i:^ '^'llh: (<'."-, r KfMmW'lwVviwY.")' ,' :i!:K4 ,";.■.'■ ''•::.,■., -r :i /.';-;i^'\ c,°*.i^%*°o /.c;^.\ c"= #^°-. _0 d. ;^i mKc "^oice of ^i. 3oKn : OR THE STORY OF mfitm^taiim Js ^■l The Voice of St. John; OR, THE STORY OF The First Easter Day. BY Wm. Wilberforce Newton. M.f>^n FEB 14 It.'Z^ ^'r. •WASHlH'' NEW YORK: ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY, 900 Broadway, Cor. 20TH Street. \ ^4— ylf--e6 W copyright, 1881, by Anson D. F. Randolph & Company. NEW YORK : EDWARD O. JENKINS, ROBERT RUTIER, Printer and Stereoiyper, Binder^ 20 North William St. ii5 and 118 East 14th Street, ^> I Scene : — St. John at Ephesus, on the last Easter- day of his life, gathers the members of the church together, by the riverside, and tells his converts once more, the story of the first Easter-day. "Little children .... it is the last time." I John ii. i8 L ^'1 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. I. /'^►'ATHER round me, little children, for my ^n^ days are ebbing fast. And your aged friend and father goeth to his home at last. Soon the oldest of Apostles, Avhite-haired, worn, and craving rest, Called by God, must join his brethren, saints and martyrs, saved and blest. Here, beside the swift Meander, where our holy church has stood, Saints of Ephesus, I bid you hold the faith and seek the good. On this happy Easter morning, you have sung your hymns of praise, And my soul is filled with memories of those far- off, wondrous days, 9 ^4— THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. When we hurried in the morning, hope befogged with clouds of gloom ; Hoping much, but fearing most — the silence of the sullen tomb. Little children ! sure, 1 feel it — 'tis the last time my poor breath Shall relate the Easter story — how our Lord has conquered death. Gather round me, then, and listen while I live the past once more, And recount the golden hours of that Easter-day of yore. II. Gray and cold was the dawn, and darkness hung long on the twilight, When Mary, the loved one forgiven, from whom had departed the devils, Limping and halt as she was, for the demons had troubled her sorely. Tapped at the lattice-door of the house of my mother, where Mary, ^ \^l£ 7i THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. The sister of Mary, the Virgin and wife of Clopaa were waiting. These were the three who had stood by the blood- dripping cross of the Saviour, Theirs were the hands that received the body of Jesus, when Joseph Ascending the terrible cross, with Nicodemus, the ruler, Gently lowered the sheet, and folded the arms of the victim. Bearing the agonized mother away from the sight of the crosses, Giving my arm to the sufferer, pierced with the sword of her sorrows. Surely fulfilling the word which Simeon spake in the temple, Back from this vision of death, away from the shouts of the soldiers, Wearied and stricken and worn, I was sleeping the sleep of the troubled, Guarding the home of our loved one, of Mary, the mother of Jesus, Hard by the narrow street, that led up to the for- tress of Herod. ^4 /|f--e<- THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. Little knew I of the plan of my mother, that earlj by daybreak The women should go to the tomb, to wait for the promised deliverance. 'Twas Salome, my mother, you know, Zebedee's wife of Gennesaret, Who came to the master of old, and asked for a place in the kingdom. For those who stood nearest her heart, as she gave up her all to the Master, Leaving her home in the north, and her husband, the fisherman sailor; 'Twas Salome, my mother, I say, who prepared for this early adventure. First at the tomb in the garden, last upon Calva- ry's hill-top. Busy were they in the work of preparing the spike- nard and ointment. Hoping and fearing by turns and ready for joy or for sorrow. Thus in the dark of the morning, before the first red of the sunrise. Wrapping their mantles about them, their hurrying feet sought the Garden. 