Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-30

NAPOLEON AND THE BIBLE-How true it is that
adversely is often found to be the most potent
dy for the diseases of the soul! ~ .s.,-s. .''
However the opinion of men may differ as to the
real conversion Of the great Napoleon to "iving
faith in the Saviour of man, the following well.
authenticated incidents of his closing e in dreary
ton of ALL That the thoughts of this mighty hero
of hundred well-fought fields first directed to
the study of the Bible, during his banshment in St.
Helena, can hardly be doubted.
Soon after his Punishment in this dreary isle, an
eminent Christian of England the Rev. Dr. David
Bogue, impressed with the belief that the religion of
Christ could afford the most effective solace to his
adversely, sent TO the prisoner copy of his Essay
on the Divine Authority of the New Testament
Napoleon read it; and the effect Of it was strik.
ingy evinced IN the course of conversation subse-
quently held between the Emperor and his friend,
General Bertrand, who accompanied him in his exile.
Bertrand, perceiving that the divinity of Christ
fast gaining access to the mind of Napoleon and
being himself an nfidel, addressed him in these
words:
II cannot conceive, sire, how great man like
you can believe that the Supreme Being ever exhib-
tied himself to men under human form, with a
body, face, mouth, and eyes, Let Jesus be what
ever you pease-the ghest intelligence, the purest
heart, the most profound legislator, and in all re-
spects the most singular being who has ever existed.
his disciples, and deluded credulous people, as did
Orpheus, Confucius Brahma. .....
Jesus caused himself to be adored, because his
predecessors, Isis and Osiris, Jupiter and Juno had
proudly made themselves cbects of worship. The
ascendancy of Jesus his time was like the
cendancy of the gods and heroes of fable. If Jesus
has mpassoned and attached to his chariot the mul
titude-t he has revolutionized the world-I see in
that only the power Of genius, and the action Of
commanding spirit, which vanquishes the world. as
|
you, Sire, and Moham,ncd, with sword."
To this appeal of Bertrand Napoleon replied in
strain of eoquence every syllable of which burned
with the power of truth in vndication of the posi-
ton he had taken. In the of that reply, he
| said
II know men, and tell you that Jesus Christ is
not man. Superficial minds see resemblance be.
tween Christ and the founders of empires and the
gods Of other religions That resemblance does not
exist, There il between Christianity and whatever
other religion the distance Of intinity. No! sum-
mon entire Olympus to my tribunal. judge the
gods, but very far from prostrating yse before
their vain images The gods the legislators of India
and China, of Rome and of Athens, have nothing
which can overawe me.
1t is not so with Christ Everything in him as
tonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and his will
confounds me. His birth and the history of his
life; the profundity of his doctrine, which grappes
the mightiest difficulties Showing that he had been
no superficial student and which is of those diff
culties the most admirable solution his gospel, his
apparition his empire, his march across the ages
and the realms-every thing is, for me, prodigy, a
mystery insolube, which p!ungcs me into reverie
from which l cannot escape-a mystery uhich is
there before my eyes-a mystery which can neither
deny nor explain Here see nothing human
You speak Of Caesar, of Alexander; Of their con-
quests, and of the enthusiasm which they enkndled
in the hearts of their soldiers. But you con-
ceive of dead man making conquests with army
faithful, and entirely devoted to his memory? My
armies have forgotten me, even while living, as the
Carthagenian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our
power! A single battle lost crushes US, and adver-
| sity sratters friends.
Can you conceive Of Caesar, as the eternal Empe-
Of the Roman Senate, and from the depths of his
mausoleum governing the empire? Such is the his
tory of the invasion and conquest of the world by
| Christianity Nations pass away, thrones crumble,
but the church remains. What is then, the power
which has protected this church thus assailed by
the furious pillows Of rage and the hostility Of ages
Whose is the arm which, for eighteen hundred years,
has protected the church from many storms which
| have threatened to engulf it? Alexander, Caesar,
| Charlemagne and myself founded empires But
upon what did rest the creations of our genius
| Upon force Jesus Christ alone founded his empire
upon lore, and at this hour millions of men would
| die for him."
Nav we not exclam, in view of the above, how
tring and unworthy of consideration are the bias
| phemous emanations of lesser minds against the
|
animation of the subject to wrest such confessions
from mind as great as Napoleon's !-Philadelphia
| Press.
| RALEIGH FEMALE SEMINARY.-It will be seen by
the advertisement, and by the list of appointments
that the Rev. D. r Bruton will have charge of this
institution Brother Peli could longer resist his
inclination to return to the pastoral work he re-
| tires from the Seminary with the confidence and
love of all its patrons.
Bro. Brutons appointment was made, with the
single view of the greatest good to the greatest mum
Der. His experience and qualifications warrant good
government and sound scholarship to the patrons o.
the Raleigh Female Seminary. 1t will be noticed
that the rates of board and tuition have been some
what reduced and feel the utmost confidence
in warmly recommending this school to an extended
patronage.-N G.. Adcocate
WILD SnK.-The depth of the Central American
forests will probably yield some new articles O.
commerce. In the Olancha there is found hanging
from the trees sort of sack, two feet in depth
which is the nest of species of silkworm. The
silk is woven the inside of this sack. In 1874
six pounds sent to England, where it wal
made into handkerchiefs of excellent quality. A
| nroGitable trade i'm this article might perhaps bt