s the Preparation (that is, the day
before the Sabbath), and because bodies should not remain on the cross
upon the Sabbath, asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and
that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came, and broke
the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him:
but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they
broke not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his
side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councilor, a good man and a
righteous (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of
Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of
God: this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he
took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb
that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain. And he rolled a
great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene
and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And they
returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

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Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief
priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, saying,
"Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive,
'After three days I rise again.' Command therefore that the sepulcher
be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and
steal him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the dead':
and the last error will be worse than the first."

Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure
as ye can."

So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, the
guard being with them.

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{289}{290}

[Illustration]
THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB.
By Bouguereau (1825-1905)
[End illustration]

{291}

CHRIST, THE LORD, IS RISEN TO-DAY

"Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day,"
Sons of men and angels say.
Raise your joys and triumphs high;
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply.

Love's redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won.
Lo, our Sun's eclipse is o'er;
Lo, He sets in blood no more.

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ has burst the gates of hell;
Death in vain forbids His rise:
Christ has opened Paradise.

Lives again our glorious King:
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save:
Where