April 25

Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.—Matthew 27:45.

THIS is another of those astonishing events which occurred at the Redeemer's death. There was darkness over all the land, for the space of three hours, from the sixth hour to the ninth. This darkness was supernatural. It could not arise from natural causes; it being now full moon, when it was impossible that the sun could be eclipsed. It was the attestation of God, to the greatness of the work which Christ was now effecting upon the cross. Never had such a scene been witnessed from the creation of the world.

"The sun beheld it — No, the shocking scene Drove back his chariot; Midnight veil'd his face: Not such as this; not such as nature makes; A midnight, Nature shudder'd to behold, A midnight new! a dread eclipse, (without Opposing spheres) from her Creator's crown! Sun! didst thou fly thy Maker's pain? or start At that enormous load of human guilt, Which bow'd his blessed head; o'erwhelmed his cross, Made groan the centre; burst earth's marble womb With pangs, strange pangs! deliver'd of her dead! Hell howl'd; and Heaven that hour let fall a tear; Heav'n wept that men might smile! Heaven bled, that Man Might never die!"

This darkness no doubt, was design'd to represent the sable gloom which now overspread the soul of Jesus, and his dreadful conflict with the powers of hell. It also signally exhibited the darkness of unbelief, which at this time overspread the Jewish

0 people. Now the dread empire of Satan, was shaken to its very centre. From this hour, the glorious rays of celestial truth, should be reflected through the medium of Christ's cross, until the whole earth should be filled with the light of salvation.

"Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in;

When Christ, the mighty Maker died, An offering for my sin."