Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
Priest ' s might raise , and then but on the feast of atonement for the sins of the people , when the thronging Hebrews appeared in the galleries above . " Behold ! " ye priests of Israel , " exclaimed the idolater in scorn , waving at the same time the golden image over his head—the emblem of Great Belus ; " that will I place within your sanctuary ; to him will I re-dedicate your temple . "
He reached the topmost step as he spoke . The High Priest and Levites bowed their heads in shame to avoid witnessing the fearful profanation ; but scarcely had his daring hand touched the embroidered hem of the sacred veil , when the thunder pealed within the sanctuary , and a ray of light , more intense than the concentrated brilliancy of a
thousand suns , darted through the scarce perceptible opening , struck the worshipper of Belus to the ground , and burst asunder the stronglybarred gates . Well was it for the Hebrews that they had veiled their sight : no mortal eyes could have endured the splendour of that blaze . The now sightless orbs of the idolater were melted in their sockets . He was instantly secured by the awe-stricken priests . At the same instant , Eh , who had been found lurking in the temple , was led by a party of Levites before the Hih Priest . "Harm them not ! " he
exg claimed ; " unscathed by mortal hands , let them depart , the scoff of Israel—a warning to the heathen . The Eternal hath pronounced their punishment , and man ' s wrath may not efface the record of the living God . " Unharmed and in silence , the baffled and the blind together left the temple .
The Reproof.
THE REPROOF .
BY BROTHER JOHN SMITH , BANK OP ENGLAND LODGE . AWE-STRUCK I stood beneath the dome , Thy crown and pride , imperial Rome . Far as the human eye might scan , The arch and graceful column ran ; Mellowing the light around each shrine To that pure shade , where art divine
Best loves to dwell . The cooling air Hung noiseless as night ' s mantle there ; Rich with the altar ' s perfumed breath , AVhich , like the rose-leaf after death ,
Although the censer ' s sweets were drain'd , A balmy fragrance still retain'd . Ages their influence o ' er me shed , Around me lay the mighty dead ; Names that to unborn time belong , Poets immortal in their song , Sculptorswhose genius haunts their grave
, , Who breathless life to marble gave ; The great , the wise , the stern and just , Returning to their parent dust . There slept that crownless mitred thing , That shadow of a realmless king ; VOL , in . F
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mariamne.
Priest ' s might raise , and then but on the feast of atonement for the sins of the people , when the thronging Hebrews appeared in the galleries above . " Behold ! " ye priests of Israel , " exclaimed the idolater in scorn , waving at the same time the golden image over his head—the emblem of Great Belus ; " that will I place within your sanctuary ; to him will I re-dedicate your temple . "
He reached the topmost step as he spoke . The High Priest and Levites bowed their heads in shame to avoid witnessing the fearful profanation ; but scarcely had his daring hand touched the embroidered hem of the sacred veil , when the thunder pealed within the sanctuary , and a ray of light , more intense than the concentrated brilliancy of a
thousand suns , darted through the scarce perceptible opening , struck the worshipper of Belus to the ground , and burst asunder the stronglybarred gates . Well was it for the Hebrews that they had veiled their sight : no mortal eyes could have endured the splendour of that blaze . The now sightless orbs of the idolater were melted in their sockets . He was instantly secured by the awe-stricken priests . At the same instant , Eh , who had been found lurking in the temple , was led by a party of Levites before the Hih Priest . "Harm them not ! " he
exg claimed ; " unscathed by mortal hands , let them depart , the scoff of Israel—a warning to the heathen . The Eternal hath pronounced their punishment , and man ' s wrath may not efface the record of the living God . " Unharmed and in silence , the baffled and the blind together left the temple .
The Reproof.
THE REPROOF .
BY BROTHER JOHN SMITH , BANK OP ENGLAND LODGE . AWE-STRUCK I stood beneath the dome , Thy crown and pride , imperial Rome . Far as the human eye might scan , The arch and graceful column ran ; Mellowing the light around each shrine To that pure shade , where art divine
Best loves to dwell . The cooling air Hung noiseless as night ' s mantle there ; Rich with the altar ' s perfumed breath , AVhich , like the rose-leaf after death ,
Although the censer ' s sweets were drain'd , A balmy fragrance still retain'd . Ages their influence o ' er me shed , Around me lay the mighty dead ; Names that to unborn time belong , Poets immortal in their song , Sculptorswhose genius haunts their grave
, , Who breathless life to marble gave ; The great , the wise , the stern and just , Returning to their parent dust . There slept that crownless mitred thing , That shadow of a realmless king ; VOL , in . F