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

| "iAh = hO0tO duCtiOu, CIV
law in the name Of God who had sen,
him. AT FIRST, was apprehensive tina,
his design was to stir up the people
against the Romans; but soon were
my fears dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth
spoke rather as a friend ofthe Romans
than of the Jews.
One day, in passing by the place OF
Slloe, where there was a great con.
course of people, observed in the
midst ofthe group a young man leaning
against tree, who was calmly add
dressing the multitude. was told
that it was Jesus. This | could easily
have suspected, so great was the differ
ence between him and those who were
listening to him. He appeared to be
about thirty years Of age. His golden
colored hair and beard gave to his ap.
pearance a celestial aspect. Never
have | seen a sweeter or . more serene
countenance. What q contrast be-
tween him and his hearers, with their
black boards and tawny compilations
Unwilling to interrup, him by my pres
ence, continued my walk, but signi-
fed to my Secretary to join the group
and listen.
My Secretary's name was Manlius.
He was the grand son Of the chief of
the conspirators, who encamped in
Etrusia, waiting for Catalina. Manli-
US was an ancient inhabitant Of Judea,
and well acquainted with the Hebrew
language. He was devoted to me,
and was worthy Of my confidence.
On returning to the Pretorium, !
found Manlius, who related to me the
words that Jesus had pronounced at
Siloe. Never have heard in the Por-
tico, or read in the works of the phi
losophers, any thing that can be COM
pared to the maxims of Jesus. One Of
the rebellious of Jews, 80 numerous at
Jerusalem, having asked him if it was
lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not,
Jesus replied: render unto Cesar the
things which are C9sar's and unto God
The things that are Gods
Ii was on account of the wisdom of
his sayings that granted SO much lib
erty to the Nazarene for it was in
my power to have had him arrested and
exiled to Pontus but this would have
been contrary to that justice which
has always characterised the Romans.
This man was neither seditous, nor
rebellicus. extended to him my pro-
lection unknown perhaps to himself.
He was at liberty to act, to speak, to
assemble and address the people, to
choose disciples, unrestrained by any
Pretorian mandate.
Should it ever happen-may the gods
avert the omen should it ever hap.
pen, say, that the religion Of our fore.
fathers be supplanted by the religion
of Jesus, it will be to this noble tolera.
ton that Rome shall owe her prema-
ture obsequies-Whilst I, miserable
wretch III shall have been the instru-
ment of what the christians call Provi-
dence and we-Destipy.
But this unlimited freedom granted
to Jesus, revolted the Jews-not the
poor, but the rich and powerful. 1t is
true, Jesus was severe on the latter I;
and this wasa political reason, in my
opinion, not to control the liberty of
Nazarene. "Scribes and Pharisees!"
Would he say to them, you are
race Of vipers you resemble painted
sepulchres 7" AT other times he would
sneer at the proud aims of the publican,
telling him that the mite Of the widow
was more precious in the sight of
God.
New complaints were daily made at
the Pretorium against the insolence Of
Jesus. was even informed that some
misfortune wolld befall him--that it
would not be the first time that Jerusa>
lem had stoned those who had called
themselves prophets-and that, if the
Pretorium refused justice, an appeal
would be made to Caesar.
This | had prevented, by informing
Caesar of all that had happened. My
conduct was approved ofby the Senate,
and | was promised reinforcement Of
troops after the termination ofthe Par
THAN war.
Being too weak to suppress a sed;>
ton, resolved upon adopting a mea-
sure that promised TO re-establish tram
guilty in the city, without subjecting
The Pre'orium to humiliating conces.
sions. wrote to Jesus requesting an
interview with him, at the Pretorium.
He came.
Oh, Albinus now that my blood
runs cold in my veins, and that my
body is bent down under the load Of
years, it is not surprising that Plate
should sometimes tremble; but then |
was young-in my veins flowed the
Spanish, mixed with the Roman blood,
| -. :rc.rah la ~ faav a a ~ xuao nc nuoyilo