12 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. III. But hark ! Was it thunder they heard Rumbling in darkness so still ? Stars in the sky seemed to fall, Soldiers affrighted, dismayed. Fled from the tomb, and like sheep Struck by the fiery bolts Of an eastern simoon in the sands Of the desert, were fleeing away, Trembling, the sisters advanced. Where a luminous cloud seemed to rest In the rocky recess of the tomb. Then came the vision of light ! Angels were guarding the place ! The stone on the pathway was rolled. The sepulchre empty and bright, Gave the first note of that joy Which to Easter must always belong, Telling them Christ was alive ! Then in the triumph of bliss. Quick in her womanly thought, Mary, the Magdalene, fled, Leaving her comrades behind, 13 ^'1 ^A. Jt±±. THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. To feast on the fulness of faith Changed to the richness of sight, While the red sun in the heavens Poured forth the splendors of day ! Never had sunrise till then Meant such a flood of bright hopes ; Never had light till this morn Been such a message from God : Never had darkness and fear Lurking within the cold tomb Been driven away, until now. It was then I heard hurrying feet, And the latch of the door opened wide, At the home of the mother of Christ, Where Simon had come from his tears, Humbled and saddened and wan. 'Twas the Magdalene. Ere she could speak, In her face that was lighted with joy, The message of triumpli T r-^ad, As she clasped her pale hands and exclaimed : 14 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. IV. The Master has surely arisen ! Come, visit the spot where He lay. The keepers have fled, and an angel has said, " Christ is risen, is risen to-day." We have been to the tomb very early, With ointment and spikenard, for fear Our hopes should deceive us, but, brothers, be- lieve us, The angels have dried every tear. It was dark when we came to the garden, And we felt for the latch, as the gray Seemed to lighten, our footsteps to brighten And herald this wonderful day. Yet, perchance it is only a vision, Perchance I am dreaming or mad, But they've taken away our dear Lord where He lay, Run quickly ! Behold, and be glad ! 15 K^ 7?" I ^4 Ltl± t THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. V. Starting away like ships that feel the breeze on the canvas, Simon and I in the zeal which is born in the moment of triumph ; Ran through the city's street, till we came to the gate of the Garden : First at the tomb was I, while Peter came panting behind me, Weary and worn as he was, from the tears of his bitter sorrow. Alone we stood at the grave which was silent and robbed of its inmate ; No vision to us was vouchsafed, and the women had gone to the city. The guard from the fortress had fled, to carry the story to Pilate. "Where were the angels," we asked, " and how should we know what the truth was .' " For the sun was climbing the heavens and mystery still was our portion. 'Twas then in our utter amaze, that the Magdalene following behind us, i6 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. Came to the open tomb, and taking her resolute station, Said she would watch o'er the grave till she saw a new vision of angels : Firm in her faith was she, that Jesus was surely arisen, And trusting her future to God, she uttered this song, in her rapture : VI. I shall behold His face And triumph in His love, I yet shall see His love for me, God's loving care above. I may not see His ways. Or know His secret plan, Yet I can wait His kingly state And feel His love for man. I can not scan God's will. 1 linger here in faith. Yet I shall see His love to me. I'll trust Him unto death. 17 "^l ^4 I THE VOICE OF ST JOHN. I shall behold His face, His loving form shall see. It must be nigh ; I can but sigh, Bring me, my Lord, to Thee! VII. It was then when we had departed, and wended our way to the city, Seeking the other apostles, to tell them these won- derful rumors, That Mary, alone in the Garden, beholding a form drawing near her. Said to the vineyard's watch (supposing the gar- dener was coming), " If thou hast borne Him hence, oh, tell me where thou hast laid Him, And I will take Him away, if death is the end of my vision. But if He is risen indeed — " Then beholding the face of the stranger. To the earth, as one dead, she fell; while Jesus said to her — " Mary ! " i8 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. VIII. "Rabboni, my Master," she cried, '' Thy feet, O my God, let me clasp ! Am I treading the pavement above Where freedom is given from doubt ? Am I lifted to light that is bliss ? Has heaven come down upon earth Since Christ over death has the power?' Then Jesus to Mary replied; Her face in her mantle shut in, As though she were blinded with light : " Touch me not yet, O my child, Not yet to my Father in heaven Bearing the sheaves from the field, Bringing the first-fruits of life, Have I in triumph