The American patriot., 1855-03-14

speak, to assemble and address the people, to
choose disciples, unrestrained by any pretorian
mandate r. ''g,7 ia. -isHf 7fl '.ug1a .fi4. .a
| Should it ever happen--may the Gods avert
the omen!-should it ever happen, say, that
the region Of our forefathers should be sup
planted by the religion of Jesus, it will be
to his noble toleration that Rome shall owe
her premature obsequies-whilst l. miserable
wretch shall have been the instrument of what
the Christians call Providence, and we-Des-
tiny 4''4 r".
But this unlimited freedom granted to Jesus
revolted the Jews-not 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 to control the liberty of the
Nazarinei 'Scribes and Pharisees!" he would
say to them, t.;yOu are a race of vipers !--you
j resemble painted sepulchres!'i Atother times
he would sncer at the proud aims of the Publ
can telling him that the mite Of the widow was
more precious in the sight Of God. "- H'
New complaints were daily made at the Pre-
torium against the insoleNce Of Jesus. was
even Informed that some misfortune would be-
fall him that it would not be the first time
that Jerusalem had stoned those who called
themselves prophets; and that if the Pretoruh
: refused justice an appeal would be made to
Caesar. ~ r.t.-.t ..f...
This 1 had prevented, by informing Caesar
of all that happened. My conduct was approved
of by the Senate, and l was promised rein
forcement of troops after the termination OF the
T Parthian war. tts-a..- f....-- Aim.
Being too weak to suppress sedition, re-
solved upon adopting measure that promised
to re-estabsh tranquility in the city, with.
out subjecting the Pretorium to humiliating
concessions. I wrote to Jesus, requesting
an interview with him at the PretOrium. He
came.
Oh, Albinus! now that my blood runs cold
| in my veins, and that my body is bent down
under the load of years, it is not surprising
that PLATE should sometimes tremblc; but then
l was young; in my veins run the Spanish
, mixed with the Roman blood as incapable offear
as it was of puerilc emotions.
When the Nazarcne made his appearance l
, was walking in my basick, and my feet seemed
fastened with an iron hand to the marble pave
t mcnt. He was calm, the Nazarene; calm as
innocence. Whenhe came up to me, he stopped
. and by simple gesture seemed to say TONES
here | am. r.-.... .
E For some time I contemplated, with admi-
ration and awe, this extraordinary type of
4 man; type unknown to our numerous sculp-
f tors; who have given form and figure to all the
l gods and all our heroes.
Q "Jesus, said to him at last and my
tongue faltered "Jesus of Nazareth, | have
granted you for the last three years ample free
dom of speech; nor do | regret it. Your
4 words are those of sage. Iknow not whether
you have read Socrates and Plato; but this
J. know, that there is in your discourses majes-
q tic simplicity that elevates you far above those
O great philosophers. The Emperor is informed
" of it, and I, his humble representative in this
= country, am glad of having allowed you the
liberty of which you are so worthy. However
n | must not conceal from you that your dis
It courses have raised up against you powerful
h and inveterate enemies. Neither is this sur
prising Socrates had his enemies, and he
s fell victim to their hatred. Yours are dou-
$ bly, incensed against you, on account OF your
a sayings; against me on account of the liberty
!. extended towards you. They even accuse me
a indirectly of being lcagued with you, for the
IS civil power which Rome had left them. My
# rcquest-I do not say my orders-is that you
!. BE- more circumspcct for the future, and more
tender in rousing the pride of your enemies.
n lest they raise up against you the stupid pop
l. ulace, and compel me to enjoy the instruments
" of justice. .., ..., ....s-.
i The Nazarenc calmly replied.
/. "Princc of the earth, your words proceed
70 not from true wisdom. Say to the torrent to
ID stop in the mountain because it will uproot the
~ trees of the valley; the torrent will answer
y. you that it obeys the laws of the Creator
q. God alone knows whittier flows the waters OF
the torrent. Verify, say unto you, before the
to rose of Sharon blossoms, the blood of the just
f. will be split. ..... ....., .....-...
ID ID "Your blood shall not be split" replied
n with emotion. ''You are more precious in my
nt estimation on account of your wisdom, than al
10. these turbulent and proud Pharisees, wht
n. abuse the freedom granted them by the Ro
Ia. mans, conspre against Caesar, and constrlc ou
of bounty into feat Insolent wretches! They arr
- not aware that the wolf of the Tiber sometime
.o clothes himself in the skin of the sheep.
y ~ will protect you against them. My Prctoriun
~ ~" is open to you as place of refuge; it is sa
% o. cred asylum"
~ ~ graceful and divine smile IN
~ ~ "When the day shall have come, there wi
t' so be no asylum for the Son of Man, neither OIL
o's os earth nor under the earth The asylum of tn
oo Just is there, (pointing to the heavens.) Tha
's- which is written in the books of the prophet
~ ~ must be accomplished" ..-.. .,.....
ok iouns mani a4 -, y' ,to' ~ ~
~ ~ der The safety of the province which ha
hiy been confded to my care, requires it. Yo
no must observe more moderation in your di
courses Do not infringe my orders; yo
vas know them. May happiness attend yo'
ors Farewell"
ina "Prince of the earth," replied Jesus
ga, come not to bring war into the world, b.
ge. peace. love aud charity. was born on Il
my same day on which Caesar Augustus ga
peace to the Roman world. Persecution pr
an ceeds not from me. expect it from other
sus and will meet 1t in obedience to the Will OF n
ard Father, who has shown me the way. Restrai
hi therefore, your worldly prudence. 1t is n
to in your power to arrest the victim at the 70
GUS of the tabernacle of cxpaton. sD
4. 1,-,r~