"And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary mother of James, and Salome had brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him.

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."

Three wise men traveled across desert stretches laden with gifts for the Bethlehem Babe. Three women, according to Mark's story, came to the tomb, bringing sweet spices to anoint the body of their dead Master, who during His short life of thirty-three years had spoken as never man spake and had wrought as never man wrought.

We try to imagine their feelings as they stole quietly out of the gates of the city that first Easter morning "before it was yet day." The tragic experiences of the past hours, all they had seen and felt during that eventful day of the crucifixion of Calvary, lay heavy on their hearts. Their eyes could not penetrate the cloud of darkness, personal grief and fear which enshrouded them. Was not their beloved Teacher, the Companion of their daily joys and sorrows, the Friend of the common people, the Messiah of the Jewish race lying dead in the rock-hewn tomb of the garden? And yet with hearts filled with love and loyalty, and with a burning faith which even the sight of His death could not quench, they took the first opportunity-for the day previous had been the Sabbath -to bring sweet spices which their own hands had prepared, so Luke tells us, to anoint His body for the burial.

Over nineteen hundred years have

passed. Today as followers of the same Leader, we are grateful for the knowledge which has been granted to us that the Christ who rose from the tomb that Easter morning has lived and still lives in the hearts and deeds of men during all the centuries and throughout all lands. He has been the vital, redeeming force in the history of the world.

Greater assurance for our faith have we than these Judean women ever had, yet do we not need to learn a lesson from their devotion and loyalty? What sweet spices can we offer for His honor?

We must not loiter and linger by the way. We must come in the dusk and shadows of the early morn before the day dawns. There is no time for delay, for the King's business requireth haste.

Shall we bring Him our love? "If ye love me, keep my commandments," He said.

Shall we bring Him our gratitude? "Even as ye have received the gift, so shall ye minister the same one to another."

Shall we offer Him our lives-all that we are and have-the wealth of our stewardship, our noblest thoughts, our best talents, our bravest deeds? "Feed my sheep," Jesus said to Peter. And again, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me."

"In love my soul would bow,
My heart fulfill its vow,
Some offering bring Thee now,
Something for Thee.

All that I am and have,
Thy gifts so free,

In joy, in grief, through life,
Dear Lord, for Thee!"

EDITH SCAMMAN

TOPIC FOR APRIL, 1917. "Before It Was Yet Day" Mrs. John Froschl.

PROGRAM.

Hymn "On the resurrection morning." Scripture The Resurrection-John 20: 1-18.

"Always there must be prayer; only at dawn it leads to labor and at eve to rest."-James Martineau.

Prayer By leader, or a selection from "God's Minute," a book of 365 Daily Prayers. (Baker & Taylor Co.)

Hymn-An Easter Song, by some juniors. (If possible.)

Recitation-Easter. By a Junior.

The barrier stone has rolled away,
And loud the angels sing;

The Christ comes forth this blessed day
To reign a deathless king.

For shall we not believe He lives

Through such awakening?

Behold, how God each April gives
The miracle of Spring.

-Edwin L. Sabin.

To the selfishness of anger it addresses itself, even when the red spot is still upon the brow of the angry: 'Let not the sun go down upon your wrath;' 'Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you.'

To the selfishness of pride, even in its haughtiness and arrogance, it says: 'In honor preferring one another, be clothed with humility, let each esteem another better than himself.'

To the selfishness of indifference to the concerns and condition of others-in the city, in the village, in the mountains, in Alaska, in Porto Rico-it says: 'Look not on thine own things, but likewise on the things of others.'

That they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves-but unto Christ."

-Adapted from Punshon.

John 20:1-"While it was yet dark." to They came to minister dead Christ, we have a living Christ to serve

a

"while it is day."

Offering hymn-"Master, no offering, costly and sweet."

Reception of offering.

Suggestions for after-Easter

tion on 2 Cor. 5:15.

them

"He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto selves. but unto Him which died for them, and rose again."

"Go tell those friends which believe in me,

I go before them into Galilee."

He did not tell Mary to go preach, but to go and say.-John 20:17.

"I will meet them."-Mark 16:7. In a life controlled by this resurrection gospel,--self loses all governing power. "To the selfishness of avarice, this gospel goes up boldly even while the miser clutches his gold, and says: 'Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou'away.

Charles H. Baker, Treasurer

ALABAMA-$62.52.

Andalusia: Antioch, 6.26. Brantley: 2.75. Dozier: 2. Gentry: 16.50. Glenwood: 2. Haleyville: 7. Headland: 1. Thorsby: 22.18. Trinity: 1.83. Individual: 1. COLORADO-$53.10.

Denver: North, 3.10; Plymouth, 30. Fort Morgan: Ger. Assembly, 10. Greeley: Ger., 10.

CONNECTICUT—$2,427.91.

The Miss. Soc. of Conn., Wm. F. English, Treas.. 1,408.97. Bridgeport: Park St. C. E., 2.70. East Haddam: 9.50. Greenwich: 2nd, Stillson Benev. Soc, 450. Hartford: Immanuel, Indiv., 3. Meriden: 1st., 26. Monroe: 5.25. Newton: S. S., 6.90. Stamford: Swedish, 5. Stratford: S. S., 10. Thompson: 11.85. Washington: 20. Individual: 22.75.

