CHRIST APPEARETH TO MARY.

Startling she turns, and, glimmering thro' the leaves, Something that seems of human form perceives, Which kindly ask'd her-why she wept, and whom She sought so near the solitary tomb?

"WHEN Jesus was risen, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." (Mark xvi. 9, 10, 11.)

The fervency of Mary Magdalene's affection to the Lord Jesus is here shown. She staid at the sepulchre when Peter and John were gone. She wept at the remembrance of his bitter sufferings, and the loss which she and others sustained; and as she wept, she looked into the sepulchre, where she saw two angels in white, sitting. They

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spoke to her, asking the cause of her sorrow. She seems, in her confusion, not to have discerned what they were. Why weepest thou?" I have cause enough to weep, said she, for "they have taken away my Lord."

Before the angels gave Mary any answer, Christ satisfied her inquiries. Mary longs to see the dead body of Christ, and complains of the loss of that,-and behold, she sees him alive!

In this appearance of Christ to Mary, she knew not at first it was Jesus. He asked her, "Woman, why weepest thou?" She did not give a direct answer, but supposing him to be the gardener, said, “Sir, if thou have carried him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Christ at length made himself known to her, and gave her proofs of his resurrection. Jesus saith unto her, "Mary." It was said

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with that kindness with which he was wont to speak to her. She was at once aware who it was; It is the voice of my Beloved.' She turned, and said, "Rabboni? Is it my Master? Is it indeed? My Master, my great Master."

Mary, supposing that he was risen, as Lazarus was, to live among them as he had done, probably was about to take his hand or cling to his feet in her usual manner: this mistake Christ rectified; she must believe him, and adore him, as exalted. He forbids her to expect the continuance of his bodily presence; he was no more in the world; and therefore she must look higher, and look further, than the present state of things. He directs her not to tarry, and gives a message for his disciples. Though he was now entering upon his glory, yet he owns his disciples as his brethren.

Though they had forsaken him and fled, yet he forgives.

This was Mary's reward for her constancy, and a rebuke to the apostles, who had not been so close in attending on the dying Jesus, nor so early as she was in meeting the risen Jesus.

Mary Magdalene then came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord alive; he had spoken these things unto her, as a message to be delivered to them; and she delivered the message faithfully. Those who have the happiness, to enjoy the blessings of the grace of Jesus Christ themselves, will, on all suitable opportunities, most cheerfully communicate it, to the benefit of others.