gone up. But go to my brethren and say, Back to our Father and God Soon I ascend ; that in joy In the kingdom that lieth beyond, We for all ages may be Brethren, united in life. Neve*" by sorrow undone ! " 19 7\ ^4— THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. IX. Gone in a moment was Christ, and the whispering breath of the west wind Fanned the penitent's face en the spot where her Lord had been standing : Leaving the Garden again, she encountered Salome and Mary- Just by the brook, in the way that leads up to the fish-pond of Herod : Warm was their loving embrace while the Magda- lene sang in her gladness : X. Hail to the brightness which heralds His glory ! Hail to the coming of Christ among men ! Back from the tomb He has come, and the story Is told us by angels again and again ! Death is uncrowned, since the Saviour of mortals The grave and destruction has robbed of their gloom : Victory shines out from heaven's opened portals, Jesus has conquered the power of the tomb. THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. Christ is arisen ! O sisters, with gladness, Bright shines this Easter morn, bringing Him near, Lovingly owning Him, banishing sadness, Hope springs eternal o'er darkness and fear. XL It was then in the court of the temple, the priests and the rulers were plotting, How they might silence the tale brought back by the terrified soldiers : " They have stolen His body away; say this to the wondering people." Such was the word of the rulers, such was their meaning of Easter. Easter noon was it now, when a party of loving disciples, Women, with spices prepared, to lay at the tomb of the prophet, From Galilee came, and inquired the way to the garden of Joseph. Thus they drew near to the cavern, so fern-crowned and buried in mosses. T//E VOICE OF ST. JOHN. Peering within at tlie place where they thought they should see the Lord's body. While they were earnestly gazing, amazed to find nothing but grave-clothes, A luminous flame seemed to shine, and lo, the bright forms of two angels Told them that Christ was alive, as they chanted this song in sweet music : XII. Av.'ake ! Awake ! Glad voices make. Sing praise to Christ the Lord, The living Word, In earth and heaven Eternally adored ! For thankful songs From hearts and tongues To Christ our King is given From hearts of men Set free again And happy saints in heaven. 'Tis Easter morn, new faith is born, The day of days the best. 7i THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN: Sing praise to God ! Sing out abroad, With joy and hope possessed ! For now the Prince Of Peace hath fought. And triumphed o'er the grave, With holy arm, And strong right hand, Omnipotent to save. No shadows now, our spirits bow, Our souls are raised on high, The Son of man In God's own plan Has come to earth to die. No doubts or fear Could hold Him here Detained by mortal breath. For now He lives And freely gives Redemption over death ! 23 A 1^ THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. XIII. Frightened, and awe-struck, and still, the women from Galilee pondered What this strange vision should mean, ere it faded away into sunlight. Soon to their wondering souls there was joined the glad spirit of Mary, Who back from the vineyard returned when Jesus had vanished before her. '' Come, let us seek the disciples, come, let us tell the glad tidings." Cheerfully thus to the group the Magdalene spoke, and then added : " Out of a garden man wandered, sin entering in by a woman : Back to an Eden restored let woman recover the doubting." Leading the way to the city, the strangers from Galilee followed, Close on the steps of their guide, as she knocked at the door-post of Simon — Simon the zealot, I mean, where, sitting within in the darkness, 24 4 TB£ VOICE OF ST. JOHN. The scattered disciples were found engaged with these obstinate rumors. Gladly their story they told, but how could the brethren believe them ? How could it ever be true as Thomas exclaimed 'mid these doubtings : XIV. Now is done our work of faith, Can it be that Christ o'er death Triumphs with His human breath ? Let them freely say What they hope or what they fear ! Binding law both far and near Rules supreme o'er grief and cheer, Night is never day ! When the human body dies, When the soul from matter flies, When the form beloved, lies In the silent tomb, Who can call us back once more. From the strange, mysterious shore, Where the gathered souls of yore Live beyond earth's gloom ? 