Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-03-19


to give tribute to Caesar or not, Jesus replied
Render uEto Caesar the things echich are Caesars
and unto God the things 3ctich are Gods.
1t was on account of the wisdom of his sayings
that granted so much liberty to the Nazarine
for it was in my power to have had him arrested
and exilcd to Pontius. but this would have been
contrary to that justice which has aIways charac-
terized the Romans. This man was neither sedi-
tious nor rebellious. I extended to him my pro-
lection. unknown, perhaps to himself. He was
at liberty to act. to speak, to assemble and adj
dress the people, to choose disciples, unrestrained
by any pretorian mandate.
Shouldn't ever happen-may the Gods avert the
onen!-should 1t ever happen, say, that the
religion of our forcfathers be supplanted by the
religion of Jesus it will be to his noble liberation
that Rome shall owe her premature obsequies-
whilst l. miserable wretch! | shall have been the
instrument of what the Christians call Providence,
and we-Destiny.
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 tie Naza-
rene. ''Scribes and PhaTisees ~ would say to
them, you are race of vipersi- resemble
painted sepuchresl' At other times he would
sneer 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 preto-
rum against the insolence Of Jesus. ] was even
informed that some misfortune would befal 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 Caesar.
This had prevented. by informing Caesar al
that happened. My conduct was approved of by
the senate. and was promised a reinforcement
of troops after the termination of the Parthian
war.
Being too weak to suppress a sedition. re-
solved upon adopting measure that promised to
re-establsh tranquility in the city. without sub
iecting the pretoSium to humiliatng 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 tremble: but then was young
in my veins flowed the Spanish, mixed with
the Roman blood as incapable of fear as it was
of puerile emotions.
When the Nazarene made his appearance,
was walking in my basc, and my feet seemed
fastened, with an iron hand, to the marble pave
ment. He was calm, the Nazarene-calm as in
nocence. WheE he came up to me, he stopped,
and by simple gesture, seemed to say to me-
here | am.
For some time, I contemplated, with admira-
ton and with awe. this extraordinary type Of a
mana type unknown to our numerous sculptors,
ASiNA
and all the heroes.
Jesus said to him, at last-and my tongue
falteIed-'' Jesus Of Nazareth, | have granted
you, for these last three years, ample freedom of
speech: do regret it. Your words are those
of n sage. | know not whether you have read
Socrates and Plato; but this know, that there
is in your dscourses, majestic simplicity that
elevates you far above those great philosophers.
The emperor is informed of it and !. his humble
representative in this country, glad of having
allowed you that liberty of which you SO
worthy. However, must not conceal from you,
that your discourses have raised up against you
powerful and inveterate enemies Neither is this
surprising. Socrates had his enemies, and he fell
victim to their hatred. Yours are doubly in
censed against you, on account of your savings !;
against me, on account Of the liberty extended
towards you. They even accuse me, indirectly,
of being leagued with you, for the purpose of de-
prving the Hebrews of the little civil power
which Rome has left TO them. My request-I do
not say my orders-is, that you be more circum-
spect for the future, and more tender in rousng
the pride of your enemies, lest they raise up
against you the stupid popuance, and compel ne
to employ the instruments of Justice"
The Nazarene calmly replied:
prince of the earth, your words proceed not
from true wisdom. Say to the torrent to stop in
in the midst of the mountain because it will up
root the trees of the valley; the torrent will
swer you. that it obeys the law of the Creator.
God alone knows whittier flows the waters of the
torrent Verify, say unto you, before the rose
of Sharon blossoms, the blood Of the just will be
split
'' Your blood shall not espilt," replied [, with
emotion. g You are more precious in my estima-
ton, on account of Your wisdom, than all these
turbulent and proud Pharisees, who abuse the
freedom granted them by the Romans, conspire
against Caesar, and construe our bounty into fear.
InsOlent wretches They not aware that the
wolf of the Tiber sometimes clothes himself with
the skin of the sheep. will protect you against
them. My pretorium is open to you as place
of refuge-it is a sacred asylum"
Jesus carelessly shook his head, and said, with
a graceful and divine smile:
- When the day shall have come, there will be
no asylum for the Son of Man. neither on earth
nor under the earth. The asylum of the Just is
there (pointing to the heavens.) That which is
written in books of the prophets must be accom-
plished.''
Young man," answered I, mildly, s'you
oblige me to convert my request into an order.
The safety of the province which has been conf
ded to my care, requires it. You must observe
more moderation in your discourses. Do not in
fringe my orders you know them. May happi-
ness attend you. Farewell"
$ Prince Of the earth'' replied Jesus, '' / come
not to bring war into the world, but peace, love,
and charity. | was born the same day on which
Caesar Augustus gave peace to the Roman world.
Persecution proceeds not from me. / expect it
from others, and will meet it in obedience to the
VIII OF my Father, who has shown me the way.
Restraln, therefore, your worldly prudence. It is
not IN your power arrest the victim at the foot
of the tabernacle of expiationo
80 saying he disappeared like bright shadow
behind the curtains of the basilic.
Herod the tetrarch, who then reignedin Judea,
and who died devou-ed by vermin, was a weak
and wicked man, chosen by the chiefs of the law.
to be the instrument of their hatred. To him the
enemies os Jesus addressed themselves, to wreak
their vengeance on the Nazarene. Had Herod