and patriots! The downfall of slavery, the new creation of America in 1865, came through the pangs and throes of horrid war, by the blood of the slain, by a great martyrdom.

But it was the emancipation, not of one country, nor the regeneration of a few millions, but of unnumbered millions in all lands and in all ages it was to turn the whole course of human events and overthrow the slavery of sin and bring a heavenly kingdom to earth — this it was that occupied the mind and burdened the heart of Jesus. This made the supreme agony of his cross. And he bore the load and put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. This is the central figure upon Calvary; and we bow and say, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." This is the cross of our salvation.

But the cross of Jesus does not stand alone. There are other principles in the world. Each of the other crosses has a character of its own; one is a cross of condemnation, of unbelief and hate; the other is the cross of humility, of penitence, and faith. The three crosses represent the whole history of man.

In some sense the cross of condemnation is a universal cross, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No one is exempt from this reproach, or can escape the accusations of his own conscience or the natural ills that follow transgression. Youthful sins make a bitter memory for after years. The difference between men is as to how they bear this cross; whether with acknowledgment of God's justice, or with morose and rebellious feeling. This was the difference between the two crosses on the right, the other on the left of Jesus.

one

In this case the cross of condemnation was one of mockery and spite. This man had committed crimes and suffered justly, as he was told by the other malefactor. But no confession passed his lips, no sorrow touched his heart; only anger and hate rankled in his bosom. His sufferings did not soften him, nor the

gentle voice of Jesus; but he gave hatred for love. Instead of sympathy with Jesus, he was insulting and blaspheming to the last.

From that cross of condemnation let us turn to the cross upon the other side of Jesus, which I have called the cross of humility, of penitence and faith, and let us admire the brokenness of heart, the tenderness of spirit, the submission, the devotion; and the courage there exhibited. This cross-bearer knew that he was a sinner and was suffering justly. At the same time he saw the situation of Jesus as suffering unjustly, and his heart went out to him in pity and commiseration. He took his part and confessed

and honored him. That he had known Jesus before is evident from his saying, "This man has done nothing amiss." It is the language of acquaintance and friendship. There is nothing to indicate that he now for the first time became a disciple. He had been one before. The notion that this was a sudden conversion is unwarranted. It is less credible than an earlier tradition, which associates him with a roving band who fell in with Joseph and Mary and the young child in their flight to Egypt, but instead of spoiling them were enamored of their humble poverty and simple ways. The heart of this man, the legend runs, was touched by the Christ Child, and the Virgin mother blessed him, and he ever retained the sacred memory and years afterward he recognized in Jesus the prophet of Galilee, the same child, and joined his disciples.

But tradition aside, from the more full and particular narrative of Luke it may be inferred that this man had known Jesus before and been known of him. The words, "Lord, remember me," may imply this. It may be that he had taken part in some political agitation, perhaps with Barabbas' band in an insurrection against the Roman authority, and had done acts of violence. Civil strifes, labor strikes in our day, frequently involve upright, conscientious, and zealous persons in doubtful and wrong actions.

In our civil war, which began on the plains of Kansas, John Brown of Osawatomie and Stonewall Jackson were misguided men, but they were men of conviction and principle. Each had sterling virtue and a dauntless spirit. This malefactor was a man of their style and stamp. His heart was in sympathy with suffering innocence. Neither the terror of the hour, nor his own pains abashed him. Superior to fear, he looked through the veil which then darkened Providence, and confessed his Lord. With no support from the belief of any one else, when no other voice was lifted up for Jesus, this man took his part. It was an act of faith, unique, inimitable, such as was never before and can never be again. His remonstrance with his companion, his confession of God's justice, his vindication of Jesus, showed a noble mind. And he recognized the Saviour as sovereign and king in the realms beyond, and asked to be remembered there. Accordingly there was given him the most personal and precious of all promises, "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

I think we are indebted to the holy women who were "last at the cross" for these incidents, which they reported to Luke to be placed in his narrative. They call us to remember that not only the cross of Jesus, but also the other crosses are still in the world, and that each one of us must choose for himself whether he will be on the good or evil side, whether he will take part with Jesus in the trial and trouble of life, or join in malignity and scorn with the enemies of the cross of Christ. As the question comes with every call of duty, let us imitate the faith and courage of the crossbearer who with his latest breath confessed the Lord, and like him let us own the cause of our Saviour, and maintain the honor of his name. Then in the final hour when our spirits leave the world, may we too hear the gracious promise, "Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise!"

"When the Lord was crucified,

Two transgressors with him died;

One with vile blaspheming tongue
Scoffed at Jesus as he hung:
But the other, touched with grace,
Humbly looked on Jesus' face,

Boldly owned his blessèd Lord,

Whom the scribes and priests abhorred. 'Lord,' he prayed, 'remember me, When in glory Thou shalt be.' 'Soon with me,' the Lord replies, "Thou shalt rest in Paradise.' This was wondrous faith indeed, Wondrous grace in time of need; If we trust in Jesus' name,

We shall find him still the same."

XV

THE RESURRECTION

Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the life. JOHN 11:25.

HE birth and the death of our Saviour have each one special day in the year for their commemoration

Day," and "Good Friday." On one, we say,

on the other,

"Joy to the world! the Lord is come;"

"Christmas

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

But the chief significance of the birth and of the death of Christ comes from his risen and eternal life, and, while we rejoice in his birth, and glory in his cross, we should much more rejoice and glory in his resurrection. The apostle says, "If Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." His resurrection was the triumph of Christ. It "declared him to be the Son of God, with power," says Paul. It made him the light of the world, the herald of a new age, the creator of a new era of history. We celebrate it with a religious service every Sunday; and every Sunday should have all the joy and gladness of Easter Day.

The divine love, which was manifested in the life and example and teaching and death of Christ and confirmed by his resurrection, is victorious over sin and wickedness. It inspires faith and enables and disposes a man to change his thoughts and desires, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live a pure and clean life. The highest proof of Christianity is the practice of it by