understand the words of the angels that he was to rise again. But the disciples could not believe the words of Mary; and Peter ran to the sepulchre, and stooping down, beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and went away wondering, as well he might, at that which was to come to pass.

Then Mary returned alone to the sepulchre, after Peter and the disciples had departed, and wept; and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet were the body of Jesus had lain. And they said unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou?" She saith unto them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, "Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus saith unto her, "Mary." She turned herself, and saith unto him, "Rabboni ;" which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, "Touch me not: [Noli me tangere] for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Imagine the joy of Mary at this recognition; her transport at thus being the first to greet the risen Saviour of the world! All her sorrow was past-for was not her Lord whom she loved again beside her!

How sweet, in the musing of faith, to repair

To the garden where Mary delighted to rove;

To sit by the tomb where she breathed her fond prayer,
And paid her sad tribute of sorrow and love;

To see the bright beam which disperses her fear,

As the Lord of her soul breaks the bars of his prison,
And the voice of the angel salutes her glad ear,—
The Lord is a captive no more--" He is risen!"