THE TREES OF THE BIBLE. NO. XIII. -THE BAY TREE. BY THE EDITOR. THE Hebrew word Esrach, translated Bay-tree, occurs only once in the Bible. "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree. Yet he passed away, and lo! he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." Is. 37: 35, 36. Interpreters differ much as to the kind of tree here indicated. Jewish writers suppose that no specific tree is meant, but that the original word merely means, "a native tree," or "a tree growing in its native soil," not having been disturbed in its growth by transplantation into a different soil. Such a tree, they say, spreads itself very luxuriantly because it grows in the soil adapted to its nature. So a wicked man grows great in wickedness, when he is suffered to grow undisturbed in the native soil of sin. Some suppose it to be the Tamarind, a native of the East Indies, and flourishing in Egypt and Arabia. "This tree," says Roberts, "resists the most powerful storms; it never looses its leaves, and is sacred to Vyraver, the prince of devils. I have seen some that would measure from thirty to forty feet in circumference." This tree would also illustrate the passage in the Psalms. Its wood is exceedingly hard, and its fruit is sour. In the Septuagint and vulgate the word is rendered "cedar." The version of Luther, the old Saxon, the Spanish, the Italian of Diodata, and the version of Ainsworth, make it "laurel." The learned noncomformist, Ainsworth, paraphrases the passage thus: "I have seen the wicked daunting terribly, and spreading himself bare as a green, self-growing laurel." Its being said to spread itself in pride, or flourishing in splendor, also fits the laurel, which in its season is covered with pleasant flowers. Whatever may be the particular tree alluded to, the symbol is very striking as applied to the wicked. How suddenly are they often cast down from their greatness as a tree scorched and shivered by the lightning, or suddenly dying where no direct cause is visible to a human eye. The sumptuous Dives is now luxuriating in his palace and now he lifts up his eyes in the lowest hell. Pride and sin go before destruction; and are generally the true phophesy that a terrible end is near! "Such is the state of man! To-day he puts forth tender leaves of hope; And bears his blushing honors thick upon him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, And thus he falls, never to hope again!" THE LORD'S PRAYER. THE following anecdote of Booth, the great tragedian, will be perused by the readers of The Guardian with pleasure. It occurred before the sparkle of his great black eye had been dimmed by that bane of genius, strong drink. Booth and a number of his friends had been invited to dine with an old gentleman in Baltimore, of distinguishing kindness, urbanity and piety. The host, though disapproving of theatres and theatre-going, had heard so much of Booth's remarkable powers, that curiosity to see the man had, in this instance, overcome all his scruples and prejudice. After the entertainment was over, lamps lighted, and the company reseated in the drawing-room, some one requested Booth, as a particular favor, and one which all present would doubtless appreciate, to read aloud the Lord's Prayer. Booth expressed his ready wil lingness to afford them this gratification, and all eyes were turned expectantly upon him. Booth rose slow and reverently from his chair. It was wonderful to watch the play of emotions that convulsed his countenance. He became deathly pale, and his eyes, turned tremblingly upwards, were wet with tears. As yet he had not spoken. The silence could be felt. It became absolutely painful, until at last the spell was broken as if by an electric shock, as his rich-toned voice, from white lips, syllabled forth, "Our father, who art in heaven," &c., with a pathos and fervid solemnity which thrilled all hearts. He finished. The silence continued. Not a voice was heard or a muscle moved in his rapt audience, until, from a remote corner a subdued sob was heard, and the host stepping forth with streaming eyes, seized Booth by the hand, said, in broken accents, "Sir, you have afforded me a pleasure for which my whole life will feel grateful. From my boyhood to the present time I thought I had repeated the Lord's Prayer, but I never heard it before; never." "You are right," said Booth; "to read that prayer as it should be read, has cost me severe study and labor for thirty years, and I am far from being satisfied with my rendering of that wonderful production. Hardly one person in ten thousand comprehends how much beauty, tenderness and grandeur can be condensed in a space so small and in words so simple. That prayer of itself sufficiently illustrates the truth of the Bible, and stamps upon it the seal of Divinity. So great was the effect produced, that conversation was sustained but a short time longer, in subdued monosyllables, and almost entirely ceased; and soon after, at an early hour, the company broke up, and retired to their several homes, with sad faces and full hearts. UNITED STATES. THE ELECTIONS held in Pennsylvania and Ohio on the 9th ult., with the curious and somewhat anomalous results which followed, have formed the leading theme for newspaper and general gossip. While we take no interest in politics as a trade," or in mere party measures, it is due to our readers that we should have something to say on certain great principles always more or less involved in our general elections, and which rise far above all mere selfish party issues. It is certainly incumbent upon every citizen to be enough of a politician to be able to discharge his duty as a voter understandingly— although this qualification by no means implies his blind identification with this