Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-16
THE CHARACTER OF PAUL.

THE CHARACTER OF PAUL.
Paul, in his natural character before his con.
version, resembles Bonaparc more than any 9th.
er man--I mean both in his intellectual devel.
opements and energy of will He had the same
infexibiity Of purpose, the same utter indiffer.
ence to human suffering when he had once de-
termined on his course, the same trelees, un.
conquerabe resolution; the same fearlessness
both of mans power and opinions, and that calm
selfreiance and mysterious control over Others
But the point of greatest resemblance is in the
union of strong, correct judgment, with rapid.
ity of thought and sudden impulse. They tho't
quicker, yet better than other men. The pow
er. too, which both possessed was all practical
power. There are many men of strong minds,
whose force nevertheless wastes in reflection,
or in theories for others to act upon. Thought
may work out into language but not into action.
They will plan better than they can PERFORM
But these men not only thought better, but they
could work better than all other men.
The same self control and perfect subsection
of his emotions-even terror itself--to the man.
dates of his will, are exhibited in his conduct
when smitten TO the earth, and blinded by the
light and voice from Heaven. John, when ar
rested by the same voice on the Isle of Patmos
fell on his face as n dead man, and dared not
stir or speak till encouraged by the language,
4" Fear not" But Paul, (or SauD though per-
secutor, and violent man, showed no symptoms
Of alarm or terror. The voice, the blow, the
light, the glory, and the darkness that followed,
were sufficient to upset the strongest mind but
he, master of himself and his emotions, instead
of giving way TO EXPLANATIONS of terror, simply
said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do %
With his reason and judgment rs 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 distn-
guished by the commotions about it, and the
light above it. Straight back to Jerusalem,
from whence he had so recently come with let
tiers TO legalize his prosecutions, he went to cast
his lot in with those he had followed with vio-
lence and 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 con-
cealed, 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 crucified. He thundered at the
door Of the Sanhedrin itself, and shaking Jeru-
salem like an earthquake, awoke a tempest of
rage and fury on himself With assassns dog
ing his footsteps, he at length left the city,
But instead of going to places where he was
unknown and where his feelings would be less
tried, he started for his native city, his fathers
house, the home of his boyhood, for his kindred
and friends. To entreaties, tears, scorn, and Vi
olence, he was alike impervious. 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 gorgeous
city at his feet, and the Acropolis and Parthe-
non behind him; on the deck of his shattered
vessel in the intervals of the crash of billows in
the gloomy walls of prison, on the borders of
calm and determined tone. Deferred by no dam
ger, 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 cOnspirators swear neither
to eat or drink till they have slain him ru-
lers and priests combine against him. and peo-
pie stone him. yet, over the din of the conflict
and strom of violence, his voice Of eloquence RI
ses clear and distinct as a trumpet call, as he
Stlll preacneS CnrlSJ ana Nun cruclneO. lne
whip is laid on his back till the blood starts with
every blow, and thenhis mangled body is thrown
into dungeon; but at midnight you hear that
same calm, strong voice which has shaken the
world, poured forth in hymn of praise to God,
and 10! an earthquake rocks the prison to its
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 single spot in his ca
reer, where he faltered moment, or gave way
to Encouragement or fear. Through all his
perilous life, he exhibited the same intrepidity
Of character and lofty spirit. With his eyes fix
ed on regions beyond the ken of ordinary NOR
tails, and kindling on glories, it was not permit
ted him to reveal, he pressed forward to an in
crown, fadeless kingdom. And
then his death, how indescribably sublime! Ma
poleon, dyingin the midst Of the midnight storm
with the last words that ffellfro his lips bat
lie cry, and hispassing spirit watching initsde-
|irium the torn heads Of his mighty columns, as
they disappearedin the smoke of the conflict, is
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