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GAEDEXS OF THE BIBLE. 



greatly the Hebrew delighted in trees as a ^^rotection aud shade for his last resting- 

 place? 



But, leaving the gardens of the Old Testament, let us pass to those of the New. 

 The garden of Gethsemane was a gi'ove in the outskirts of the village of Gethsemane, 

 on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. It was a pleasant retreat from the noise 

 and heat of the neighboring city, Jerusalem ; and here our Savior frequently resorted 

 with his disciples. Amid these shades he sutfered great agony of mind, on the eve 

 of his crucifixion ; here an angel descended to comfort him ; and here he was betray- 

 ed. History informs us that Titus cut down all the trees in the neighborhood of 

 Jerusalem, including those in Gethsemane ; but the Olive and some others sprang up 

 again, and trees of this description have continued to thrive until the present day, in 

 this their ancient locality. 



Our Savior was buried in a garden, in the suburbs of Jerusalem. The city was 

 surrounded with pleasure-grounds of various kinds ; and as the soil was much broken 

 with huge masses of projecting rock, the Jews often turned them to good account by 

 cutting family vaults in them. It was in one of these tombs, which Joseph of Ari- 

 mathea had prepared for himself, in his own garden, that Christ was interred. The 

 funeral took place just before sunset of Saturday, early in April, just as all nature was 

 reviving after the sleep of winter. 



The future state of the righteous is often spoken of in Scripture under the figure 

 of a garden. It is three times called a " paradise." It is also represented as a place 

 of rest, where the inhabitants shall be shielded from the oppressive light and heat of 

 the sun, and be refreshed by living fountains of water. And as though Eden were 

 again restored, we are shown " a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceed- 

 ing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb ; and on either side of the river, is 

 the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month, 

 and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." 



Such are some of the gardens referred to in the Bible. In his primitive state, man's 

 home was a garden. And in all his subsequent history, the peaceful culture of the 

 soil has contributed largely to his happiness, being " the inclination of kings and the 

 choice of philosophers," as well as of those in humbler walks of life. In a garden 

 the Savior instructed his disciples, and there he was betrayed ; in a garden he made 

 his tomb ; and in a garden fairer than that of Eden, whose fruits and flowers shall 

 never fail, and whose leaves shall be always green, the good shall be gathered at last, 

 and remain forever more. 



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