Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-02-28
SCENES In PALESTINE.


herds watch over their focks, and the
hum of their voices, as it comes up from
the neighboring valley, alone breaks the
silence Of the hour, when suddenly light
| f,shes upon the dark sky, and concentrat-
ing in the valley, gathers around the Won
dering shepherds. Astonished and af-
! frighted, they clasp their hands, and gaze
upon the glowing heavens. A bright be-
ing descend, from the folds Of the radan-
cloud, who proclaims to the terrified shep-
herds, Fear not; for | bring yolN glad
tidings Of great joy. Unto you is born
this day, in the city of David, Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord" While yc,
he speaks, a multitude Of radiant beings
surround the amazed but favored herds
men and raise choral Symphony
"Glory to God in the highest; on earth
peace and good will toward men," The
anthem suddenly ceases the winged mes
sengers return within the cloud the light
grows dim and disappears, and darkness
again envelopes the PROSTATE and now
adoring shepherds.
1t ismorn. The Eastern sky is streak
ed with purple. and clouds are piled in
mountain masses against the horizon,
awaiting the suns advent through the
opening gates of the, orient sky. The
dew still sparkles upon the turf The
flowers are preparing to greet the light
from Aurora's faint dawning and soon
the warm beams of the sun creep along
the scented beds. and bright day rests
upon the earth. But amid the light and
the sunshine, one small star still glows
brightly in the Eastern sky. A compa-
ny Of wise men are eagerly watching it..
''It moves" they each exclaim, with
mingled wonder end joy, and reveren,ly
prepare to follow where it shall lead hem.
Onward speed the guide and the travellers,
until the domes and turrets Of Bethlehem
appear, and that lone star rests over a
lowly stable. Beneath that humble roof
sleeps that Saviour whose birth the angels
had proclaimed. A halo Of glory encircles
his infant brow, and smile OF purest in
nocence ilumines his features. The pill
grim sages enter; they fall down and
worship him, and in token of their homage
present unto him gold and frankincence
and myrrh. Then they depart from the
city OF the nativity.
1t is noon. The sun, veled by no
floating cloud, blazes in mid-hesven.-
There lies the plain of E>draelon, clothed
in luxuriam verdure, stretching forth its
broad borders until lost among hoary
mountains. In the distance also lies,
cleaning like silver, the Sea of Galilee.- :
The sunbeams play over its placid waters,
which though now traLquilly sleeping,
once formed in fury around the barqne,
which bore ..the Ga.ilean.aa=-naw grace
iui vessels, with snowy sails, dart swiftly
across its bosom, or skim lightly its glow
ing surface. On the shore Of that famed
sea stands Mount Tabor, towering in
majesty above the waters, springing turf,
covering lis sides and summit, and spread
ing trees waving their thick foliage over
it. Four persons ascend that verdanl
mount one Of whom, though of meek and
benienaTt aspect. yet walks with com
mandiug mein. He converses with his
companions and holy triumph beams in
his countenance. They reach the sum-
nit, and 10! sudden change passes over
him who erst seemed but as another man.
His features glow with heavenly radi-
ance, "his face shines as the sun and his
raimen, is white as the light" The sky
parts in twain, and from the cleft come
two beings clothed in garments Of daz-
zling brightness, and they hold converse
with the Redeemer-lor it is lie. The
disciples, tran>tixed and motionless, gaze
upon the radiant forms before them, while
! Peter, in whose countenance are strangely
mingled fear and confidence, eXclaims
with falsering voice" Master, it is good
to be here !; let us build three tabernacles,
one for thee, one for Moses and one for
Elias" Scarcely has the request been
made when cloud falls upon the Mes
siah and overshadows him !; ard from its
mist issues a mysterious voice, proclaim
| ing, "This is my beloved son, in whom |
am well pleased" Trembling and aston
l,hed, the disciples fall upon their faces,
and when again they raise their dropping
eyes, behold Jesus alone stands beiore
them.
I:is,wilight. I: A soft languor pervades
the scene.-Clouls of every hue hang in
gorgeous drapery in the West, yelling the
retrea, OF days golden orb. 1t is scene
of fairy loveliness. Basking in the mel
low even,ide lies Jerusalem, its !all tur-
rets and ascending spires resting dark
against the sky. From the centre OF the
city rises Mount Moriah, bearing upon its
boary summit the temple Of the Most
High, and Acre lifts its head near the
halowed precincts. The murmur of
Kedron's rocky brook is heard amid the
stiffness. Beyond is Olivet, while re-
posing upon its gentle slope rests Gethse-
name, whose shaded groves the light has
already almost forsaken. Under wide
spreading olive. in this pensive spot,
three sleeping forms recline. A weary
step is heard, and another form emerges
from the gloon beyond. Anguish is
stamped upon his features, and sorrow Is
en,hroned upon his brow. lie looks com
passiona,eIy upon the sleeping group and
half audibly says, What! could ye not
watch with me one hour ?" and again dis
appears among the shady olive trees
On grassy knoll his PROSTATE form is
now cast and in deepest agony he ex-
claims-"Fa,her if it be possible let this
cup pass from me j. then rising, the Sa-
= :. II. he li.