Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-01
srRMONRY REV. DIR. BAIRD.
ssTha Pr0vfdeuces OF CODA Thrill
ling Metaphor,

ssThe PrOvfdences OF CODA Thrill
Hing Metaphor.
To the Editors OF the Union and Dispatch.
On Sunday the 18th day Of December,
1867. / visited the Church of DR.. A. j.
Baird. / had often heard of his fame as a
popular speaker and was curious to know
the art IF It can be called an art by which
he draws to his young and active church,
almost every Sabbath, such large crowds,
particularly Of the younger portion OF the
city. and holds them when there with such
intense interest. On this occasion his
church was filed almost entirely with
Young gentlemen and ladies, very few of the
congregation even having attained the meri-
dian Of life.
About half past eleven he commenced
his sermon. his subject being the Provi-
dences of God" Before he had been
speaking ten minutes, you could have
heard pin drop, and a mere glance at that
crowd sufficed TO prove that the speaker
had their undivided attention. To me the
subiect was always an interesting one, and
] have heard it handled by some Of the
ablest divines in the country; but on this
occasion it was presented with an ability,
taste, a beauty and tenderness which
have never heard egualled. To report
him would be impossible, and the attempt
is always grossly unjust, unless you could
use words as colors, and paint along with
his expressions the tone, the action, and,
above all, the conference.-the eloquent,
the indisputable conference.-the which
they are accompanied. The Doctor, how
ever, will pardon me for an imperfect at
tempt TO report one figure presented in that
sermon, which ! regard as one of the most
beautiful to which l have ever listened.
He was speaking of those mysterious Attic
tons which God often sends upon those
who love and serve Him for the purpose
of working out certain designs which He
has in view, and which finally will result
In the advancement of His glory and their
happiness. Here the speakers mind and
heart seemed to labor with his subject, and
TO illustrate and make still more impress
siye his idea be introduced the following
beautiful figure: Raphael, the great artist,
has conceived the grand design of paint
ing the Crucifxion scene upon canvas
No grander conception ever had its origin
in the brain Of genius No scheme so
magnificent ever engaged the attention Of
the human intellect. Picture him for a
moment, buried in the deep seclusion of
his wonderful studio. He had already in
scribed his name high above all the other
great masters of art, and stood upon his
proud pedestal without a rival or 4 COM
panion ;aroundh him, hang in peerless beauty
the original Of many of those splendid
specimens that had stamped his name i'm
perishably high above all his predecessors.
The peans Of the worlds homage, break
ing through the thick seClusion Of his re-
tirement, fell upon his ear unheeded. Gar
lands and wreathes and immortelles bloom
and blossom around his pale brow, but they
satisfy not the swelling ambition that
gathers from the very depths of his stu
pendous genius. His great soul is absorbed,
and his unclaimed thoughts rush with the
impetuosty Of a tempest as he labors with
the grandeur of his theme. Every emotion
Of his nature is stirred and rises, sweeps
and surges like the waves of the sea when
the demon Of the storm holds high car
nival on its bosom. The mighty design is
at last matured in the mind Of the gifted
artist and he communicates it TO friend
who is witness TO the execution of the mos
wonderful painting genius ever produced
Raphael has gathered around him all th'
material for his immortal task, and hl'
confidential friend sits watching with
intensest interest every movement OF tins
transcendent genius. With his delicate
white hand he gathers the larger brush
draws it over the broad canvas with seem
ing careless manipulation, leaving behinC
only rough surface of paint he sit
down, but with knit brow and glowing
eyes still gazes on the dark coat he has lief
on the canvas. disappointment broodi
over the face Of his friend, for he had ex
pected TO see leap from out it's sleeping
bosom some rude creation at least OF thu
grand scene the great master was TO por
tray. Impatience, unable longer to re
strain itself even in the presence o
the immortal Raphael, inquiringly asks
"Where is the crucifx ?" "Be patient anC
will show you ALL" whispers the sof
voice of the master. Another brush il
taken, and as il sweeps the canvas thert
rises the outline Of the crucifiX, dimly, I'll
true, but nevertheless percephbly. A ra
dant and JOYOUS expression dawns quickly
on the face of RaphaePs friend like the
first faint tint Of the Orient, and he eI-
claims in the fullness Of returning hope
Il see your design" "Be still and / viii
show Won vet more" whispers the mellow
voice of the artist. Another and a finel
brush is manipulated rapidly over the can
vas. under the inspiration Of this gifted
genius, and there springs from out its pulse
less bosom the splendid face and form o
Divinity stretched on the crucitx between
the two acursed malefactors. That in
comparably soft and God-like expression
still PLAYS sweetly over the face even amiI
the ieers and scorn Of the false and de
mented multitude. Those deep blue eve
still beam with tenderness and low
for the vast world he came to redeem
and as their melting tenderness falls il
pitv on his companion in death biddini
him hope, for to-day 4 give Won tn,
sweet assurance OF being with Ais,e in Par
adise," a radiance such as never before Ii
ND the rough countenance of the crimina
PLAYS in beauty around him. In an &c
stacy Of an overlooking JOY the delighted
friend springs forth 10 congratulate th
Master, and exclaims; see it al
Raphael, tits plain now" " But hush, b
still" whispers the great artist. viii
show you the painting complete; It's no
vet finished He gathers another brusl
and draws il over the canvas, and arOun'
that crucifx stand the vast multitude o
vaging, mockiDg, haunting jews, heade'
by their rulers, deriding, 10 their seething
wrath, the suspended form of Divinity
And nearer still stand the rough and mad
dened soldiery, with vinegar in hand
offering to the Son Of God, while aboy
his head stood, in bold relief, the derisiv
superscription in Greek and Latin Thi
is the King ofthe Jews" Far in the back
ground, while the beastly multitude smoi
their breasts in widest rage, stood III
sorrowing, faithful disciples of the rejecte,
Nazarene. And there too, stood the sui
dned and thoughtful counsellor JOSEPH
az Arimathea, Just ruler, deeply symps
"a n -. - -. -