Bible sketches (a connected series), or, The stream of time : a poem

Preface

The following work was commenced and written for the most part, as a recreation and a means of personal improvement, without any design to publish it. I was studj'ing the Bible, and took this method to familiarize m3'self with its details and impress it on my own mind. Many persons since, in whose judgment I confide, have thought it would be useful to others, and requested its pullication. Numerous friends, in the churches I have served and the schools I have conducted and superintended, have expressed a desire * for such a memorial. And as the plan and style of the book are out of the ordinary course ; as the Muses were the early instructors of mankind, and have alwa^'s been considered useful to assist the memorj^ excite to duty, and please the imagination; and as here is brought together a connected series of the most important facts of history, with remarks for illustration and impression, it is hoped the whole will become useful and acceptable.

EDWARD CLEVELAND.

Contents

CHAP.

I. Creation and Fall of Man

II. History of Man to the Time of Abraham

Chapter I. Creation And Fall Of Man

Ceeation's works imply a hand divine ; One God alone, from uniform design. His mode of being, reasons well agree, Is omnipresence and eternity.

His attributes shine forth a living flame ; Omniscience and Omnipotence we name ; And then, immutability impressed, On all arrangements made by his behest. His character is love we also learn From a]i his doings vdiich we may discern.

Here mercy, grace, long-suffering are classed, And goodness, truth, forgiveness, justice, last. His providence is seen in movements all ; In circling worlds and in the sparrow's fall.

From such a Being, we might well expect Communications, needed to direct. Such is the Living Word, a boon from heaven, To this benighted world, in mercy given ; Authentic, as from History we know ; And credible, as circumstances show. The mighty works performed in open day ; The prophecies fulfilled along the way ; Its spread and preservation, mid its foes ; And good accomplished Avhere its radiance glows ; All, in a focus, clear as light, combine To prove the volume from a hand divine. Hence, as a beacon-light, it sheds its rays, To guard from harm and guide in wisdom's ways. And in the varied scenes of doubtful strife. This Book decides the proper ways of life.

Far back, where once Eternity and Time Together met, in plans and deeds sublime, The Records of Creation thence are drawn. The process from the first distinctive dawn.

THE STREAM OF TIME.

Along the Stream of Time, its winding course, We trace the progress briefly from its source. In this we ask not favor from the Nine, But from the Hand more potent and divine ; From Him who did the prophet-bards inspire ; Imparting heavenly light and living fire. Thus guided, we the venturous task will try. And on the records thence inspired rely.

Then Earth's foundations were securely laid ; A mass chaotic, the materials made ; And fitted up and fashioned, as appears. Within six days, or periods of years. Jehovah spake, and first came forth the light ; The light called Day, the darkness called the Night. Primeval dreariness and brooding gloom, To cheerful vision then in turn gave room ; Providing scope for countless future eyes, To be delighted, filled with glad surjDrise ; A source of health and growth and varied good ; As poured upon the earth, a dazzling flood.

And next, the firmament was spread on high, Beneath and throughout which, the waters lie ; The azure vault to arch th' encircled world. In which are numerous other orbs unfurled ;

And whence come down refreshing timely showers, To cheer the land, developing its powers ; Assisting life in various circles round. To act its part within th' allotted bound.

Again, Jehovah's high command was given ; The waters gathered, which were under heaven ; And hence, dry land was severed from the mass ; And then sprang up the herb, the tree, the grass ; Each yielding fruit and in itself the seed. To propagate its kind, as earth had need. The water in the seas highways describes. And homes provides for various finny tribes ; And thence come up the cloud, from whence the rain, And vegetation follovfing in the train. The horn of plenty thus is filled with good. Whence man and beast receive their timely food.

The sun and moon and stars then showed their light ; The sun, to rule the day fthe moon, the night. Hence, by direct and by reflected beams. The darkness flies before the sunshine's gleams, Which deck the earth with varied tints of flowers, And aid in bringing forth its plenteous stores ; Producing seasons too in their career. And cheering life, in every grade and sphere.

