Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-06-02
THE SEA OF GALlLEE.

1t rs indeed astonishing how the most thrill
ing associations will cluster round a spot in it.
self comparatively small and insignificant Thus
our earth when viewed in contrast with the
myriad worlds in ambient space, is dim spot
but regarded as the theatre of Adams fall and
Christ's Redemption-as the locality where De-
ity was present in corporeal habiliments, and
seraph feet prest lightly and musically-it be-
comes planet which surpasses, so far as histo-
ry is involved, any Of its mighty sisterhood.-
And so in more restricted sense, particular To-
calities however small, may be consecrated by
remembrance. The birth place Of Virgil, was
the little village of MantL,.-but how world
wide its fame The Lake of Galilee where Jew
ish fishermen cast in the line for the finny in
habitants Of its lucid waters, was but circum-
scribed sheet of the liquid element; but it's ev-
cry drop is redoent of holy history. The Sea
of Galee! OH how the thoughts 60 back to
Palestine, as it was nearly two thousand years
ago We stand in reverie by its green margin,
and look at the scores of villages dotted all a.
round its circumference, like so many sentinels
to guard it from proclamation. Above us an ORR
entail sky, around us a mellow atmosphere,
which sleeps us in a dreamy ecstacy. Voices
Of fishermen are on the air; bounding barks
with sails all trimmed, are reposing on the wa
ters, or dashing onward before the gale. A lit
tie group is yonder. Let us watch their move
ments. An aged man whose silvery beard
sweeps down his bosom is engaged in his little
craft at the low task of net mendng. BY his
side you see his two athletic sons assisting him
in his employment. They occasionally relieve
their spirits by singing some little fisher song,
taught them by their father in their boyhood.-
Oh, how the old Jewish fisherman leans upon
those sons for comfort. From daylight to dark
they all toll in unison, for yonder in Capernaum,
where you see the smoke emerging from that
little hut family depend upon their honest toll;
and right joyously do they go about their task.
But who is that dignfed parsonage who is now
accosting them? Is he not in fact the very per-
sonification of grace and manly beauty, and does
not his eye assume an expression partaking OF
the heaven-born as he addresses them in accents
SO round and full and melodious, that our heart
strings vibrate to the sound! He bids them re-
linqush all they hold so dear. He commands
them to abandon father, boat and fshing-fora
service so noble and august that an angel would
be honored in bearing the light commission
And they leave all at his bidding, in the true spir
it of God-like remuneration, and count all loss
for Christ.
James and John the sons of Zebedee, became
the sons of thunder-bolJ and unfnching ad-
vocates of gospel truth; they assume new IL
tle-fishers of men they stand forth the accred-
tied ambassadors from the court Of heaven
ministers clothed with plenary powers by the
Sovereign, whose delegates they are and from
the blue lake of Galee goes out a voice, and
emanates an influence for eternal right and truth
m energy which like the heaven flash has reno
vated the entire moral atmosphere of sinful
earth.
Once more behold another scene. In yonder
boat reposes weary form. His disciples are
watching their slumberng Master, and hoping
that sleep may rejuvenate his frame. But see,
he storm-cloud gathers-the elements start out
ike lions from their lair, and they meet in strife
On the bosom of our little lake, madly dash the
waves into the little vessel, but Jesus heeds it
not. AT last he is awakened. The plaintive
notes of supplication have reused him to his
feet, and he walks to the side of the tottering
bark and looks out upon the surging pillows
ike mild star upon troubled night. Admin
sterng well-tmed but paternal rebuke to the
trembling company for the exhibition of timidi-
~ when Providence himself was in their very
midst, he issues his fiat to the contending ele-
an outstretched hand ho orders the
spirit Of the storm back to its native cave, and
silence and peace and harmony come forth like
sister graces to occupy its place. The heavens
lear up the air is balmy, the birds are twitter-
ng on the distant boughs, and the vessel under
,ress of sail, scuds over the waters to the ver-
liant shore of Gadara, rs though rough sea had
lever strained its timbers. Oh, Sea of Galilee,
low the true believer studies thy surface like a
,ook of truth! The murmuring winds which
ippe thy face are vocal with the name Of Je-
us; and until the time when there shall be no
more sea, the Christian will linger in thought
~ thy margin, and dream of that Lord Of Heav-
IN and Earth, who walked upon thee in the maj
,sty of Omnipotence.
81 WILL."-We like that strong, robust ex-
,resson. No one, having uttered it sincerely
vas ever n mean, crnging man. The pigmes
If the world did not trouble him, although they
ose in masses to pull him down. He speaks,
md the indomitable will prevails. His enemies
all before him. He rides forth a conqueror.-
Would you be great! Would you be distin-
,uished for your literary or scientific efforts 3
Look not mournfully at your lot, but with " |
will" breathing upon your lips, and bursting
rom great heart, you cannot but prevail
Show us the man who never rose higher than a
oad-stool, and whose influence died with his
,reath, and we will point you to cringing
wretch, who trembled at the approach of a spi-
Ter and tainted beneath thunder cloud. Let
he fires of energy play through your veins, and
vour thouUhts are directed i'm tho ri Uht chan |