The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-06-19

anu cnhTty. l. was porn the same uay on Wilch
Caesar Augustus gave peace TO the Roman world.
Persecution proceeds not from me. | expect it
from others, and will meet it in obedience 10 the
Will OF my Father, who has shown me the way.
Restrain, therefore, your worldly prudence. 1t
IS not in your power to arrest the victim at the
foot OF the tabernacle OF expiation."
So saying, he disappeared like bright shad
ow behind the curtain of the basilick.
Herod the Tetrarch, who then regned in Ju-
dea, and who died, devoured by vermin, was a
weak wicked man, chosen by the chiefs Of the
law, 10 be the instrument OF their hatred. To
him the enemies of Jesus addressed themselves
to wreak their vengeance on the Nnzarene.
<, Had ilerod consulted his own inclination, he
would have ordered Jesus Immediately to be put
to death but though proud of his real dignity,
he was afraid of committing an act that might
diminish his influence with Caesar.
Herod called on me one day at the Pretorum;
and on rising 10 take leave, after some insignih-
cant conversation, ne ask ed me what was my o.
pnon concerning hesNazarene.
replied that Jesus appeared to me to he one OF
those grave philosophers that great nations some
times produce; that his doctrine was 10y no means
dangerous; and that the intention of Rome was,
to leave him that freedom of speech which was
justified by his actions. Herod smiled malicious
y, and sauting me with an ironical respect, he
departed.
& The great feast of the Jews, was approaching;
and their intention was to avail themselves OF the
popular exultation which always maniests itself
at the termination of passover. The city was
OVERLOOKING with tunultuous populace, clam
oring for the death of the Nazarene. My ennis
saries informed me that the treasure of the tenn
pie had.been employed in bribing the people
The danger was pressing. A Roman centurion
had been insulte8.
wrote TO the ,Prefect of Syria, requesting
hundred foot soldiers and the same number of
cavalry. He declined. saw myselfaloae with
handful of veterans in the midst OF n rebelllous
city-too weak to suppress disorder, and having
no other choice left than to tolerate it.
They had seized upon Jesus; and the seditious
rabble' although they knew they had nothing to
fear from The Pretorium, belle ewing, on the faith
of their leaders, that | winked at their sedilion,
continued vocferating,-" Cruelty him! cruelty
him"
Three powerful parties at that limeshad com
bned together against Jesus. First, the Herodi-
ans and Sadducees, whose seditious conduct APP
peard 10 have proceeded from double motive;
they hated the Nazarene, and were impatient of
the Roman yoke. They could never forgive me
for having entered their city with banners that
bore the image Of the Roman emperor; and al
though, In this instance | had committed n fatal
error, yet the sncriIege did not appear less helm
Gus in their eyes. Another grievance also rank
led in their hosoms 81 had proposed 10 employ
part of the treasure Of the Temple in erecting
edifices of public utility. My proposal was scowl-
ed AT. The Pharlsees were the avowed enemies
of Jesus. They cared not fori the Governors
but they bore with bitterness the severe repri-
,nands which the Nazarene had; during three
years, been continually throwing utagalnst them
wherever he went. Too weak and too pusillan-
imous to act by themselves, they had eagerly en-
braced the quarrel of the Herodians and Saduu-
Gees. Besides these three parties, had to con-
tend against the reckless and prohigate popuhce.
always ready to join in IA sedition, and to profit
by the disorder and confusion that result there
from.
Jesus was dragged before the Council of the
Priests and condemned to death. 1t was then
that the High Priest Caiaphas, performed de-
risory act of submission. He sent his prisoner
to me to pronounce his condemnation and to So
cure his execution. | answered him that, as Je-
srs was a Galilcan,t the affair came in Herod's Ju
risticton, and ordered Jesus to be sent thither.
The willy Tetrarch protested humility, and pro-
testing his Difference to the lieutenant of Caesar,
he committed the fate of the man 10 my hands.
Soon my palace assumed the aspect of II be-
sleged citadel; every moment Increased the mum
Der Of the sedous. Jerusalem was inundated
with crowds from the mountains of Nazareth.-
All Judea appeared pouring into that devoted
city.
had taken to wife, girl from among the
Gauls, who pretended to see into fIturity.-
Weeping, and throwing herself at my feet, "Be-
ware" said she to me, "beware. and touch not
that man, for he is holy Las, night saw hin.
in vsion-he walking on the water,-he
was flying on the wings of the wind He spoke
to the tempests to the palm trees, to the fishes
of the lake-sll were obedient to him. Behold!
the torrent of Mount Cedron flows with blood
the statutes of Caesar are soed with the filth of
the gemonia-the columns of the Pretoriurn have
given way, and the sun is yelled in mourning
like the vesta in the tomb! o, Plate evil a.
waits thee. If thou wilt not listen to the words
of thy wife, dread the curses of Roman Senate
dread the frowns of Cesar!"
By this time the marble stairs groaned under
the weight of the multitude. The Nazarene was
brought back to me. Iproceeded to the Hall of
Justice, followed by my guards, and asked the
people in severe tone, what they demanded?-|
"The death OF the Nazarene," was the reply
For wha, crime? "He has blasphemed; he has
prophesied the rum of the temple; he calls him.
self the Son of God--the Messinh-the King of
the Jews" Roman justice, said !, punisheth not
such offences with death. "CrucIy him. cruel