Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-01

~ him" shouted forth the relentless
rabblc.
The voeiferations Of tho infuriats
multitude shook the palace to its ioun-
dation. Ono man alone appeared calm
in the midst Of the tumuh. He was
like unto the Statue of lnnocencs pla-
ced in the temples OF the Euminides--
il was the Nazarene.
Afier many fruitless attempts to pro-
tee, him from the fury ofhis merciless
prosecutors, had the baseness TO adopt
a measure, which al that moment, ap.
pcared to me to DO the only one that
could save his life. Iordered him 10
be scourged then calling for ever,
] washed my hands in presence of the
clamorous multitude, thereby signify
ing to them, my dsapprobation Of tho
deed.
But in vain. II was his life that
these wretches thirstad after. Often,
in our civil connections, have witness
cd the furious animosity Of the multi
tude but nothing could ever be COM
pared to what | beheld In IN present
instance. II might have been truly
said that, on this occasion, all the phan.
toms of the Internal regions had Assem-.
bled together at jerusalem. The crowd
appeared not TO walk they were borne
off and whirled as a vortex, rolling
along like living waves, from the por-'
tai Of the pretorium even unto Mount
Zion, with howlinss, screams, shrieks,
and vociiera,ions, such ms were never
heard eithor in the seditions Of Panonia,
or in the tumul;s Of tho Forum.
BY degrees the day dnrkened like
winter twilight, such as had been al
the death of the great julius Cesar.
IL was likewise towards tho ides Of
March, |, the condemned governor Of
rebellious province, was leaning against
the column Of my bssilc, contcmpla-
ting athwnrt the dreary gloom, this
Theory Of Tartarus dragging to exe-
cuiion the innoccn, Nnzarene. All
around me was desert. Jerusalen
had vomited forth her in jewellers thro'
the funeral gate that lends to the &c.
month";. All air Of dcsolation and sad
ness cnveloped me. My gunrd had
joined the cavalry, and the Centurion,
to display shadow Of power, was en-
dcavoring to maintain order. ! was
left nlonc, and my breaking hcott I'd
monished me, that what Was passing 1t
that moment appeftnIned father 20 the
history Of the gods than to that Of man..
Loud clamors were heard proceeding
from Golgotha, which borne on tho
winds appeared to announce an agony
such us had never been heard by NOR
tai eur. Dark clouds lowered over the
pinnacle of the Temple, and large rep
lures settled over the city and covered
it as with veil. So dreadful were
the signs that were manifested, both
in the heavens and on the earth, thar
Dionysius, the Areopagitc, is reported
to have exclaimed :. Either the Au-
thor Of Nature is suffering, or the Uni
rerse is falling apart"
Towards the first hour of the night,
| threw my mantle around me, and
went down into tho city towards the
gate Of Golgotha. The sacrifice had
been consummated. The crowd were
returning home still ogitnted, il is
true, but gloomy, sad, tsclturn, despe-
rate. What they had Witnessed, had
struck them with terror and remorse.
| also saw my little Roman Cohort pass
by mournfully, the standard bearer
having yelled his Eagle in token Of
grief, and overheard some Of the SOL
diers murmuring strange words which
! did not comprehend. Others were
recounting prodigiss almost similar to
those which had so often smote the
Romans with dsmay by the will ofthe
gods. Sometimes groups oil men and
women would halt then looking back
towards Mount Calvary, would remain
motionIess, in the expectation Of wit
Messing some new prodigy.
returned TO the Pretorium sad and
pensive. On ascending the stair, the
steps Of which were still stained with
the blood of the Nazarene, perceived
an old man in suppliant posture, and
behind him several women in tears
He threw himself at my feet. and wept
bitterly. 1t is painful 10 see an old
man weep-"Fasher," said l to him
mildly-"who are you, and what is
your requestl" 81 am Joseph Of Ari.
mathea," replied he, "and ain come
to beg Of you, on my knees. the per-
mission to bury Jesus Of Nazareth
"Your prayer is granted" said ! 10
him; and, at the same time, ordered
Manlius TO take some soldiers with him
TO superintend the in.erment, lest it
might be profanod. A few days after
wards, the sepulchre was found empty.
The disciples Of Jesus published all o.
yer the country, that he had risen from