Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-11-25

Rev. D. NJ, Stearfs.
We have seen our blessed Lord In
the hands of the band who arrested
Him; in the hands of the religious
hypoerires called chief priests and
scribes and elders: in the hands of the
Roman governor. who chose to please
the people rather than do what he
knew TO be right. and now He is in
the hands of the soldiers whose orders
are to kill Him. They crucifed the
Lord OF Glory q Cor. ii. 81. They had
no pity. and He could truly say. Il
looked for some to take pity, hut there
was none. and for comforters. but
found none" rs Xix. 70. 21i.
Let Us consider Him in the hands of
the soldiers, and through 1t all lei our
hearts keep saying. For me. all for
me. that |. redeemed by His great
sacrifice, might learn how TO bear
something for His sake and be con-
tent to be killed all the day long"
See the whole band gathered about
Him, clothing Him with purple.
browning him with thorns, putting a
reed ia His right hand. mockingly
saluting Him as king of the Jews.
shifting Him and splitting upon Him.
Then they took of the purple and
put His own clothing on Him and
led Him out to cruelty Him. and He.
bearing His cross. went forth verse
20; John xix, IN. Imagine, IL you
can. what it meant to have clothing
roughly put on and removed from a
scourged back and to have heavy
cross laid upon it, Did you ever take
a piece of cloth from a wound IN
healed? Then think of Him.
The story of Simon the Cyrenian
compelled to bear the cross-His cross
seems to indicate that Jesus either
stumbled because of weakness or
tainted under His heavy load and suf-
ferings Simon was coming out of
the country into the city, but had TO
turn back and bear little for
Christ's sake. When we are turned
about In our plans or compelled by
adverse people or circumstances to do
differently from what we had intend
ed it will help US TO remember Simon
and say. Amen. o Lord
Ii Is recorded In Luke xiii. 27-32,
that great company of people and
OF women followed Him. bewailing
and lamenting Him. and that He said
to the women. Daughters Of Jerusa-
lem. weep not for me. but weep for
yourselves and for your children" and
He told them Of the terrible days
ahead of them. which days and things
in due time came upon their city.
Even more terrible things such as new
er have been or ever will be again
are awaiting this world. but few be-
lieve it (Matt. xiv. 81; Zeph. 1. l4-1s;
Ill, 8: lisa. xiii, 9-13).
\ Luke also tells US in the same pas
sage that there were two malefactors
led with Him to be put to death. Thus
He was numbered With transgressors
Elsa. Ill., i21. and we must be content
ed to be so numbered for His sake.
= If we will let Him live His life In
us we must be content to suffer with
Him and TO be miscalled, misjudged.
misunderstood. falsely accused and In
every way i'll treated for all who will
i've godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution III Tim i'll, 12).
They came to the place of crucifix-
ion. the place Of skull. called IN
Matthew, Mark and John 'Golgotha"
and in Luke Calvary" and there
they crucified Him. on either side one
of the malefactors and Jesus In the
midst. Never did so few words have
such awful significance The Son OF
God. the Holy One Of Israel. treated
us He suffered. let each one say "for
me-" and consider, If you can, the cost
Of your redemption.
II was all foretoId, the pierced
hands and feet. the parted garments,
the casting of lots and all else FPS.
xxi, lisa. lii and elsewherel. Though
God foresaw it all. that did not miti-
gate the guilt of cruel hands tActs Ii.
%; Nv. q. PSI. He was crucified at
the third hour. or 9 a. m. Verse 25).
The passersby rallied on Him, the chief
priests and scribes Knocked Him, the
soldiers also Knocked Him and offered
Him vinegar. and they that were cru
CITED with Him reviled Him tverses
25-32: Luke xiii. 36-3s, One of the
two thieves repented and went to
Paradise with Him that day duke
xiii. 40-43i,
With hands and feet nailed to the
cross. without baptism or any good
works, he believed confessed Christ.
and went to glory. There was dark.
ness from the sixth hour to the ninth
hour. and at that hour He died.
Then was the veil of the temple
rent in twain from the top to the bot
tom. the earth did quake. and the
rocks were rent, graves were opened.
and after His resurrection many bod
les OF the saints arose and appeared
TO many In the holy city verses 81. 80;
~rrsf Thasa r,rnno n y