38 POETRY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. [Nov. By those who have studied the sacred writings, I shall be understood when I say that the greater part produce the effect of the most exquisite poetry. I therefore pass by the language, and shall confine myself to the variety and grandeur of the subjects, which are here combined into a harmonious image of heavenly virtue. The Jewish poets stood on a lofty elevation. Their view was the most cloudless, most unlimited, that was ever permitted to human sight. Before them lay Palestine, rich in every beauty with which nature has adorned the world, presenting a surface now sinking into valleys of the most exuberant fertility, and thence rising through the gradations of plain, hill and dusky mountain, each seeming to be a paradise for its peculiar tenants. Scattered over it, too, were a people whose character and history accorded well with the romantic spot in which the Creator had placed them. With a mind passionate, ardent in pursuit, soaring high when virtuous and plunging deep when vicious, the whole existence of the Jew was a struggle between enthusiastic piety and grovelling passion. Now he contended with ardent zeal for his religion, and now he abandoned it for the wooden deities of his pagan neighbors. Yesterday he breathed the spirit of freedom, to-day he kisses the fetters of slavery. Such was the wayward character which the Jewish poets depict with such liveliness of feeling and such depth of knowledge. Such was the nation whom they were sent to instruct; and not a circumstance do they pass by which might give interest or grandeur to their communications. They pointed out the monuments of the past, they set in order the miracles which had distinguished every part of their national existence, and these allusions and instructions they clothe in language so dignified by simplicity, so animate with metaphors, that they seem to be the objects of nature endued with mind and rising up to admonish men. But the Jewish poets had still another resource of higher and purer poesy than these. With that divine flame which purified the soul and loosed its imprisoned faculties, came also the vision of futurity and mingled with their meditations on the past and present. Where to all other eyes appeared nothing but uncertain conjecture, or deep darkness and folded mystery, they saw cities and empires rise, flourish and decay. They watched the progress and completion of revolutions yet to be, and heard the fierce breathings of ambition and the hollow moanings of wretchedness yet unborn. The Assyrian, the Persian, the Grecian, the Roman, each in his turn erected his giant image, and each in succession faded away into unsubstantial shadows. The future world unfolded its history, and society with all its mighty changes passed in grand procession before them. With their superhuman energy Time was unable to contend. He seemed to have lost his dominion over the human mind, and his power and scepter crumbled to the dust like worthless things. Thus elevated by superior knowledge, the Jewish poet was not a toy for man's fancy to sport with; he appeared with every attribute that can dignify human character, and all these he communicated with undiminished lustre to his writings. His voice was not a gentle silver sound, distracted and lost in the hum and tumult of business; it was a note that penetrated entire and full into every ear; that pierced through the defenses of passion, and was stayed not even by the thick prison walls of ignorance and stupidity. The lowest peasant felt its keen thrill, and the monarch dared not slight the warning words. This unbounded influence over the minds of men was not idly lost, or exercised for trivial ends. Had the object of the poet terminated with lively pictures of nature, or skillful delineations of the human character, the breath of inspiration might have been spared, and genius left to execute his proper task. But with the inspired writers these are but the shadows, the spots which they scatter over a subject of itself too bright for our weak faculties. These are but as the baubles on the water, when the mountains and the blue heavens appear behind the pure wave. These are the means by which they seize our attention and insensibly raise our souls to their sublimer theme. If the valleys laugh with peace and plenteousness, it is in gratitude to their beneficent Protector; if the hills stretch forth their arms and shake back their shaggy locks, it is to welcome the presence of their Creator. Through every variety of description, in every stroke aimed at vice and apostacy, the same mighty object—the indistinct yet visible form of the Deity -moves behind the poet's touch and consecrates his words. He converses with nature only to teach her adoration to the God of nature; he strikes the chords of human passion only to show their dissonance with harmony of Heaven. He makes all things subservient to his enthusiastic devotion. The past revives her mouldering forms of existence, the present opens her most secret chambers and uncovers her hidden vices and follies, and the future unrolls