Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-04-20
n. r. DENTON, Editor.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1911.
Our Easter Day.

Simon was brother or relative of
Jesus, but he walked with Jesus by the
way, talked with him of the things
that had come to pass in Jerusalem
and knew him not. But when Jesus
was revealed to Simon and to Cleopas
when their eyes were opened, and
they knew him "they said to one
another, Did not our hearts burn with
in US, while he talked with us by the
way, and while he opened to US the
Scriptures?" They had lost the physi-
cal presence of Jesus, but his spirit
remained with them; land they rose
up the same hour, and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven gath
cred together, and them that were
with them, saying, The Lord is risen
indeed and hath appeared to Simon. :"
Yet the appearance was to the compan-
ion of Simon also; but Simon, being of
kin, was put forward as the best wit.
ness. "And as they spake, Jesus
himself stood in the midst of them,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto
YOU"
Our Easter is church day-a day
instituted by the holy Catholic church.
1t is the Passover of all Christendom
day of universal festival wherever
the name Of Jesus is adored
But did Jesus of Nazareth, which
was prophet mighty in deed and
word before all the people" trusted
as he which should have redeemed
Israel" condemned to death and cruei-
fed, on the third day rise from the
dead, appear as a witness to his terri
flied and affrighted" disciples, and
before their very eyes, while blessing
them, ascend as he was, with his
wounded hands lifted in blessing of
them, into heaven? The debate runs
to the physical fact. But what mat
tiers it what answer shall be made?
Jesus lived; and he died the mortal
death, giving his life as ransom for
many" He has been crucified many
times; many times he has risen from
the dead, and many times poor human
eyes have followed him in his ascension
into heaven. Is there any doubt about
this? The world and the unbroken
centuries are his witnesses.
Jesus is not dead; he is risen indeed.
Wherever the children of men live,
have temptation and make struggle,
he intercedes with and for them; and
above all the storm and battle of life
his gentle words are heard: peace be
unto your AS men in all generations
have considered the bounty of his gift
having communion with him, having
touch with his blessed example and his
revelation of the inexhaustable power
of the Fathers love, men, as the men
of old, have said to one another: ''Did
not our hearts burn within US, while
he talked with us by the way, and
while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
Men do not need to go to Simon,
or to others who lived in his time; they
have only need to come to themselves.
The world cannot put away Jesus any
more than it can put away itself. He
is living presence. His precept is
m ore and more a vital force in the
worlds redemption. in its upIift, in its
glory, in all the distinction of the
human race. The ennobling power in
the lives of men is his love; and his
fellowship is the bond of union in every
brotherhood. In the face of such Q
multitude of witnesses why need there
be any bubble over the gospel account
of his escape from the physical bonds
Of death, his reappearing in the haunts
of men, and his physical departure
through the mystery of space to ar
undiscovered country put down in the
writings as the eternal home of the
Father.
Easter is day Of gladness. 1t rep
resents the end of mourning and the
morning Of the eternal season of life,
Of bud and blossom. Of the gladstone
nesa Of song. 1t is the time of resur.
ection; the time when the year Il
released from the bonds Of winter
when the tender leaves are put forth
when the birds with their threats
swelled with music, make nest in the
branches, and when the field is giver
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