The Banner and Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 186?-186?, November 15, 1862, Image 1

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BY HORNADY & ELLS. VOL. IY. Slw §mutx l §aj3tW, DEVOTED TO RELIGION AND LITERATURE, Is published every Saturday, at Atlanta, Georgia, at the subscription price of three dollars per year. HORNADY & ELLS, Editors and Proprietors. H. 0. Hornady.J [James N. Ells. Hope On. Why speak so sad of days gone by, And why that look of sorrow ? Chase back the tears that dim thine eye, And hope for joy to-morrow. The sky that seems so dark and drear, As if presaging thunder, The sun’s bright rays will render clear, And burst those clouds asunder. The woods that once were bright and green Are now all dark and dreary, | No feathered songsters cheer the scene, And all is sad and weary. But soon the trees in green, and gay, Will all bespeak of gladness; Then look towards a brighter day, And chase away thy sadness. Then, if thy lot on earth be dark, And no kind friend be near- thee, Within thy breast thou’lt find a spark, To comfort and to cheer thee. Then speak not sad of days gone by, Dispel thy looks of sorrow, Chase back the tears that dim thine eye, And hope for joys to-morrow. [Original.] Notes on the Gospel of Mark, With a Revision of the Common English Version , *T K. M. CRAWfORD. Chapter IX. [l] And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that there are some of them that stand here who shall not taste of death till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. [2] And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was trausfigurcd before them. [B] And his raiment became shining, exceeding white, as snow, such as no fuller on earth can whiten.— [4] And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. [6] And Peter answered and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; ©ne for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. [6] For he knew not what he should say; for they were much frightened. [7] And a cloud came and over shadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Sou: hear him. [B] And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw any one except Jesus alone with themselves. [9] And as they came down from the moun tain, he charged them to tell no man what they had seen tili the Son of man should rise from the dead. [lo] And they kept that saying to themselves, questioning with ono another, What is it to rise from the dead! [ll] And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Eli jah must first come ? [l2] And he answered and told them, Elijah indeed having first come restoreth all things; and how is it written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things and be set at nought? [l3] But 1 say unto you, that both Elijah hath come and they have done unto him whatsoever they pleased, as it is written of him. [l4} And when he cftme to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and some with them. [ls] And im mediately all the people, when they saw him, were greatly amassed, and running to him, salu ted him. [l6} And he asked the scribes, What questiou ye with them ? [l7] And one of the multitude answered and said, Teacher, I brought unto thee my sou, who hath a dumb spirit;— [lß} ami wheresoever he taketh him, he dash eth him down; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and l spake to thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not, [l9|; And he answered them and saitb, O, un believing generation, how long shall I be with you 1 How long shall I bear with you! Bring him unto me. [3o} And they brought him unto him. And when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him; and he tell on the ground and wallowed, foaming. [Bl} And he asked his father, How long is it since he has been tints? And he said, From a child. [2B} And oil times he hath cast him into thejtire and into the waters to destroy him: but ifthou canst do any thing, have compassion on ns and help us. [283 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believetli. [B4] And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, 1 believe; help thou mine unbelief [Bs] Anti Jesus, seeing that the multitude was running to gether, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee to come out of him and enter no more into him k M) And the spirit cried out, and con vulsed him sorely, and came out of him; aud he became as one dead, so that many said, He (37) But Jesus took him by the hand 'TTnd when he went home, his disciples J;' him private, Why coM o> * ; m And he said unto them, Thai S can com forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. Jk SUBXX€KOUB JUS© fcSmSUJStX' lIVBWIE. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, NOYEMBER 15, 1862. NOTES. 1. Some of them, Sc. The multitude, as well as the disciples are referred to. Taste of death: die. Kingdom , dec., come. — The kingdom of God had already com menced with the preaching of John, (if 4, 15) but it was in weakness during the peri od of Christ’s humiliation. It should, be fore the death of all the by-standers, be manifested gloriously and with power. This began with the resurrection by which Jesus was “ declared to be the Son of God with power,” (Rev. i: 4,) and was continued by the wonderful effusion of the Holy Spir it on the day of Pentecpst, with the mirac ulous gifts bestowed upon the apostles, and by the destruction of the Jewish nation, and the rapid spread of the gospel. 