W. H. M. U., Mrs. H. DeWitt Williams, Treas. New Haven: L. B. S., 15. Farmington: W. A., 15. New Milford: W. H. B., 25. Milford: 1st W. H. M. U., 10. Kensington: W. H. S., 25. New Haven: United, A. S., 32. Bridgeport: South, L. B. F., 20. Mystic: Y. W. A., 10. South Britain: W. A., 15. Hartford: 1st, A. Walker Aux., 80. Stratford: W. H. M. S., 31. Bridgewater: Aux., 21.50. Saybrook: 3.49. Rockville: Union, L. A. S., 25. Winsted: 1st W. C. U., Norwich: 1st Broadway, 10. Meriden: 1st W. L., 35. Bristol: W. A., 29. N. Woodstock: L. A. S., 8. Middlefield: 7. Total, 445.99.

GEORGIA-$2.90.

Tucker: 1.90. Individual: 1, IDAHO $16.00.

29.

Aberdeen: Neu Guadenfeld, 6. Individual: 10.

ILLINOIS-$255.83.

Cong. Conf.: J. W. Iliff, Treas., 255.83. INDIANA-$1.00.

Whiting: Plymouth, 1.

IOWA-$262.43.

Congregational Conference: S. J. Pooley, Treas., 262.43.

MAINE-$39.51.

Cong. Conf, and Miss. Soc.; Geo. F. Cary, Treas., 22.16. Bath: Winter St., 10.35. Harrison: 5. Little Deer Isle: 2. MASSACHUSETTS—$1,624.02.

Mass. H. M. Soc.: J. J. Walker, Treas., 521. Ashby: Orthodox, 30. Becket: North, 6.58. Boston: Park St., 157. Bridgewater: Scotland, 1.25. Danvers: Maple St., 100. Dorchester: Central (Indiv.), 5. Florence: 49.50. Lawrence: Lawrence St. S. S., 30; South, 6.91. Lunenburg: 6.93. Newton Centre: 1st Ch. in Newton, 121.77. Marlboro: 1st S. S., 15. Middlefield: 4.58. Individuals: 38.50.

W. H. M. A. of Mass, and R. I.: By Ellen A. Smith, Asst. Treas, 530.

MICHIGAN-$229.98.

Mich. Cong. Conf.: L. P. Haight, Treas., 229.98.

MINNESOTA-$61.89.

Cong. Conf.: J. J. McBride, Treas., 57.94. Kasota: Swedish, 3.95.

MONTANA-$25.30.

5.

Antelope: 5. Bainville: 1.95. Dooley: Helena: Ladies Soc., 4. Lanark: 1.20. Plentywood: 5. Sidney: Ladies' Soc., 3.15. NEBRASKA-$225.00.

Lincoln: 1st Ger., 100. Sutton: 1st Ger., 110; New Hope, 15.

Correction: Contribution of $60 reported last month at Scotland, S. Dak., should be from German Church, McCook, Nebr. NEW HAMPSHIRE-$107.39.

N. H. H. M. S.: A. B. Cross, Treas., 76.34. Haverhill: 1st, 9. New Castle: 4.05. Troy

N. Y. Cong. Conf.: Chas. W. Shelton. Treas., 72.96. Brooklyn: Bushwick Ave. 50; Evangel., 23; Mapleton Pk., C. E. Soc., 2.50; Park, S. S., 8; South, S. S., 15. Crown Point: 1st, 7.30. N. Y. C.: Camp Memorial, 24. Paris: 5. Poughkeepsie: 1st, 117. Spencerport: 52.50. Watertown: Emanuel, 12.94. Individual: 2.

NORTH DAKOTA-$72.77.

Dogden: 1.64. Eldridge: 7.50. Granville: 10. Heaton: 1st, 10. Hebron: German, 4. Hettinger: 17.15. Hurd: 1.75. Max Bass: 4.69. Minot: 1.51. Oberon: 1.20. Overly: 2. Portland: 7. Sawyer: Highland, 4.33. OHIO $95.46.

Marietta: 1st S. S., 8.26. Shandon: Toledo: 1st, 25; 2nd, 27.

Women's Home Miss. Union: Mrs. David Howells, Treas., Genolden, L. A. Soc., 5. SOUTH DAKOTA-$221.46.

Aberdeen: 14.43. Akaska: Ger., 33.25. Armour: 25. Beresford: 14.85. Bowdle: 20. Custer: 4.88. Hosmer: Ger., 40. Keystone: 1.05. Letcher: 6.99. Newell: 4. Redfield: Ger., 17. Sioux Falls: Ger. Emanuel, 10.50. Vermilion: 89.62. Willow Lake: 12.09. Yankton: 45.

