Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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6 The Joy ol An Easter Message by Rev. Brice Scliumpert Bailey Memorial Methodist Church Text: "Then were the disciples glad, when they s a w the Lord." John 20:20. Nowhere is the effect of the Resurrection more simply and wonderfully seen than in the first reaction of the disciples when .Tesus appeared to them on Easter evening. A tremendous hope had been raised in their minds by Jesus, and their faith in him kept fanning that hope. Then came the Cross and put an end to it. The cause seemed lost. Then suddenly this is reversed. Here he is. alive again, himself, so that they cannot mistake who it is. "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." The Greek word for "glad" means "delighted.'' "rejoicing." J. B. Phillips translates it "overjoyed." Let us think about that gladness. I. They certainly were glad to see him again?just humanly glad. He must have been a wonderful person to be with. We never know how much we care for someone, or depend on him, until we almost lose him, and then get him back again. This was a verv " i/ human gladness over the lestoration of a very profound human relationship. He was their Lord, but he was also their friend. II. They were glad, too, one feels sure, for the fact of his Resurrection. Apparently they had forgotten that at the same time as he told them of his approaching Crucifixion, he told them that he would rise again on the third day. When he cavp m nromiso m * <->? * ~ an assurance, events confirmed what he said. This was by far the greatest claim and promise he ever made. For a man to say that he would survive death, and return from the "undiscovered country,' was a colossal and unique claim. Yet the event bore him out. III. Closely allied with this they must have been glad for the vindication of the Resurrection. If he was risen, the scoffers and skeptics were wrong. The faith these disciples had put in him was nol misplaced. They had not hoped too high nor believed tor much. IV. And even then, so earlv in the story, they must have ueen aware 01 certain implications of the Resurrection that filled them with gladness. The Resurrection brought light from the world of eternity. Many had believed in immortality before but f the Resurr 1^. kl no one had ever been a proof of it. He was. If he survived death, they might. As time went on. and they rethought everything in terms of the Resurrection, the full meaning of Christ's teaching about immortality grew upon them. They began to realize that eternal life begins, not with death, but with faith. What he gave to them in faith and new life, was itself the seed of immortality. You could not kill him finally, and you could not finally kill what he gave to his believers. Death and hate were not the last words; life and love were in the last words in human existence, here and forever. Nothing else has ever made men so sure of God. so sure of faith, so sure of eternal life, and so sure of the wonder of the experience of being alive, as Jesus' Resurrection. This must have flooded upon them in waves of realization, and of course it made them glad. Is this, let me ask you. a gladness in which you share, this joy of the Resurrection? Am I speaking of something dim and hazy and long ago. or am I speaking of a Lord whom you know a n d love, and whose Resurrection this wonderful day makes you glad, too? Is religion for you an aspiration, or a possession? Have you lived, perhaps for l i - _ _ years, looKing over across a chasm at the faith of other people, even at a Lord in ^ whom you have never really ' believed? The rest of the sermon is not for people who love him, and try to serve him: it is for those for whom he is still ' unreal, part of a long-gone 1 past or of a hope that will never be realized. Let me ask \ vou three questions: First, who is Jesus, and what do you make of him? i Second, do you know what your civilization owes to him. and how much of your own satisfaction in living you owe to him? ? Third, when are you coming to grips with .Jesus vourt self? In the name of the Risen ? Christ of Easter, I ask you whether you have made your decision and commitment to Ihe Living Christ? Christ is the Lord of every man, worni an, and child on earth. The chief element of his Gospel i is not his teaching, it is himI self. You receive him when you accept him in faith. The faith he gives you will be THE CLOTHMAKER ection come in you a new life that will continue in immortality. But there is no use telling people about Christian immortality until first they accept the Christian faith. The joy of those early desciples can be your joy. This Easter Day can be your first real Easter Day, if you will let the resurrection take place in you which Christ alone can give you. Recognize him. Surrend yuui5cii iu 111111. ruiiuw him. Bv life and by word give your witness to him in the world. And beginning here and continuing forever hereafter. the same thing can be said of you and me as was said of those early followers, "Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord."