Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-08-13
The Face of the Christ.

THESE son-ets are based on the controversy re-
syect az the beauty and deformity Of Christ which
originated very early, and continued for long
period. Justin Martyr, Cyril Of Alexandra, ana
rertullian upheld the theory of his deformity: in
decd. cyril asserted that He had been the "ugliest
of the sons Of men" The school which contended
for the bodily perfection Of Christ numbered anon
the Fathers. Ambrose, Chryscston, jerome, and
iUhn Damascene. In support OF the latter doctrine.
q l-tter was produced purportIns TO be written by
Lcntulus. Proconsul in Judsea. before Herod. in
which description of the Saviour occurs. This
description is SO beautiful, and realizes SO fully
high IDEAL, that regrets the letter is forgery
The picture there given has been used in the third
sonnet.
The Master vanished, but His Spirit swept
Across the East, aud stirred to eoqueuce
The sad disc pies in the truths defense,
But year by year the Lord Of Silence crept
Into their midst. and one by one they slept,
Iill no man lived who had with reverence
Looked on the Lord Chrst's shining countenance
o- stood anear him while he PRAY ed and wept
Yet still Ills purifying Spirit rel gned,
And filled remoter souls with light sublime,
AID conquered kingdoms by its tender grace;
1hsn many eager, thankful eyes were strained
t. pierce the msts which touch the skirts Of Time,
70 gain one g.snce Of the Redeeners face
And there we're those severe OF soul, who said
'Ihins not the spirit OF the Lord was vain,
Aud clothed itsel with Lowell ness, 10 gain
The wret- he'd homage OF the knee and head;
Nav, rather with uncUmeiy front, lie plead
For grace Of soul. with heavy brows Of pain
And shadowed cheeks. rebuked their fierce dlsdain
" hose , mp disturbed he Spirits Of the dead
Thu. by pure force Of Virtue men believed,
And = .ded pTiesuc a { wondered aud was wroth;
50 was the triumph OF the Lord achieved
lie -cof ned the brilliant raiment Of the moth,
Chose the rough pathway 10 the eternal goal,
The least n form, the N shtiest OF Sou,
III.
\ chilled r5d r,se, deprived OF sunli sht, dies,
Ana souls, :or lack OF Beauty warmth. despair
~ tHere ruse cry; d" he earth bare
TIL Chr SO appeared. ike a divine surprise,
" IA % r I4-ht glowing in His rare clue eyes
And un u bros nke p0ured-out wine, ns hair
rel, -m oth current 10 ears, asd there
4. pp.e o.. Ike -unly clouds in summer skies
e. d w tA majestic presence, calm, and strong,
the splendid p4ssi ib.llties of life
We're perfect ln II m. and to tue ken
%, troualed nations struggling under wron-,
Aud ttNca with petty ceremonial strife,
rue tlf.st Iegealed Humanity t. men 3"
~.
rae controversy spread from race to race.
Bar lo authentic vision blessed mankind,
Zach ;roui the subtle substance Of hrs miud,
a; some strong moment, shaped marvellous face,
zen. low before II thus were many blind
To- u.- souls beauty, ia their haste 10 find
some rAptufous -Iimpses of transitory grace
~ 81. u Nltl eyerent desire, III J dare
D.. sees the Masters presence, knowing well
That though they found MS features less than falr
il.- -plcl4,rs ul Ills split would compel
fls mask 90, iesh 10 itl. and they should see
lle perfect u.ossOu OF humanity
London Spectator