The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-08-21
Enc Character of Paul.
BY j. 7. UEADLEY,

iaul, In his natural character before his con-
version, resembles Bonaparte more than any
"ther mani mean both in his intellectual de-
vcopmcntS and energy of will lie had the
same lnIleXlbility of purpose, the same utter in
difference to human sutferug, when he had once
determined on his course the same tircless.
unconqucrabe reSolutien-the same fcaressness
both of mans power and opinion, and that calm
s,itrclancc and mysterious control over others.
But the point of greatest rcscmbace is in the
union OF strong, correct judgement, with rapid
ity OF thought, and sudden impulse. They
thought quicker, vet better, than other men,
The power, teo, which both possessed, was all
practical power. There are manly men of
strong minds, whose force nevertheless, are 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 selfcontrol and perfect subsection
oi his cmotions-cvcn terror itscf-tO the
mandates OF his will, are exhibited in his con-
duct when smitten to the earth, and blinded by
the light and voice from heaven. John, when
arrested by the same voice on the Isle of Pat
mos, fell on his face a Il dead man. and dared
not stir or speak, till encouraged by the lam
glage-" Fear not" But Paul, Tor Saul al
though prosecutor and violent man, showed
no symptoms Of alarm Or trror The voice,
the blow, the light, the glory, the darkness
that followed, were sufficient to upset the
strongest mind; but, master of himself and his
emotions, instead Of giving way to exclam.l-
lions of terror, he simply said" Lord, what
wilt thou have me do 2" With his reason and
Judgment as steady and as 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 distin-
gulshcd by the connections 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
violence and slaughter. His strong heart new
er beat one quicker pulsution through fear. as
the lofty turrets of the proud city flashed upon
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 syna-
gogucs, and before the astoniShed priests,
preached Christ and him crucified. He thun-
dered at the door of the Sanhedrim itself, and
shaking Jerusalem like an earthquake, awOke
a tempest of rage and fury on himself With
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 boyhool, for
his kindred friends TO entreaties, tears, scorn
and violence, he was alike impervlous. TO An
tloch and Cyprus, along the coast Syria and
Rome, over the known world, he went like a
blazing comet, waking up the nations of the
earth. From the top of Mars Hill, with the
gorgeous city at his feet, and the Acropois
and Pantheon behind him, on the deck of his
shattered vessel, in the intervals of the crash
of pillows, in the gloomy walls of a prison, on
the borders of the eternal kingdom, he speaks
in the same calm and determined tone. De
tered ny no danger, awed 10y no presence, and
shrinking iro'" -. responsibility, he movoS he
lore 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 drink till they have slain him.
rulers and priests combine against him, and
people stone him yet, over the din of the con-
iilct and the storm of violence, his voice of elo-
Guence rises as clear and distinct as trumpet
call, as he still breaches Christ and him cruel
fed. The whip is laid on his back till blood
starts with every blow, and then his mangled
body Is thrown into dungeon but at mid
night you hear that same calm, strong voice
which has shaken the world, poured forth in a
hymn of praise to God, and 10 ! an earthquake
shakes the prison to its foundations, the man
aceS fall from the hands of the captivcs, the
bolts withdraw of themselves, and the massive
doors swing back on their hinges.
One cannot point out single spot in his ca
recr where he fatered a moment, or gave way
to Encouragement or fear. Through all his
perilouS life, he exhibited the same intrepdty
of character and lofty spirit. With his eye
fixed on regions beyond the ken of ordinary
mortals, aud kindling on glories it was not per-
United him to reveal, he pressed forward to an
incorruptible crown, fadeless kingdom. And
then his death, how undescribably sublime -
Napoleon, dying in the midst of midnight
storm, with the last words that fell from his
lips battle cry, and his passing spirit watch
ing in its deirium the torn heads of his mighty
columns, as they disappeared in the smoke OF
the conflict, is sight that awes and startles
US. Bat behold Paul, also a war-worn veto
ran, battered with many scar, though in a
spiritual warfare, looking back, not with alarm
but transport, gazing not on earth, but on
heaven. Hear his calm, serene voice ringing
over the storms and connections of life =" |
am now ready to be offered, and the time OF
my departure is at hand. l have fought the
good fight, l have finished my coursc-there is
laid up for me Il crown of ri righteousness. No
shouts Of foemen, nor smoke or carnage of bat
tie surround his spirit struggling to be free
but troops of shining angels, the smile of God
and the songs of the redeemcd-thcse guarded
him and welcomed him honae.
PAPER RAGS.-Few persons have any con-
ceptlons of the vast quantity of rags usea in
the manufacture of paper. Aside from the