A DESCRIPTION OF THE SAVIOUR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1872, 30 March 1889, Page 3

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SAVIOUR.

The Dunedin Tablet says the following is a translation of a letter written by Publius Lentulus, predecessor of Pontius Pilate as Q-overnor of Judea. The orginal Latin is in possession of the Ctesarini family at Eome:—l have learned, 0 Caosar, that it is thy wish to know what I will now relate to thee—that there is a man living here of great virtue, named Jesus Christ, who by the people is called a prophet; and his desciples hold him for divine, and say that he is the Son of Gfod, the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all that are therein and have been made. In truth,, O Csosar, wonderful things are every day nerformed by this Christ —ho raises the dead to life, and heals all maladies by a single word. A man of stature, and of very beautiful countenance, in which such majesty resides that those who look on him are forced to admire him. His hair is the colour of a fully ripe chestnut, and from his ears down to his shoulders it is of the colour of the earth, but shining. It is parted in the middle of the forehead, after the manner of the Nazarenes. His forehead is smooth, and very serene ; his face free from wrinkle or spot, and with a slight colour. The nostrils and lips cannot be reasonably found fault with. The board is thick, ind like the hair; not very long, and divided in the middle. There is a look of terror in his grave eyes ; the syes are like the rays of the sun, and it is impossible to look him steadily in the face on account of their irillianey. When he reproves, he terrifies; ivhen he admonishes he weeps; he nakes himself loved, and is gravely ;heerful. It is said that he was never ieen t© laugh, but he was seen to veep. His hands and arms are very leautiful. In conversation he is sharming, but he seldom engages in t; and when he does converse he is r ery modest of countenance. In iresence he is the most beautiful man hat'could he seen or imagined—just ike his mother, who is the most icautiful young person that was ever leheld in these parts. But if thy uajesty, 0 Ciesar, desires to see him, is you wrote to me in former letters, uake it known unto me, and I will end him to thee at once.

In learning he is an object of wonder to the entire city of Jeru-, salem. He never studied at all, and. yet he knows all sciences. He wears; sandals and goes bare-headed, Many laugh at seeing him, but in his presence and when speaking to him they fear and tremble. It is said that such a man was never seen or heard in these parts. In truth, as the Hebrews tell me, there never were heard such advices, such sublime doctrine, as this Christ teaches; and many of the Jews hold him for divine, and they believe in him, while many others accuse him to me as being contrary to thy Majesty, 0 Caesar! lam very much annoyed by these malicioas Hebrews. It is acknowledged that he has never done harm to anyone, but good; all that know him and have had dealings with him, say that they have received from him benefits and health. But to thy Majesty, 0 Caesar, to thy obedience, I am most devoted. Whatsoever thou shalt command me will be executed. Farewell.

From Jerusalem, the seventh infliction, eleventh moon, of thy Majesty the most faithful and most obedient, PUBLIUS liENTULTIS, Governor of Judea.