THE FOLLOWING was taken from a manuscript now in the possession of Lord Kelley, and was copied from an original letter of Publius Lentulus at Rome. It being the custom of Roman governors to advise the people and the Senate of such material things as happened in their provinces in the days of Tiberius Caesar, Publius, President of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the Senate concerning Jesus:

“There lives at this time in Judea a man of singular virtue, whose name is Jesus Christ, whom the barbarians esteem as a prophet, but his followers love and adore him as the offspring of the eternal God. He calls back the dead from the graves and heals all sorts of diseases with a word or touch.

“He is a tall man, well-shaped and of an amiable and reverend aspect; his hair of a color that can hardly be matched, falling in graceful curls waving about and very agreeably couching upon his shoulders, parted on the crown of his head, running as a stream to the front after the fashion of the Nazarenes; his forehead high, large and imposing; his cheeks without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely red; his nose and mouth formed with exquisite symmetry; his beard of a color suitable to his hair, reaching below his chin and parted in the middle like a fork; his eyes, bright blue, clear and serene, look innocent, dignified, manly and mature; in proportion of body most perfect and captivating; his arms and hands delectable to behold.

“He rebukes with majesty, counsels with mildness; his whole address, whether in word or deed, being eloquent and grave. No man has seen him laugh, yet his manners are exceedingly pleasant; but he has wept frequently in the presence of men. He is temperate, wise and modest, a man for his extraordinary bearing and beauty and divine perfection, surpassing the children of men.”