Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-04-09
eREENEvrLLE CONG. CHURCH
Pensioners Present Rev. c. a. Rick
etts Purse of $50.


morning, Rev. C. H. Ricketts, called
the attention of his congregation to
Matt 27:52, "And the graves were
opened" and the following is the sub
stance OF his sermon:
Jesus became the pivotal point in
human history because of what He
was and died. The letters B. c, never
stand for Before Caesar'-though
Caesar. was the greatest man who ever
lived hut BEFORE Christ who tyas
vastly more than great man.
If the birth of this extraordinary
character signalized the gift of re-
demption; his resurrection stood for
the destruction of death.
The speaker entered somewhat into
a detailed account of the steps lead
ing to the Crucihxion and Resurrec-
ton showing the historical validity of
the latter event. Attention was like
wise called to a very singular and not
easily explainable event recorded in
Matthew, to the effect that "the graves
were opened; and many bodies of the
saints which slept arose. and came
out of their graves after his resurrec-
tion." Great emphasis was laid on
the necessity of Christ's resurrection
to bring out of our dead hearts the
capacity for immortality. The grave
must be shaken by divine power be-
fore the souls of men and nations will
yield those forces that can conqSor
death. Famous chapters in modern
history were quoted to verify the text:
l.
Ages hive nothing finer than the ris-
ing of The Netherlands from the dead.
AS we look back to their resurrection
morn we can't help saying. THANK
God for brave. little Holland" as those
who come after us will one day say.
Thank God for brave little Belgium,
In 1920 a revolution in the name
of liberty opened wide the graves in
forth It is said that whatever a
Turk touches died. and wherever he
goes there is grave. Armenia has
become one vast graveyard because of
Turkish misrule.
Russia has just emerged from the
grave of a dead absolutism and finds
herself a free people. The greatest
impetus democracy has received in
Russian people that they have found
themselves. The great Slavic giant
has stepped forth from the grave. be-
lieving that the Almighty wants Rus
STA to be free: that the time has come
10 put premium on the capacity for
self government, and to come out Of
the grave of dumb silence and Slavish
servility-
of civilization. the logic of events
points to Hapsburgs and Hohenzol-
lerns as ending in the grave of the Ro-
manoffs. It may be that Belshazzar's
pirates to the Spree. and brutal i'm
perialism, will, sooner or later look
from its orgy of bloodshed to see the
handwriting on the wall. weighed in
Crowns and thrones have had a long
turning, the people are now claiming
a chance at the bat.
4. If mistake not some graves in
the United States are being rudeE
shaken.
We have grown SO used to prosper
ity and general well being that our
complacency and satisfaction have
facts. Recent events have made US
feel that possibly we have been hiding
behind paper forts; that our boosted
isolation was only man Of straw;
days Of scientific invention. Our
graves of comp1acency have been
rudely shattered and We are coming
forth to a new sense OF Amertcanfsm;
our eyes are open to see dangers with
out and within. It is sad to feel that
some who have been siren gthened by
the warmth of the national heart
should try to repay that kindness by
blood boil to feel that 1t is necessary
to have armed soldiers on our streets.
Why should We have to protect our
Industrial plants. railroad bridges, res
ervoirs, and municipal buildings from
destruction? The only harm We have
done to any nation has been to bind
up their wounds. alleviate their suffer-
this country invites better treatment
than this. She has stretched forth her
arms to other nations saying: Come
unto me all We who would better your
condition" And they have come by
the millions: they have come with
brain and muscle that have been fac
tors in the nations unparalleled pros
perity. But why should any come
with desire to strike the hand that
gives them bread? Why should they
try to paralyze the forces that build
their homes. educate their children and
render the pursuit of happiness i'm
possible? To thus treat the home-giv-
ing and peace-ioving United States in
this brutal fashion is the climax of
base ingratftude. But the nations
eyes are open. and she clearly sees
her stern duty, and perhaps the dawn
of larger resurrection.
At the close of the sermon. to the
pastors complete surprise, Deacon
John McWilIiams. in a few well chosen
presented to him an envelope |
$3.50 on behalf of the |
church and congregation. in honor of |
the twentieth Easter service which Mr. |
Ricketts, has conducted as pastor. J