Columbus Democrat

Death Warrant of Jesus Christ. Of the many

interesting relics and fragments of antiquity which

have been brought to light by the persevering researches of modern philosophy, none could have

more interest for the philanthropist and believer,

than one which we copy below. Chance,' says the

Courier des Etats Unis, 'has just put into our hands

the most imposing and interesting of all documents

to all Christians, that have been rescued from human

annihilation—the wonderful death warrant of our

Lord. Jesus Christ.' The document was faithfully

transcribed by the editor, and is in the Hebrew language.

Sentence rendered by Pontius Pilate,

Acting Governor of Lower Galilee, stating that

Jesus of Nazareth shall suffer death on the Cross.

"In the year seventeen of the empire Tiberius

Cæsar, and the 25th day of March, the city of the

High Jerusalem, Annas and Caiaphas being priests,

sacrificators of the people of Judæa. Pontius Pilate,

Governor of Lower Galilée, acting on the pretent-

dential chair of the Prætorium, Condemns Jesus of Naz-

areth to death on the cross between two thieves, the

great and notorious evidence of the people saying:

1. Jesus is a seducer;

2. He is seditious.

3. He is an enemy of the law

4. He calls himself falsely the Son of God.

5. He calls himself falsely the King of Israel.

6. He entered unto the temple, followed by a mul-

titude, bearing palm branches in their hands.

Order the first centurion Quinius Cornelius, to

lead him to the place of execution.

Forbad to any person whomsoever, either poor or

rich, to oppose the death of Jesus.

The witnesses who signed the condemnation of

Jesus, are, viz: 1. Daniel Robani, a Pharisee; 2.

Joannes Roroboble, 3. Raphael Robani; 4. Ca-

poh, a citizen.

Jesus shall go out of the city of Jerusalem by the

gate of Struthius.

The above sentence is engraved on a copper

plate; on one side are written these words:—'A

similar plate is sent to each tribe. It was found in

an antique vase of white marble, while excavating

in the ancient city of Aquila, in the kingdom of Na-

ples, in the year 1820, and was discovered by the

Commissaries of Arts attached to the French ar-

mies. At the expedition of Naples, it was found

enclosed in a box of ebony, in the vestry of the

Cathedral; the vase in the chapel of Caserta. The

French translation was made by the members of the

Commission of Arts. The original is in the He-

brew language. The Cathedral requested earnest-

ly that the plate should not be taken away from

them. The request was granted, as a reward for

the sacrifice they had made for their army. M. De-

non, one of the savans, caused a plate to be made

of the same model, on which he had engraved the

above sentence. At the sale of his collection of an-

tiquities, &c. it was bought by Lord Howard for

2500 francs. Its intrinsic value and interest are

much greater. A few years ago there was found at

Catskill, in New York, a "shekel of Israel," of the

time of our Saviour. On one side was the repre-

sentation of a palm leaf, on the other a picture of

the temple, with the words underneath, "Holy Je-

rusalem," in the Hebrew tongue. Relics like these,

properly authenticated, have about them an inex-

pressible sacredness and moment: they seem to

blend two worlds, and to carry forward con-

tinuity from the finite to the infinite.—Phil. Gazette.