Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-11-07
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tTCur out the following piece, and
paste II inside tho cover Of your Test.
amenL lis extracted from the preface
to that sterling work. Fleetwoods Life
Of the Saoior. Read, and admire =
EDIToRs OF THE TINES.
PREFACE.
The APoLLo BELvIDERE is said TO ex.
hibit one Of the finest specimens of the
perfection Of the ert Of sculpture in OK.
istence. The stono so breathes, and
speaks, rs almost to cheat the beholder
into the belief Of it, living reality. One
OF tho most distinguished writer's on the
fine arts, after studying it with increas.
ing ADMIRATION, thus recommended it to
the attention OF those who would become
artists Go and study IL, and If you
see no peculiar beauty in it to captivate
you, so again, and If you still discern,
nothing, go again, and again, and again
until you FEEL ii, for, be assured it is
there"
10 every ono who.takes up this vol.
ume, and who is anxious 10 see il there
is any beauty or excellence in the char.
acter and life herein delneated, we
would say "D you discover ii not al
Me. first glance, look again and if yo,l
stu disceUer ii not, examine once more,
and rene'c your Investigations again and
Gga'n. .tor, DE ASSURED IT IS THERE !"
In the life before you will be seen
what can no whele else he lound-un.
limited power without pride /; unrivalled
beauty without vanity unbounded be.
nevolence without ostcntation love
without sel6shness for,itude without
replning; purity without stain, and o
sun wilhou. spot
You open this volume, not to gaze on
a picture of fallen greatness not to
view the trophies gained--,he triumphs
secured, or the desolation acc omplished
by the might of human arm not to
behold the mind Of an archangel, either
in its lofty aspirings, or in its ruins !; but
to admire intellect and power, wisdom
and goodness combined, in the produc.
ton Of results the most happy and glc.
rious /; to admire simplicity in its gran.
deur, and grandeur in its simplicity to
cherish taste for mental and moral
beauty, and love for whatsoever things
are lovely.
History is the philosophy Of life. |,
develops the grand principles on which
man acts. 1t shows man as a sinner ru.
ined, or as a sinner redeemed.
The Life Of Jesus Christ is the phi.
losophy Of true religion. 1t exhibits
tho principles of Christianity in their
life and visor. 1t is perfect excellence
personifed in miniature--in miniature,
that the little mind Of man may grasp il
and be changed into the same image from
glory to glory. 1t is unlike all others
so sublime as 10 excite the admiration
of an angels mind, and so simple as to
be Ineligible to the feeblost intellect
While it is perfect example to be init
ated by all, it also affords to the sane.
tilted scholar q lesson Of untiring ani
unendiny interest. Does he admire mag
nanimity? No where does he find suct
a specimen as in the forgiving spirit o
Jesus. Does he admire sublimi,y o
thought, and grandcur.of conception p
Hc sees it in the description Of Jesu
coming to judgment--a God in glory
and a world on fire Is he touched ant
thrilled by the magic of eloquence p
While he listens to Jesus, he is con
strained to acknowledge, neuer man
Spake like this man. Is he enamored o
the beauties Of style NO where can hi
find richer feast than in the clearne IS
unity, strength, and harmony which char
acterize the sermon on tho mount.
Has he an eye to relish the beautie
of painting Jesus, as a moral painter
spreads before him meadows Of green
ness and fields Of lilies. Has he tasl,
for scenes Of tenderness for description
which stir the heart, and open the foun
tains Of feeling ?.-He has only to behold
jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and lister
to his lamentation. He has only 10 reat
the story Of the Prodigal Son. If he al
mlres cOurage--let him 90 with Jesu
among those who had converted the TEN
pie into den Of thieves ;--tortilude-
let him follow the MAN OF Sonaows in
to the garden, ct stand by him on tn
cross;-cOndesccnSion--le him dine will
him at the table Of the publican, an,
witness his marked attention to littl
children or humility-let him STAN
by, and behold him wash his disciples
feet. ...
Is he, in word, charmed with the ex
hibition Of character, distinguished b
putty of motive, piety the most ardent
by principles the most heavenly, and a
example the most praisewos!hy H
finds all these excellences resplenden
in the life Of him who went about doin
good feeding the hungry-instructin
the ignorant--healins the sick-cas,in
out misunderstanding the dumb TO SIM
the deaf to hear, the lame TO leap, III
blind to see, the dead to live ;-pardor
ing the penitent, and turning the mourn
er's sorrow into joy.
On the whole, IL is believed that tn
pious reader will come 10 the perusal {
INC Life Of Christ, as be would have we
coined an invitation to the marriage iea
at Cana Of Gallilee. And as he drink
into its spirit, and is refreshed, will
constrained to admit that the best win
has been kept even until now. Wha
ever is pure in purpose, praisewor.hy !
xonInrs a~cr1lo~x IL 49,.