The fish and fowl that dwell in sea and air, Were next created, their own place to share. The waters now began to teem with life ; The air was then with warbling music rife ; The early tribes then held allotted sway ; Whose foot- prints in the rocks are seen to-daj^

The cattle, creeping things, and beasts that prowl, Came into beinfic after fish and fowl. Then man most perfect, lord of sea and land, Came last adult from his Creator's hand. Both male and female God did them create ; And pure and happy in their pristine state. In God's own image was the new pair made ; And moral obligation on them laid. He blessed them then, appointing them to stand Head of this new made world, the sea and land.

Creation's work, so simple and so broad, Was now complete, and also very good. From these, along the Stream of Time, would spring An increase numerous, every living thing. Hence, from his work Jehovah then did rest, And marked the Sabbath day, of all the best, A Sabbath holy, set apart for man, A day important in his w^ondrous plan.

The new m^vcle pair in paradise were placed ; A spot which God with his own presence graced ; And oft with them communion sweet did hold, Among the scenes so fair, as we are told. Here blooming nature, decked in robes of green, Brought flowers and fruits in regular routine. Enchanting music filled the perfumed air. And all things beautiful and pleasing were. Awhile in innocence, they there were found. As seasons came and walked their splendid round ; Each other blessing and together blest, With all Creation's stores at their behest ; Required, the garden, but to dress and keep, And of its timely products freely reap.

How blissful was the primal state, Where our first parents stood;

Enrobed in innocence complete, With conscious love of God.

There genial hope its radiance shed, Without th' alarm of fear;

While noble aspirations led, And goodly prospects cheer.

THE STREAM OF TOJE. 13

Communion with the Lord of all,

Was daily their delight; How swift their footsteps at his call;

Their joys how pure and bright.

Such was the precious boon they had,

From their Creator given; Which, in obedience ever made,

Their paradise a heaven.

But in that happy place while free to move, A test was given, obedience to prove ; The tree of knowledge, both of good and ill, To see if his commands they would fulfil. Its tempting fruit to them he did deny, Lqst eating of it, they should "surely die." • The fruits of all the trees to them were free, With one exception, one forbidden tree.

And here the tempter first comes into view ; AVhose skill for mischief we shall ever rue. Before the corner-stone of earth was laid, Superior beings had in heaven been made ; Whose zealous hearts were filled with beaming love ; Most loyal to the high behests above. But yet their wills were free the right to choose ; Or, God's most wise and holy laws refuse.

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They, for awhile in strict obedience, move, And so the goodness of Jehovah prove. How sad the hour wdien some in pride rebel, And lose their state and place and sink to hell. But this resulted from th' aspiring mind. Which spurned the limits wisdom had assigned ; Led innocence the unequal task to try, And lawful powder most impiously defy.

The new made earth became the scene of strife ; And here were proved the ways of death and life. And here The Universe may now behold The deadly power Avhich our first parents sold. Here, too, the scheme of grace, the wondrous plan. Has been revealed to rescue fallen man. And here rebellion was to spend its force ; Nor further spread throughout The Universe. To smallest limits, it was thus confined, Nor can we prove that less could be assigned. For Lucifer, once pure and heaven's first born. In being free, could treat restraints with scorn ; And so, he lost his noble birthright given. Enchained in darkness, driven out of heaven. Yet for a time he exercises power. To move and spread rebellion's solvit more.

THE STEEAM OF TIME. 15

. In Eden's bowers the happy pair still dwelt ; By them, the tempter's deadly power was felt. With envious eye he saw their blissful state, And spread the snare, which sealed their dreadful fate. Appeals to their desire for natural good, Procured the fall and tainted all their blood. A tree to be desired to make one wise, The fruit delightful to the taste and ej^es, Our mother Eve accepted, first, alone ; Deceived and ruined, as the deed was done. She gave her husband of the fruit she ate, And both thus lost their happy place and state. Forthwith, they saw the fatal deadly sin, And guilt and fear their ravages begin. They learned their nakedness and were afraid : And strove to hide beneath the embowering shade.

O sin! what mischief hast thou done! How pestilent thy breath! • The ruin of the world begun,

Summed up in triple death.

"What frightful ravages are made

On character and life!

What tears and blasted hopes pervade

The scene of deadly strife!

And who the guilt can estimate,

Jiut Him who comprehends, The scenes of that eternal state,

The state that never ends!

