Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-06-26

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so near to them as Jerusalem, and anxious
to verify their theory, they started upon
their pilgrimage. Why did they so West?
Because Jerusalem lay west from the point
where the comet was discovered. Had
it lain north, or east, or south, they would
have gone north, or cast, or south. But
Jerusalem lay west and westward they
went. Arrived at Jerusalem they made
known the object of their visit. Herod
heard of it and was ''troubled.' Why?-
Was it beca- Sc ''prnce Of peace" who
would scorn temporal power and ambition,
was born? Nothing of the kind, but be-
cause Herod was affected by the snpersti-
ton of the times and feared just what the
shepherds said. namely, that a child had
been born King of the Jews" Neither
Herod nor the shepherds are supposed to
have been inspired, and hence the error
into which they fell. True, there were
prophecies and traditions. concerning the
coming of Christ, bnt neither Herod nor
his advisers understood the import. for they
believed him only temporal ruler. Nor
were the shepherds correct in their theory.
for no prince was born i'll Jerusalem Oh
that memorable night.
We learn that Herod called council of
the chief priests and scribes of the people.
Concerning the prop ositions and hypotlie-
ses there discussed, we are left in igno-
rance. We only know the result, namely,
an opinion that Christ should be born in
Bethlehem. Here was contradiction of
the shepherds theory, for Bethlehem was
ruled by the sign Sco-pio. distant in the
Zodiac GDo from the sign Virgo. But the
anci nt shepherds, like modern sootlisay-
ers, appeared willing to accept any modi-
ticalion Of their predictions, provided
some portion could be veriiiel So they
Iiourneyed towards Bethlehem, and the star
again appeared, and ''they reiaiced with
exceeding great ~" Why? This is the
rational explanation: A few days must
lave elapsed after having first discovered
the star, before their departure from Jertl-
salem for Bethlehem. In the daytime the
s.ar was invisible, but at night. as they
travelled westward. the star seemed to rise.
eulmratc in the mitl-hcavcn, and pass
ing that period, appeared to go before them
It'll it came aud stood over where the
young child was.n All these things wee
natural; all il harmony with the operation
of Gods Gnchanging laws. There is not
even an improbabiity. mich less an inn
possibility. in a single deduction made
The intidcl always demands rational and
scientific causes, unmiXcd with pecial
Proyidtnces." ana supernatural mclns."
!, Here he has all that he has ever asked
Is he satisfied? If not, let him send ne
his objections and will engage to answer
tl!em. Is he satisfied: If not, let him
rouse up the ghost of Tom Paine and de.
mand one more ''unanswerable" objection
Ii is not my province in these papers to
affirm or deny the divine Inspiration Of the
Bible. l leave that work for Others
Neither shall attempt spiritual interprc-
tations. for am no thcologian. am eX-
aminn9 the Bible purely in the light OF
science and reason. wholly regardless OF
srctarianisn. This is what the ntitIr haS
always been begging for, and am di>pos-
ed to meet him on his own grounds.
, neither affirm nor deny the divinity OF
Christ Once | was eager for discussion
of this question, and have publicly dcbat-
ed it more than twenty times. Two years
a%o saw. in rail car, two old blolts in
the last stage OF drunkenness. They were
di>putng about Chrst's divinity. From
words they came to blows. have never
argued that point since. Bat this | do al.
firm. that the morality Taught by Jesus
Christ is more perfect code of ethics than
[ lave ever found in ali the history of the
past. Even the atheist cannot sticccs Sfnl-
ly deny this, With the teachings and lite
OF Christ for modcl-a model which can
initiate only at remote ds:ancc.-I am
satisfied; and will conclude thi, paper by
qro'ing from poem taught he when !,
child:
"Brishtcr than the rising day,
When the sun in glory Shines
Brighter than the Diamonds ray,
Sparkling in Golcon,i.t's mines;
Beaming through the clouds OF woe,
miles IN mercv's diadcm,
On the guilty wcrld below
THE STAR THAT ROSE ~ BETiIIE!IEM"