ted"), the rending of the veil of the Temple,
the breaking of the rocks, the earthquake, and the visions of the saintly
apparitions. The last number is the conviction of the centurion, followed
by a short chorale ("For us the Christ is made a Victim availing").

The second part includes the announcement of the doctrine of the
resurrection by the mystic chorus, the appearance of the Angel to the
Holy Women at the sepulchre, that of Jesus to them while on the way to
Galilee, the consternation of the Sanhedrim when it is learned that the
tomb is empty, the meeting of the Holy Women and the Apostles, the
appearance of Jesus to the latter, and his final ascension. It opens with
a chorus for the mystic choir ("Saviour of Men"), followed by a short
pastorale with muted strings and leading to a trio for the three Women
("How shall we by ourselves have Strength to roll away the Stone?").
Their apprehensions are removed by the tenor Narrator and the message of
the Angel interwoven with the harp and conveyed in the beautiful aria,
"Why seek ye the Living among the Dead?" Jesus at last reveals himself to
the Women with the words, "All hail! Blessed are ye Women," accompanied
by the typical melody, of which mention has already been made. The three
Women disappear on the way to convey his message to the Disciples, and
the scene changes to the Sanhedrim, where, in a tumultuous and agitated
chorus for male voices ("Christ is risen again"), the story of the empty
tomb is told by the Watchers. The bass Narrator relates the amazement of
the priests and elders, and their plot to bribe the guard, leading to the
chorus for male voices ("Say ye that in the Night his Disciples have come
and stolen him away"), at the close of which ensues a full, massive
chorus ("Now, behold ye the Guard, this, your Sleep-vanquished Guard"),
closing with the denunciation in unison ("For Ages on your Heads shall
Contempt be outpoured"). The tenor and bass Narrators in duet tell of the
sorrow of the Disciples, which prepares the way for a lovely trio for
first and second soprano and alto ("The Lord he has risen again"). The
next number is one of the most effective in the whole work,--a soprano
obligato solo, accompanied by the full strength of chorus and orchestra,
to the words:

"From thy love as a Father,
O Lord, teach us to gather
That life will conquer death.
They who seek things eternal
Shall rise to light supernal
On w