Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-05-12

4 often her custom, to weep, and had re
turned In great distress of mind ant
terror of heart The stone had beer
thrust aside from the caverns mouth
and the place. where more than two
years before they had laid the preciou.
form of their darling. was empty
What could II mean? Who could have
so desecrated the sacred spot?
And thus II 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, Who as you know
was cruelty crucified three days ago.
has risen from the tomb where He was
laid after His death, and has appeared
unto company OF. us women this morn
ing! have seen Him! / 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 q
a new hope surged within her own heart.
none present would doubt as they beheld
her shining face.
And more, dear friends" and as she
spoke she drew near Ruth's father and
mother, and laid her hand lovingly upon
the ar moi the latter. many of the
saints have risen with Him, and have
been seen OF many in Jerusalem"
AS she spoke these words the father
and mother started as If struck, and
stared at her with eyes In which could
be seen conflicting fear and dawning
hope.
In a half whisper the mother gasped:
Her tomb is EMPTY"
new light broke in upon Mary, as
she took in the situation, and she bent
down and spoke In low and tender voice,
for her message now was for the par
ents. II should be their sacred privilege
to hear the joyful news first:
"And have seen her! And so shall
you! Only believed"
IL Ruth were alive, the parents must
see her. They did not think of her in
her resurrected glory, but only as their
treasure whom they wanted back in
their home again. Their desire centered
in the girl who had been the idol OF
their hearts, and they had no thought
for the Christ through Whose power
she had risen.
But ii Is only the heart OF faith
which is granted the vision OF Heavenly
things, and day after day as the parents
haunted the places where Jesus ami
the others had appeared TO the believing
disciples they were broken and crushed
by disappointment.
What days of waiting and struggle
those were! How rebellious their
hearts.
Surely, Ruth, who loved us so dear
ly, will come TO u.s." the mother ex-
claimed one evening. She nad repeat
ed that thought and hope CT her heart
over and over again since the resur-
rection day, and they had found sym
pathetic response in the heart of the
father
Eyes. but suppose she does not7"
questioned the father. II she is with
Jesus. ought we not to be glad?" he
asked. half hesitatingly, half fearful
ly, for he had not dared before TO sug-
gest the possibi ity Of such thing
for both he a his wife had expected
that the first one TO greet them when
they came to Jerusalem would be their
daughter. How blind is the human
heart. how slow to believe.
A food OF tears and violent sobs was
the response which startled and fright
ened him. Here was a new and unex.
pected display Of emotion. AS the
sobs subsidized, in broken voice she said:
"Oh, husband fear our love has
been so unworthy Of he. We have
let our affection for our dear Ruth !
hll our hearts as TO blind us to God
and make us Indifferent TO His claims
upon u.s."
And IL this Christ Is Gods Son,
ought we not TO receive Him, as we
refused to do so long ago T. the great
grief OF our daughter" spoke up the
father with a sigh, as though the ex-
preston OF the thought took a great 7
burden from his heart.
ott ~ hONf ctt IL nONs DTOht
out the other. How could we see our
Ruth when we were refusing TO see
her Christ? Oh. how wicked and blind
our hearts have been. Can God for.
give us?"
At last the day when Jesus was &c
be received I'D into glory dawned
The followers OF Jesus were gathered
together. md while they waited Jesus
came into their midst, I'D held sweet
and blessed communion with them
II was the 1rst vision OF the Christ
which the parents of Ruth had had
since long before, when the had seen
Him In Bethany at the tomb Of Lag.
arus. Then their u.belief shut Him
out; now their subdued and broken
hearts opened full and wide to receive
Him.
So absorbed were they in the mes
sage OF Jesus. so wrapped In contem.