25 TIfE VOICE OF ST. JO HIST. Nay, my brethren, do not grieve. I can ne'er this tale believe. Reason can not this receive, Can not understand ! In the Master's pierced side, Where the spear-thrust entered wide, In those palms once crucified, I must thrust my hand ! XV. Shades of the evening grew on, while forth to a neighboring village, Two of our company went, to seek for the absent Salome, And as in their talk by the way they communed with each other and wondered, A pilgrim they passed on the road, a wayfarer, mantled and hooded, Who, joining their steps toward the town, thus spoke with a tone of emotion : 26 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. 7?" XVI . " Wherefore this saddened gaze, And why this gloom when all around is bright? Walks trouble a companion with you on life's ways, Silent and dark as night ? " Then Clopas quick replied, " Art thou a stranger in Jerusalem, And know'st thou not that Jesus Christ hath died ? Would'st thou our grief condemn " When we had trusted all Our hidden hopes to this, the Son of man, The last of all the prophets; and the pall Grows thick o'er every plan? " And certain women brave, Have thrilled our spirits by the news they bring From Joseph's garden, for they say the grave Contains not anything — "And angels guard the place. Moreover, 'tis the third day, and we know 27 ^^1 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. He whom we trusted, told us face to face, Our faith to sight would grow. "And yet we see Him not, And fears come in and rob our rising breath. On earth there does not seem one favored spot Untenanted by death." Then the wayfarer said : " O fools and slow of heart to take in hand All that the prophets and the seers of old Have told you : understand The purpose of the Lord." And then, with earnest look and kindling eye. The stranger, from the visions of God's Word, Showed them why Christ must die ! Then on the shady road Which skirts the entrance tc* Emmaus' slope, Reaching, by sunset's hour, their plain abode. Aroused with kindling hope, They pressed their guest to stay. "Abide with us, for it is drawing late. And shadows fall," they said, " across the way : Pass not our humble gate." 28 THE VOICE OF ST JOHN: 'Twas eve ; and yet 'twas dawn ! Quick as a flash while we were breaking bread We saw the living face we thought was dead, And Christ was gone ! XVII. 'Twas night and the city was still. The paschal moon had arisen, Silvering the turrets and walls of the castles and fortresses grim, Light on the temple shone and the shadows were growing tall ; In the evening watch could be heard the clatter of horses' hoofs, As down the pavement of stones some lordly Sen- ator, late To the feast of his Roman friends, in his lumbering chariot was driven. The cry of the owl so shrill, as he perched in the cedars old, Or the call of some vender of wares, lost in the driver's noise, 29 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. As he hurried liis mules along, broke in on the stillness of night. 'Twas then in a secret room the eleven disciples were found, With others to whom the reports had been brought from the empty grave, While wonder and doubt like the tide ruled their spirits by turns. Into this upper room suddenly entered the brothers Who from Emmaus had come, crowning their hopes with the tidings : " Jesus is risen indeed ! Simon hath seen Him alive ! " 'Twas then, while with rapture we stood, scanning the faces of friends. To find that assurance of hope, hidden away in our breasts, Right in the midst of the gfoup, ere we could know what it meant, Jesus with glory appeared : Jesus, the same and yet changed. Changed, yet our Jesus of old, breathing out bless- ings on each, 30 THE VOICE OF ST. JOHN. "Peace to your spirits," He said Why need I tell you the rest ? 'Tis the food and the drink of the soul ! Soon I shall see Him again ; Soon in His bosom recline, as once at thepassover feast To me it was given to feel the heart-beats of Him who has gone ! XVIII. Thus I've told again the story Of the Resurrection morn, How, from out the clouds of darkness, Hope for man from God was born. Hold this faith, then, do not falter, Bear the trials of your life, Peace comes after struggle ; after Death, there comes eternal life. Little children, keep from idols ; Heed my faltering words to-day. 31 ^4 y\f--* ", -^^0 >p-^^ ^■-( ^^<% %/ .-^'v %/ .-^^ %,f^ • i<^ o"*"* "^ . . . ' 0^ ^^ ^^ -^ *.^lfe'- ^o^