or that party or faction. It is clearly the duty of every man to vote-and if each man who is competent to discharge this high duty does not do so understandingly, it is equally clear that the control of our government will fall into the hands of those who do not represent the higher interests of society. Up to within a fortnight of the late election, the Democrats were very confident of carrying the State by a heavy majority; and this confidence was based on very good reasons. While the party representing the national administration was well organized, and acting as a unit in support of Mr. Plumer, their candidate for Canal Commissioner, the opposition were divided into three or four parties, represented by as many candidates. About two weeks before the election, the State Central Committees of the American, Whig and Republican parties met at Harrisburg, and agreed upon a fusion," by which Messrs. Martin, Henderson and Williamson agreed to be withdrawn, and Thomas Nicholson was nominated as the representative of all the elements opposed to the Democrats. Had there been time and sufficient unity of action to carry out this fusion complete, Mr. Nicholson could have been elected without doubt. In some counties the tickets with the names of the original candidates had already been printed In the election of members of the Legislature there were still more exciting and distracting elements at work. The liquor dealers had formed a well organized combination known as the Liquor League, which operated extensively in a number of counties, and almost invariably in favor of the Democrats. The result is that the Democrats will have a majority in the next Legislature of 31, on joint ballot, viz., in the Senate 17, opposition 16; House, Dem. 65, opposition 35. Although it is generally supposed that the Liquor League had a great deal to do with this result, the figures show that the new Restraining Liquor Law will not likely be repealed by the next session. The law will evidently be safe in the Senate; and even if a repeal bill could be passed, Governor Pollock would hardly consent to approve an act repealing a law before it had fairly gone into operation. Of all the Senatorial districts whose representatives voted for the Law last winter, the only one which returns a member opposed this year is Allegheny, which sends Judge Wilkins in place of Mr. Darsie. All the other changes among the districts where members supported the law are in its favor, giving a result, on full vote, of 17 for the law and 16 against it, with a fair chance of the vote for the Law being increased by one or two members who voted against its passage, but who will not consent to repeal a law before it has been fairly tested. We have not the least doubt, therefore, that this law will be sustained by the Senate and the Governor, and if it is enforced for one year, so as to show the good results that will flow from it, no power in the State can effect its repeal hereafter. In Oпo the Republican party carried their candidates over the Democrats and Americans, electing Salmon P. Chase Governor by a large majority. Both branches of the Legislature are overwhelmingly Republican and Tem perance. THANKSGIVING.-Gov. Pollock has appointed Thursday, the 22nd of the presenth month "as a day of general thanksgiving and praise throughout this State, and earnestly implores the People that setting aside all worldly pursuits on that day, they unite in offering thanks to Almighty God for past goodness and mercy; and beseech him for a continuance of his blessings." This Proclamation is one of the soundest we have seen for many years, and speaks the sentiment of the true christian. He says "a public recognition of the existence of God, as the Creator of all things and the Giver of 'every good and perfect gift,' with an humble acknowledgment of our constant dependence upon the Providence of Him, 'who rules in the army of Heaven and among the children of men,' is alike the duty and the privilege of a free and Christian people. "He has crowned the past year with his goodness and caused our paths to drop with fatness.' He has blessed our country with peace. The Union of the States-our free institutions-our civil and religious privileges-right of conscience and freedom of worship have been continued and preserved. The great interests of education, morality and religion have been encouraged and promoted-science and art advancedindustry rewarded—and the moral and physical condition of the people improved. "The goodness of God has signally blessed our Commonwealth. War with its desolations-famine and pestilence with their horrors, have not been permitted to come near us! and whilst the ravages of disease and death have afflict ed the citizens of other States, we have enjoyed the blessings of health and unusual prosperity. The seasons, in their annual round, have come and gone'seed time and harvest' have not failed smiling plenty cheers the husbandman, and, surrounded by the abundant fruits of autumn, he rejoices in the rich rewards of his toil. The pastures are clothed with flocks-the valleys also are covered over with corn-they shout for joy-they also sing.' "Acknowledging with grateful hearts these manifold blessings of a beneficent Providence, we should offer unto God our thanksgiving, and pay our vows unto the Most High."" KANSAS.