Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-02
Historic Condolences.

At the Threshold of the majestic Cathedra
of Old Testament Prophecy, it is well to paus
and cast glance OF two forth upon the pagean
of classic history. Nothing is more agreeabl,
than unexpected condolences Nothing is more
instI uctive and refreshing than the bringing to
gether, BY the sudden discovery of assocatinl
ties, perSOnages hitherto supposed TO be utterly
disconnected. Especially is this the case whert
we discover that individuals with whom we are
severaly acquainted, bnt whom we have never
thought Of as in any way allied, are not only
contemporaries, but so associated in the drama
Of the past, that once advised Of the fact we car
never cease tn remember it, and to see certain
meaning therein. 5a
For Instance, while we are reading of the reign
Of gnud King Asa, in the Old Testament, we
never think of such thing Us classic literature
and the glorious barts Of Greece. Yet, accord
ing to the Parian marbles, the great Hesiod was
then in his career, journeying, as poets and his
tOrians were wont, in quest OF knowledge, sing
ing his songs and intictiDg his chronicles.
So, dnring the reign Of Jebosnphat, while a.
iIal and his Tyrian bride were dominating in Is
rael, We never think of Homer as q living con-
temporary. We Weneveriinagine him trayeling,h harp
IN hand, through Greece-sailing from isle to
isle through the sunny Egran, floating on the
Island SEA of the inundatIng Nile to the very
base of tile Pyramids-studying with the Priests
"f Egypt-or perhaps seeking wisdom in the
schools of India ard Babylon-nay, possibly,
wandering along the classic shores uf Phenicia,
whence came the seeds Uf Grecian learning
aud visiting the temples of Tyre and Sidon.
Yet it is not very improbable idea that Ho
mer may have sung to J.zehel on the high pla-
ces of SaInara, or to Alfalfa ON the high places
ui Judah. Homer may perchance have seen the
bulwarks of Zon, and hi, eye kindled rs he be
held HE splendoIs Ut Solomon's Temple.
Whether Hesud and Homer ever visited Pheni-
ca or not, ii Is interesting to associate them with
tliis era just before the coming of Isaiah and his
cunpeers, and just after The quescence Of the
harp ot David-while its sublime echoes We're
yet lrelnuIuus on the hill tops of the oriental
world. Greece, classic Greece, the joy OF all
scholarly hearts, was then beginning 10 be, and
The famous era of the Oymplads was just about
~ Commence!
There Is a great benefit in such chronologic
groupings and associated tabeux Historians
not particularly imbu,d with reverence for the
Bible, aud drinking all their inspiration AT class
&c tuuntainS, have been Wont 10 run history back
mo tabuluu, ages-siuply because classic au-
thorilles did 81 before tlien Hence, many peo-
pie have u confused idea of ancient States as
cuiniug down somehow unt OF dense fogs and
chaos, ~ winch all true successonis c0nioundcd
anu classic literature il imagined " be Oldest,
potesl, and best.
To such bewlldered minds it may be useful to
see Homer and Hrsiod schooboys at the feet OF
DAVID. and Greek Oympiads beginning to bc
counted when the Hebrew monarchy was past
It's meridian. Ii would be intensely interesting,
ii we were able to point Ou the connections be.
tween sacred literature aud prutane, and show
how the mind of God, IN the heart of His peo-
pie, has been The real vilalizing energy Tor all
the race There are many films and threads Of
evidence that run like lines OF light through the
night of the nations, by which We can feel that
tlliS was the case. Yet the dinnesS is SO great,
that we may never be able fully and connected
ly to discourse upon it, and demonstrate the
whole problem.
Jezebel's portrait was drawn by no loving linn
ner. She had no Virgil to embalm her memo.
ry in monumental verse. A pitiless pencil grav
ed upon the adanantine table only those stern
outlines OF evil which suiiiced to reveal her es
sen,ial antagonism toJehovalIs spiritual system.
Aud in that craving all aesthetic considerations
were dsregarded. Had Virgil drawn that pic
ture, she would doubtless have appeared as be-
witching as does now her Carthagenian niece.
And We should have all understood how it was
That she captiyated and subjected by her spells
the hearts OF all Israel.
There is matter ofmuch moralizing in the sim
pie historic enunciaton that Jezebel was Dido's
aunt