The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-09-09

WHo WeIe ISleHlHB 10 nlil' Ale aPPonl
ed to be about thirty years ofage. li'
golden colored hair and beard gave Il
his appearance celestial aspect. NeveI
have | seen sweeier or more serene
countenancc. What contrast between
him and his hearers, with thoir black
boards and iawny complexion! Unwil
ling 10 interrupt him by my presence,
continued my walk, but signifed 10 my
secretary to join the group and listen.
My secretary's name was Manlius.-
lie was the grandson Of the chief of the
conspramrs who cncamped in Eruria
waiting for Catalina. Manlus was an
ancient inhabitent of Judea, and well ac-
quaintt d with the Hebrew language. He
was devoted 10 me, and was worthy Of
confidence.
On returning to the Pretorium found
Manlius, who related 20 me the words
that Jesus had pronounced a, Sioe.
Never have ] heard in the Portlco, or read
in the works Of the Philosophers, any
thing that can compare TO the maxms Of
Jesus. One of the rebellious Jows, so
numerous in J,rusalem, having asked
him if it was lawful to give tribute to Ca-
sar or not, Jesus replied, "Render unto
Cesar the things ,Ohich are Cesar's, and
unto God the things that are Gods"
1t was on account Of the wisdom Of his
sayings lha, | granted so much liberty to
the Nazarene; for it was in my power 10
have had him arrested and exilcd to Pon>
,us; but this would have been contrary to
that Justice which has always character.
lied The Romans. This man was neither
sedlious nor rebeIIious. | extended 10
him my protection, unknown, perhaps, to
himself. lie was at liberty 10 act, to
speak, TO assemble and address the pep-
pie, to choose disciples, unrcs,rained by
any Pretoran mandate.
Should i, ever happen--may the Gods
avert the omen!- should il ever happen, |
say, that the religion Of lorefahcrs he
by the religion Of Jesus, II
will be TO his noble federation that Rome
shall 1--WE her premature obsequies,
willis, l., miserable wretch! shall have
been the instrument of what Christians
call Providence, and we-Destiny.
But this unlimited freedom granted to
Jesus, provoked the Jews-no, the poor.
but the rich and powerful. 1t is true,
Jesus was severe on the latter, and this
was a political reason, in my opinion, not
10 control The liberty Of the Nazlrene.-
"ScIibes and Pharisees!' would he say
to them, "you are race of Vpers!-you
resemble painted sepulcheSs. AT other
times lie would sneer at The proud aims
of The Publican, telling him that the mite
of The widow was mule precious in the
sight Of God.
New complaints were daily made nj
the Pre'olium agnins, the insolence OF
Jesus. was even informed that some
misfortune would bofall him-,ha, it
would not be the first time that Jerusa-
lem had sloued those who called lhem-
selves prophets, ard that if the Pretori>
um refused justice, an appeal would be
made TO Cesar of all that happened. My
conduct was approved Of by the Senate.
and | was promised reinforcement Of
troops after tie termination of the Par.
THAN war.
Being too weak to suppress sedilion,
resolved upon adopting measure that
promised to establish the tranquility Of
the city, without suhjectlng the P,etori>
um to huuliliadng concessions. | wrote
TO Jesus, requesting an interview with
him al the Pretorium. lie came.
Oh, Albinus! now tha, my blood runs
cold In my veins, and that my body is
bent down under the load of years, il is
not surprising ,ha, PLATE should some
times tremble; but when was young -
in my veins flowed the Spanish mixed
with Roman blood, as incapable Of fear
as il was of puerile emotions.
When the Nazarene made his appear
ance, was walking in my basilic, and
my feet seemed fastened with an iron
hand to The marble pavement. He was
calm, the Nazarene-ca calm as innocence.
When he came up 10 mo he stopped,
and, by single gesture, seemed to say
to me, here | am.
For some time I contemplated with
admiration and awe this extraordinary
type of mana type unknown 10 our
numerous painters who have given form
and figure 10 all the gods and to all The
heroes.
"Jesus,'' said TO him a, last-and
my tongue faltered-"Jesus Of Naza
reth, have granted you for the last
,hree years ample freedom of speech; nor
do | regret it. Your words are those Of
sage. / know not whether you have
read Socrates and Plato: but this know,
that there is in your discourses a majes-
tic simplicity that elevaies you far above
those great philosophers. The Emperor
is informed of it, and |, his humble rep
reseutative in this country, am glad of
having allowed you that liberty of which
you are so worthy. However, must
not conceal from you, that your discour-
ses have raised up against you powerful
and invetera,e enemies, Neither is this
surprising. Socrates had his enemies,