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Show A WESTERN FUNERAL. 261 Gospel of St. John, 20th chapter: 'The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalen, early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre.' " He preached the love of Christ to the assembled crowd. He spoke not of hell nor the torments of the damned, but talked of the blessed Master, of his mercy, his charity, and of his infinite wealth of love. He spoke of him as the very bosom friend of the fallen, as a very present help in time of need; as the only hope of human life and the only friend on whom they could call in time of trouble and of deep despair. Even though father and mother, and brother and sister had proven untrue, and had deserted them, still they could lay their burden on Him, and craving His love and forgivness, could receive that rest and peace and love that passeth even the love of a brother. And so he said we will commit the future of this poor girl, whose life was shadowed as she passed into the hidden land, to the mercy of our blessed Lord, believing that He will look into human lives and human hearts with love and tenderness, and gentle truth; that he will not forget that it was Mary, the Magdalen, who was first at the sepulchre and wept because they had taken her Lord away. "There were few dry eyes in that hall when he concluded his touching remarks, and there were fewer still when he read out as the closing hymn: " 'Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed lor me, And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, O, Lamb of God, I come. " 'Just as I am, and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O, Lamb of God, I come.' |
