measuring-line

Two men were in the church-yard: one held a measuring-line in his hand, the other a spade.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 59, September, 1862 Various

You and I cannot reach even a fraction of the way towards that perfect standard; but it is our pattern, our plummet, our measuring-line.

The Discipline of War Nine Addresses on the Lessons of the War in Connection with Lent John Hasloch Potter 1891

Then a certain portion of them, which was determined by lot, but most commonly by a measuring-line, were put to death.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

The measuring-line for building, not hastily, but with measured regularity.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

The measuring-line was used in destroying buildings (Isa 34: 11; 2Ki 21: 13; La 2: 8).

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

He had tried to fathom the bottomless, and been angry because his short measuring-line had not reached the depths.

Expositions of Holy Scripture Second Kings Chapters VIII to End and Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Esther, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes Alexander Maclaren 1868

Those who were arranging the tents for the king's troops were moving actively about, and now they drew near with their measuring-line, exactly to the spot upon which the king stood.

Frederick the Great and His Family Chapman Coleman 1843

As the angel with his measuring-line said to Zechariah, I am going 'to measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof' (Zech 2: 2).

Works of John Bunyan — Volume 03 John Bunyan 1658

Or, suppose I say the Mosque of St. Sophia is four hundred and seventy-three feet in height, measuring from the middle nail of the gilt crescent surmounting the dome to the ring in the centre stone; the circle of the dome is one hundred and twenty-three feet in diameter, the windows ninety-seven in number — and all this may be true, for anything I know to the contrary: yet who is to get an idea of St. Sophia from dates, proper names, and calculations with a measuring-line?

Notes of a Journey From Cornhill to Grand Cairo 2004

I got into a discussion with him as to the length of the hall, and to convince me of my error he sent for his measuring-line, and after the hall had been measured, and his statement verified, General Morgan occupied his attention, while I took the line, measured the distance from center to center of the cells, -- all being of uniform size, -- and marked it upon the stick used in my cell for propping up my cot.

Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War George Washington Cable 1884