Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-10
AN ANCIENT STORY VERIFIED.

Dlspatch from Rome
After having been lost for 903 years,
two letters, one from King Agrippa to
Christ, and the other reply from the
Saviour to rhe King, have been dis
covered ON the gateway Of an old palace
at Ephesus. They are written in Syro-
Chaldaic characters. and were pro-
nounced by Prof. Bohrmann of Vienna
University, who announced their dis
covery to the Archaeological Congress
in Rome, to be genuine.
The fac-simile was submitted to Prof.
Murray of the British Museum, and he
doubtedly genuine and of the highest
possible Importance, tending, as it
does, to establish the authenticity of
the correspondence alleged by Eusebius
to have passed between Abgarus V Of
Odessa and our Lord.
The letter from Abgarus runs as fol-
lows:
81 have heard OF Thee and the cures
wrought by Thee without herbs or
medicines, for it is reported that Thou
restoieth sight to the blind and maketh
the lame to walk, cleanseth the lerer,
raiseth the dead, casteth out devils
and unclean spirits, and restoreth to
health those tormented with Diseases of
long continuance. Hearing ali this of
Thee, / am fully persuaded Thou art
the very God come down fIom heavon
to do such miracles, or that Thou, the
Son of God, rerformeth them.
"Wherefore | have sent Thee few
lines, entreating Thee to come hitheI
aud cure my diseases.
besides, hearing the Jews murmur
against Thee and continue to do Thee
mischief, invite Thee to my city,
which is but little one, but beautiful
and sufficient to entertain US BOTH
Christ's ierly is thus transmitted:
blessed art thou, believing Me
Whom thou has not see, for it is written
of Me: They that have seen Me shall
not believe; they that have not seen Me
shall believe. Flo saved, but concern
ing the matter thou hast written about,
with this | aoquaint thee that all
things for which was sent hithei
must be fulfilled. Then / shall he
taken up and return to Him who sent
Me; but after My ascension l will send
one of My Disciples that shall cure
thee of the distemper and give life to
all of them that are with thee. :"
The discovery Of Prof. Bohrmann is a
yerihcation of an ancient story, which
is told by Eusebius, in effect as fol-
lows:
Abgar XIV tAbgar meaning King)
surnamed Ucomo, 1.-THE Black" who
reigned ut Edessa tEphesusl from ls
to 80 A. d., wrote to Christ asking him
to take up his abode with him and res
| lieve him of an incurable disease.
| Christ promised to eend him one of His
| disciples after His ascension, and ac-
cordingly st. Thomas sent ST. Thaddeus.
Cedrcnus supplements the story as
| follows: Ananias, the bearer of Abgar's
letter to Christ, was also painter, and
tried to draw picture of the Saviour,
but was so dazzled by the aplendor OF
His counter ance that he could not.
Tradition has also said that the cloth
with which st. Veronica wiped the
blood from the Saviour's face when on
His way to Calvary, and on which the
imprint o. His face miracnlously re.
manned, was taken to Ephesus by
Ananais and presei we'd there by Abgar.
Appointments Announced by Governor.
Special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal.
Dover, May 4.--Gov. Tunnel an.
nouLced the following appointments
yesterday afternoon: DR.. John j. Black
of New Castle, DIR. James H.sWilsor
of Dover and Henry W. Baker of Sea
ford, trustees OF the Delaware State
Hospital for the Insane; Robert @.
| Chambers of Lewes, member of the
| Board of Pilot Commissioners Davio