And who can stay the whelming flood,

Engulfing all the race?

What price, or sacrifice of blood,

Can such dark guilt efface?

The deed performed, from heaven was not concealed, And God, the Son, came down and truth revealed ; For mercy was intended for the world, And now the plan obscurely was unfurled. Though evil long and sad must be endured. The promised Seed, to save was then assured. But they were summoned with commanding voice, And shown the nature of their erring choice. Pleas in abatement were at once refused ; Their disobedience could not be excused.

At first, the blame was on the serpent laid ; And then a penalty for him was made ; Upon the ground to crawl and dust to eat, A loathsome reptile, bruised beneath the feet.

The woman, then, was sentenced in her turn. And doomed by suifering, sin's desert to learn ;

A place subordinate was then assigned ; And sorrow in the increase of mankind.

For Adam's sake and disobedient deeds, The ground was cursed producing thorns and weeds ; By sweat and labor, he must gain his bread, Which, sinless, came spontaneous instead.

Then both were driven from Eden, thence to roam, Away from this first consecrated home ; Here learning, by the sore avenging rod, The bitterness of sin against their God. What deep regrets in looking back they find ! What fears, from future views, must fill the mind ! Without experience in the lonely worlds To plan and toil, at once, from plenty hurled. The tree of life was kept from their approach, Which hands presumptuous might not reach or touch ; Lest haply they its sovereign virtues try, And gain the boon of immortality. Historic truth thus shows how sin began, And thence through all successive ages ran.

But how is man afiected by the fall ? What change specific, which pertains to all? The instincts unimpaired in man remain, For self-protection and their food to gain.

The appetites in all the race are found, While food and drink and increase still abound. Propensities, still have their pristine health; As love of approbation and of wealth ; Desire of knowledge and the love of power. And good, which circles in the social bower. Affections too, the love of all our race, And ties domestic, hold their pristine place. And so, the tread of any hostile foe AVill kindle up the patriot's genial glow. Malevolent affections, certain powers, For self-protection still continue ours ; As anger, envjj, jealousy and pride. Which need control, as Christian laws provide. The moral sense still holds a powerful sway ; Discriminates, and leads in wisdom's way.

But love to God, the highest power in man. Before the fall, was leader in the van ; Hence keeping under its benign control, All other powers pertaining to the soul. This master principle, set over all, Became a wreck and loss in Adam's fall. And since, subordinates have held the helm. One or another, of the mental realm.

Propensities now oft usurp control,

As certain fancies seize the darkened soul.

When glittering wealth becomes the dazzling orb,

Then avarice will all the mind absorb ;

Nor toil, nor conscience will it deign to spare,

The envied, all-absorbing good to share.

Ambition covets thrones and human power ;

And when indulged, o'er all things else will tower.

The love of approbation too in some.

All other principles will overcome.

How often here do men allow the wrong.

To stand in favor, certain cliques among.

And lower appetites oft gain the sway ;

And countless victims hence become their pre}'.

Such is the wretched state of all mankind.

When love to God no longer rules the mind.

Harmonious action of the mind is lost.

And in the whirl of passion man is tost.

And now, as seasons roll and changes bring, We soon shall see of sin the deadly sting ; As scenes to come their shadows cast before. The sad developments still kept in store. As men increase, depravity will show, As their propelling powers shall cause the flow ;

Creation groaning with the heavy load, Assumed in their departure from their God ; So all may see their need of help from heaven, The promised Seed, our ransom freely given.

CHAPTEE n.

HISTORY ONWARD TO THE TIME OF ABRAHAM.

The human race began a single pair, In innocence, devoid of anxious care ; And when they sinned, earth felt the deadly wound ; And thorns and thistles since have marred the ground ; But then reduced and fraught with saddest grief, Divine compassion furnished some relief. They were sustained and cheered with faith and hope. From precious promises of ample scope. For, as they set their sail to wreck or save. Would be their course along life's swelling wave. The hope prevails that in their early prime. They wisely steered upon the Stream of Time ; And reached the haven of eternal rest. And were, with shining hosts unnumbered, blest.

