circular,
prepared for the purpose, was rolled with united and strenuous efforts
against the aperture, to prevent the entrance of wild beasts and
unkindly foe. And then as the chill twilight was flinging its shadows
over the world, they reverently withdrew.

Joseph and Nicodemus had done their work and had gone to their homes,
and yet there were some who lingered as if unable to leave the spot.
There were Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the
sepulchre, gazing through their tears at the place where Jesus was
laid. How keen was their mental anguish! There was bereaved love;
with all purity the strongest love had grown up around Christ; and now
that He was gone, it seemed as if there was nothing more to live for.
The prop had been rudely taken away, and the tendrils of their hearts'
affection were torn and wrenched. Then there would come a rush of hot
tears, indignant passion with those who had pursued Him, with such
unrelenting torture, to His bitter end. Then again, broken-hearted
grief at the remembrance of His anguish, and gentle patience, and
shame. And, mingling sadly with all these, were disappointed hopes.
Was this the end? He who died thus could not have been the Messiah!
He had taught them to believe He was! He must have been self-deceived!
For this life only they had hope in Christ, and they were of all most
miserable! That gravestone hid not only the body of Christ, but the
structure of the brightest, fairest hopes that had ever filled the
hearts of mortals!

In spite of all, they love. This is the love of women: the object of
their fond attachment may be misrepresented and abused, the life may
seem to be an entire failure; they may themselves be suffering greatly
from the results of the beloved one's mistakes and follies--yet will
they love still! And so through the gathering gloom and evening
stillness they lingered on, until the increasing darkness told them
that the Sabbath had come. Then they returned and rested the Sabbath
day, according to the commandment; but neither they, nor Joseph, nor
Nicodemus, nor John, would be able to partake of the Paschal
festivities. To take part in a burial at any time would defile them
for seven days, and make everything which they touched unclean; to do
so at that time involved seclusion through the whole of the Passover
week, with all its holy observances and rejoicings.

As we peruse this narrative, many thoughts are suggested.