The Tupelo journal., 1905-04-14

M and beauty of foil
~ & 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 feet fairly fly over
the road. Her face is lit up by a 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.
That morning she had been with the
who had sought the tomb of
their cruciied 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she had withdrawn from the rest and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.
AS she sat in deep study and tried
to realize and understand all that had
came to pass, shesaw a fair young wom-
an advancing towards her with out
stretched arms.
Ruth" exclaimed Mary, as 500 as
she could speak, Il was but just think
ing of you. Many in company this
morning have thrilled us with the Won
derful stories of meeting friends and
loved ones who had died. 1t is but the
hoo hfif1r1 ao1nriro r 10 thp cJarin,,a ~;o
ture of Christ's resurrection, and | have
been wondering if it was your blessed
privilege to be among the number"
Eyes, dear Mary, Jesus has called me
to be among the company which should
share in His resurrection glory" and as
tial light and holy joy. 800
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 oppo-
sition which met me at home? With you
it 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
once, you recall| felt could not die.
l wanted to be with Him. | wanted to
know Him better. l 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! l 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 the morning.
Yea, l know all this" sweetly replied
Ruth, "but God hath graciously permit
ted me a revelation of His wonderful
grace, and mother and father will yet
be numbered among Jesus disciples"
"Oh, how l have prayed and hoped that
1t 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 the
dead, greater bitterness seemed to surge
in upon them, and they have said over
and over again: If 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, if they could
only know and understand"
Sand they will" responded Ruth,
confidently, and giving her friend 4
parting embrace, she vanished from
sight.
In Bethany that morning strange
things had happened, too. The mother
had peel down to Ruth's 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, was empty.
What could it mean? Who could have
SO desecrated the sacred spot?
And thus it came to pass that as Mary
came rushing in with her wonderful
message, she found the parents and
neighbors in excited conference.
"Peace, dear friends, for bring you
glad message. Jesus, Whoa you know
was cruelty crucifed three days ago,
has risen from the tomb where He was
laid after His death, and has appeared
unto a company of us women this morn
ing! have seer Him! l have heard
Him speak,"
How clear and sweet and strong her
voice rang out and thrilled all present.
THAT she had seen a vision, and that 9
a new hope surged within her W heart,
none present would doubt as they beheld
her shining face.
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