The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-30

his Master. We are not, therefore, sur
prised IL, find that he is absent at TINS
first meeting st the disciples.
n the bare thought of his Lords death
had been terrible, what dark despair must
have seized him when that death was
actually accomplished! His mind dwells
on the print of the nails and the wound UNI
In the side moro than on tho we'll known
features or figure by which ne Would
recognize ills Lord
His heart was with that llfeless body
on the cross, and he could not bear to
sec his friends, or speak to those who Who had
shared his hopes. So he buried his desc ESQ
lation and bitter disappointment In soll-
tide and silence.
None; of 1.-The others expected the resur-
rections AMI morn than he, but they met
together Recording to His command. and
in meeting were rewarded by His Visible
presence. But no was absent, and thus
1t was that, like many melancholy per-
sons, he missed the opportunity OF seeing
what would have forever scattered his
darkness.
Though he may not have been to blame
for absenting himself. he was to blame Ian
for refusing to accept tho testimony OF
his friends and companions. When they
assured him they had seen the risen Lord.
Some difference was due to tho witness OF
men whom tho knew to DO as truthful as
himself. He could have no doubt that
they believed they had seen the Lord.
If they could be deceved-ten OF them .e'T
why should he think his senses would
prove more infalllble?
But if all this tells against Thomas. ne
has also much in his favor. It is true he
had been obstinate and unreasonable. but
It is also true that he was with the little
band Of Christians on the second Lord 8
day. That he did not now avoid the s f't,a
ETY. Of those happy, hopeful men shows
that he was far from unwilling to be-
come cif possible) a sharer In their hope
and Joy. 9 , 81
He Kept with the company Of believers
hoping against hope to got out OF the
darkness and mire in which he was In
volved into tho sunshine Of His presence
z The disciples wero again assembled,
forever In their memory as the place
where their Risen Lord had appeared to
them, when, silently and suddenly as be- DC.
fore, without warning. 'ahe doors being
shut" Jesus Himself stood in their midst.
Surprise, sunutteruble surprise, sundimtn-
ished BY all1he had heard or been led to
expect,f must have been written on
Thomas's wido gazing eyes. But this
glad SURPRISE WIS displaced by shame.>
this eager.gaze cast down, when ne found
that the Lord had heard his obstinate
ultimatum and been witness to his sullen
unbcief. 8s * IN
AS Jesus repeats in almost the same anne
words the hard, rude, material test which
he had proposedi and as Flo holds out His His
hands for Thomas Inspection. shame and
Joy strugglesipr the mastery and finally
give place to the humble but glowing
concession, ."'Nfy Lord and my God.
His own test Is Ssup ersede ed; lle.i makes
no movement to put 1t in force. lie is
convinced atA satisnsdF,withAth identity
Of his Lord Thomas had maintained that
the rest were too easily, satisfied, but at
the last he accepts precisely the same
proof as they.Sis
II And this is the happies highest rarest
state of the human soul. When a man
has been carried out Of himself by the
clear vision of Gbrist: when in His pres
ence he feels he can but worship and
adore, this is the final and blessed bene-
diction. - AZ
This was raro and blessed hour for
Thomas. He llsslutterly5 carried out Of
himself and sees nothing but his Lord.
For once his spirit has found perfect
peace.
And this blessedness IS gracousy given
to those who have not seen, If they will
believe. WhySthen do I'VE rob ourselves
OF 1t and live as fit were not 50?
We cannot apply Thomas's test, but we
can test his test, Or like him, forego 1t,
and rest on wider, deeper evidence. Are
we to accept tho signs lie gives US of
His presence? DO we not know the power
OF Chrst's resurrection, as Thomas could
not possibly know It?
If Thomas was constrained to acknowl-
edge Christ as his Lord and his God,
much more may we do So May we 50
respond to His manifestation that We too
shall receive the lbenedlction Of our Lord:
Blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed
==-=--=E==--
The esteemed Charlotte Observer has
our warmest ,cong tattnlationss It says
ut will interest the friends Of tAe OBJ
server to know that It is now free OF libel
suits the last ono against it having been
disposed Of in the United States District
Court at Greensboro yesterday, the plain-
tiff taking u non-.suit and being taxed
with the costs."
President Roosevelt went to the wrong
place to find good healthy bears. He
should have gonesto the Chicago Wheat
Exchange and the bucket shops there
abouts.
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rNl,x ito g.,r a uaf IN