The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-04-15

INNS ana the fragrance
IN and beauty of foli-
~ = age and flower was
never more rich or
full. All nature,
as though conscious OF that which had
come to pass, seemed eager to offer her
tribute to the risen Lord.
On the road over which Jesus had rid
den so triumphantly but one week be-
fore a woman is seen hurrying. So in
tent Is she on reaching the village just
ahead OF her that her sset fairly fly over
the road. Her face is lit up by won
drous glow. rejecting the Joy and &C.
stacy which thrills within her heart. 1t
is Mary, the sister Of Martha and Laza-
rus. she who loved to sit at Jesus feet
She notes not the scenes about her, or
That morning she had been with the
women who had sought the tomb Of
their crucified Lord as the dawn was
breaking, and had been a sharer in all
that wonderful experience. About noon
she had withdrawn from the rest and
sought seclusion on the house top.
Al she sat in deep study and tried
to realize and understand all that had
came 10 pass, she saw fair young wom-
an advancing towards her with out
stretched Svms.
Ruth" exclaimed Mary, as soon as
she could speak, II was but just think
Ing Of you. Many in our company this
morning have thrilled us with the won
derful stories Of meeting friends and
loved ones who had died. 1t is but the
beautiful coloring to the glorious pic
ture OF Christ's resurrection, and have
been wondering If 1t was your blessed
privilege to be among the number"
Yes, dear Mary, Jesus has called me
to be among the company which should
share in His resurrection glory" and as
Ruth spoke her face shone with celes-
tial light and holy joy.
You remember how we met Jesus at
the passover feast at Jerusalem at the
beginning Of His ministry, and the Joy
and peace which came to our hearts as
we received Him. We had always been
dear and close friends before, but how
the new hope that thrilled us drew US
into closer bonds Of sympathy and fell
lowship. You remember how we longed
to be near Jesus that we might receive
Of His teachings. and Of the bitter oppc-
sition which met me at home? With you
1t was not SO difficult. for your sister
Martha and brother Lazarus were of an
open mind and willing to receive the
truth. When sickness came, and Jesus,
away off in Galilee-I never saw Him but
al I Al
| wanted to be with Him. l wanted to
know Him better. was not afraid Of
death, for when came to know Jesus
that fear and dread was all taken away,
but did so want to live to know Him
better. But, oh, Mary! did not know
then that the dark gateway of death was
to usher me into such larger privilege
and blessing. And now this has come to
pass that have part in the resurrection
with my Lord. How sweet and perfect
| is Gods will"
Ruth, your parents have been bitter
in their sorrow. and have felt rebellious
against God. Greater opposition to
Jesus than ever before marked their
conduct after your death, and they have
steadfastly refused to see Him or hear
Him speak on His many visits to Beth
any and our home" explained Mary, for
the unbelief of the parents of her dear
est friend had been one Of the bitterest
griefs which she had been forced to en-
dure, and her thoughts had been of them
much Of tho morning.
Yea, l know all this" sweetfy replied
Dat Issk hot al
ted me revelation of His wonderful
grace, and mother and father will yet
be numbered among Jesus disciples"
"Oh, how have prayed and hoped that
II might be SO" exclaimed Mary. when
Lazarus died they were so kind in their
ministry to sister and me. and our hearts
were brought closer together In a COM
mon sympathy, but when Jesus came
and brought our brother back from tho
| dead, greater bitterness seemed to surge
in upon them. and they have said over
and over again: III Jesus could restore
the dead why did He let them suffer so?
Why did He not give back to them
their darling, and the one who had pro-
fessed faith In Him? Oh, II they could
only know and understand"
And they WILL" responded Ruth,
confidently, and giving her friend a
parting embrace, she vanished from
sight.
In Bethany that morning strange
things had happened, too. The mother
had been down to Ruths tomb, as was
often her custom, to weep, and had re-
turned In great distress of mind and
terror Of heart. The stone had been
thrust aside from the cavern's mouth
and the place. where more than two
years before they had laid the precious
form Of their darling. vpps empty.
What conld It meant Who could have
90 desecrated the sacred spoti
And thus II came to pass that a. Mpry
came rushing In with her wonderful
message. she found the parents ami
Asighbors in excited conference.