Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-03-18
The Celestial CITY.


mind u conception of heaven, is more frequently
chosen than the smiIitude of city, with walls and
gates ln the time of oar Savior, when men be-
gan to be taught of the New jerusalem and the
narrow way that led to il, this was the most nat
ural figure that could be used, to embody its spen.
dor in words; for the greatest work of that early
day was the building Of city. that should be sur
rounded with firm and solid walls of defence TO
defy captor, and Of imposing appearance to i'm
press with grandeur the mind of the traveller who
approached
Accordingly, the inspired writers of the New
Testament called Heaven the Holy City; and the
fathers of the church. in discoursng upon it, en-
ployed the same striking metaphor. Thus it has
come down even to this modern age not only on
the pages of the word Of Cog, where it remains
ever glowing with peerless sublimity, but as the
striking conception of the venerable past, whose
| poetry, as much as whose art we cherish and ad-
I mire. While the imagination, that spirit of rest
less wings. has seldom been content to tarry and
look upon the same scene twice, however beautiful
or enhancing, it seems to have returned again and
again to behold the Celestial City, unable to at
tain, in the realm of its highest fight, view of
Heaven more uuspeakably lovely to the eye, and
satisfying to the soul.
The complete figure appears TO have included
also River, flowing at the end of the pilgrims
journey heavenward, forming boundary between
the earth and the dominions Of the city beyond
This is the river into whose cold waves all ;ray-
ellers must descend and it is deep or shallow to
each, according his faith in HB, whose throne
and palace is on the other side, is wavering or
trm On this account, it has sometimes happened
that many who have seen the city and yearned to
enter in, have feared to GROSS the stream, though
they should be welcome to the gates.
Bunyan. in the story Of the Christian Pilgrim,
relates of the hero aud his company, that before
they reached the gates of Heaven, they came to
this river, which they must put through. $50 |
saw in my dream that they went together till they
came in sight Of the gate. Now ! further saw,
that betwixt them and the gate river but
there was q bridge to go over. The river was very
deep. At the sight, therefore, OF this river, the
Pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that
went with them said, You must go through, or
you cannot come at the gate' After they crossed,
they met two angels clothed in white apparel that
shone as silver, who were waiting for them; and
guided by these attendants, they walked onward
toward the gate. The allegory continues-"Now,
when they were come up to the gate there was
written over it, in letters of gold,
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMAND
NHNTs THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO TIE
TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY EyTER IN THRoCGH
The GATES INTO THE CITY"
After they reached the gate, messenger was
sent to tell the king that they had come; ard he
commanded that they should be admitted. :.NOw,
saw in my dream, that these two men went in
at the gate; and, 10. as they entered they were |
transigured; and they had rsiment put on, that
shone like gold. There wee also that met them
with harps and crowns and gave them TO them;
the harps topraise withal. and the in token
Of honor. Then / heard in ny dream that all the
bells in the city rang again for joy, and that it was
said unto them.
ENTER YE INTO THE JOY OF OUR LORD
also heard the men themselves, that they sang
with loud voice, saying:
BLESSING, AND HONOR, AND GLORY, AND
POWER, BE Unto HIN, THAT sITTETH UPON
THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB, FOR
EVER AND EVER
Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the
men, looked in after them, and behold the City
shone like the sun; the streets also were paved
with gold; and in them walked many men with
crowns on their heads palms in their hands, and
golden harps. There were also of them that had
wings and they answered one another without
saying Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord.
And after that, they shut up the gates r0hch olen
1 had seen, srisaed myself among them
Let US turn to miltons conception; though it
may not be more comforting than the description
of the dreamer in prison, it ia more gorgeous and
cOmplee. He portrays the gate, with its jewelry
and gold, clearly, that his words seem almost to
fash forth shining rays.
- kingly palace gate
With frontispiece of diamond and gold,
Embellished thick with sparkling orient gems
The portal shone. inimitable on earth,
By model, or by shading pencil drawn"
Nor does the poet leave ont of his description, the
idea Of the River.
"--underneath bright sea flowed
OF jasper, or Of liquid pearl, whereon.
Who altar came from earth, sailing arrived
Waited by angels or flew Ger the the lake
Wrapped in chariot drawn by fiery steed."
Bat Millions varying fancy did not, in every in
stance, picture golden battlements and towers; in
one place he has the verse
"-the bounds.
And crystal zeal! Of Heaven
The refugent light that shines upon TIE city, and
makes its glories greater by rejection i4 brighter