The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-02-18
THE WANDERING 5Egy.

A story cpmes from village in Germany
that the historic "Wandering Jew" has
been seen in that neighborhood. He is re-
ported as having passed rapidly through the
market place and as having on the outskirts
Of the village addressed a few words to some
children. who, boder than their companions,
had followed in his path. He was dressed
in worn aud diDgy antique garments, carried
a long s.aff. and with his profuse beard
streaming in the wind, presented such an
awe-inspiriug appearance that the terrified
villagers fed from him in fright. When he
paused and spoke to the children, he told
them to 90 back aud inform the people that
a new ruler had arisen in Europe who would
bring Belgium, Holland and other countries
under his sway-that many strange yicissi-
tudes would be witnessed and that many
proud heads would be brought low. On
being questioned as to his name. he replied,
Seek not to know. l have been here be-
fore in the past-I shall be here again in the
future Until the end Of time shall | walk
the earth increasingly" The apparition,
then waving its hand, turned from tbs chill
dren and resumed its plodding walk, disap-
pearing in the distance.
The report of this appearance of the
Wandering Jew" has caused a very great
excitement among the believers in the e-
gend, and the truth Of the story is credited
throughout Belgium. The legend Of the
Jew who had witnessed the crucifxion, and
had been condemned to live and wander
over the earth until the time Of Chrst's sec
ond coming, originated in the middle ages.
aud can be traced back to the chronicle Of
the Abbey Of St. Adams. which was copied
aud continued by Mathew Paris. This chron-
icle relates that 10 1923 a certain Archbishop
of Armenia Major came to England on a visit
to sacred places. and while enjoying the hos
pitalities of st. Adams. among other strange
stories related that there was a man Joseph
lived in Armenia, who had witnessed the
cruci6xion. This man, originally called Ca
taphilus. was porter in Pilates service,
and when Jesus was passing out from the
Judgment Hail. impiouslv struck him on
the back, saying. "Go quicker why do you
loiter 2' Jesus looked back on him with a
severe countenance, aud said, Il am going
but you will wait till | return" And &C
cordingly Cataphilus is still waiting his re-
turn. After Christ's death he was converted
and baptised. and his name was then chang
ed to Joseph. Ia 1912 the Wandering Jew
appeared at lmburg, telling story similar
to the above. He, however, said that his
name was Ahasuerus, and that he was a
shoemaker who struck Jesus on the back
while on the way to Golgotha. This par
ticular person is described as a tall man,
with long hair hanging down to his shoul-
ders, barefooted, and wearing a strange cos
tune, consisting of sailors trousers, a gown
hanging to the knees, and long mantle
flowing to bis feet He spoke good German,
in the Saxon dialect. In 1875 the Wander
ing Jew appeared in the Netherlands, and
at this time used the Spanish language.-
A few years later the Wandering jew ap
peared at Strasburg, and going before the
magistrates Informed them that he had Wis
tied the city just two hundred years before,
which statement, it is asserted, was proved
to be true. by reference to some town re-
cords. He next was heard OF N the West
Indies. and again in France, where in 1904
he caused considerable sensation. in his pres
ence being accompanied by destructive hur-
ricaues. On April 25. 1774, an individual
claiming TO be the Wandering jew appeared
in Brussels, and tod his story to the com
mon people he. however. had changed the
popular name of this character, and called
himself Isaac Laquclem. This legend ha:
formed the subject of numerous popular bal
lads in the d lf'rent languages Of Europe
and also of poems, tales and novels. by dis
tiuguished authors. 1t may here be said
that this curious myth seems tc have origi.
mated in that passage Of the Gospel Of St
John. twenty first chapter and twenty-sec.
ond verse where Jesus says Of John, IF
will that he tarry till come, what is that
to thee follow thou me. Then went this
saying abroad among the brethren that that
disciple should not die''