The Washington times., 1895-03-25
PuhIius LentuIus. Governor of
Judea, Gave the Description.
1T is THE ONLY ONE ExTANT
Rev. DR.. Sunderland Rsad the Romans Let
ter at Yesterdays servioe-It Speaks of
Christ as One Whom None Ever Saw
Laugh, and Man of Singular Beauty.
Surprising All of the Children of Men

The only extant description of the per-
sonality OF Christ, and, perhaps, the only
one ever written, was introduced in the
course Of an exceedingly interesting ser
mon yesterday morning by Rev. DIR. Sun
derland at the First Presbyterian Church,
his theme being the ''Great Preacher"
The President and Mrs. Cleveland at
tended the services and listened attentively
10 the sermon. This description has been
followed by artists generally. but as it
is not regarded by all historians as authentic
there is a wide divergence in the way
Christ is painted.
DR.. Sunderland read for what it is worth
the letter of Publius Lentulus, Governor
or Judea, TO the Roman Senate in the reign
OF Tiberius, in which that Governor de-
scribes the physical aspect of Christ, the
letter being accompanied by His picture.
The fact that the letter is addressed to
the Senate and not to the Emperor is re-
garded as throwing some doubt on its au-
thenticity.
Publius Lentulus speaks of a imam yetIiy-
ing among Us named Jesus Christ, acceptedof
the Gentnes as a prophet OF truth but by
OF REVERAND DCoUNTENANCE.
In statue somewhat tall with a very
reyerand countenance such as behoIders both
love and fear. His hair is of the color of a
flbert, full-rpe, and plain Chat is smoothl
down 10 His ears, but from His ears down
ward somewhat waving over His shoulders;
parted in the middle after the manner Of the
Nazarites.
Forehead plain and smooth, without spot
or wrinkle, beautiful with comely red.
Nose and mouth so formed that nothing can
be TeprehenGed. Beard somewhat thick,
and agreea bic IN colorto the hair; not OF great
length, badorked mthe midst ,andanimrocent
and mature look. His seyes grey in colorand
quick; in TepTuof terrible. In admonition
fairspoken; pleasant but grave inspeech. It
cannot be remembered that any have seen
HIM laugh, but more have Gcen Him weep.
Wen proportioned and straight, hands and
arms right delectable TO behold. A man of
singular beauty surprising the children OF
men"
Dr. Sunderland introduced his sermon by
referring 20 the language of those who had
been sent TO arrest Christ and who re-
turned without HIM with the explanation:
Never man spoke like this man"
CoNTRAsTED WITH ANCIENT T SAGEs.
He contrasted the Saviour with the sages,
statesmen, and philosophers. of the old
world. and especially with Plato, Herodotus,
Demosthenes. and Socrates, who gavo
us the first code Of morals, but all were
unsatisfactory, as the great voice had not
yet spoken.
Christ in the deliverance of the nine
beatitude took issue with the ethical
philosophy OF the world, in that He
abundautly blest those who were considered
its outCasts and made God the "Summum
bonum" He opened up rev views, new
aspirations, and followed a course not
developed by any other speaker. The
severest critics have assailed His style and
His teachings, but Christ remains risF+ssPbant
while the critics have disappeared. lie gave
men liberty, the spirit which was echoed
by Luther and goo years later found eX
preston in the Declaration of Independence
of this Country.
Christ has been preaching continuously
with His great voice through all the
centuries. Kingdoms are His paragraphs;
be preached il the caTavals OF Columbus; in
the War OF the Revolution; in the revival
OF learning; in the mastery OF mind over
matter; III the Worlds Exposition at Chi
caeo, and whatever may be thought of the
parliament of religions il VIII be found
that in the great ATeopagus of the world,
Jesus Christ VIII appear as the great
debater, and His word all powerful in the
establishment Of universal religion.