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A TRACT

PASSION W EEK

CONTAINING

REFLECTIONS ON PALM SUNDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, AND EASTER EVE.

Reholil. wo so up to Jerusalem ; and the Sun of man shall be be- trayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, ami they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles, to mock and to scotirge and to crucify him; and the third day he snail i isc again.— St. Matt. xx. IS, 19. '

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CHARLESTON:

STKAM-l'OWKU PRESSES OF EVANS & COGSWELL

Xo. 3 Broad and 103 East Bay street.

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PASSION WEEK.

0 Thou, who through this holy week

Didsl Buffer for us all : The sick to cure, the lost to seek,

To raise up them that fall :

We cannot understand the woe Thy love was pleas'd to hear:

0 Lamb of God ! we only know That all our hopes arc there !

Thy feet the path of suffering trod: Thy hand the victory won:

What shall we render to our God For all that He hath done ?

To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Holy (ihost.

By men on earth he honor done. And by the heavenly host.

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? behold, ami see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.— Lam. i, 12.

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P A L M SUM I) A Y

Gal. vi, 14.

"God forbid that I should glory, saro In the erqss of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucifiefl

until me, and I unto the world."

To-day begins the most solemn week in the whole year, the great and holy week of the Passion (or sutL fe'ring) of our blessed Lord. From beginning to end of it one tiling is held up to us, even the Cross of Jesus. On that we are bidden to fix our eyes. It is that which must fill our hearts. Day by day in the services of the Church is read the wonderful stofy of the Saviour's death. Day by day we are called upon to go up, as it were, in spirit to Calvary, and gaze on that blessed and awful sight. A voice seems to speak to us from heaven, saying, " Go up and behold : — behold your Lord and your God sinking under the cross, which He bears for you: behold Him nailed to the accursed tree, bleeding with the strokes of the cruel scourge, torn with the thorns they have put upon His holy brow : behold Him raised high in the

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air, like the brazen serpent in the wilderness, while the world stands round and mocks His agony : behold Him worn out with His awful weight of suffering, bowing His head, and giving up the ghost. Listen to His sacred voice praying for His murderers : listen to His blessed promise to the penitent thief beside Him : listen to His words of fearful woe. when even the presence of the Father seemed for a while withdrawn. 'My God, my God, why hast Thou for- I saken Me ?' listen to that last piercing cry, when lie gave up His spirit to God. Look upon the earth- quake, and the sudden, awful darkness, and the rending of the veil of the Temple, and the rising of the dead from their graves." Nay, let not man's weak words try to picture that mighty scene. Go to God's own Word. Read there, day by day this week, of these things. And as you read try to realize — to make it real to your hearts. Bring it all before you. See it. Hear it. Stand there, amid the darkness and the signs and wonders, and try to feel yourself in the very presence of that scene, the most marvel- lous the world has ever known — God hanging in death upon the Cross for man.

Oh ! can we stand unmoved before Him who, though lie was God from everlasting, put off His glory, and took upon Him our flesh that He might sulfer these things for us? Can we see unmoved the load of our sins weighing down the spotless Lamb of

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God even unto (loath ? " Surely He hath borno Otw griefs and carried our sorrows." " lie was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniqui- ties: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed."

And yet, alas ! it is too true that we can see and hear these great tilings unmoved — nay, that many do so. Year by year we are called upon to behold and to listen to them. They are brought before us, Whether we will or no. But how often do they rouse in us no awe, no worship, no fear, no gratitude, no love, no zeal, no penitence. How often are we like Gal lio, who u cared for none of these things." Oh! how is it that there are such numbers, who do make some outward profession of religion, yet are so wholly wanting in its spirit and power? Surely the fault is in the root of the whole matter. It is Want of faith which makes the Cross of Christ so dull and cold a subject to so many, which hides its wonders and its glories from the passer-by. The eye of the soul is shut : so how can it see that which it is bid- den to look upon V It is asleep, and opens not : so how can it gaze upon the great things held up before it ?

And now. how shall we spend this Passion Week with profit ? How shall we win a blessing from it as it passes ?

First, let us try to fill our minds with the one great 1*

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thought of Christ's suffering and death. Whatever | our business or work, let us take this thought with us, and dwell upon it as often and as long as we can.

