West-Jersey pioneer., 1871-07-07

carving of timber to work in all manner OF
workmanship" Here we have the earliest
and fullest record of the mechanic arts,
and of that higher artistry of genius and
taste that ministers to our perceptions and
enjoyment Of beauty. Here they are all put
on the same footing of divinity i'll their in
spiration. The mechanics or artists had to
be 'filled with the spirit of God'' before
they could design and execute these fine
works in gold, silver, and brass, and wood.
The MANUFACTURER AND BUILDER, nor
any other magazine devoted to the useful or
fine arts, ever described a work to such mi
mute detail of design and material as Moses
gives us in the construction of the taberna-
Gle. Nothing can be more evident than the
fact, that this work in the wilderness did
not only include all the progress in these
arts made by the human race up to that
time, but that it was a long step in advance
Of that progress; that it far exceeded, in
every conception and execution of beauty,
any work accomplished in Egypt Or Assyria
1t is fact which all thoughtful mechan-
les and artists should notice with special
interest, that the Bible Is the only book. of
ancient date, that does any justice to the
professions, occupations, and genius which
they represent. 1t is full of minute and
scientific descriptions of architecture and
works of art, taste, and genius. Indeed,
there is hardly human life, from Genesis
to Revelation, given us in such clear con-
secutive, and full biography as even the
construction of the little tabernacle and ark
OF the testimony made under the supervi-
sion of Moses. 1t is doubtful if all the lit
erature that Greece devoted to science and
art would furnish us with such a list of ma
terials as were wrought into these works by
Bezaleel and Aholiab, who were s.flled
with the spirit of God,'' in producing from
them such master-p piece as no Grecian ar
tist eyer accomplished in the day of Peri
cles. While doing honor to all the other
arts and occupations, architecture seems to
be speciality of human attainments to the
Bible. From beginning to end it dwells up
on its achievements and progress and shows
that God not only admits but claims both
as the direct work of his own inspiration.
The making of the first suit of clothes for
man; the building Of the ark under Noah:
of the tabernacle under Mosec; of the tenn
pie under Solomon-all these progressive
steps in the arts, he teaches men to take.
guiding his feet holding his hand, and Civ
ing it skill of touch. No Greciau or Roman
poets ever sung ofarchitecture in such lofty
strains, or drew from it such sublime fig
ures of their rhetoric, as Job and John of
Patmos, and other old Hebrew seers and
saints. 1t the artists, mechanics, and build
ers OF this country and age would like to
see the fullest history Of their several arts
and trades in the first forty centuries: or if
they would know when and by whom these
arts and sciences were most highly honored
they must go to the Bible, where they will
find more on both branches of the subject
than in any other volume i'll the world To
those disposed to look further into it's re-
cords for this object, shall be happy to be
a companion next month.