anything which he has done himself, however anxious he might have been to have laid claim to it while living. During the seven years referred to, Col. Benton had colleagues in the Senate of the United States, who, in point of intellect, originality of conception, foresight and sagacity, were his equals, if not his superiors; and yet these men have obtained for themselves but little notice beyond the mere recording of their names in the public transactions of those days. When we say that Col. Benton was a man of commanding talent, untiring application, industry unequalled, an energy unmatched, with an honesty of intention and purpose such as seldom man can justly lay claim to-we think we say all of him that truth or the partiality of friends have a right to require of us. As a logical reasoner or debater, Col. Benton could not hope to approach the standard of either Daniel Webster, Silas Wright, or John C. Calhoun; and it would be work in vain to search for-in any of his Senatorial efforts-productions, that for force of reasoning, would compare with those of either of the Senators alluded to. The elaborate speeches of Mr. Benton on subjects in which he took more than usual interest, were successful specimens of powerful declamation, given with such earnestness of manner and effect, as at times to win over to his side even his most powerful opponents. The writer had an opportunity in 1837 of witnessing the effect of one of Mr. Benton's speeches upon no less a person than Henry Clay. A subject of some interest had been under discussion for several days, and at the commencement of the debate Mr. Clay had spoken against the measure. Prior to the taking of the vote Mr. Benton got the floor, and spoke with unusual effect for more than an hour, his argument being mainly a reply to the speech of Mr. Clay, who, to the surprise of the whole Senate, voted for the bill, and thus secured its passage. In asking Mr. Clay the reason of this apparent inconsistency between his speech and his vote, he remarked, with almost child-like simplicity, that 'he couldn't help it;' that Col. Benton had convinced him that the view he had taken was wrong, not so much from his reasonings (continued Mr. Clay), as from something connected with his speech; but what that something was he could not explain. This was certainly a high compliment coming from such a man as Henry Clay; but Mr. Clay did not stand alone in this singularity, for Mr. Webster made a like remark of the effect at times of Benton's speeches upon him, before a party at the Astor House in this city, at which the late Edward Curtis was present. We might in vain search for the cause which could produce marvels such as we have instanced. In the first place, it could not have been the work of oratory alone, for Mr. Benton possessed none of the charms or winning graces of a Henry Clay in his speaking. What was it, then, that produced these effects? is a question that we will leave to the reader to find out. In debate, Col. Benton's manner was violent, and marked by intense individuality in all he said or done: still he was a speaker of interest, and at times, of great influence. In his private and * * * * domestic relations he commands our unqualified admiration. He was an affectionate husband, a devoted father, a true friend, and a sincere Christian. In this respect his example is worthy the attention of all; and his memory will long be held in respect by a grateful country." MAINT PAUL was one of the most remarkable men of his time, and his celebrated trial before the supreme judicial tribunal of Athens is not the least amongst the many singular occurrences of his life. In "the Acts of Apostles" we have a very graphic account of this incident in his career; but in commenting upon it, it may be as well to premise here that the rendering of the word Apeloura you into "Mars' Hill," in the twenty-second verse of the seventeenth chapter of that book, though literal, is slightly incorrect. Standing by itself it might do, but taken with the context, the sense, power, and connection of the passage are lost. In the nineteenth verse of the same chapter the words are translated "Areopagus,' which for various reasons is the better rendering. An unlearned reader would not be apt to recognize the fact that the two names referred to the same place; and then would, of course, fail to comprehend the majesty, solemnity, and authority of the tribunal before which Paul was arraigned. But neither of the words conveys to the unlettered mind the idea intended. A somewhat paraphrastic translation seems necessary to elucidate the passage, and considerably more knowledge upon the subject than is possessed by the vast majority of devout Bible readers is necessary, in order that the full force of the passage, the time, the men, the place, and its surroundings, be present to the mind. How few of the thousands who daily peruse this narrative are aware that the "Areopagus" spoken of in the nineteenth verse was the highest judicial and criminal tribunal of Athens, taking especial cognizance of the high crimes of immorality and impiety; and that, therefore, with the greatest propriety, was Paul, who condemned their worship and their gods, brought before those supreme and impartial judges. "And they took him and brought him unto Areopagus,""Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill"-Now, in order to understand the passage, a man must know that Areopagus was the name of the sovereign tribunal, the highest court of Athens, and that in the Apostle's time its sessions were held on Mars' Hill; he ought to know that the judges of this court were the ablest and most influential citizens, and that they had special and original jurisdiction of the charges brought against Paul. The court of Areopagus is thought to have been originally composed of nine persons-then only of those who had held. the office of Archon--afterwards the post was made eligible to all the citizens;-so the number was increased from nine to thirty-one, to fifty-one, and finally to five hundred. It is thought to have consisted of a large number when Paul appeared before it and made his celebrated defence. But whatever was the number, it was the most important occasion, in our judgment at least, on which Paul was ever called upon to explain and defend his doctrines. Before the men, who of all others, it might have been supposed, had prejudged and already condemned him, they being par excellence, the conservators of the public morals, and authorised to enforce a proper deference to the multitudinous gods of Greece, he appeared, surrounded, not by friends, clients, or relatives, but by a babbling rabble, heated by religious zeal, party spirit, and national animosity; and the result is but another evidence of the justice and impartiality with which this famous court rendered its decisions. It would not proscribe a man for his theological opinions; for, although Paul paid no respect whatever to the popular Grecian theology, and persisted in setting forth "strange gods," a crime worthy of death, some only mocked, others said we will hear thee again of this matter, and a few believed; among them was one of the judges before whom Paul was pleading. The Areopagi sat only after night. This was, that the action and appearance of the speakers, or the tears and mournful looks of the criminal and his friends, might not affect the judgment of the court. What must have been the feelings of the Apostle, as in the dead hour of the night he was hurried by the eager crowd before the bar of this august and worldrenowned tribunal! He knew that the popular feeling was against him, and he could only imagine the scowling looks and frowning brows lowering upon him; and he might very well conclude that, in its religious zeal, newly awakened by his denunciations, the excited populace were ready, perhaps, to sacrifice him to that "Unknown God" of whom he came to preach. And yet, with all its horrors and uncertainties, what a glorious occasion was it for the zealous Apostle to promulgate his religion; and not with bated breath did he then and there proclaim in the ears of the astonished Athenians the popular truths of the Bible and the doctrines of the religion of Jesus Christ. We cannot too much admire the moral courage of the man, as displayed upon this great event of his life. No truth was kept back because it was not palatable, and scarcely a position was taken which was not gall and wormwood to his hearers, and to his judges foolishness. He charges them. with superstition and with ignorance. What! The most enlightened and philosophic nation of the world, ignorant and superstitious? Ay, verily, so saith the apostle. He asserts that God hath made of one blood all nations of men ; a doctrine utterly at variance with all the exclusive and refined notions of the polite Athenians,-and he argues to them seriously the resurrection of the dead. Apparently no speech could have been made more calculated to wound and irritate his auditors; and indeed the session of the court seems to have broken up with considerable noise and confusion; for there was a great diversity of opinion among those who had been present; and while the agitation was at its height, Paul departed from among them. All Athens is afoot A strange bold man Pardon and punishment—a heaven and hell. New light was breaking on the darkened mind; Nor rests it here, but hourly gaining strength, And wakes the slumbering Stoic from his calm. The porch where deep philosophy was taught, And every spot where lounging citizen Passed in the usual quest, "What news?" "what news?" Was active with a noisy, babbling crowd. To thy stern tribune, Areopagus, Whose judges choose the darkness of the night |