-The Free State election for a Delegate to represent Kansas in Congress, was held on the 9th ult., and every thing seems to have passed off with the utmost order and regularity. The vote polled for Whitfield, the proslavery candidate, at a previous election ordered by the Legislature, was about twenty-one hundred, not more than nine hundred of that number being legal. It is thought that the vote for Governor Reeder, whom the Free State men supported on the 9th, will reach 3,000, all of which were polled by actual residents of the Territory. Reliable advices from there assure us that the contest in Kansas is over, and that the Territory will become a free State. Gov. Reeder was there during the election, and seems to enjoy the full confidence of the People. The admission of Kansas as a State will be a great question in the next Congress. Gov. POLLOCK delivered the introductory of a course of Lectures to be given this winter before the Young Men's Christian Association, on the evening of the 25th ult. His subject was the "Known and the Unknown," in their relation to Man, as a physical, moral and intellectual being. This lecture was listened to with deep attention by a very large and intelligent audience. The Gov'r spoke with great eloquence and no less christian fervor. The aim of his discourse was to show the great results and attainments of the Known and to point his hearers to the greater and more important concerns of the Unknown, all centering in the elevation of the race, the glory of God, and the salvation of the immortal soul. Gov. Pollock is a living illustration of the truly christian chief magistrate. THREE CASES have been tried at Pitts burg under the new Restraining Liquor | Law, being the first in the State, all of which have resulted in the conviction of the offenders. It is supposed that one of them will be carried into the Supreme Court on a writ of error, and the question finally decided, that tribunal being now in session in Pittsburg. There is not the least doubt that the constitutionality of the law will be affirmed. PASSMORE WILLIAMSON is still confined in Moyamensing prison, by order of Judge Kane, for contempt of Courtalthough the question of his release has been up before the Court in various shapes. The Judge has decided that Williamson, being in contempt, has no standing in Court; and that he cannot receive any petition unless it be an application to purge himself of the contempt. If both Williamson and Judge Kane hold to their present positions of law and right, the former stands a fair chance of living and dying in prison. CALIFORNIA.-The late election has resulted in the success of the "Americans" or Know Nothing party, who have elected their Governor, State officers, and a majority of the members of the State Legislature. The people also voted on the abstract question of a prohibitory liquor law, but the vote was small and the issue still in doubt when the last steamer sailed. The progress which California has been making in her moral and social relations of late is quite encouraging-for certainly no place stood more in need of it. The progress of religion, too, has become one of the marked features of the place; and although much still remains to be done there, owing to the incongruous material composing the population, California is already claiming to be not the least comely among her fair and elder sisters of the national Union. THE KANE EXPEDITION.-The expedition which left New York on the 31st of May, 1853, in search of the ill-fated Sir John Franklin and his faithful crew, arrived at New York on the 12th ult. Although subjected to almost unheardof dangers and privations, subjected to the intensest extremes of cold, fatigue and hunger, the expedition lost but three of its number, among which we regret to notice the name of Jefferson T. Baker, of Philadephia, a brother of Dr. J. T. Baker, of this city. The scene at the landing of the expedition at New York was said to have been very affect ing and the news caused great excitement throughout the city. The officers of the expedition were hardly recognizable by their best friends, so much had they been changed in personal appearance. Their long beards and hair, with dog-skin boots and pantaloons, and bear-skin coats, caps, etc., made them look like quite another race of beings; and it was only after undergoing a metamorphosis the next day at the clothing emporiums of New York that their old acquaintances began to recognize their familiar features. The incidents of the expedition are full of interest, but too voluminous for review in these pages. THE OLD WORLD. The news from the seat of war received since our last is less important than was expected. The Russians still remain in possession of the North Forts of Sebastopol, and the fact of the Czar being on his way to the Crimea indicates his intention to prolong the struggle in that quarter. The belief which had obtained in England and France, that the Allied Generals would follow up the capture of the South part of Sebastopol by an immediate attack on the Russian army in the field, has not thus far been realized. A letter from St. Petersburg says that the evening before the departure of the Emperor for the Crimea, a counsel was held, at which it was determined to carry on the war with the greatest determination; and the Emperor directed Count Nesselrode to announce this intention to the political agents of Russia in foreign countries. Gortschakoff is to be appointed Minister of War. Mouravieff is to assume the command of the army in the Crimea, which is to be defended to the last extremity. A "brilliant" contest of Cavalry was fought on the 20th of September, near Eupatoria, in which the Russian Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Korf, were defeated by the French Cavalry under General Allenville. The French took 100 prisoners, 250 horses, six guns, and a number of ammunition wagons. The Russians lost 50 killed-the French six killed and 27 wounded. The latest advices look to the bombardment of Odessa as the next important movement on the part of the Allies. Gortschakoff admits a loss of from 500 to 1000 men per day during the last thirty days of the siege. |