American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-08
9xDlH GLASS ESSAY.

meets at tho Baptist Meeting house in
this place, every Sabbath afternoon.
In the course of their lessons it is their
custom to appoint some member of the
class to write sketch of the lives of
eminent pcrsonagos in connection with
the Scripture in review. We publish,
with pleasure, in obedience to request,
but without the knowledge Of the wri-
/ ter, thefollowing essay by Miss Hughes
of the Fcmalc Seminary.-Eaitor. 1
d A SKETCH, -
Of the Life and Principal Acts Of 50.
MattheW.
| Matthew, so called by himself, but
by Mark styled Levi, was born in Gal
llilee; inwhat city or place is not speci-
fed. OF his parentagc but little is
known, excepting that he was of He
brew origin, and that his fathers name
was Alpheus. We are not even inform
cd of the tribe of Israel to which he
owed his descent, and are also ignorant
of the time of his birth.
Matthew was publican, or tax-gath-
erer, under the supervision of the Ro-
man Empire. His business seemed to
have consisted in collecting the customs
due upon commodities which were car
ried, and from persons passing, over
the Lake of Gcnncsarcth. This was
considered the most menial Office in the
kingdom. The publicans were, as a
class, detcstcd by the Jews, as they
kept them in continual remembrance Of
their loss of power; the Jews consid-
cred them incapable of aught but sin.
In what better manner could our Sa-
viour have shown that He was no re-
specter of persons, than by this choice,
made almost at the commencement of
his Ministry. Choosing one for a COM
panion who was thought too despisablo
to be spoken to, when avoidable, even
by Pharisec. But the Lord of life
and glory feared not to take him by
the hand, and walk with him through
the journey of life. What an exam
pie for us at the present day, poor,
mean, degraded sinners, as we are !
We are too prone to look with contempt
upon such as have not been blessed
with equal advantages.
Christ saw Matthew sitting at the
receipt of custom, and babe him fol-
low. How unreasonable this call of
, Matthew appears to us, commanded,
as he was, to leave his profession and
follow the fortunes of one who declares
of himself that lie has not where to lay
, his head. But that Apostle docs not
seem to have considered it so, but did
not await a second bidding, and as soon
as ho could arrange his affairs, left all
and became q wiling disciple of Christ.
Here, too, we may learn profitable
lesson. We may become followers of
the living God without so many sacri-
, fees; can retain our professions, if
honest, and also our property,-yct
how few are willing to suffer even the
most.triyial loss, for Him who died for
our sakes. Mark informs us that after
his call Levi made feast in his own.
house, probably that he might thus
have an opportunity of bidding his
friends adcu. At this feast our Sa-
viour sat with publicans and sinners.
Here, also, His disciples were upbraid-
ed by the Phnrisecs because their Mas
ter ate with publicans and sinners but
!. Jesus answered them, "They that arc
whole need not physician, but they
that are sick. came not to call the
righteous, but sinners, to repentance"
! Matthew, Andrew, Peter, and tho
two sons of Iebcdec, are the only
Apostles whose calls are particularly
mentioned i'll the Scriptures. The for
mcr was associated, by our Lord, with
| the other Apostles, and continued with
them during the remainder of his days.
lie was present when tho Holy Ghost
was given, and received with the rest
of the disciples, this peculiar mark of
Divine favor; after which he continued
for about eight years in Judea, then
took his departure to minister the same
pure doctrines to the Gentle world.
| Very little is known respecting his
future labors, or the manner Of his
death. lie is generally supposed to
have suffered ,nartyrdom in a city of
Ethiopia, (Nabbadar) by means Of an
instrument known by the name of hall
berd Or halbert, which consisted Of
pole with an axe attached to one cx-
trcmity.
| OF the four Gospels, that of Mat
thew ranks as the first written yet
considerable difference Of opinion exists
among historians with regard to the
time. Some say in the year Of our
Lord, 81 some 40, others 81 and 81.
The prevailing opinion, however, is,
that he first wrote il in the Hebrew
tongue, OF tie particular request Of the