The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-30

Tic inost iorloru OF humanity, since its
gentle message is especially addressed to
the care-worn sinner. So long as re-
vOlving ages shall succeed one another,
the Calendar of Mercy shall, every year,
be marked by the return of Good FRI
day; so long as these mundane spheres
shall kbe existent, earth may claim
spot sacred to the memories of Divine
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES soil has
been hallowed by the footsteps of the
Prince of Peace. Jehoshaphat, with its
fractured sepulchres, still lies to the east
of the Holy City; Cedron rolls its red
dish waves through the valley of gloom
the mournful olive garden is there, re.
peating in every breeze the sorrows of
an agonizing God; whilst, on the west,
CALVARY still appears, wrapped in horror
at the scene once enacted on its summit.
The mystery of the day induces reflec-
tons noble and salutary. Leaving aside
the considerations that piety may excite
in the mind of the contemplative, let
US dwell for brief space on the charac-
ter of the Christ as a Man. First. as to
the exterior. Ages before his birth. he
had been described in prophetic vision
as the "most beautiful of the children
of men," with form of matchless SYM.
metry, whose every motion was ease
and grace. He was of medium stature;
his face was oval, complexion delicate
just shaded to manliness, nose Roman,
eyes, between black and that expressive
brown which melts the soul by its
glance. After the manner of his coun.
| trymen of Nazareth, he wore his hair
parted down the middle, and falling on
his shoulders in rich prof,iseness Of
curling locks. He also had beard and
moustache, a majesty, sweetness, 8
winning mournfulness of expression
breathed from his countenance, and SC
ravishing was the divine and gentle
charm of his converse that men forgot
both hunger and thirst while listening
to bis voice; as when he says to hi.
disciples, II have compassion on the
multitude, for, behold they have now
been with me three days, and have no
thing to eat" Pure, spotless the very
mirror of divine excellence in human
form, he displayed the grandest qualities
of mind and heart everywhere and al
all times. Infinitely as he is elevated
above our best conceptions of heroism
of generosity, of all that is fairest and
loveliest in humanity, yet, being truly
man, he was swayed by the passions o.
human nature; but passions unvitiatet
in their principles, and heavenly in
their exercise. He was model in the
domestic relations of life. No child was
ever so affectionate, so submissive. NJ
friend more devoted, more eager in tbs
service ofthose heloved-none more ten.
der in the outward marks of esteem rem
dered. John reposing on his divine
bosom, might justly excite the holy
jealousy of the Seraphim. And the sis
tiers of Lazarus fully reveal their trust
l
in his fidelity by the loving plant
Lord If thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died." The purest OF
patriots, he weeps over the coming mis-
fortunes of his beloved, yet ungratefu
Jerusalem and, as peaceful lover oil
order, we see him constantly giving ex
ample of loyal obedience. His heart
was always open to the cry of affiiction
and divine pity prompted the working
of his most shining wonders. What
more benign than his bearing with the
Samaritan woman at the well What
more graceful than the sympathy which
babe the mourners of Maine to pause
whilst he restored the young man to his
bereaved mother / Or, can any scene be
more pathetically tender than the re-
calling from the 'sleep" of death the
lovely flower, the daughter of Jairus
the Ruler