Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-09-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
MOUNT ARAFAT.


The first in the list of Sacred Mountains is Mt.
Ararat. The first named summit IN human hsto-
ry, it energies from the flood and looks down on all
coming generations to the end of time. Whether
1t was changed in that mighty convulsion which
drowned the world, or whether its lofty peak, which
saw the swelling waters and marked their steady
rise, remained the same, we know not. AT all e.
vents, the mountain looked down on a swaying
world at its feet, cities foated from their found
atoms, and came dashing against its sides, and be.
held wilder scene than ever covered battle field
as it heard and six generations shrek and sink
together. But whatever may have been lis former
history, it now stands the only memorial of The
flood. Rising like sugar loaf from the pain,lts
top is covered with perpetual snow, and has seldom
~hsen- profaned by human feet. But there
time when the rolled over it, and mightier
than ever yet swept the sea, Numbered high above
its. crown.
Though the immediate appearance of flood
that should submerge the world was an event which,
staggered human belief, yet Noah, obedient to the
voice of Heaven, began his ark of safety. There
is no one who does not lament that there is not
fuller antedeluvan history. We merely catch the
submits of events, and are told of half dozen
things that happened while all the rest is wrapped
in impenetrable mystery. We are told that the
world was drowned, but the particulars of that ter
rife scene are left entirely TO the Imagination. 1t
is only by the declaration OF the apostle, that men
were busy at their usual occupations, eating and
drinking, anu marrying anu giving III III
the flood came and swept them away" that we get
any data by which we can form any true concep-
ton of the catastrophe. Yet this statement is worth
every thing, and with it before me, have some
times thought could paint the scene. Noah, whose
head was whtened by the tross OF six centuries
laid the foundation of this huge vessel, on pleas
ant day, when all was serene and tranquil. The
fields were smiling in verdure before his eyes
the perfumed breezes fioated by, aud the music oil
birds and sounds of busy life were about him.
when he by faith alone, laid the first beam of that
structure that to sail over buried planet.
When men, on inquirng the design OF that huge
edifce, were told its purpose, they could hardly
credit their senses, and Noah, though accounted by
all very upright and respectable man, became a
lest for children. AS the farmer returned at eve
ming from the fields, and the gay citizen of thu
town drove past, they chrstened 1t " Noah's tolly
Those more aged and sober shook their heads wise
w. saving, the old man is mad" Even the work
men engaged upon it laughed as they drove thu
nails and hewed the plank, yet declared they caret
not so long the foolish old man was able to pay
Still the ark went up and the days wonder cease
TO be talked about. When 1t was finished and Gu
rioslty satisfied, it was dismissed from the mind
passing folly.
Yet have wondered what people thought whel
they saw the beasts of the field and the forests, an
the fowls of the air, and even the venomous ser
pent, and the strong hmbed lion coming In PAIR
to the ark This must have staggered them amaz
ingly, and made the ARK tor whlle a IfeSn topic
conversation At length the patriarch with his tan
iily enered-the door shut in the face OF tn
world, and he sat down on the faith OF one singl
promise 10 wait the issue. That night the sun wen
down over the green hills beautiful as ever, and IN
stars came out IN the blue sky, and nature breath
ed long and peacefully In the morning the su
rose in undimmed spendor and mounted the heay
ems. Deep within the huge structure Noah coul
hear the uuffied sound of life without. The low
ing of herds came on his ear, and the song OF III
husbandman going to his toll, and the rapid roll
carriage wheels rolling past, and perhaps the rll
aid shout and the laugh Of those without as the
expended their wit on him and his ark together
To say nothing of the mprobabllity of the even
the idea was preposterous that such helmless u
fair could outrde wrecked world Thus day aftt
day passed on until week had gone by, but tn
faith of that old man never shook AT lenGht III
sky became overcast and the gentle ram descen'
ed-to Noah the beginning OF the 1lood-to u
world welcome shower The farmer, us he hou
ed his cattle, rejoced in the refreshing moisture
while the city never checked its galety or the ma
of wealth his plans. But as the rain continued ia
after day. and fell faster and iiercer on the drencl
ed eafth, and swollen streams went surglng by, me
cursed the storm that seemed determined never
break up. The lowlands were deluged the larg
streams broke over their banks, bearing houses an
cattle away on their maddened bosons.. Wea'
was DESTROYED and lives lost till men talked OF n
ined fortunes famine and general desolatlon; b
still it rained on. Week after week IT came pou
ing from the clouds till it was like one falling she
of water, and the inhabitants could no longer 81