Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

MONITORIAL.

ELEGANT EXTRACT.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,
From the Sermons of the "Scotch Preacher."

Twice had the sun gone down upon the earth, and all was yet quiet at the sepulchre; death held his sceptre over the Son of God: still and silent the hours passed on; the guards stood by their post, the rays of the midnight moon gleamed on their helmets, and on their spears; the enemies of Christ exulted in their success; the hearts of his friends were sunk in despondency and in sorrow; the spirits of glory waited in anxious suspense to behold the event, and wonder at the depth of the ways of God. At length the morning star arising in the east announced the approach of light; the third day began to dawn upon the world, when on a sudden the earth trembled to its centre, & the powers of heaven were shaken; an angel of God descended, the guards shrunk back from the terror of his presence, and fell prostrate on the ground; his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment was as white as snow; he rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and sat upon it. But who is this that cometh forth from the tomb, with dyed garments from the bed of death? He that is glorious in his appearance, walking in the greatness of his strength! It is thy Prince, O Zion! Christian, it is your Lord. He hath trodden the wine press alone; he hath stained his garments with blood; but now, as the first born from the womb of nature, he meets the morning of his resurrection. He arises a conqueror from the grave; he returns with blessings from the world of spirits; he brings salvation to the sons of men. Never did the returning sun usher in a day so glorious! It was the jubilee of the universe. The morning stars sung together, and all the sons of God shouted aloud for joy; the Father of Mercies looked down from his throne in heaven; with complacency he beheld his world restored; he saw his work that it was good. "Then did the desert rejoice; the face of nature was gladdened before him, when the blessings of the eternal descended as the dew of heaven on the refreshing of the nations."