The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-14

ness and despair, no hope of heaven.
Paul lays great emphasis upon these
vital things in l Corinthians 1923.
1t is significant that after his resur-
rection, Jesus appeared only to his
disciples; and of these, first to those
who needed him most. There is deep
meaning in the very order of the re-
corded appearances after his resurrec,
ton. First, to Mary, probably the
most heart-broken of all the little
band; then to Peter, who had denied
him, and since then had been weeping
bitter tears of repentance; then to the
two sad and weary ones on the way to
Emmaus who were saying, eve
trusted it had been he who should
have redeemed Israel"
On the Emmaus Road.
Let us consider this story of the
first Easter Sunday evening. There
is peculiar charm in it, and the very
simplicity wins our hearts. How real
istic it is, how true to life, how pa
thetic in its exhibition of mutual sor=.
row and the concern of a friend who
knows all about US, though we may
not know who he is; how encourag
ing to hearts Respondent and sad One
can picture the scene, without Difficult
ty. 1t had been day of great excite
ment in Jerusalem; there were many
conflicting reports about Jesus, who
had been away in the tomb, few days
before; some gave account of strange
things they had seen and heard, but
grave doubt still possessed many of
the disciples; and now these two are
on their homeward way, sorrowful as
they go, under the shadow of a great
perplexing mystery. Perhaps light and
comfort will come in the quiet and
rest of home.
AS they journeyed a stranger Joined
them, inquiring the cause of their sor-
row, and learning what he knew, their
perplexity about what had happened
that day. 1t was not strange that they
did not know him. To Abraham he
came as a wayfaring man, to Joshua
as soldier, to Jacob as a wrestler, to
Mary as a gardener; besides their eyes
were holden. But, meeting their per-
plexity and doubt, with precious I'M
folding of the Scriptures, beginning
| at Moses and all the prophets, he ex-
pounded unto them in all the Scrip
lures the things concerning himself"
Four blessings came to these sorrow
ing travellers from their unknown COM
panion-their minds were opened,
their hearts burned within them, their
eyes were opened, and he revealed
himself as set forth in all the Scrip
J lures.
The Gracious Revelation.
"And he made as though he would
have gone further. But they con-
strained him :. and he went in to
tarry with them" That is one of the
sweetest touches in the story. But what
! calamity If they had let this un-
known companion go on his Wayne
/ gracious revelation of the very Christ
And your calamity will be great if you
do not constrain the tarrying Jesus to
come in and abide with you. Oh, bid
the dear Savior come in.
Can burning hearts keep back the
message? These disciples were filled
with joy Possibly they did not wait
! to finish the meal, for they rose up
that same hour, fastening to Jeru-
salem to tell the glad story about the
risen Lord who had considered it
worth while to take time on the first
day of his resurrection to walk seven
miles into the country with two sor-
| row-stricken disciples.
And this Christ with the tender
heart is with us yet. The evangel of
who by his resurrection from dead,
/ has power to raise our souls from
/ death. AS you accept Christ, the very
! omnipotence of God will work within
/ you, and your faith will secure for you
/ in your daily life share in the resur-
| rection of Christ. (Eph. 1:19, 20). MAY
! this beautiful Easter story repeat it.
self in your life. May you have
4 Christ as your companion, your teach
er, your friend, your guest; and all
/ that, and more, he will be after he
4 has become your Savior. Sorrowing,
SHINING soul, he may be meeting you
4 on the way just now; perhaps just at
the parting of the ways; do not let
him go on, but do say:
.I need thy presence every passing hour;
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's
pow'r?
Who like myself my guide and stay can
Through cloud and sunshine o. abide
with me-