Des Arc citizen., 1860-04-28

were numerous Christians m his court, one of whom. it is supposed, of the name of Alexander, was thus exposed 10 rIdi- cule by his Pagan associate or companion. IL is unnecessary 10 recall the exis- tence of the legend, curren, throughout the Roman dominions in the days of the empire, that the Christians worshipped a divinity whose head differed in no re- spect from that of an ass. In Africa, then filled with rich and splendid cities, this was the popular belief. It was in culcated in the Magan schools of Asia. from the sands of PaFtia to the Pisidlan forests, and leveled at the converts to the strange faith in the streets of Narheordea, Amida, and Mardin- -on.the-hil. The later Gnostics in particular, more especial ly the sects of Bardesanes, omitted no occasion to disseminate this calumny, ac- companied with every epithet of contempt and detestation. It is alluded to in the pages of the contemporary fathers, by whom it was repelled with vehement and irrepressible indignation. The origin Of this monslrous invention is lost to us There can be little doubt, however. that it had it's foundation in the hatred with which the disciples of the pure and spir-
 tual doctrine were invariably regarded by the dolatrous nations among whom they lived. But whatever the source, the first mention of this caumny occurs In the records relating to the period interven- ing between the years one hundred twenty and two hundred of our era, subsequent to which epoch all trace of it disappears. Precisely during the same period the room in which the design was found was constructed.
 The palace of the Caesars on the Paatine was the growth Of successive reigns. That part of 1t which embraces the chamber in question was built by Ha- drian, as the bricks, of which 1t was chiefly composed, attest. They are Im- pressed with the names and titles of the Consuls Pactinus and Apronicanus. This coincidence-the prevalence of the legend in the years already mentioned, and during that period only, and the erection within the same tune of the wall on which the drawing Is traced ed-establlshes, satlslacto- rily. the purpose of the sketch. as well as the date of it's execution. Still more con- elusive, perhaps, is the manner in which the figure upon the cross IS presented 10 view. |. IS delinealed with drapery. while it was the inyariable practice in ex- ecu,ions of this nature, mode of pun ishment very common among the Romans, 10 expose the victim or criminal in state of nakedness. This discrepancy finds it's sole warrant in the tradition that our Lord was put to death with a garment about his lons, and it's admission in work ema- hating from the hands of Pagan, whom we cannot suppose to have been influenced by any sentiments of awe or respect, and whose experience would never have sug- gested such departure from the uniform custom. indicates clearly caricalure, of which the first requisite is conformity to it's prototype. Finally, the words Alex. ander adores God admit of no other in- terpretation; nothing in history. legenda- ry or monumental, tending to the idea that the symbol of crucified being was ever regarded as an objec. of veneration by any other sect than the followers of Christianity"