? A Paayer for the Day: Almighty God, who has given to us the vision and the beauty of this present life, grant to us the further gift of Easter certitude of Life Eternal. Into these brief years of our visible acts and love send the power of the life which does not end. Make us children of the Resurrection and so endow us with power to lift this world nearer to the light and peace which is above. By thine infinite mercy break the chains of earthly goals so that all our deeds may partake of Heaven's greatness. Send the Easter joy and light unto the hearts and homes of those who are bereaved. Give solace to those who mourn, bv the Easter promise of peace after pain, and of growth and progress in love and service in the life beyond. To those who carry bitter sorrow may the Easter hope become a source of healing comfort. May the gates of the Holy City open a little wider for our wistful eyes. And there enthroned may we see him who brought life and immortality to light. By the same token may be realize his presence with us. ever our Lord and Savior, as we continue our journey through this earthly life. One half of all broad woven cotton fabrics produced in the United States go into uses where easy-care qualities are important. [>w Pip"BKmDfu>fri" tier ITS NAM?;> & i ? V ' **TA >IV- <?v /? M h J* ' BICOAPCL07H WAS ORIGINALLY WOVEN IN BOLTS TWO > ARPS WIPE; HENCE THE NAME." Receive Hi Diplomas r \v^ H>. Jfj ^jjS& I I I fl 1SSS n ^0 Mr. Donald Perry. Professor ol Raleigh. N. C. auditioned and judgec in the Clinton Community House o The attractive and talented yoi successful candidates for High School were: Harriet Wilson (seated, right) _L. ' - l * * ~ * ing, ngmj superior, juay i_aney (s Sandra Dunaway (standing, left) ex HAPPY 52nd CAMP The week of March 18 through 24 we celebrated a very special birthday ? the 52nd anniversary of Camp Fire Girls. Founded in 1910 by Dr. and Mrs. Luther Halsey Gulick, authorities in cliiId health, recreation and ? ?u? I'uuKiuun, int.* |)inKi am ciinis at building character and developing skills through lei- 1 sure time activities based on "learning by doing." Camp Fire Girls are found in over ' 3,000 communities in the United States. Here in Clinton, financed primarily by the Greater Clinton Community Chest, the Camp Fire Girls program REMEMBER The value of time The success of perseverence. The pleasure of working. The dignity of simplicity. The worth of character. The power of kindness. The influence of example. The obligation of duty. The wisdom of economy. The virtue of patience. The improvement of talent. The joy of originating. Plan For Fire Are you prepared for a fire emergency in your home? Now, (i u r i n i* Clean-Up time, clean up any misunderstandings about what action to take in case of fire. Plan two safe ways out of every room. Rehearse routes with your family. Be sure everyone knows the first fire safety rule: Get out fast' MARCH. 1962 gh School ? in Music pL V Fr fj ^ ~hL m K?. ^ L3 ^Mfl m 9 Music at St. Mary's College. I Mrs. Joe E. Lands' piano pupils n March 2nd and 3rd. ing women shown above were diplomas in music. Their ratings superior. Brenda Fallaw (standleated. left) excellent plus, and :cellent plus. BIRTHDAY FIRES # serves 410 girls, under the direction of over 100 devoted volunteers. O u r community is a better place to live because of their training in service to others, competence and grace in the home, love of nature and the out-ofdoors. reverence for God. good citizenship, and the pleasure of creatine beautiful and useful objects through arts and crafts. It is gratifying to note how closely Camp Fire (Jirls have identified themselves with many aspects of community life, bringing youthful enthusiasm and dedication to the task of helping their neighbors. Indeed, we would not want to think of our community without "the girls in blue". It is our pleasure to extend our very best wishes to the Pnmn ITim f.imJl.. ...U~ v...lll|/ 1 ML 1 I 1 I 1 I I IN \\ I 1 1 I till" rededicating themselves, to serving others in the future as they have in the past. To Dr. and Mrs. Luther Halsey (Juliek. that farseeing couple, \v h o through their efforts founded t h e first Camp Fire organization and to all of those who have carried our their imaginative programs, we owe a vote of thanks and every help we can give.