But to their children, we recur with pain. When, in the course of time, their numbers gain. Though buoyant hopes arose from their first-bom, His doings showed, it was a hope forlorn ;

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For Cain, depraved and skilled in wicked art,

Indulged the crime of murder in his heart ;

Devoid of ftiith, as all his deeds declare,

Kejected in his sacrifice, and prayer.

But Abel, next, a better course pursued ;

AYith love to God, was inwardly imbued.

Cain tilled the ground ; but Abel kept the sheep ;

And each would hence appropriate increase reap.

Then to the Lord their ofierings they bring ;

Abel's, accepted ; Cain's, a worthless thing ;

The one, relying on the promised seed ;

The other, on his own external deed.

And while the wicked Cain was filled with wrath,

Jehovah kindly spake of duty's path ;

That he might then return and be forgiven.

Nor from congenial hope be henceforth driven.

But he persisted in his chosen way ;

Prepared his brother innocent to slay ;

And when alone, except the eye of heaven.

The fatal blow at Abel's life was given.

The arraignment followed then and deep remorse,

A felon's mark, and Nod, tli' appointed curse.

Thus crime and punishment are swift in turn.

As from the murderer's doom we here may learn ;

THE STREAM ,0F TIME. 23

His bleeding victim always in bis mincl, Wbere'er upon the face of eartb assigned ; And fearing sorer punisbment reserved, As conscious tbat bis flagrant crime deserved.

Xow Cain went eastward, in bis guilt and sbame. And built a city, Enocb, called by name. His seed increased abroad, wbere be withdrew, And various occupations tbey pursue. Polygamy, a crime, before unknown. Was introduced by Lamecb, now as sbown. His first-born, Jabal, led tbe sbepberd's life. His second, Jubal, rendered music rife; And Tubal-Cain was skilled in iron and brass ; And bence served usefully tbe common mass ; And Naamab, it is supposed as true, Tbe arts, to spin and weave, brought first to view. So early, different arts and labor trace, Both needful and improving to the race. And next we learn, from Adam, Seth was born. To comfort Eve, then mourning and forlorn. To Enoch then, was Enos in the Lord ; Then men began to fear and trust bis word. To worship God with some external rite. In which could all with heart and voice unite.

The life of man was then, as it appears, Prolonged beyond nine hundred fleeting years, That population might the faster spread, And useful learning to the race be sped. And Ave may well suppose that great advance In art and science would such years enhance.

At length, generations in course passed away; Their works and their monuments went to decay, And now the longevity usual to men, In years scarcely reaches to threescore and ten.

Our life is a vapor, the breadth of a hand, A flickering taper, a wave on the strand; Like a weaver's swift shuttle pervading the woof, Or the dew on the ground, when the sun is aloof.

But though brief is the span, 't is the point of our time, Allowed to prepare for a happier clime ; To expand and develop, as days pass away, And begin a new life which will never decay.

What a motive for all, while they pass down the stream — To steer for the shore, where the beacon lights gleam; There all who are found while on life's swelling wave, Will find a safe harbor beyond the dark grave.

But to return, there were some living then, Of godly and distinguished pious men ; But Enoch was the chief, who walked with Grod, And was translated to his bright abode.

But giants in iniquity and crime, As well as stature, rose about that time. The sons of Seth, to Cain, then dwelling near. Beheld his daughters, beautiful and fair; And took them wives, each as his fancy chose, From whom the wicked progeny arose. Licentiousness then overspread the earth ; The thoughts of men were evil from their birth. The Lord from heaven, by one impartial view. Saw evil only, nought of good and true. He then determined to destroy the race ; But for repentance gave an ample space. One man alone he found in faithfulness, Prepared for blessing and alike to bless. And this was Noah, told to build the ark, And preach and warn of retributions dark. And this he did, a hundred twenty years. Deterring them from sin by hopes and fears. But they refused to look, or even think, While in destruction's whirl and on the brink.

IMeanwhilc the ark was built both strong and tight ; The length, three hundred cubits ; thirty, height ; And fifty cubits wide, with stories three ; A door for entrance ; window, light to see.

