Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-17
8tliigiiol}s 3eaautg.
GETHSEMANE.

The darkness of night shrouded the sleep
ing city. No moon gilded with silvery light
the spires and domes that by day had re-
hected the fiery brightness of torrid sun.
No star sent forth its mild and cheering
beams to relieve the gloom and desolateness
that like pail had fallen on the earth with
the setting sun. The night wind moaned
hoarsely among the dark cedars and mourn
fll expresses of Gethsemane-sad, desoiate,
wild was the scene. There was vague
oppressiveness and gloom in the very still
ness that reigned over that spot. But see !!
A figure clothed in white glides slowly like
spectre and kneels on the cold, damp sod.
Why is he here? Long since has sleep
sealed the eyes of the thousands that daily
throng the streets and marts of Judea's
Capitol, and even his most faithful followers
little way off overcome by fatigue and
heaviness are wrapped in profoundest slum-
Der. But hark! how clearly and sweetly
rise his mournful accents on the still air of
night. IT'S the voice of a son pleading with
father-'tis the voice of the long promised
Messiah-the Prince of peace-the Saviour
of Israel. For long years had he borne the
murmurings, scofings and prosecutions of the
stubborn Jews. "He came unto hisown and
his own received him not" Wearily had he
travelled on his mission of love, healing the
sick, giving sight to the blind, waking the
deaf to hang with delight on the melting
accents of his own gentle voice, and calling
the dead from the icy embrace of the tomb.
H felt that now the hour of sacrifice. was
approaching, and sank in agony beneath his
fathers frown. He heeds not the chilling
blast, too intensely bitter is the anguish of
his spirit. All the energies of his soul are
concentrated and absorbed in the struggle
against the gloom and agony that crush him
to the earth. And from his brow, c!ammy
with the night dew of heaven, large drops
of bloody sweat trickle to the ground. See !!
the anguish and woe that is depicted upon
every ylineament of his lovely face as he
cries, Father, if it be possible let this cup
pass from me-" Legions Of shining angels,
unseen by mortal eye, gazed with intensest
sympathy on the scene, and bright seraphs
lowering on noiseless wing with mingled
awe and sadness watched the fearful conflict
Nor were the black fends of hell uncon-
cerned spectators Of the struggle that was
to test the weakness of humanity and the
omnipotence of God. As Nature failed,
Deity came to his aid and with smile Of
resignation he exclaimed in sweetest accents,
"Not my will but Thine be done." HelPs
dark legions fled aghest and angels with ten
fold rapture turned their golden harps be-
fore the Throne of the Eternal. Comforted.
resigned. he arose and awoke his drowsy
followers to meet the embrace of the traitor
and to suffer the death of the cross. The
moon threw off her canopy Of cloud, the
stars one by one appeared in the armament
and nought remained to tell Of that scene of
agony and sorrow. Calvary received its
bleeding victim. Fire. famine, sword and
pilage bowed that devoted city in the dust.
Not one stone of its magnificent temple re-
manned to tell the tale of its departed glory.
And the fulfilment of prohetic vision sent
Israel an outcast among the nations of the
earth. Centuries have rolled away, and
Gethsemane still remains in its gloom and
loneliness, perpetual memcnto of the an.
guish of the "man of sorrows"