The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-01

81NTRODuCT1ON.---A orderly STATE
,nei,t of the eveits CONNECTED with the
Resurrection, of Jesus will prepare Tor NE
Study OF this lesson. Very early on NV
ilrst day OF tho week I'll angel rolled lilc
stone away from, tho sepulcher. and Jesus
came forth. (Mutt xxviii:2-4) later "
company of women came to enll,aln the
body. but found tho sepnilrher empty ,,,
Mary Magtlalcnc, one oftte company.
srpposnE the body to he stolen, hastily
returned to report TO the apostles III Je-
rusaleln while tho other women tarried.
looked into the sepulcher and saw two
angels. who informed them Of the rcs,ir-
rcctlon The women fed. being filled
with fear and JOY, to report What tlley
had learned. After their departure Peter
md John visited tho sepulcher, upon the
intelligence received from Mary, bit see
Ing only the linen clothes hastily de-
parted, probably satisfied that some one
had robbed the grave. (John X;a-loo
This brings us to our present lesson.
WEEPING .--(Verses II and 12) After
the other women and Peter and John had
departed from the sepulchcr, Mary Mag
dalene returned Probably she came by
some other path and did not meet the
others. She stood alone In tears--hcr
love could not be satisfied while doubt
hung about the fate of the sacred body.
She fingered at tho spot. hoping that
some disclosure would be made TO solve
tho great mystery. Having for u time
given away to the agony of her sorrow.
she wiped away the tears and stopped
to take ono moro look into the tomb.
How true was all this to the promptings
of a woman 3 heart! But as she gazed
intenty the sepulcher seemed no longer
to be empty.$ Two angels In white, PROB
ably the Same seen by the other wo-
men duke xxiv:4O. stationed zone at the
head ond one at the foot where Jesus had
lain" sentinels as If keeping watch over
the ground made holy by the touch OF the
Lord Of glory.
EsTIoNING.-yerse 49, The an
gels spoke to Mary In language which
she could understand, proving that h1l-
man nature is not unlike that Of tho
jewellers in the celestial world. (Heb.
ii:7.) 1t was n simple question they ask
cd: why wecpest thou?'' The words
were full of tenderness and sympathy.
such as tho pure ones in bliss must ever
feel toward those who carry such a load
of care and sorrow. 1t is the delight or
heavenly beings to wipe away the tears
of distressed humanity. Mary's answer
was brief. but womanly. Her Lord had
been taken away by whom she did not
know. and laid where she did not know.
Whose hands had been laid on this prec-
io,ls form? Where had It been deposited?
What motive had prompted the deed
Why should all this have been done with
out the consent Of those who loved Him
After all the indignities shown In the trial
and crucifiXiop, now that the blessed
Jesus was dead, why should anyone dis
turb his rest? These We're the question
ings of the woma1l's heart that found
expression in her fearful reply.
SrANDING.-tV Verse 49, Little did
Mary suppose that her doubt and fear
would be quickly removed, 1t has been
said that the loving heart finds Its de-
sires. And certain It is that in every
time OF trouble one Is near to help. AT
ter her answer Mary turned back, posi-
bly, with a purpose to retire. probably
under those impulses with come to us rs
the presence of another Is realized. And