Xow when the preparations were complete, One of each sex, by twos, embarked as meet ; And food to nourish them was taken in. Before the storm in fury should begin. Meanwhile, had Noah and his sons, then three, With all tlieir wives, which made the family. Been placed in safety in the ark then built. To meet the storm which drowned the world in guilt.

And now the time had reached the allotted bound ; The skies grew black ; the lightnings flashed around ; The thunders rolled in dread terrific ire ; And floods, from heaven and sea, to whelm conspire ; Earth's caverns now 'poured forth their liquid store ; • And from the clouds above came down the shower. The waters rose above the mountains' height ; While Noah's ark rode safe with all its freight. How dreadful now when thus Jehovah frowned. And for their sins and wrongs the world was drowned. But Noah and his house survived the flood. And made the earth depleted their abode ;

For soon the waters to their fountain glide, ,

And leave the continent for culture di'ied.

Then did the dwellers in the noble ark,

Receive commandment, from it to debark ;

When joyfully, obeying God's command,

They placed their feet once more upon the land ;

One solar year here in the ark immured,

While all that lived the deluge had devoured.

Mount Ararat rose up with features bold.

And was the stepping-stone 'twixt new and old.

All living creatures hence went quickly forth.

And scattered o'er the earth from South to North.

Now justice shown, so terribly severe. Had filled the patriarch's heart with anxious fear ; But much encouragement did he receive, To lighten fear and strength for labor give. A promise then was made, his fears t' assuage, And confidence of all the race engage. A token that the floods would not o'erflow. He spread upon the clouds his beauteous bow. The bow turned upward, and with barbs unstrung. And from the heavens to earth in beauty swung, With colors seven, preponderating green. All glowing with a bright and cheering sheen.

Denotes the covenant of peace from heaven, To all the world, but first to Noah, given. So we may look upon it as a sign, Of God's perfections and of grace divine.

Now murder was forbid to all mankind ; And blood for blood the penalty assigned ; A general precept, given to all the race. Confined to no specific time or place. Tiie reason given applies to every clime ; And must continue through the lapse of time ; That murder, would the Lord of all invade, As, in his image, man at first was made.

The sons of Noah were Japhet, Ham, and Shem. The earth repeopled and o'erspread by them. The sons of Japhet, Europe occupied ; The sons of Ham, in Africa reside ; The sons of Shem, in Asia took their place ; And from the three have come the present race. From previous judgements overtaking wrong, 'T was hoped obedience would continue long.

Now Noah first became a husbandman ; By tillage of the earth, his course began. The culture of the grape was in his line, From whence was made intoxicatinof wine.

TKE STREAM OF TIME. 29

By sad experience from its use he learned, How, by fermenting, it to poison turned. And Ham, irreyerent, looked on him with scorn ; And hence deservedly was left forlorn ; While Shem and Japhet for their better deed, Were blest in generations to succeed. From this transaction lessons should be learned, Which many even now have not discerned.

In visions of night, or in swift fleeting dreams, I beheld from small rivulets, large swelling streams ; A river of sorrows, with wrecks of proud man, Still rolling and leaping, with death in the van.

Bearded youth and fair maidens gave way to its rage, The firmness of manhood aud weakness of age ; Of the family, neighborhood, nation at stake. The firmest foundations were thus made to shake.

This river is Alcohol , varied in form, Of which the effect will appear in a storm ; Hence its wrecks on the ocean are seen every day, And sore desolations wherever its way.

Such drink is a foe to the wide world at large ; Hence, here is our battle-ground, haste to the charge ; Fight manfully, all, against this giant wrong, Till victory perfect, becomes our glad song.

Thus drive from the earth this, the deadliest scourge ; In the conflict, let all lawful forces converge ; Hold up your proud banner till all are allured ; And temperance triumphs, its victory secured.

Thus mountain to mountain will shout in delight ; And valley and plain in the chorus unite ; The world disencumbered will wake in surprise. And the whole human race in the movement will rise.

The race now multiplied and changes made, And from each other, soon were wideh' spread. The fifth from Noah had received his birth. Before commenced divisions of the earth ; For, in the time of Peleg these begun. In years from Noah's flood a hundred, one. Ere this, the sons of Noah, we suppose. Around the ark, their common dwelling chose. At length their numbers, greatly multiplied. Led some to emigrate and thus divide. The greater portion then to Shinar came ; Selected there a place to make a name. A cit}^ and a tower soon they begin, A citadel of strength to hedge them in ; There to become the world's superior power, And over all the kindred nations tower.

