The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-06-26

gam Inc Romans but soon were my Tears
dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather
as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews.
One day, in passing by the place of Siloe,
where there was a great concourse of people,
observed, in the midst of the group, a young
man leaning against a tree, who was calmly
addressing the multitude. | was told that it
was Jesus. This | could easily have sua-
pected, so great was the difference between
him and those who were listening to him.
He appealed TO be about thirty years of age.
His golden colored hair and beard gave to
his appearance a celestial aspect. Never
have | seen a sweeter or a more serene coun-
tenance. What a contrast between him and
his hearers, with'their black boards and~taw-
ny compilations! Unwilling to interrupt him
by my presence, | continued my walk, but
signifed 10 my Secretary TO join the group
and listen.
My Seerctary's name was Manlius. He
was the grandson Of the chief ofthe conspira-
tors, who encamped in Etrusia, waiting for
Catalina. Manlius was an ancient inhabitant
OF Judea, and well acquainted with the He
brew language. He was devoted 20 me, and
was worthy of my confidence.
On returning to the Pretorium, l found
N~lanlius, who related TO me the words that
Jesus had pronounced at Siloe. Never have
| heard in the Portico, or read in the works
ofihe philosophers, any thing thatcan be com
pared TO the maxims of Jesus. One of the
rebellious Jews, so numerous in jerusalem,
having asked him if 1t was lawful TO give tri-
butte TO Caesar or not, Jesus replied: Render
INTO Cesar the things uhich are Cesar's,
and unto God the things that are Gods.
1t was on account of the wisdom of his
sayings that ! granted so much liberty TO the
Nazarene; for 1t 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 characterized the Romans.
This man was neilEe seditious nor rebellious.
| extended 10 him my protection, unknown
perhaps to himself. He was at liberty to act,
10 speak, 10 assemble and address the peo-
pie, 10 choose disciples, unrestrained by any
pfetorian mandate.
Should it ever happen-may the Gods a.
vert the omenl-should it ever happen, | say,
that the religion of our forefathers be sup
planted by the religion of Jesus, it will be TO
his noble federation that Rome shall owe her
premature obsequies-whilst ], miserable
wretch!-I shall have been the instrument
of what the christians call Providence, and
we-Destiny.
But this unlimited freedom granted to Je-
sas, reVoited the Jews-not the poor, but the
severe on the latter. snlEs true. Jesus was
reaso n, in my opinion, not to control the lib
erty of the Nazarene. "Scribes and Phari-
%seesr" would he say TO them, ''you are a race
of vipers!-you resemble painted sepulchres!
At other times he would sheer 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
would befalI him-that it would not be the
first time that Jerusalem had stoned those
who called themselves prophets-and that,
if the Pretorium refused justice, an appeal
would be made to Cesar.
This | had prevented, by informing Cesar
of all that happened. My conduct was ap-
proved of by the Senate, and | was promised
a reinforcement of troops after the :ermina-
lion of the Parthian war.
Being TOO weak 10 suppress a sedition, |
resolved upon adopting a measure that prom
ised to re-establish tranquility in the city:
without subiecting the Pretorium TO humill-
ating concessions. Iwrote to Jesus, request
D ing an interview with him at the Pretorium'
E He came.
Oh, Albinus! now that my blood runs colo
5 n my veins, and that my body is bent dowr
,..lo- Al, loo1 of uaarz - 20 not c1rprIcin
l. that Plate should sometimes tremble; blu
a then | was young--in my veins flowed th'
Spanish, mixed with the Roman blood. as in
q capable of fear as it was of peurile emotions
When the Nazarene made his appearance
was walking in my baslick and my fee
e seemed fastened, with an iron band, to tn
e marble pavement. He was calm, the Naza
rene-calm as limo When he CAM
up to me, he stopped, and, by a simple ges
ture seemed 10 say 10 me-: here | am.
d For some time, | contemplated, with adm
ration and with awe, this extraordinary typ
10 of a mana type unknown TO our numerou
"a sculptors, who have given form and figure
Re all the gods and all the heroes.
e. "Jesus," said | 70 him at last--and m
e. tongue faltered--"Jesus of Nazareth, | haV
" granted you, lOI tueSe last tnle0 years, amp
he freedom of speech; nor do Iregret it. Yo'
NJ words are those of a sage. | know n
x whether you have read Socrates and Plat,
but this | know, that there is in your di
es courses, a majestic simplicity that elevate
YOU far above those great philosophers. II
emperor is informed of it; and |, his humb
- representative in this country, am glad
in having allowed you that liberty of which y
e. are so worthy. However, must not CO
! a ceaI from Won. that your discusses have "a