2. After six days. So also Matthew xvii: 1, but Luke says “about eight days.” (ix: 28) Mark and Matthew count only the full days intervening, while Luke includes also the fractional days. w. 8:31. Peter, &c. f to be witnesses of the transaction, n. 5: 37. High mountain. —-There is no evidence to support the tradition that this was Mt. Ta bor. Different opinions are entertained. — It is really a matter of no consequence. Transfigured. —The context explains what this means. The Gfteek word is Anglicised “ metamorphose,” and is rendered in Ro mans xii: 2, “transformed,” and in 2 Corin thians iii: 18, “ changed.” 3. Shining, Sc.: Emblematic of the glory which He was afterwards to receive. So the face of Moses shone on his descent from the mount. Ex. xxxiv : 29, 30. Ful ler.—The business of the fuller was not on ly to dress and smooth new cloth, but to wash and whiten clothes. 4. Elijah with Moses. The rites of Mo ses were typical of the Messiah; and they, together with his law, were fulfilled in Je sus. Elijah was appointed the forerunner of the Lord. Mai. iv :5. There appears a peculiar propriety, therefore, in their pres ence now at this glorious attestation of the Son of God. Talking, <£c.—Luke tells us the subject of their conversation. 5. Good for us, dec. It was good for them to behold the glory, though it awed and amazed them: for it tended in after years to confirm them in the faith of the gospel. 2 Peter i: 16—18. Three tabernacles , or tents, booths, which might be readily made by means of poles fastened in the ground and covered with branches of trees. It is useless to inquire what Peter meant, be cause, 6. He biew not what he should say , on account of fear. Frightened: as men gen erally are at what is supernatural. 7. And a cloud , dec.: As the cloud came upon Mount Sinai, into which Moses went when he talked with God, and in which ap peared “ the glory of the Lord.” Ex. xxiv: 15—17 • xvi: 10. A voice came , Ac. —An attestation from heaven, as before at His baptism, and as afterwards in Johnxii : 28. See also John v: 87; viii: 18. 8. Suddenly. How long the heavenly spectacle lasted, and the visitors remained, is not stated. Their departure was as sud den as their appearance had been. 9. Tell no man: probably because others were not prepared to receive it. n. 4: 33; also John xvi: 12. The three disciples were more favored. 10. What is it, c he. They, doubtless, with the greater part of their countrymen, believed in the resurrection of the dead; but did not understand how it applied to Jesus, whom they believed to be ** the Son of God.” 11. Why say the scribes, etc. The scribes taught from Mai. iv : 5, that Elijah should come before the Messiah. The disciples recognize Jesus as the Messiah, while they do not perceive that Elijah had preceded Him. They therefore ask, How is this? 12. Elijah verily, (tc. The scribes are right in this : but then, He asks, How is it (contrary to the teachings of the scribes) that the Messiah must be rejected by the Jews! 13. Elijah hath come. The prophecy of Malachi then is fulfilled, so that the Messi ah is here. As it is written of Asm.—These words apply to the first clause, “ Elijah hath come,” and not to the second. [Nora. —With much diffidence I submit some additional observations on this most difficult and much debated subject: 1. There is no doubt that the coming of John is at least a partial fulfillment of the “HIS BANNER OVER” US IS “LOVE.” prophecy of Malaehi iv: 5. It is indeed objected that John denies that he is Elijah. John 4: ,21.. But John answered the ques tion according to the intent of those who put it: “ Art thou Elijah the Tishbite ? ” —“I am not.” That John was the Elijah who was to precede the Messiah is evident, —first, from the words of the angel, (Luke i: 17) “He shall go before him in the spir it and power of Elijah ”; second, from the words of Jesus, (Matthew xvii: 17) “Eli jah hath already come,” in connection with the statement of the evangelist, “ Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist,”—v. 14; third, the additional words of Jesus, “If ye will receive it this is Elijah,” &c. Matt, xi: 14. It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that John the Baptist is the Elijah of Malaehi who was to precede the Messiah. 2. If John the Baptist is indeed the Eli jah of Malachi and of the New Testament, and the forerunner of Jesus, was not the Elijah who appeared with Moses at the transfiguration, John the Baptist? If John was the Elijah that, according to phrophecy, was to go before the Messiah; and the Eli jah that, in fact, did go before Him; and the Elijah of whom Jesus spoke to His dis ciples in their descent from the mount — was he not also the Elijah who appeared and talked with Him on the mount ? Why not? They talked about His departure which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke ix : 31. Do not all these things rath er indicate the new than the old Elijah —the. Baptist rather than the Tishbite? Does not the intimate official ■ and personal con nection between Jesus and John make the latter the more appropriate witness than the Tishbite ? To the view above indicated, I know of but one objection, viz., that founded on Pe ter’a remark, u Let us build,’' &c., calling him Elijah and not John. But how did Pe ter know either Moses or Elijah ? He had never seen them; and most probably, or certainly, had never seen a faithful picture of either. His knowledge of then! must have come from some supernatural impres sion, which might have made him perceive the third person to be Elijah without yet identifying him with John the Baptist. 