The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-01-15
THE CHARACTER OF PAUL.
BY !. t. HEaDLEY.

BY j. +. HEADLET.
Paal, in his natural character before hi.
conversion. resembles Bonapsrte more
than any other man mean both bis 10
tellectual developemenis and energy ol
will. He had the sumo inficxibiity oi
purpose, the same utter Indifference 10 ha.
man suffering when he had once deterrnin
ed on bis course, the same tireiess uncoD-
tquerable resolution; the same fearlsssness
both Of mans power and opinion and that
calm, seil-reliaEce and mysterious con
trol over others But the point Of great
est resemblance is in tue union Of q strong.
correct Judgment, with rapidity Of thought
aud sudden impulse. They thought quick
er, vet better than other men. The pow
ler, too. which, both possessed was all
Ipraciics power. There are many men Of
strong minds, whose force nevertheless
wastes In reflection. or in theories iol 9TH
ers y act upon. Thought NAV work ola
into language, hat not into action. They
viii plan better than they can persurm-
| Bat these men not only thought better,
but they could work better than all other
men.
The same self control and perfect sub
lection Of his emotions-sven terror itself
Ito the mandates of his will, are exhibit
ed in bis conduct when sn,itten 10 the
earth. and blinded by the light and voice
from Heaven. John, when arrested BY
the same voice on the Isle Of patmos, fell
on bis face as dead man, and dared not
stir or speak till encouraged BY the Ian
guqge, sfear not.' But Paul, (er Saul.)
though q prosecutor, and violent man,
showed no sympathy OF alarm or terror
The voice. the blow, the light, the glory,
and the darkness that followed, were suffi
cient TO upset the strongest mind; but.
master Of himselfand his emotions, instead
| Of giving way TO exclamltons Of terror, be
simply said Lord, what wilt than have me
Idon With his reason nad judgment as
steady and strong as ever, he knew at
once that something was wanted Of him,
and. ever ready foact. he asked what il was
From this time on, his track can be dis
inguished BY the commo,ious about il, and
the light aborei,. Straight back 70 Jeru
salem, from whence be had 50 recently
come with letters 70 legaiize bis pcrseca.
iions, he wen, 10 cast bis lot in with those
he had followed with violence and slaugh-
tier. His strong heart never beat one
quicker pulsatlon through fear when the
lofty tnrrots of the proud city flashed on
his vision. Nol,her did he steal away TO
the dark alleys snd streets, where The dis
Iciples were concealed, and tell them Sc
lcretFy his faith in ,he Son of God. lie
s'rode into tho synagogues, and before the
astonished priests preached Christ and
him cruciiied. He thurdered al the door
| the Sanhedrim itself, aud shaking Jeru-
salem like an earthquake, awoke TEN
psst Of rage and fury on himself. With
assassns DIGGING his footsteps, he al length
left the city. But, instead of going ta
places where he was unklfown and where
his feelings would be less tried he started
for his native CITY, his fathers house, the
home Of hia boyhood, for his kindred and
friends. To entrea,es, tears, scorn, and
violence, he was alike impervious. To
Antioch and Cyprus, along the coast of
Syria and Rome, over the known world he
" SiAA iAoG q Stde-Np "uaiiE wy ttt
nations Of the earth From the top of
Mars Hill, with the gorgeous city a. his
feet. and the Acropo!is and Parlhenon be-
bind him; on the deck OF bis shattered
vessel in the intervals the crash OF bill
lows, in the gloomy walls Of prison, on
the borders Of the eternal kingdom, he
speaks in The same calm aud determined
tone. Deferred by no danger, awed by
no presence, and shrinking from no re-
sponsibiity. he moves before us like some
grand embodiment of power. The nations
heave around him, aud kings turn pale in
his presence Baads Of conspi-ators
swear neither 10 cat or drink till they have
slain him; rulers ind priests combine
against him; and people stone him; vet.
over the din of the conflict and storm ot
violence, his voice of cloquence rises clear
and distinct as trumpet call, as he still
breaches Christ and him cricitied. The
whip is laid on his back till the blood starts
with every blow; aud then bis maneled
body is thrown into dungeon; but al
midnight YOU hear that same calm, strong
voice which has shaken the world, poured
forth in HYMN Of praise to God, and so!I
an earthquake rocks the prison TO its foun
datioas. the nanacles fall from the hands
Of the capiiyes, the bolts withdraw them
selves, and the massive doors swing back
ou their hinges.
One cannot point to single spot in his
career, where ha iatcred moment, or
gave way TO encouragement or tear.--
Through all his perilous lie, be exhibited
The same intrcpidity Of character and lofty
spirit. With bis eyes fixed on regions be
gond the ken Of ordinary mortals, and
kindling on glories, il was not permitted
him 10 reveal, he pressed forward to an in.
corrupiible crown, fadesess kingdom--
And then his death, how indescribably sub
lime. Napoleon, dying in the midst Of the
nidnighs storm, with the last words thai
fell from his lips battle cry, and his pass
ing spirit watching in its delirian the torn
heads of his mighty columns. as they dis
anpesred in the smoke of the conflict, Is
sioht that awes and startlcs US. Bot be-
hold Paul, also, war worn veteran, batter,
cd with many scar though in spiritual
warfare, looking back, not with alarm, bn'
transport; gazing not on the earth. but on
heaven. Hear his calm serene voice ring
inc over The storms and conmo,ions ofsife.
-, -aait, 4, 10 cffaroi an1 the