Secondly, let us turn this thought into prayer. Let us lift up our hearts very often to the throne of grace in secret prayer; thanking God for the great Re- demption wrought for us, and asking Him to help us to love our Saviour better and to become more like Him.

Thirdly, let us take for our guidance our Lord's own rule, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Let us practise some sell-denial — give up something for Him who gave up all for us.

Fourthly, let us, if we have the power, seek God's house more often, and not mind if it puts us to some little trouble to do so. Or, if we cannot do this, let us at least read at home those portions of God's Word which are lixed for the different days of this week, and try to print its great lessons dee}) on our minds.

Fifthly, let all who have been confirmed prepare themselves in a very careful and solemn manner for the Easter Communion. Surely, all who love their Lord, and whose hearts this week have been tilled with the thought of His most precious Body broken and Blood poured forth for them, ought to be present at the sacred feast at Easter.

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But are we to think of these things only for one short week V Oh, no ! It is good for us to have times and seasons fixed for the special thought of the great truths of God; but, Unless these times and sea- sons have some lasting fruit, they are truly thrown away. Our Lesson this week is to glory in nothing "save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." But God help us always to love that Cross better. God keep alive in us its sacred lessons, till we can take up our cross daily, and " follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth ;" till we can feel that "the world is cruci- fied unto us and we unto the world ;" till we can say, " I am crucified with Christ ; nevertheless I live, yel not I, but Christ liveth in me."

Almighty and everlasting God, who of Thy tender love toward mankind, hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Iliin our flesh, and to sutler death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the exam- ple <>i His great humility; mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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••Tell ye the daughter of Sinn, behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass. and a colt tlie foal of an ass."

Ride on ! ride on in majesty !

Hark, nil the tribes Hosanna cry :

0 Saviour meek, pursue Thy road,

With palms and scatter'd garments strew' d.

Ride on ! ride on in majesty ! In lowly pomp, ride on to die ! 0 Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O'er captive death and conquer'd sin.

Ride on ! ride on in majesty !

The Angel armies of the sky

Look down with sad and wondering eyes,

To see the approaching Sacrifice.

Ride on ! ride on in majesty ! The last and fiercest, strife is nigh : The Father on His sapphire Throne, Expects His Own anointed Hon.

Ride on ! ride on in majesty !

In lowly pomp, ride on to die !

Bow Thy meek Head to mortal pain,

Then take, 0 God, Thy Power, and reign.

Reign on ! reign on in majesty! Reign on in triumph. Lord most High ! We hymn Thee on Thy Throne of love, Almighty King, in realms above. Amen.

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GOOD FBI DA V.

St. John xix, 5.

''Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and tii.' purple robe. A 1.1I Pilate saitb unto them, Behold

the man !"

How simple, and yet how perfect, is this picture ! A few short words, and vet we can sec it all. Let us stop and gaze upon it ; for it is not a picture to be lightly passed by. Sic He comes forth from the judgment-hall, "wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe." And who is this that comes forth ? It is the " man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;" it is Jesus of Nazareth, the "despised and rejected of men;" and vet (oh! wonderful love!) it is our Saviour, our Kino;, our God. There He stands, and we can see the bleeding brow, and the smitten face, and the mangling of the cruel scourge; we can see the look of patient suffering, of holy meekness, of tender love. And Pilate points Him out to us, and says, " Behold the man." And can we turn away from such a picture ? Does it not touch and melt j our hearts ? Do we not hear His pleading voice as I He stands there in His crown and robe of mockery,

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crying to us and saying, " Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? Behold, and see if there be any sor- row like unto my sorrow ?"

Or pass on a few hours, and look upon another picture. It is a still more wonderful and touching one. Pass on from the judgment-hall to Calvary. Go, and stand afar off', in loving awe and lowly rev- erence, and behold that awful sight. See there that dim Cross standing up against the darkened mid-day sky. Trace the suffering Form that hangs upon it. Mark the drops of blood falling last from the pierc- ing thorns upon His sacred head, and raining down from the cruel nails in His holy hands and feet. Once again, " Behold the man !" And know that He you look upon is none other than your God, giv- ing His most precious Body, shedding His most pre- cious Blood, to save you from the wrath to come. Oh ! " is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ?"

Such are the pictures Good Friday sets before our eyes. It is a day to be much observed amongst as — a day to fill our whole hearts and minds with thoughts of the Cross of Christ. It is a solemn, mournful, day ; a day of fasting and prayer; a day for much secret thought, and self-examination, and repentance.