3. Aside from any interpretation of the prophecy of Malachi, do not the words of Jesus indicate a second coming of the new Elijah, John the Baptist, before His owki second coming? I.—Matt, xi: 14, literally, rendered, “If ye will receive it, he is Eli jah who is to come,” followed by the sol emn formula >M “.H e that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” 2.—Matt, xvii: 11,“Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things,” literally, “ Elijah indeed comes [first] and shall restore all things.” It is impossible to avoid the force of the second clause.— John did not restore all things. Those who contend that the Saviour refers to the one coming of John, qualify these words so as to make them meaningless. In the next verse, too, let it be observed that, while Jesus asserts that Elijah has already come, He refrains from saying or intimating that he had restored all things. 3.—Mark ix: 12, 13 : This passage confirms the interpre tation of the preceding. They, all three, refer directly to the prophecy of Malachi, and also seem to refer to something future for its fulfilment.] 14. To his disciples: the nine who had been left behind when He went up into the mount. The transfiguration probably oc curred at night, and this was the next morning. 15. Greatly amazed. The cause of this amazement is not stated. The unexpected ness of His arrival would hardly seem suf ficient to produce it. It is not improbable that some remains of the heavenly glory (as in the case of Moses— Ex. xxxiv : 29) might have been seen, which attracted while it amazed the multitude. 17. J brought unto thee. He was bring ing him to Jesus, and in His absence had j put him in 'charge of His disciples. My son: his only son, and probably his only child. Luke ix: 38. 18. Where soccer he taJecth him . The de mon had his paroxysms of rage. The whole description shows the malignancy of the possession. / spate to thy disciples, etc. 1 In the absence of the Chief he naturally I applies to the followers, who still labored las they had been commanded, and whose I previous success had inspired confidence in their ability, (vi: 7—13.) Their failure now was calculated to throw discredit on their Teacher as well as themselves. 19. 0, unbelieving generation, &c. He addresses the multitude in language of holy impatience, and rebukes the perverseness which seems to be a permanent characteris tic of the nation. Deut. xxxii: 5, 20. But no demerit of the people checks the benefi cence of Jesus. He therefore commands the son to be brought. 20. When he saw him, dec. The gram matical structure of the sentence makes it uncertain whether it refers to Jesus seeing the son, or the son seeing Jesus : l think the latter. Immediately, dec. —The presence of Christ excites the rage of the spirit.— Generally, “Satan has great wrath when his time is short.”— Trench. 21. He asked his father, dc: not for the purpose of obtaining information, for Jesus knew all things; but probably that the fa ther’s heart might be more deeply affected. From a child. —The length of possession shows the obstinacy of the case, and no doubt increased the unwillingness of the spirit to abandon his victim. 22. Ofttimes, Sc.: additional circumstan ces of aggravation. If thou canst, Sc. — The failure of the disciples had made him despond. He was not without hope, yet probably fear predominated. 23. If thou canst believe, Sc. —lnstead of proclaiming His own power or declaring His intention, He speaks of the power of faith. “ Not only I, but whoever believes can do all things.” Matthew xvii: 20; Mark xi: 24. 24. Immediately, Sc.~ The interest of the father is now excited to its utmost pitch. I believe, help thou, Sc. —The an swer manifests faith, but not a faith so strong as to exclude distressing doubt. It is not an uncommon phase of Christian experi ence, before the full assurance of faith, which doubts not, is attained. It was the true faith, nevertheless, for it was successful. — Those who can discern in this passage any reference to the act or pledge of sponsors in what is called baptism of infants, are in possession of "Optics keen, Which see what is not to be seen.” 25. Jesus seeing, dr. —He anticipates fd prevents the confusion that would be oduced by the tumultuous concourse of the people, “ for God is not the author of confusion.” 1 Cor. xiv : 33. Rebuked, dec. proof of the reality of demoni ac possessions, n. 1 : 23, Ac. The com mand, Enter no more into him, is probably added on account of the malignity of the spirit, (v. 29.) 26. Cried out and convulsed him, &c. n. 1 : 26. As one dead. —He was so only in appearance. 27. Took him by the hand, dr.: to re lieve the injury inflicted by the demon; to restore strength to the youth; and to iden tify Himself as the author of the miracle. 