The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-04-06
Easter Message
By REV. LEILA ROWLAND

"As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,
came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepul-
cher" Love never ceases to render service to it's object,
living or dead; SO they came not only to view the tomb but
ments cut short on the day of the crucflxlon by the ap-
preaching Sabbath,
Behold! A wonderful sight met their eyes. The stone
was rolled away; an angel sat upon it. The tomb was empty!
He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come see where
the Lord lay" so spoke the Angel in Matt. 1876.
Come all We faithful; raise your voices in praise and
Welcome, Glad Easter Day. 10 He is Risen" Thanks be
unto God who giveth us the victory through ah our Lord Jesus
Christ" Easter is the happiest day in the Christian calen-
All through the Old Testament we find a distant hope,
but after that first Easter Day we see a different picture.
We then find poshiveness on every hand; such as: THE Lord
is risen;" 81 know whom l have believed" Because He lives
| shall live;" 1--WE have seen the Lord" said His disciples,
"We know He lives" The Jesus of history becomes a present
reality. You ask me how | know He lives? He lives within
my heart.
sermon that each of us may preach whether it be from the
pulpit or from the pew; at home, work or play; out in the
fields; anywhere anytime. Hear we, the words of Edgar A.
who scott at Christian doctrine or church ritual; at Chris
tianitIy in any of its phases; are %speechless in the presence
of a living Christ as exemplified in Christ-like life.
May we look backward through the centuries to that
first Holy Week when a small group of people were dis
cussing the failure of their fondest hopes. The crucified
body of the One who planted these hopes which had thrilled
them for three years, lay silent in the tomb; Officially sealed
by the Roman Empire and the Jewish state; guarded by Ro-
man soldiers. What a disappointment! But today the Ro-
man Empire with all It's power is only past history; only a
memory. The Jewish nation with its citizens scattered, per-
secuted, driven about-what of it? That is a question we'll
not answer here.
what OF Jesus, VINO was jew! he said, And !, II | be
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me-" 1t
is not "The Story" but the Living Christ in a>"Life" that
wins men. By way of the Resurrection, His life is released
to enter human souls and transform them. 1t was the changed
lives of early Christians that carried belief in a Risen Christ
to a hostile world. They saw evidence of a new power at
york and were convinced that this power came not from
ardead Christ, but a Living One.
This fact belongs not only to past history, but also the
present. The historic Christ has become a Present Reality
and is with us today. We cannot fail with such a Presence!
The acceptance of this fact is the great hope of this genera
ton and all to come.
May we set aside selfish interests; break down racial
barriers; unity all creeds for Christs sake and thereby turn
seeming defeat into victory. Might we seek to repair all
damages caused by individual, national, and international
greed; heal all scars effected by prejudice, hatred, envy,
jealousy, and fanatical or intolerant leadership. Grant that
we seek to cure all ills caused by faultfinding and biased
attitudes-cement them securely with Brotherly Love, the
Gift of our Risen and Living Christ.
MAY the Resurrection Sun (Son) pour on you it's
brightest ray; may the grace the Saviour won, by His vic
tory. on. Easter Day, in your heart of hearts abide, making
bright your E~astertide."
o Living Christ Of Easter, tighten all our days with
Thy Shining Presence, that we many find "The Evening
Time bright, with the radiance of Thy Personality! World
without end" "