S. Dak. W. H. M. U. Aberdeen: W. H. B., 5.43. Academy: 4.35; Thank Off'g., 4.30. Alcester: 2.77. Athol: 1.80. Armour: 3.25. Belle Fourche: 3.10. Cresbard: 2.15. Canova: 3.85. Deadwood: 2.50. DeSmet: 2.80. Erwin: 2.70. Gothland: 2.15. Huron: 15. Lake Preston: 2.15. Loomis: 1.10. Mo

Individual: 50.

COLORADO-$581.92.

Bethune: Ger. Hoffnungs, 8.60. Boulevard C. E. S., 5.

Denver:

Brush: Ger., 40. Den. ver: Ger. Free Evang., 3.25; 3rd, 90.07. Eaton: Ger., 65. Grover: Ger. (Beth.), 35. Ft. Collins: Ger., 100. Keota: Pilgrim (Ger.), 15. Pueblo: 1st, 120. Wellington: Ger., 15. Windsor: Ger. Evang., 85. CONNECTICUT $3,512.19.

Missionary Society of Connecticut, W. F'. English, Treas., 322.73._Bridgeport: King's Highway Chapel, 17; Park St. S. S., 9.50. Cheshire: 38.28; C. E. Soc., 15. Darien: Men's Bible Class, 10. Essex: 1st, 4.82. Granby: South, 15. Greenwich: Stanwich, 6. Griswold: 1st, 30; C. E. Soc., 5. Lebanon: 1st, 14.10. Manchester: 2nd, 100.50. Meriden: 1st S. S., 6.98. Middletown: 1st (Iniv.), 20; (Indiv.), 20. Milford: 1st, 7.75. Mystic: 12. New Haven: Dwight Pl, 293.29; Pilgrim, 82.51; United, 225; S. S., 10. New Preston: 50. Norwich: 1st Jr. C. E., 2. Ridgefield: 35.29. Plainville: (Indiv.), 1. Sharon: 7. Somers: 26.12. South Coventry: 28. Stafford Springs: 83.88. Stamford: 1st, 35. Stony Creek: Ch. of Christ, 10. Talcottville: 210. Tolland: 31. Wallingford: 1st, 103. Waterbury: 3rd, 2. Wauregan: 43. West Hartford: 1st Ch. of Christ, 56.67. Whitneyville: S. S., 4. Woodbridge: 14.15. Individual: 153.

Individual: 1,003.

W. H. M. U., Mrs. H. De Witt Williams,
Treas. New Haven: Ch. of the Redeemer, 33.
West Avon: Jun. Aux, 50. New Haven:
United L. A. S., 120. Milford: Plymouth S.
S., 16.12. Plantsville: L. A. S., 5. Madison:
Aux., 10. Watertown: 10. Hanover: 15. Col-
Hinsville: 10.
Hartford:
Deep River: 5.
1st W. H. M. S., 50. Unionville: Aux., 10.
Bloomfield: L. B. S., 5. New Canaan: W.
H. M. S., 23. Kensington: Aux., 10. Hart-
ford: South, 20.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-$194.83.
Washington: 1st, 20.83; Mt. Pleasant,
164. Individual: 10.
FLORIDA-$399.34.

Crystal Springs: 4. Philips: 2.50. St. Petersburg: 84.84. Tavares: 30. Winter Park: 60. Individual: 217.

W. H. M. U. Mrs. Drew, Treas., Lake Helen Aux., 1.

HAWAII-$100.00.

Individual: 100. IDAHO-$63.00.

Boise: 1st, 48. Mountain Home: 1st, 10. Individual: 5.

MASSACHUSETTS-$5,359.44.

Mass. Home Miss. Soc.: J. J. Walker, Treas., 2,974.54. Amesbury: Main St., 11.12. Amberst: North, 48, Ashfield: 25. Belmont: Plymouth, 12.77. Berkeley: 25. Boxford: 1st, 53.80. Bradford: 1st Ch. of Christ, 38.76. Carlisle: 7.87. Chelmsford Center: Central, 26. Chicopee Falls: 2nd, 18.73. Easthampton: 1st, 10.80. Enfield: 65.75. Granville Center: 1st. 8. Harvard: C. E. Soc., 7; Evangelical, 18. Holyoke 1st, 48.77. Lancaster: Evangelical, 12.23. Leominster: Pilgrim, S. S., 7.81. Lowell: 1st, 56.80. New Bedford: North, 37.99. North Adams: 86. N. Hadley: 2nd, 25. Pittsfield: 1st Ch. of Christ, 400. Shelburne Falls: East Charlemont, 2.65. West Hanover: 1st, 18.80. West Medway: 2nd, 7.17. Westminster: 9.55; 1st, W. H. M. S., 4.30; 1st, C. E. Soc., 5.38. West Brookfield: 18.66. West Newton: S. S., 5. Worcester: Wrentham: Piedmont, 144; Union, 24.50. 24.63. Individual: 529.

W. H. M. A. of Mass. and R. I.: E. A Smith, Ass't Treas. Worcester: W. Aux., Bethany, 10. Various: 530.

MICHIGAN-$165.89.

Cong, Cont.: L. P. Haight, Treas., 165.89.