The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-10-27

strong, correct judgement with rapidity of
thought and sudden impulse. They thought
quicker, yet better than Other men. The
power, too, which both possessed, was all
practical power There are many men of
strong minds, whose force nevertheless, are
in reflection, or in theories for others to act
upon. Thought may work out into Ian
guage, but not into action. But these men
not only thought better, but they could work
better than all other n,en. -s
The same self-control and perfect subjec-
ton OF bis emotions-even terror itself-to
the mandates of his will, are exhibited in his
conduct 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 Patmos, fell on his face as dead
man, and dared not speak or stir, till encour-
aged by the language Fear not" But
Paul, (or Saul.l although prosecutor and
n violent man, showed no symptoms of alarm
or terror. The voice, the blow, the light, the
glory, the darkness that followed, Were suffi-
cient to upset the strongest mind; but mas
ter of himself and his emotions, instead of
giving away to exclamation of terror, he
simply said-"Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do2" With his reason and iudg-
ment 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 dis
tinguished by the commotioNs about it, and
the light above it. Straight back to Jerusa-
lem, from whence he had so recently come
with letters to legalize his prosecutions, he
went to cast his lot with those he had fol-
lowed with violence and slaughter His
strong heart never beat one quicker pulsation
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 dcciples were concealed, and tell
them secretly his faith in the son of Cod
lie strode away into the synagogues, and be-
fore the astonished priest preached Christ
and him crucifed. He thundered at the
door of the Sanhedrim itself, and shaking
Jerusalem like an earthquake, awoke a tenn
pest of rage and fury on himself With as
sassins dogging 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 to
his native city, his fathers house, the home
of his boyhood, for his kindred and friends.
10 entreatles, tears, scorn and violence, he
was alike impervious. To Antioch and Cy
prus, along the coast Of Syria and Rome,
over the known world he went like blaz-
ing 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 Pantheon behind him, on the deck of his
shattered vessel, in the interval of the crash
of pillows, in the gloomy walls of prison,
on the borders of the eternal kingdom, he
speaks i'll the same calm and determined
tone. Deferred by no danger, awed by no
presence, and Shrinking from no rcsponsibiIi-
| ty, he moves before us like a grand embodi
ment of power. The nations have around
him, and kings turn pale in his presence
Bands OF conspirators swear never to drink
! till they have slain him, and people stone
him; yet over the din of the conflict and
storm of violence, his voice rises as clear and
distinct as II trumpet cal, as lie still breaches
| Christ and him crncified. The whip is LAID
on his back till blood starts with every blow
and then his manglcd body was thrown into
n dungeon, but at midnight You hear that
same calm, strong voice which has shaker
the world, poured forth in hymn of praise
to God ,, and 10! an earthquake shakes The
! prison to its foundation, the manacles fs
! from the hands ofthe captives, the bolts with
draw of themselves, and the massive doors
swing back on their hinges.
One cannot point single spot in his ca
reer where he faltcred a moment, or gave way
20 encouragement or fear. Through all his
perilous life, he exhibited the same intrepid
ty Of character and lofty Spirit. With hi.
eye fixed on regions beyond the ken of ordin.
airy mortals, and kmd!ing on glories he was
L ;. permitted 10 reveal, ka pressed forward
to an incorruptible crown, a fadelcss kingdom
And then his death, how indescribably sub,
limel Napoleon dying in the midst of 3
midnight storm, with the last words that Eel
from his lips battle cry, and his passing
Spirit watching in its delirium the torn head,
OF his mighty columns, as they disappeared
in the smoke of the conflict is a sight thai
awes and startles us. But behold Paul, also
war-worn veteran, battered with many q
scar, tho in a Spiritual warfare, looking
back, not with alarm but with transport, look
ing not on earth, but on heaven. Hear his
calm, serene voice ringing over the storm
and conimotions of life :--"I am now ready
to be offered and the time of my departure is
at hand hare fought the good fight, |
have finished my course--there is laid up
Il