Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-10
THE CHARACTER or pAuL.

us COuN6ESlOup TcStl1nlcO oOudphINe more
than any other mani mean both in his
intellectual deyelopements and energy Of
viii. He had the same inhexibility oi
purpose, the same utter indifference to
human suffering, when he had once. de-
termined on his course, the same tireless,
unconquerable resolution, the same fear
lessness both of mans power and opin.
ions, and that calm, self-relianee and
mysterious control over others. But the
point of greatest resemblance is in the
union of a strong, correct judgement,
with rapidity of thought, and sudden inn
pulse. They thought quicker, yet better
than other men. The power, too, which
both possessed was all practical power
There are many men of strong minds,
where force nevertheless wastes in reflee-
ton, or in theories for others to act upon.
Thought may work out into language, but
not into action. They win plan better
than they can perform. But these men
not only thought better, but they could
work better than other men.
The same self-eontrol and perfect sub
lection of his emotion-even terror itself
Ito the mandates of his will, ara exhi-
bited in his conduct when smitten to the
earth, and blinded by the light and voice
of heaven. John when arrested by the
same voice ON the Isle of Patomas, fell
on his face as dead man, and dared not
stir or speak till encouraged by the lam
guage, Fear not But Paul, Tor Saul, }
though prosecutor, and violent man,
showed no symptoms of alarm or terror.
The voice, the blow, the light, the glory,
la-l-,a.o Eolla,,.ol
sufficient to upset the strongest mind /;
but he, master of himself, and his emo
tions, instead of giving way to exclama-
tions of terror, simply said Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?' With his
reason and judgement as steady and
strong as ever, he knew at once that
something was wanted of him, and, ever
ready to act, he asked what it was.
From this time on, his track can be dis
tinguished by the commotion about it, and
the light above it. Straight back to Je-
rusalem, from whence he had so recently
come with letters to legalize his persecu-
tions, he went to cast his lots in with
those he had followed with violence TO the
slaughter. His strong heart never beat
one quicker pulsation through fear, when
the lofty turrets of the proud city flashed
on his vision. Neither did he steal away
to the dark alleys and streets where the
disciples were concealed, and tell them
secretly his faith in the Son of God.--
He strobe into the synagogues, and before
the astonished priests, preached Christ
and him cruci6ed. He thuudered at the
door of Sanhedrim itself, and shaking
Jerusalem like an earthquake, awoke a
tempest of rage and fury on himself
With assassins dodging his footsteps, he
at length left the city. But, instead Of
going TO places where he was unknown,
aud where his feelings would be less tri-
ed. he started to his native city, his faith.
er's house, the home of his boyhood, for
his kindred and friends. To entreaties,
tears, scorn and violence, he was alike
imprevious. To Antioch and Cyprus,
along the coast of Syria and Rome, over
the known world he went like blazing
comet, waking up the nations Of the earth.
From the top Of Mars Hill, with the gor
geous city at his feet, and the Aeropolis
and Pantheon behind him on the deck
of his shattered vessel in the intervals Of
the crash of pillows, in the gloomy walls
of prison, on the borders of the eternal
kingdom, he speaks in the same calm and
determined tone. Deferred by no danger,
awed by no presence, and shrinking from
no responsibility, he moves before us like
some grand embodiment Of power, The
nations heave around him, and kings turn
pale in his presence. Bands of conspira-
tors swear to neither to eat nor drink till
they have slain him; rulers and priests
combine against him and the people
stone him yet, over the din of the con.
fiict and storm Of violence, his voice Of
eloquence rises clear and distinct as a
trumpet call, as he still breaches Christ,
and him cruci6ed. The whip is laid on
his back till the blood starts with every
blow, and then his mangled body thrown
into a dungeon but at midnight you
hear that same calm, strong voice which
has shaken the world, poured forth in a
hymn OF praise to God, and 10 an earth
quake rocks the prison to It's foundation !;
the manacles fall from the hands of the
captives, the bolts withdraw Of them
selves, and the massive doors swing
back on their hinges.
One cannot point to a single spot in his
career, where he faltered moment, or
gave way to encouragement or fear
Through all his perilous life, he exhibited
the same intrepidity Of character and lof-
ty spirit. With his eyes fixed on regions
beyond the ken Of ordinary mortals, and
kindling on glories, it was not permitted
him to reveal, he pressed forward TO an
incorruptibIe crown, fadelesS kingdom.
And then his death, how indiseribably
sublime. Napoleon dying in the midst
of the midnight storm, with the last
words that fell from his lips battle cry,
and his passing spirit watching in It's de-
irium the torn heads Of his mighty col
umns, as they disappeared in the smoke
Of the conflict, is a sight that awes and