Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-04-12

,
TILL they have waited on every ono IN
the crowded church. Then tho vac
Try doors close on them and thew arc
hidden from view.
Inc bishop rises again, this time
10 ask all to join in this. their
church's feast of love. The words
are rev and quiet, but they reveal
that which adds measurelessly to the
depths and heights of it all. There
are, after all, it seems, those TO
"hom the United Brethren's thoughts
give preferment this day, some who
are held in special tenderness. They
are the dead, especially those who
since last Eastertide have lifted the
veil and dropped it in silence be-
, hind.
: There is neither sadness nor mvs-
terry about it, but rather a clear ra
nance OF JOY that is born of an abb
solute acceptance Of resurrection as
i a simple and sure fact. This it is
that makes them indeed "the Easter
people"
One has the feeling that the fixed
and eternal qualities of this faith
nave brldged gaps, and that the Unit
ed Brethren are at one this day. In
deed, one has almost the feeling that
those dear dead and risen are the
guests of honor there
The old bishop breaks bread, and
eats and drinks, inviting all to par
take. While all follow him in act.
the tears are yelling from many eyes
and many hand shakes as it lifts
the homely fare.
When the feast is over the vestry
doors open again, and again the
servitors whose serving is so like the
fulfilling of the commandment "Lit-
tie children, love one another" ap-
pear to remove the empty mugs.
And it will have been whispered to
you before the beginning of the feast,
by some friend, that among this
brotherhood to leave aught of the
food and drink provided would be a
slight on the spirit of the feast. So
the last drop has been drunk and the
last crumb eaten.
One is willing to walk very quietly
back along the avenue bounded on
either side by the noble, ancient CT !.
dars, to cross the little street back
! to Winston and to go to ones room
and let nothing intrude upon the
peace-filled heart
One retires early, for sleep will be
brief. But into slumber one carries
the consciousness that she has been
prepared as never before for the
drinking in of the great wonder of
resurrection.
At first one feels that it may be a
dream, for it is far off and comes
so sweetly through the nights 81
| lences. ,.-
Then one is tangibly aware of mu-
! sic, clearer and louder and more
stirring, till it seems that all of the
enveloping darkness is become ring
ing sound. Hymn after Easter hymn
sends the great glcry of the resur-
rection rending through the blacklist
hour that precedes dawn-even as its
glory broke earth's darkest night
| nineteen centuries ago.
Out into the inky chill one goes,
and again follows that path to the
little church whose bell is calling,
calling. over this sea of souls. The
that has been followed in the living
sunlight the previous afternoon. The
ancient brick houses, vaguely seen,
seem rather to belong to their first
Inhabitants than to those of this gen.
Grafton, and when a door swings and
then closes quietly, one feels that not
merely a house has opened, but a
former time.
In front of the little church an
arc light sheds it's pallid rays, more
pallid now because of the gray steal
ing through and melting the dark
ness.
When the throng has waited here
and watched till the east becomes a
promise to the world, the door of the
church opens and under it's portico
appears the bishop, who speaks to
the multitude in quiet words the
never-ceasing wonder:
1.-THE Lord is risen!"
The throng-their hearts would an
swer aloud if their lips were sealed
reply:
"The Lord is risen indeed"
Then music. music-for the peo-
pie, the world, the universe must
hear the souls triumph.
Hail, all hail, victorious Lord and
j.. savior!
.rends through the last of the dark
ness, and filings to the far horizon,
"Thou hast burst the bonds of
death; O.
Joyful, we with one accord
Hail thee as our risen Lord"
The heart, full, rushes gladly forth
to acknowledge the words of the
bishop, II believe in the One only
Cod" the lips eagerly responding II
believe in Cod" and SO through the
first part of the Litany of this church,
with its occasional grave "This I YER
| lily believe"
Midway in the Litany comes the
song, "The Spirit and the Bride"
With the line, "Thy glory let us
see," begins part of this service
most glorious, most beautiful.
There is a momertary silence. Then
one of the bands separates it<alf
from. the throng and begins it's march
toward the graveyard. As it goes It
i~4 ~ a oYad