Let us try to think of Jesus Himself watching our hearts to see how the great things of this day touch them, and what will be their fruit in us. Alas ! how many go upon their way — of business or pleasure, it

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matters not which — and never turn aside even for a moment to gaze where their Saviour Himself hangs bleeding ibr them. They hurry od : it is nothing to them : and they pass by. But is it really nothing to them ? Tljey may think it so. and feel it so, but it cannot really be so. It must make a difference to them, for good or for ill. whether they will or no. They cannot despise their Lord, and refuse to heed Him, ami w" pass by," and be none the worse ibr it. If the}' will not know Him as their living and cruci- fied Saviour, they shall know Him, one day, as their wrathful and terrible Judge.

But many stop to gaze. There are many eyes that turn to look on the wondrous scene. But not all alike : not all in the spirit of faith and love. A gnat many look because it is the custom to look. The}' go to church, and listen to the story of their Saviour's death, because it is the right thing to do. But though that solemn story falls on the ear, does it always go down deeper V Does it always get to the heart ? Is it never heard with listless weariness, with idle unconcern '? Let us each make sure, at least, about ourselves. How have we heard this story '? How have zve looked upon the great Good Friday pic- tures ? Plave we really taken our part in the great scene ? If we have been standing by the Cross of Jesus at all, has our place been with the careless, godless, Roman soldiers, who, though so near the

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Cross, knew nothing of its power and its love ; or with the holy women who " stood afar off," gazing with full hearts on that sight, from which the very sun in heaven hid its face? Has it all been a real living thing to our hearts ? Has it filled them, so that there was no room for vain and idle (and much less for sinful) thoughts this day? Have Ave really felt, and mourned, and loved ? Remember, there may be much inward coldness under much outward observance. The great question is, Do we love the Lord or no ? If we do love Him, we cannot pass by all His sorrows and His sufferings for us, with hearts cold and unconcerned.

God grant that this day may not be without its fruit in us, but that we may so learn its holy lessons that " Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith ; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fulness of God." Amen.

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0 Lord Jesus Christ, the only Sou of God, who wast given both to be a sacrifice for sin and also an ensample of godly life; who did'st bid us take up our cross and daily follow Thee; make, we pray Thee, the yoke of Thy com- mandments sweet, and the burden of Thy cross light unto our souls. Conform Thy sen ants, 0 Lord, to the likeness of Thy passion; give us grace, 0, Eternal Father, that we strive to keep the way of the holy cross, and carry in our hearts the image oj' Jesus crucified. Make us cheerfully resign ourselves to Thy divine will, that, being fashioned after His life-giving death, we may die according to the flesh, and live according to the spirit of righteousness ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.

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-Jesus said. It is finished; and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.''

JeSU, Who didst set us free From sin's curse and tyranny: By Thy death Thou life dost give. Life to all who Thee receive.

While each solemn function high Of that woeful mystery On the Cross Thou deign'st to bear. Saviour, with most loving care:

" Finishing" the Rite of rites ! " Finishing" the last of fights ! "Finishing" life's shadowy race! "Finishing" the Work of Grace !

While death's hour is hast'ning ou, While life's strength is all but gone, While the end Thou'rt bent to meet. While the task is just complete;

In a word the sum is said — Thou dost cry " 'Tis finished!" Yea, the Lord is crucified ! Yea, for us the Lamb hath died !

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Now His precious Blood is shed !

Now our souls aro ransomed !

Now is Satan's power braved ;

Christ hath died, and man is saved ! Amen.

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E AS TEE KV E.

Psalms xxiii, 4.

''Yen. though T walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 1 will (car no evil : for Thou art with me ; Thy

rod and Thy start' they comfort me."

How strangely calm and solemn are the thoughts which this day brings ! It was the Jewish Sabbath, the day of rest. And Jesus rests in the dark and silent chamber of the tomb. "It is finished" — the sad life of sorrow and of suffering — the pathway of grief — the journey of pain. No more toil, and want, and misery: no mure sighing and tears; no more hatred and enmity ; no more mocking and insult ; no more agony and sorrow of soul even unto death ; no more smiting, and jeering, and buffeting, and spitting on ; no more fainting under the weight of the cross ; no more rending with the scourge : no more piercing with the nails; no more crowning with the thorns : no more hanging by those bleeding hands and feet to the bitter cross; no more dying in the lingering torture of a felon's shameful execution.

