The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-07-04

by those glowing images anu Iaioou w s"o'
grandeur Of diotfon which charms the class
ical realsr in the most admired productions
1YHfeete and Rome. The royal psalm'st
is eloquent, dignifed and pathetic. All the
,.aantiaa of composition unite in Isaiah,
iuch b tho majesty OF his ideas, the pro-
briety, beapty gnd fertility Of his imagery,
and tho elo1nence Of his. language en-
tloyed -npon. the noblest subjects which
could possibly engage our attention. Jere-s
iniah excels in those expressions of tender
iuiess which excite with the most pleasing
the feelings Of compassion.
By;such peculiar beauties of composition
are recommended the most interesting de-
tails of events, the most faithful delinea-
lions Of characters. The great Creator
calls all things into existence with his ON
hipotent word. The first parents of man.
kind, innocent and happy, are blessed with
His Immediate converse and enjoy the |
blooming groves Of paradise. Joseph, the
fiou, and chaste and the wise, after having
undergone great difficulties and rising by
his extraordinary merit to, an office OF the
highest honor in the court of Pharaoh, dis
covers himself in manner the most pa
thetic to his repentant brethren, and is re-
stored to his aged and affectionate father,
whom he invites into Egypt TO- share his
prosperity. - ;.
The children of Israel, guided by the di.
Vie pqlke. which wells it's glory in q cloud,
Eaassafsif Though the Red Sea, in which
H. Idpta 81. th1fSla6as Pharaoh are over
xhslned., Upon the summit q Mount 81
nal Moses receives the two tables of the
commandments, amid the thunder, light
ming, clouds and darkness which obscure
tho great Jehovah from his eyes. The royal
psaimist sings the wonders,of creation, the
power 81 his dod, and Ills own defeats and
triumphs. The. peaceful and prosperous
Solomon, whose, renovn was extended over
I'LL tbs East, rears the structure of the mag
nificent temple, and amid the multitudes OF
bis adoring subjects, consecrates 1t to ser
vice Of the one true God, in prayer which
equally attests his wisdom and piety. In
!. tho visions q futufity Isaiah beholds the
atleliveranoe Of the chosen people, the com
plate destruction of the great empire OF
Babylon by which they we're efslaved; anu
Gppfofnised Messiah, the Savior OF man
kindI sometimes depressed by want and
sorrow and sometimes arrayed in the en-
blems of divine majesty and power. He
predicts the final recall of the Jews to their
native land and the wide diffusion of the
Christian full tn. Jeremiah sinks weeping
tnourner over the ruins of his native city,
dep.ores its ealamities and consoles his
countryme1. BY expressly declaring that
they should never cease to be nation to
The end Of the world. Daniel explains to
Belshazzar the mystic characters inscribed
upon the walls, of his palace and views in
his wide prospect of future times the fates
of. the four great empires of the world.
Cyrus, long before announced by Isaiah as
the great snbverter Of tho Babylonish en-
pire and the restorer Of the glory of Jeru-
salem, publishes his decree for the restora-
ton of the captive Jews, and the holy tenn
pie aud city rise from their ruins with new
g1andepr. aud magntfcence. The Jews are
asttled and sefor,ned By the pious care of
Nehemiah, and tie canon Of the Scriptures
closed By, Malachi. This last Of the proph-
cts enioins the strict observance of the laws
Of Moses till the great precursor should ap-
pear in the spirit of Elias to announce the
approach of the Messiah WHO was to estab-
ish new and everlasting covenant.
Such are few Of the interesting circum-
stances contained in the books of the Old
Testament which engage our attention,
charm our imagination and crafty oar Gu
rios,ty, while they confirm our belief in the
great evidence Of revelation. III all these
works we remark the bright truth of relig-
ions instruction shining forth statd the
venerable simplicity of the most ancient
history-a history unrivalled for the grand
eur Of the ideas which it conveys, the live
.3iness OF its descriptions and the number
of its beautiful and sublime images.
In these books of sacred history there is
N1impartiality Of narrative which is an un-
doubted characteristic Of truth. If we reaG
tho Lives OF l'latarch or the History
OF Levy, We SOOu discover tffSl tHt>e
writers composed their works under the in
Auence Of many prejudices il favor 81
their respective countries. A veil is thrown
oyer the defects of their heroes, but thei1
virtues are placed IN strong light, ans
painted in vivid cosors. In the scriptures
oMths contrary, both Of the Old And New
testament. the strictest impartiality- pre-
walls. The vices If David, Solomon an(
their SUCCESSORS are neither concealed no.
palliated.. There Is no osseat.atson Of van
lily, no parade u la,,esyfic; virtue chairn
!. TX her native beauty and vice requires Az
Disguise to conceal her ueformity. tn.
characters of persons ar. sketchea, the eff
fscts of passions are represented wathoa
reserve or concealment, and the moral t
be drawn from each description is SO oh
yIous sS 10 account for tie frequent omis
sion Of remarks and Applications. Tie a.