her mysteries and her successive periods as they rise to being and pass away-only, only, to dignify the wisdom and power that plans and governs all things. For this purpose earth and heaven existed; for this purpose they shall melt away in the last convulsion of nature. In fine, when we close the sacred volume, and with a rapid glance embrace its characteristic features, we cannot but be astonished at the sublimity of the objects which it discloses. It makes known our origin and our twofold destiny. Not only does it describe man as he is, and thread all the mazes of his crooked inclinations, but it also shows us what he was and what he again shall be when purified and fitted for the society of angels. It is the connecting link between two states of existence; in the language of Homer, it raises its head to heaven and moves upon the earth. It seeks to dignify our character by painting the happiness, the perfection, to which we may arrive. It says to man, if eloquence, even when degraded by the feebleness of our nature, can raise the humble, debase the mighty, shake the stability of empires, and sway the movements of a nation's mind, what will be its power when it proceeds from the lips of seraphs and breathes the pure energies of hallowed love? If music, with all its earthly imperfections, has charms that can bind the wandering thoughts, still the ravings of passion, and lull into oblivious happiness even the wretched and the guilty, what will be its ecstatic effect when it floats on the breath of Heaven from the sweet-toned lyres of angels? This is the poetry of Heaven. This is the poetry of the Holy Scriptures. 1840.] LINES ON THE DEATH OF ELIJAH S. HAWLEY. 41 LINES ON THE DEATH OF ELIJAH S. HAWLEY, A MEMBER OF THE SOPHOMORE CLASS, WHO DIED AT NEW HAVEN, AUG. 17, 1840. THE leaves are falling fast, O'er hill and vale and lea; And chilly grows the autumn blast, That howls through the forest free. Their plaintive melody Whispers of one beloved, As light as they in youthful glee, When in spring 'neath them heʼroved. Comrades! when spring was bright, The sunny hours of each genial day, Though we listened not, they still did say, Thought ye, as then ye felt The sun so warm become, That ere another year, 'twould melt The snows o'er Hawley's tomb ? Though ye heard it not in the streamlet's play, It murmured so joyous but to say, Passing away! True is it he has gone! Since e'en the young must fade; Like a white-winged argosie gone down, When only zephyrs played: Whose bubbles glistening a sun-bright ray, In their moment's life, in breaking say, Ye knew him free from guile, Free as from stain the snow; Ye know how kindly was the smile, We see no more below. The wealth that wisdom's search will pay, He sought he heard its sages say, Passing away! VOL. VI. 6 Holy be his memory! For he is happy now; Though harsh may seem the lot, that he So soon was called to bow. To immortality he tunes a lay Where there is naught around to say, Passing away! C. EPILEG OMENA. WITH this number we introduce a new volume to our readers. From our present condition we have reason to take high encouragement, while there is some ground for dissatisfaction. Our magazine had never at any period before, a greater number of foreign patrons; it now reaches South Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, Vermont, Ohio, Alabama, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and various other sections of our Union, to the address of subscribers. But while we congratulate ourselves with this increase of support abroad, there is equal ground for condolence at home. Never before had the Magazine a more stinted support from members of the Institution, notwithstanding the almost unprecedented number of undergraduate students. Scarce one third of the two lower classes are subscribers to the Magazine, and not one half of the whole academical number. From the various other departments we have the amazing aid of five subscribers! With those who feel but little interest in college affairs, from their short residence here, or from their former connection with other institutions, we would not quarrel; but with those who find all their associations, connected with education, and literary emolument, centering and budding here,with such we have no tolerance for their indifference to this record of mind. If such a matter as this magazine is not available for good, but on the other hand is prejudicial to our interests-very well-let it be dropped. But if the opinions of those familiar with college instruction, and methods of rhetorical improvement, favor its continuance-let it stand. If it is to be supported, let it be done honorably to the Institution. Let it have no half growth-subject to unmeaning taunts, and grudging aid; but may its resources freely flow out,-from the fullness of your hearts for its enduring form, and from the fullness of your minds for its intellectual vigor. We care not; we are indifferent with regard to its continuance, except as it may regard the pride of the Institution; our labors more than counterbalance our pleasure, or even profit. Speak the word, and we give it 3 |
