New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-19
1.-THE Crucifix of the Devils

The Crucitix OF the Devil is preserved 81
Rome, in the Convent OF the Capuchir
Friars of Monte Pincio Pid==a BarJe,iniJ
1t is painting upon wood, thrilling in ap
pearsnce, and impossible, once seen, ever tC
be forgotten.
Visiting four years since the studio of a
painter on glass, whose merit is only euuhled
by his modtsty, true artist, an austere
aud fervent Christian. one of those who tell
their beads, but rarely make their fortune
my eye was attracted by a strange painting
copied from an old picture not unknown IL
me-, and which has a curious and touching
legend.
Long ages past there dwelt in r me a
young man of mol lie birth, who had vested
his entire patrimOnN In the viii debauch.
cry. Utterly ruined IN money and credlt,
hs had recourse, Ike so many others, to
that famous usurer. that cunning and expe-
Fenced tempt T, who. showing ore day 10
the Son of MAJ all the Kingdoms of The
world and the glory Of them, had said o
HIN, "All this L will give thee, if, falling
down. thou wilt adore me-"
Al the first INN Dns of his young client.
the devil entered without any of his Gus.
tomary attributes, in simple citizens dress,
and uncommonly like one OF those uuli-
censed bankers who are go numerous in our
day. The bargain was quickly made, In
exchange for his soul, duly guaranteed by
. document properly signed, and deliver
able alter death, at the requisition of the
lender, the prodigal was to receive more
money than was necessary to re-establish
his fortune, and to enjoy until the dissolu-
ton OF his mortal body all that earth could
glve-delIgLt of senses, consideration, in
fuence, the intoxlcation of power, in short
all that was purchasable with gold in those
far distant and barbarous times,
H0 wever, ere the affair was con llded.
she borrower bethought himself of the ne
cessity OF requiring some material Or. of in
attestatiOn OF the quality of the lender
and to guarantee, in so far as might be pos
sible, the fulfillment Of his promises. There
fore, doubtless by Inspiration of his good
angel, he addressed the fallen Son of the
Morning:
Since you are Satan, said he, you have
long haunted the world.
Since that day, wherein for my own ben.
eft, l brought about the iall of the first
woman-Eve.
Then you must have surely encountered.
during the course of His immortal lite, Him
whom we style Christi
followed Him step by step, and rendered
to Him, to the best of my power, all the
evil which he wrought me.
You consequently saw Him suffer upon
The cross; you witnessed His agony and
deathi
1 was the delighted spectator of His pas-
sion, as l was the cause and instrument
thereof. Through the kiss of Judas L be-
trayed HIM, and ! delivered Him into the
hands OF Plate; through the medium of his
servsu I sm0te Him; bv The hands of the
0xocutio ers crucifed Him, hav Nc prey-
Ousiy scOurged Him with rods. 1 had in
suited Him by the lips of the Pbarisees. and
sorrow Him rhi ough the abanc comment of
His friends. it VAS WHO rendered Him
the sponge dipped in gall, and pierce His
heart with the lance OF the centurion.
You could, therefore, paint his portrait
such as he was at his last moment. when
he exclaimed "All is cOnsummat 4d.n and
that darkness envelOped the earth .
Undoubtedly, could Re ably do it, and it
would be perfectly true to nature.
Well, then, do it, pray you, ere my soul
be irrevocably secured to ysu.'
forthwith, by two strokes of bis mastery
Druss, stood out upon an ebony back ground
the image of the crucified Saviour, So true
TO life. and so beartrendipg in IT'S reality,
that the prodieal, sinking to his knees.
could not refrain from making the slgn OF
the cross; by that happy accident the devil
disappeared, leaving in the hsnds of his in.
tended victim both the compact and the
Ctocher.