Such eager hope became the potent charm !

And for the effort nerved a vigorous arm.

Soon was the tower raised to wondrous height,

And Babel now became a dazzlins; sio^ht.

But God looked dow^n upon them from on high,

Displeased at their attempts with power to vie ;

And brought their proud ambitious scheme to nought,

Confounding language, interrupting thought.

The language first by inspiration given,

Became, as is supposed, near ten times seven.

Then different tongues to different parts repair,

And rear up families and nations there ;

Defeating thus the proud device of man,

And carrying out Jehovah's wiser plan.

So population had a wider scope.

And for abuse of power, was less of hope.

The powers of darkness had been sorely foiled.

On whom these judgments mockingly recoiled.

But now in other schemes they all agree, To sink the world in base idolatry. How suddenly their gods were multiplied. And all their vile abominations tried. Injustice, falsehood, slander thus were given, — To Him who ruleth over earth and heaven.

This system aimed to overwhelm his throne, And bring his sovereignty and glory down. Almost coeval with the dreadful flood, These gods appeared in filthiness and blood ; Machinery used by Satan and his horde, To keep the world in sin with one accord. In Palestine, in numbers and in power. They held extensive sway, the whole land o'er. The natives to the fraud were madly given, Till hence they were destroyed, or sadly riven. And so the Jews, who conquered that faiv land, Could not themselves the potent spell withstand. This long continued in the Jewish state, Till long captivity had sealed their fate. And nations round, as Nineveh of old. To this delusion were most madly sold. And Babylon, most lofty in her mien, Was in the depths of idol-worship seen. The Medes and Persians image-worship used ; The same of Greece, more basely there abused. Rome, in her prime, elected for defence, The heathen gods, but not Omnipotence. And all the world conspired with one accord. To overthrow Jehovah, as their Lord.

While men are held in such a sad duress, The means for elevation ne'er progress ; The vilest passions have a dreadful sway, And all that 's pure and lovely will decay. Jehovah's image, lost ii^ Adam's fall. Has left us subject here to sin's dark thrall. Such is the leprosy that lies within. The fountain whence springs every open sin ; Thence cropping out in crimes of darkest hue ; Repeated oft, with aggravations new ; As murder, arson, treason, wasting war. And garments rolled in blood both near and flir ; And minor wrono^s throufirhout the world difiused, By human freedom mournfully abused. Thus sin and wrongs to heaven have loudly cried. Since from the flood the race has multiplied. The earth is filled, as with a raging flood, With crimes detested, violence and l:)lood. The golden chain of peace and heavenh^ love, No longer binds us to the throne above ; But we are left upon life's stormy main. To sin, and suffer corresponding pain. Not one among the sons of men is found, To give the fatal current partial Ijound.

But jet the hope, at first had been revealed. Of One to come, a saving power to wield. And prophets many had perceived the light, And died in hope, Avithout the glorious sight. Now heathen rites must longer still prevail, And many schemes of man arise and fail ; The world be tried in every known pursuit, Till found to yield unsatisfying fruit. Fair weather now, and then succeeding storms. May well set forth relapses and reforms ; Pandora's box, — the elixir of life, The ills and cures that come in human strife. And marvellous vicissitudes ensue. Before the o'lorious scene shall come to view.

Chapter III. Abraham, Or The Means To Recover Man

The Lord is wise, his purposes are kind; His plans adapted to the ends designed ; And hence, the world, in order to redeem, He formed a wise and comprehensive scheme. Hence Abram, now the far-famed and renowned, ^Vliose heart in love to God was faithful found. Was summoned from his distant native land. To found a nation, heeding God's command. The adoption to the nation appertained, The glory of the system, as ordained, The covenant and temple-service wise. The law to guide and precious promises. And in their language was to be combined. Religious thought and terms for all mankind. Here, too, the Day spring from on high would rise, T' illume the world, and make it truly wise ; To expiate its guilt with precious blood, And so prepare the way for our best good.