The Portland daily press., 1865-08-08
LEGEND OF THE wANDHR1Na JEW


T Goethe in his Autobiography has furnished
us with the correct version of this remarkable
myth. 1t seems to have had sort of tradi-
tional existence both amongst Christians and
Jews from period shortly after the crucifix-
ion of our Saviour. 1t has been interviewer
with both sacred and profane literature to an
extent hardly appreciated, except by men of
thorough scholarship. The Patristic writings
CONAN frequent illusions toit and according
to present recollection it forms the basis Of
some of the best modern fictions 1t furnish
es the keynote to Bulwer's Zanoni. Croly's
Salathiel, and Eugene Sues Juif Errd9at.
The legend relates that there resided at Je-
rusalem certain Ahasuerus, a shoemaker by
trade who was personal fayorite with Christ
and his apostles. They often turned aside to
commune on earthly as well as heavenly things
with this humble but intelligent craftsman
He seems to have had great deal of mere hu-
man sympathy for our Saviour, but no just
appreciation of his Messianic office.
He is said, however, to have demonstrated
against the wandering life of Jesus, and to
have often urged him, in his matter-offact
way, to abandon his profession Of a mendicant
philosopher and become a fellow-craftsman
with himself. The legend further states that
Ahasuerus admOnished the Saviour that his
course would, inspite of himself, make him the
head of Party, and that in the end he would
be victimizcd by the political and religious rIl-
lers OF Judea. AS Christ, after his arrest and
condemnation, went to the mount of crucifix
ion, he passed the shop of Ahasuerus at the
gate OF the city; who, seeing the multitude,
came forth and reproached him most bitterly
and yehemently fol disregarding the counsels
ne lad formerly given him. at this moment
the lovely veronica threw her mantle over the
marred VlsaSe OF the Redeemer as if to hide
his lace rom grief and shame When she
lifted of the mantle, Ahasuerus saw depicted
upon it the countenance of the sufferer trans
figured and radiant with supernal beauty. At
the same instant, Jesus, pausing on the way,
said to him, "Ahasuerus, thou shalt he wan
derer in the Earth until thou seest me cnn,ino,
in that form" The guilty man was over,
whelmed by that announcement and from
that hour he has passed like night from land
to land, the type of everlasting unrest.
We have always thought that this legend
originated from the saying of Christ to Peter
with reference to the beloved disciple -aWhat
II will that he tarTy till come" John him.
sell tells us that there was a current saving
amongst the disciples that he should not see
death before the second advent. This, we
tnink, gives an ample historical basis for the
christian legend. b..s5g0
The idea embodied in this myth ;s NOT no.
cuhar TO any form of religious faitn. We find
us analogue IN the stone of Sisvphus. the wheel
OF lxlon, and the sieVe-drawino da,,rhta-s of
Danaus. 1t IS the living ilIustrati5n ~ t1a ~
scrlptural truth that there is ano rest sor ta
wicked" no poppy or mandrigora that M can CaT
soothe defled conscience: no Sist T.atteo.l can
draught that can steep the senses Of the ,,nrel
pentant sinner in forgetfulness. Il is Grand r ii
yet at the same time terrible truth. Rstri, elg
button treads evermore on the heels of guilt
1t waylays every devious path-dogs evoT'- u,.o y,
treating footstep-and hunts its victim Viii, III
the pertinacity Of an aYenging Nemesis. The
Christian doctrine of the Atonement alone re-
yeals purchased redemption and a gracious