The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-25

The Birth OF the NTessiah--Review OF the
Events which Preceded and Followed IT.
Our Own Destiny Pointed Out from the
Earliest Ages.
On an anniversary which marks the grand
est epoch in the worlds history, and which is
an occasion for joyful celebration throughout
the entire Christian world, the mind naturally
reverts to the remarkable chain Of events by
which the advent Of our blessed Redeemer was
heralded, and the systematic arrangement by
which the providence Of God made everything
sonduce to that crowning manifestation of his
power. In either speaking or writing upon
this theme, it is usual to take a strictly reli-
gious view of the influence which Christianity
has exercised on the social condition of man
kind. We purpose, for once, to deviate from
this time-honored custom, and to avail our
selves Of the opportunity Of casting retro
spective glance at the worlds history, with the
view of showing that the political revolutions
and changes which are continually taking
place in our own time, are only consistent fea-
lures of that grand and comprehensive scheme
Of the universe which, from the remotest ages,
has been gradually developing itself.
There are not many minds which take the
trouble of connecting the occurrences of dis
tant epochs with their every day experiences,
or Of deducing from them philosophical results.
To but few readers of Biblical history, for in
stance has it, in all probability, occurred, that
the old Canaanite curse is as active in its ic-
fiuence in our own day as it was thousands of
years ago. And yet there is no fact more
easily demonstrated. Noah, it will be recol-
associated in his father Hams crime of disre-
spect. "Let God" he said "extend the pos
sessions of Japhet, let Japhet dwell in the
tents Of Shem and Canaan be his servant
According to Rabbinical tradition the patri-
arch had divided the world amongst his three
sons in order to repeople it, giving to Shem
Asia, to Ham Africa, and to Japhet Europe.
The prophecy had its accomplishment when
the Greciap, and afterwards the Roman, de-
scendants of Japhet made o conquest Of Asia,
which was the portion of Shem. It is curious
to mark how through successive ages the con-
ditions assigned by Noah to his children and
their races have been fulfilled. Their de-
scendants represented the three cuticular CO
Tors or compilations into which the human
family was then supposed to be divided. The
children of Japhet were white, those of Shem
yellow, and those of Ham swarthy. Accord
ing to the scanty geographical data to be
found in the 10th chapter of Genesis, the
country included between the Caspian and the
Black Seas, and embracing Syria, was peopled
by the Japetida or white races, Arabia proper
by the Shemida or tawny races, and the whole
of the coast of Africa lying north Of the
great Sahara desert by the Handle or
dark races. When the 10th Genesis was writ
ten nothing was known Of Hindostan, China, or
the islands Of the Indian Ocean, and of Europe
little beyond the coasts of Peloponnesus and
Thrace. OF the other divisions of the world
our own continent it is of course
unnecessary for us to speak, as they are in
cluded within the limits of comparatively mo-
dern discoveries.
If our readers will take the trouble of glanc-
tion Of the earths surface was comprised in
the world known to the Jews at the period
referred to. OF this, although fewer Ia num-
Der, the descendants OF Japhet, the prlmeval
ilibuster and annexationist, obtained the mas
terry. From that time down to our own day,
through all the changes that have taken place
in the political arrangements of nations the
curse OF the patriarch has steadily INDICATED
itself. We find ourselves after the lapse Of
thousands OF years, the unconscious instru-
ments Of its execution. Everywhere the white
races are encroachiug upon and possessing
themselves of the patrimonial Inheritance OF
the descendants of Shcm and Ham. Ia this
we see striking illustration Of the providence
of the Almighty, who, as Rollin finely expresses
it, Has from oil eternity appointed
the establishment, duration and destruction of
kingdoms and empires, as we'll in regard
to the general plan of the whole universe.
known only TO God, who constitutes the order
and wonderful harmony of the several parts
as in respect to the establishment of the church
which Is bis great woYk--ihe end and design OF
all his other works, and ever present to his
sight,
If we look back TO the political mutations
by which the early ages Of the world were
constantly disturbed, we will find the eyi.
denccs of this fixed and uniform purpose. We
are in the habit Of attributing to the conquer
ors of antiquity an overweening ambition and
selfish objects of aggrandisement, but the truth
Is that they we're merely blind instruments In
The hands Of God for the accomplishment OF a
great end The Assyrian and Babylonian
pOnarcbs. such az peleser Salamanca cenno