The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-12-14

name, lest he should feel that he was
forever rejected because Of having de.
MED him,
For forty days Jesus was with his
disciples and during that time he APP
peared some seven or eight times, ac-
cOrding to all the different accounts.
once he appeared as gardener. Once
he appeared as traveller TO two of
the disciples going to EmmauS. Again
he appeared on the shore Of the Sea
of Galilee to some Of the disciples who
were returning to the fishing business
They knew it was Jesus. yet he was
different from formerly. But we read
that they did not dare ask him re-
Specting the matter lie appeared
again to above five hundred believers
in the mountains Of Galilee. and final
ly, by appointment, he met the eleven
at the top of the Mount of Olives and
ascended out Of their sight-a cloud
receiving him. Only on two occasions
are we Informed that he appeared with
nailprlntS III his hands and the spear
wound In his side. And OH these two
occasions We are distinctly told that he
appeared in their midst, the doors be-
ing shut, and that he vanished again
from their sight.
Thus did Jesus demonstrate to his
disciples the fact that he was no longer
dead, but alive, and additionally, the
other fact equally important, namely,
that he was no longer alive as a man,
but as spirit being. AS st. Paul de-
ci2res, HE was put to death in flesh,
but made alive in spirit" But every
precaution was taken to permit their
natural powers Of observation to COM
prehend the spiritual truths revealed
to them respecting Jesus resurrection
and ascension. 1t was ten days after
his ascension, on the fiftieth day from
his resurrection, that the holy Spirit
came, and thus demonstrated at once
that the Redeemer lived and that he
had appeared in the presence Of God
on the spirit plane and that his sacri-
flee had been presented and was ac-
ceptable to God; and, on the basis Of
his sacrifice and the imputation of his
merit to the disciples, the sacrifices
which they had presented In his name
were accepted, and they were begotten
of the holy Spirit, that they might also
become New Creatures and share in
his Kingdom and glory
His Death and Resurrection Needful
1t is needless that we seek to dispute
as to which was the more important
event-the death Of Jesus or his resur-
rection from the dead. Both were
equally important Had he not died
there would be no basis for a reconcil-
iatiOn Of Adam and his race condemn
ed to death. Had he not risen there
would have been no one to apply the
merit Of his sacrifice Had he not
risen there would have been no call
OF the Church during this Gospel Age
to be the Bride of Christ. Neither
would there have been use for the
promised Mediatorial Kingdom to be
established at his Second Coming for
the blessing of Israel and the world.
Thus Jesus explained to the two
with whom he walked to Emmaus on
the day Of his resurrection, saying. o
slow of heart to believe all that God
hath spoken in the Law and in the
Prophets! Was it not necessary that
Messiah should die and should rise
from the dead, that in his name re-
pentance and remission of sins might
be proclaimed? How could any be in
vited to come to God until way had
been opened, until the redemption
price had been provided? Whoever
can hear this message and accept it
may properly be invited to repent of