The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 35

he made a last effort to save it, and springing forth, again exhorted the
soldiers to stay the progress of the conflagration. The centurion Liberalis
endeavored to force obedience with his staff of office; but even respect
for the emperor gave way to the furious animosity against the Jews, to
the fierce excitement of battle, and to the insatiable hope of plunder.
The soldiers saw everything around them radiant with gold, which shone
dazzlingly in the wild light of the flames; they supposed that incalculable
treasures were laid up in the sanctuary. A soldier, unperceived, thrust a
lighted torch between the hinges of the door: the whole building was in
flames in an instant. The blinding smoke and fire forced the officers to
retreat, and the noble edifice was left to its fate.
“It was an appalling spectacle to the Roman—what was it to the
Jew? The whole summit of the hill which commanded the city, blazed
like a volcano. One after another the buildings fell in, with a tremendous
crash, and were swallowed up in the fiery abyss. The roofs of cedar
were like sheets of flame; the gilded pinnacles shone like spikes of red
light; the gate towers sent up tall columns of flame and smoke. The
neighboring hills were lighted up; and dark groups of people were seen
watching in horrible anxiety the progress of the destruction: the walls
and heights of the upper city were crowded with faces, some pale with
the agony of despair, others scowling unavailing vengeance. The shouts
of the Roman soldiery as they ran to and fro, and the howl ings of the
insurgents who were perishing in the flames, mingled with the roaring
of the conflagration and the thundering sound of falling timbers. The
echoes of the mountains replied or brought back the shrieks of the people
on the heights; all along the walls resounded screams and wailings; men
who were expiring with famine rallied their remaining strength to utter
a cry of anguish and desolation.

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