28. Went home: to* the house which they made their home during their sojourn in the place, (vi: 10.) Asked him, dr. — Doubtless mortified because they had fail ed in this case, and wishing to know why it was so, when heretofore they had invaria bly been successful. (vi:7 —13.) 29. This kind, dr.: clearly indicating that there are orders of different power among the demons. Prayer and fasting : which must be specially resorted to for the purpose. We learn hereby the excellency of prayer and fasting as means of over coming evil spirits. A Smile. —A smile is a sunbeam resting upon a parted rose-bud; and, again, it is the cold auroral gleam upon a northern ice berg. An infant’s smile is an instant glimpse of heaven; the smile of a bad man, a mo-; mentary vision of hell. The smile of one reveals the heart’s purity; the smile of the other conceals its baseness. A smile may cheer the despairing, and a smile may blast! the unfortunate. A smile is the silent to ken of approval—sweet and beautiful upon the lips of the mother; the highest reward of right actions and truthful words. A smile upon the lips of youth, and a burn ing blush upon the cheek, betokens the first loss of innocence, and the earliest proof of moral cowardice. Beware of trusting smiles. If our condition were really happy, we should have no occasion to divert ourselves from thinking of it. TERMS —Three Dollars a-year. A VIVID ALLEGORY. BY CHAKueC dickens. Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveller, and he set out upon a journey. It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through. He traveled along a rather dark path for some little time, without meeting anything, until at las'" he came to a beautiful child.— So he said to the child, “ What do you do here ? ” And the child said, “I am always at play. Come and play v ith me.” So he played with that child the whole day long, and they were merry. The sky was so blue, the sun was so bright, the wa ter was so sparkling, the leaves were so green, the flowers so lovely, and they heard such singing birds, and saw so many but terflies, that everything was beautiful.— This was in fine weather. When it rained, they loved to watch the falling drops, and to smell the fresh scents. When it blew, it was delightful to listen to the wind, and fancy what it. said, as it came rushing from its home—where was that, they wondered ! —whistling and howling, driving the clouds before it, bending the trees, rumbling in the chimneys, shaking the house, and ma king the sea roar in fury. But when it snowed, that Was the best of all; for they liked nothing so well as to look up at the white flakes falling thick and fast, like down from the breasts of a million of white birds; and to see how smooth and deep the drift was; and to listen to the hush upon the paths and roads. They had plenty of the finest toys in the world, and the most astonishing picture-, books; all about cimetars, and slippers, and turbans and drafts, and giants, and ge nii, and fairies, and caverns, and forests, and Valentines and Orsons; and all new and all true. But one day, of a sudden, the traveller lost the child. He called to him over and over agam, but got no answer. So he went upon his road, and went on for a little while without meeting anything, until at last he came to a handsome boy. So he said to the boy, " What do you here ?” And the boy said, “I am always learning. Come and learn with me.” So he learned with that boy about Jupi ter and Juno, and the Greeks and the Ro mans, and I know not what, and learned , more than I could tell, or he either, for he soon forgot a great deal of it. But they were not always learning; they had the merriest games that ever was played. They rowed upon the river in summer, and ska ted on the ice in winter; were active afoot, and active on horseback; at cricket, and all games at ball; at prisoner’s base, hare and hounds, follow my leader, and more sports than I can think of; they had holidays too, and Twelfth cakes, and parties where they danced to midnight, and real theatres where they saw real palaces t>f real gold and sil ver rise out of the earth, and saw all the wonders of the world at once. As to friends, they had such dear friends and so | many of them, that I want the time to reckon them up. They were all young like the handsome boy, and were never to be strange to one another all their lives through. Still one day, in the midst of all these pleasures, the traveller lost the boy as he had lost the child. And, after calling to him in vain, went on upon his journey. So he went on for a little while without seeing anything, until at last he saw a young than. jSo he said to the young man, “ What do jyou here?” And the young man said, “I am always in love. Come and love ; with me.” So he went away with that young man, and presently they came to one of the pret tiest girls that ever was seen—just like Fanny in the corner there —and she had eyes like Fanny, and hair like Fanny, and dimples like Fanny’s, and she laughed and colored just as Fanny does while I am talking about her. So the young man fell in love immediately—just as Somebody I wont mention, the first time he came here, did with Fanny. Well! He was teased sometimes —just as Somebody used to be by Fanny ; and they quarreled sometimes —just as Somebody and Fanny used to quarrel; and they made it up, and sat in I the dark, and wrote letters every day, and NO. 2.