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

es thirs,ed after Often in our civil comno,ions,
have | Witnessed The furious anmosity OF the
multitude; bur nothing could ever he compared
to what l beheld III the present instance. 1t
might have been truly said that, onthis occasion,
al the phantoms OF the Internal regions had as
sembled together at Jerusalem. The crowd APP
peared not walk they were borne OIL and
whirIed ms a vortex trolling along like living
waves, from the portal of the Pretorlum even
unto Mount Zion, with bowling, screams, shreks
and notifications, such as were never heard ell
Their in the seditions Of Panonia, in the tumults
of the Forum.
BY degrees the day darkened5 like winter
twilight, such as had been seen al the death of
the great Julius Caesar. 1t was likewise towards
the ldes of March. ], the condemned governor
of rebelIious province, was leaning against
column of my basilick, contemplating athwarl
the dreary gloom, this Theory of Tartarus drag
ging 10 execution the nnocent Nazarene. All
around me was desert. Jerusalem had vomit-
ed forth her indwellers through the funeral gate
that leads to the GemQni9 An air OF desolaion
and sadness enveloped me. q My guard had join
ed the cavalry, and the Centurion, 10 display
shadow of power, was enGeavoring to maintain
order. | was alone, and my breaking heart adj
monishcd me, that what was passing ut that mo-
ment appertained rather TO The history OF the
gods than 10 that Of man. Loud clafnors were
heard proceeding from Golgoha, which, borne
on the winds, appeared to announce an agony
such never had been heard by mortal ear.-
Dark clouds lowered over the pinnacle of the
Temple, and large ruptures settled over the city
and covered it as with vei-.So dreadiulIwere
the signs that manifested, both in tue heav-
ems and on the carh that Donysims, the Areopa-
Cite, is reported 10 have exclaimed 4" Either the
.4thor Of Mature as suffering, or the Un,UerSe IS
falling apart"
Towards the first hour Of the night, threw
my mantle around me, and went down into the
| -.
had been consummated. The crowd were re-
turning home; still agtated, it is trne,i but
gloomy, sad taciturn, desperate. What they had
Witnessed had struck them with. terror and re-
morse. 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 soldiers murmurng strange words
which did not comprehend. Others were re-
counting prodigies almost similar to those which
had so often slnote the Romans with disnay by
the will of the gods. Sometimes groups of men
and women would halt; then, looking back to-
wards Mount Calvary, would remain motionless,
in the expectation of Witnessing some new prod
ICY.
returned to the Pretorium sad and pensive
On ascending the stair, the steps of which were
still stained with then Ill God OF the NaZarene,
perceived an old man in suppliant posture, aud
behind him several women in tears. He threw
himself at my feet, and wept bitterly. 1t is pain
iul 10 see an OLD man weep. "Fatner, Shlu 10
him m,Idly,-"who are you, snd what is you're:
ques?" 81 am Joseph Of Arithmehea," replied
he, sand am como to beg of you on myaknees,
the permission to bury Jesus of Nazareth."-
"Your prayer is granted" said to him; and, ut
the same time ordered Mnnlius to take some SOL
diers with him, TO superntend the interment, lest
it might he profaned. A few days after the sep
nlchre was found empty. The disciples of Jesus
published all over the country that he had risen
from the dead, as he had foretold.
a last duty remained for TO perform. 1t
was to communicate to Caesar the details of this
deploruble event. | did it the same night that
followed the fatal catastrophe, and had Just fin
ished the communication when the day began To
dawn.
At that moment the sound of clarions playing
the air of Diana, struck my ear. Casting my eyes
towards theCesarcan gate,l beled troop of sol
diers,and heard other trumpets sounding Caesars
March. 1t was the reinforcement that had been
promised me-two thousand chosen men, who, |
to hasten their arrival, had marched all night
1T has, then, been decreed Ivy the Fates, cried l,
wringing my hands, ''thnt the great niquity should
he complished-that, for the purpose of avert
ing the deeds OF yesterday troops should arrive
today = CruelEdestiny. how thou srortest with
The affairs Of morals Alas it was but too true,
what the Nazarene exclaimed when writing on
the cross I'LL Is cons'mmGtea"