The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-06-15


poetry of the bible is colored by this primal fact,
and light and glory Is flashed down all Its sacred
pages; 20 that the book may be said to be llumin-
ated by its opening verse.
The fearful scenes of the flood have also lent to
the Hebrew writer's poetic inspiration; witness
ing rs 1t were the wrath of Omnipotence poured
out upon guilty world.
The fountains of the mighty deep, which had
been secured by mountain chains and granite walls
overlapping their ancient bounds to meet the
heavens from above, q scene that could not but
deeply stir the Hebrew mind The waters of the Red
sea- the sound of which, still ringing in their ears
attestiDg to their divinely wrought victory over
their enemies was also additional impulse. But,
to crown ALL the mutterings of Sinai encircled with
its dadem of fire. creates of itself a volcanic stream
of national imagination which pervAdes the whole
realm OF Hebrew poetry. That scene Is stamped
upon the Hebrew mind and often and in many
ways is reproduced in their literature. The stern,
dark and craggy peak in awful sublimity, with
Gods presence manifested on its summit by signs
that shook the mountain to its base and filled the air
with thunders. The silent and awe stricken host
of Israel standing the plain, while lone man
assembled to receive the laws by which the nation
to be guided, could not but Il Z upon that null
titude impressions which would descend TO remote
ages.
But the most fertile source of poetic imae nation
is found by looking into the future of Israel.
Promises were given them which could not but stir
their Utmost nature. These were chung to with the
utmost tenacity, even when the outlook was most
discouraging. When crushed by the iron heel of
bondage, this burdencd nation, forgetting the past
and disregardpg the present. strove expectantly to
fho %,,4O
ised deliverer who should change their captivity
into joyous freedom. But not only in their pecul-
lar history we account for the character of the
Hebrew poetry. Their climate and scenery are
found to have also lent their aid. The Hebrew
writers close observers of nature. They are
said to have "lved in the eye OF nature"
Their climate was such to awaken life. They
lived in country of hills valleys and plains Sur
rounded they were by the Mediterranean, Leb-
anon and the desert they were privileged by the
most romantic and varied scenery, which could not
but infuse their minds with lively conceptions of
the Great Being who called them into existence
and fashioned them seemed to Him best
They were chosen people, inheriting Gods
especial promises, and claiming this especial pro-
lection thus banded together in a strong national
feeling Thus the memory OF the past, the circum-
stances Oh the present. ana the nope OF the future,
all united to stimulate and inspire the Hebrew
writers and give them material to compose that
famed and ever enduring production which has
been the study and wonder of all succeeding ages.
The characteristics of the literature of the bible
are such as to place it far above all other works
that have ever claimed the attention of man.
Its style is always adapted to the subject of
which it speaks. 1t is strongly marked by its sim
plicity, its strength and often its solemnity and
beauty.
The historical compositions of the bible are dis
tinguished by their conciseness naturalness impair
TALLY and graphic description of character. The
characters walk and breathe. They are nature. and