"It is finished" — all that the prophets prophesied,

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and the types foreshadowed. " Messiah is cut off, but not for Himself." " He is cut off out of the land of the living." It has "pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief." He hath made " His soul an offering for sin." " He hath poured out His soul unto death." " He was numbered with the transgressors, and bare the sin of many ;" and His fainting lips " made intercession for the trans- gressors"— " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." " And lie hath made His grave with the wicked and with the rich in His death," dying between the thieves — buried in the rich man's grave. And the Paschal Lamb has been truly sacri- ficed, and He is a Lamb " without blemish and with- out spot;" and "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so" now hath the Son of Man been " lifted up." And the Scapegoat is gone away into the wilderness, the Victim has passed to the unseen world with the sins of the people laid upon His precious head. The Scriptures are fulfilled. " It is finished."

Yes, all is over, and between, the sad heart-rend- ing scenes of Good Friday, and the glad and glori- ous news of Easter morning, there conies in this one calm day of rest and peace — rest for the weary Body, peace for the Soul set free. The Body rests in the silent tomb. The Soul is gone to Paradise.

And what is Paradise V We know not, save that

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it is the happy place where the souls of those that "die in the Lord" are waiting for the fuller glory and happiness of the presence of God in heaven. There the penitent thief met his Saviour after death. And there we believe are gathered in a blissful rest all the " spirits of just men made perfect;" sharing in the special presence of their Lord, for to them to "depart" was to "be with Christ;" and looking forward, with a "hope full of immortality," to their "perfect consummation and Miss, both in body and soul, in eternal and everlasting glory."

And here, we may observe, that when our Creed says that Christ "descended into hell" the word "hell" does not mean hell-fire. It is quite a differ- ent word in the original language of the Creed, and means the " place of the departed;" and so the Creed only tells us that our Lord went down amongst the dead, which He did when He went to Paradise.

And, oh ! what a happy place Paradise musl be! " There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." Surely there are times — times of sorrow, and weariness, and disappointment — when all, who have any thought of these things, would " desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." Christ said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He gives that rest even here ; but,

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oh ! how far sweeter must be the rest He gives in Paradise ! " There remaineth a rest for the people of God." "Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest."

And while Christ is dead in the silent tomb, let us think of our death. It is fttt drawing near. It will not tarry long. Our bodies, too, unless we be alive at the coming of the Lord, will soon sleep in the dark, cold, grave. Are we afraid to die ? Does the " valley of the shadow of death" look very dark and terrible to our weak faith V Nay, why should we fear it ? Jesus has passed through it before us. He has robbed it of its terrors. Do we fear to go to Him ? Do we fear to be with Him? Is it so fearful to hear the words, " To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise V" We only want more faith — faith to look beyond the narrow stream that parts us from the promised land — faith to believe in the Saviour's blessed presence even as we pass through the dark waters. How well for us to be able to say, " O Death, where is thy sting V O Grave, where is thy victory V" " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 1 will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff* they comfort me."

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Grant. 0 Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of Thy blessed Son, our Saviour. Jesus Christ, so by con- tinual mortifying our corrupt affections, we may be buried with Him : and that through the grave and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for His merits who died and was buried, and rose again for us. Thy Sou Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"And when Joseph hail taken the Body, he wrapped It in a clean linen cloth, and laid It in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock. And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre."

Besting from His work to-day In the tomb the Saviour lay ; Still He sleeps, from Head to Feel Shrouded in the winding-sheet, In the rocky tomb alone, Hidden by the sealed stone.

Late at even there was seen Watching long the Magdalene; Early rose, as rested late, By the sepulchre to wait, In the holy garden glade, Where her buried Lord was laid.

So with Thee, till life shall end, I would solemn vigil spend;

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Let me hew Tliec, Lord. :i shrine In this stony heart of mine ; Where, in pure embalmed cell, None but Thou msty ever dwell !

Myrrh and spices will I bring.

True affection's offering;

Close the door from sight and sound

Of the busy world around :

And in patient watch remain,

Till my Lord appear again. Amen.

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By Thine agony and bloody sweat;

By Thy Cross and Passion ;

By Thy precious Death and Burial ;

By Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension ;

By the coming of the Holy Ghost :

Good Lord deliver us.

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