The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-11
MfseelIameous.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY.

Wecopy from the excellent work of Mr. Mil
man, few passages that have struck US in read
ing it. The book is full of historical informa-
ton, of fine writing, and philosophical remarks,
but, above all, is pervaded by most beautiful
and liberal spirit:
EVENING view OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEN
PLE.--It is impossible TO conceive spectacle of
greater natural or moral sublimity than the Sa-
vior seated on the slope Of the Mount Of Olives,
and thus looking down, almost for the last time,
on the whole Temple and city of Jerusalem,
crowded as il then was with near three millions
of worshippers
1t was evening; and the whole irregular out
line Of the city, rising from the deep glens that
encircled il on all sides. might be distinctly
traced The sun, the significant emblem Of the
great Fountain of moral light, TO which Jesus
and his faith had been perpetually compared,
may be imagined sinking behind this western
hills, while its lastrays mig ht inger on the broad
and massy Notifications on Mount Sion, on the
stately palace Of Herod, on The square Tower,
the Antonio, at the corner of the Tem,pe and
on the roof of the Temple, fretted all over with
golden spikes, which glittered like fire; while
below, the coonnade, and lofty gates would
cast their broad shadows over the courts and
afford that striking contrast between vast masses
gloom and CLEANS Of the richest light, which
only an evening scene like the present can dis
play Nor, indeed. (even without the sacred
and solemn associations connected with the ho-
w city, would it be easy to conceive any natu-
raj situation in the world of more impressive
grandeur, or likely to be seen to greater advan-
tage under the influence of such accessories,
than that of jerusalem, seated, as it was, upon
hills OF irregular height, intersected by bold ra
vines aud hemmed in on almost all sides by
still loftier mountains, and itself formed in its
most conspicuous parts, of gorgeous ranges Of
Eastern architecture in all its lightness luxuri-
| ance and variety. The effect may have been
heightened by the rising of the slow volumes of
smoke from the evening sacrifices, while, even
at the distance Of the slope Of Mount Olivet, the
silence may have been faintlv broken by the
hymns of the worshippera. -nilnldn's History
OF Christianity.
| JESUS CONCENTRATES WITH SADNESS THE FU-
| TURE Ruin OF JERu sALEM.-Yet notwith stand
| ing this absolute necessity for its destruction
Notwithstanding it stood, as IL were, in the way
of the progress of human improvement and
salvation, the Son of man does not contemplate
its ruin without emotion. And, in all the super
human beauty of the character of Jesus, nothing
is more affecting and impressive than the pro-
found melancholy with which he foretels the
future desoation of the city, which, before two
days were passed away, was to reek with his
own blood. Nor should we do justice TO this most
remarkable incident in his life, if we shall con-
slider il merely as sudden emotion Of compass
sion, as the natural sensation of sadness at the
decay or dissolution of that which has long
worn the aspect of human grandeur. 1t seems
rather wise and far-sight ed consideration, not
merely of the approaching guilt and future pc
nal doom of the city, but Of the remoter moral
causes, which, by forming national character,
influenced the national dc stiny: the long train
of events, the wonderful combination of cir
cumstances, which has gradually wrought the
Jewish people to that sterner frame of mind
which was about to display itself in such barba
rous, such fatal ferocity. Jesus might seem no
only to know what was in man, but how il en-
tered into mans heart and mind His was Di
vine charity, enlightened by infinite wisdom.
In fact, there was an infinite moral connection
between the murder Of Jesus and the doom o
the Jewish city. twas the same national tenn
permanent, the same characteristic disposition c
the people, which Now morally disquali6es ther
h"from knowing" In the language Of Chris
"the things which belonged unto their peace,
which, forty years afterwards, committed ther