CHAPTER II. LUMINOUS BODIES-THE STAR IN THE EAST-DIGNITY INTERESTING as are the instances of phosphorescence, already given, there are other luminous appearances of a far higher order. Among these are the meteors which sometimes attract the eye. They are a few out of perhaps myriads of bodies wandering through space, of whose nature we cannot form an idea, any more than of the end they have to answer. A traveller, who had just passed from the dark and turbulent waves of the Atlantic, to the calm and gentle waters of the Mediterranean, states, that while the day presented pleasing objects, others equally lovely appeared at night, in the glittering firmament of new stars, and in the various meteors which shot in all directions across the horizon. One of them was exceedingly beautiful; it burst from the sky near the Pleiades, and struck all who were on the quarter-deck with awe and amazement. It presented the appearance of a dense cone of fire, apparently about two feet long, and nine inches broad. It proceeded with the base foremost, at a slow and majestic pace, illuminating the whole hemisphere, completely obscuring the stars, and rendering every object both on and around the vessel distinctly visible. Near the horizon were some dark clouds, in separate strata; it passed behind these, and reappeared at intervals, tinging their skirts with a bright orange light, and it finally set in the north-west, among the mountains of Sardinia. Nothing, it is said, could exceed the bland yet somewhat awful beauty of this splendid meteor, its light was so lovely, and its progress so dignified. It continued visible for more than a minute, and traversed one-third of the sky. A still more remarkable appearance was connected with the incarnation of the Son of God. It was said by Balaam, "There shall come a Star out of Jacob;" and in connexion with this prophecy some circumstances may be noticed of great interest. A certain sect in Persia bore the name of Magi; and their study appears to have been the solar system. At first, perhaps, their object was merely to learn from the heavens the glory of God, but they sunk at length into an adoration of the orbs of the firmament. Some, however, appear to have been preserved from this great evil, or to have been converted from it. Amidst these circumstances, an extraordinary event occurred: an unknown star appeared in the heavens, the figure and motions of which convinced them that it was supernatural. Immediately it was connected in their minds with the King of the Jews, and they felt it was his star. It can, therefore, be scarcely doubted that Balaam's prophecy was known among the mountains of the East, and that these sages understood this luminous appearance to refer to Him who was announced as the Star of Jacob." 66 To its guidance they committed themselves, with high expectations; and it appears, that as soon as they arrived in Jerusalem they inquired for the king of the Jews, supposing that all could tell the place where he was to be found. But those they addressed led the strangers to the court, concluding that their errand referred to some event which had occurred in the royal family, of which the public might be ignorant. Herod was, however, troubled by such inquiries, and all Jerusalem with him; for they well knew his jealous and cruel mind, and dreaded some new massacre to cut off this rival prince. He now summoned the priests and scribes to know where the promised Messiah C |