his dls may be scattered to the four winds ot heaven; but what. does. it matter? Nc monument may mark his grave. The little board With his name upon it may have long since disappeared. The lit tie mound of earth may have been lev eled by the hand of time. Battles may have been fought over his body unti the blood of friend and foe has mingled with his dust. Men may have forgot ten where he was laid, but not so witt God. God knows where each has fai- len. and on the resurrection morn II. will send His angel to awake every soul that sleepeth. No one will be for gotten. The gray haired veteran whc | fought so long and we'll will be remem- bered, also the little ones. who livet but few short hours. Tn so brief g time t accomplished the work of thf Master. Who can estimate the influ- ence for good of ever so short q life?
 Our loved ones are taken. How lone some we are. By and by it will be oal turn to fall. Some friends and loveC ones will shed a sympathetic tear. 4 flower will be laid upon our grave bJ loving hands and we will be with tn. | innumerable company who speeches. | ly wait for the resurrection morn. Or that glad morn We shall be raised up and how joyous will be the meeting O | those that have gone before.