Washington telegraph., 1854-08-09
The Wandering Jew.

The first explicit and authentic mention of that
celebrated parsonage, the "Wanderng Jew" will
be found in the Latin Works of Rodger de Wend-
over, monk of st. Albans. This work having
been merged in the more extended one of Mat
thew Paris. Benedictine Monk of the congrega-
ton of Clugny likewise of the monastery OF st.
Albans, about the year $780, we there also find
the same account given of this mysterious person.
age. 1t appears then, from Roger de Wendover.
confirmed by Matthew Paris, that in the wear
1928, great convocation of Bishops and other
church dignitaries had assembled at ST. Albans,
among whom was an archbishop of Armenia
Major, who had come to England upon pilgrim
age to the relics lately deposited there by the
Crusader. The conversation, after time, hap
pened to turn upon the subject of that famed
Wanderer OF Ages, then named "Josepnus, ,"-the
faith that might be placed in the long known ira
dition-and to the cause of that terrific curse.
In the course of that interesting inquiry the Arch
bishop, through his interpreter, knight. was
asked whether "he had ever seen or heard of that
man, of whom there was much talk in the world.
and who is still alive, and who, when our Lord
suffered, was present and spoke to him." In re-
ply, the knight stated that ''his lord the Arch
bishop, well knows that man. Shortly before his
lord had taken his way towards the Western
countries. the said Josephus had ate at his table
In Armenia, and that he had often and held
converse with him." On being further interro-
gated, the knight stated for his lord, that at the
time of the sufferlngs of Jesus Christ, and when
seized by the Jews and carried into the Hall of
Judgment, before Pontins Plate that governor.
finding no fault with him, nevertheless said. take
ye him and Judge him according to the l.w"-
wherenpon, the shouts OF the Jews increased. and
he released unto them Barabas, and delivered
Jesus to them to be crucited When, therefore,
the Jews were dragging Jesus forth and had
reached the door, Cartaphilus, then porter in
the hall, in Pilates service impiously struck the
Savior on his back with his hand, and said in
mockery, go faster, Jesus, go faster; why dost
thou linger2" And Jesus, looking back upon him
with severe countenance said to him. II am
going, and thou will wait till return.n Accord
ing as our Lord said this Cartophilus (now call
ed Josephus) is still awaiting his RETURN At the
time OF our Lords suffering Cartophus was
thirty years old, he always returns to the same
age he at that time!
"After Christs DEATH and when the Catholic
faith gained ground, this Cartophilus baptised
by this Ananlas, who baptised the Apostle Paul
and theE took tie name of Josephus He often
dwells in both divisions of Armenia and in other
oriental lands, passing his time amidst the bsh-
ops and prelates of the church, he is man of holy
conversation, of few words. and circumspect in his
demeanor, for he does not speak at all unless
questioned by the bishops and religious men; and
then he tells the events of old times and of those
which occurred at the suffering and resurrection
namely, those who arose with Christ and went
into the Holy City, and appeared unto men, he
also tells of the Creed of the Apostles and of their
separation and preaching; and all this he relates
without smiling or levity of conversation, as one
who is well practiced in sorrow and the fear of
God, always looking forward with fear of the
coming of Jesus Christ lest at the last Judgment
he should find HIM in anger, whom on his way to
death, he had provoked to just vengence. Num-
bers to him from different parts of the world
enjoyed his society and conversation; and to them,
fthey men OF authority he explains all doubts
on the matters whereon he is questioned He re-
fuses all gifts that are offered to him, being con-
tent with slight food and clothing. He places his
hopes of salvation on the fact that he sinned
through ignorance; for the LORD when suffering
prayed for his enemies in these worGs-~Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do"