be no doubt that this official communication has formed the groundwork of all those representations that have happily descended to us, and are regarded at the present day as faithful images of the Redeemer' of mankind. Such corroboration and correctness afford the most powerful proof of the truth of the historical record,―nay, absolutely overpowering proofs of the existence of the facts that have taken place. We are happy to have it in our power to lay before our readers this important document.

PUBLIUS LENTULUS,

PRESIDENT IN JUDEA IN THE REIGN OF TIBERIUS

CÆSAR,

TO THE SENATE OF ROME.

CONSCRIPT FATHERS,

There appeared in these our days a man of great virtue, named JESUS CHRIST, who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted for a Prophet of Truth; but his own Disciples call him the Son of GOD. He raised

the dead, and cured all manner of diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall and comely, and in proportion of body well shaped; his hands and arms delectable to behold, with a very reverend countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear. His hair is of the colour of a filbert full ripe to his ears, whence downward it is more orient of colour, somewhat curling or waving about his shoulders. In the midst of his head is a seam or partition of his hair, after the manner of the Nazarites. His forehead is plain and delicate. His face, without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a comely red. His nose and mouth are exactly formed. His beard is thick, the colour of his hair, not of any great length, but forked. His look innocent and mature. His eyes grey, clear, and quick. In reproving he is awful; in admonishing, courteous and friendly; in speaking, very temperate, modest, and wise. It cannot be remembered that any have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. A man for his singular beauty surpassing the children of men.'"

Thus ends the account. The author remarks

in continuation,—

"More proofs, surely, need not be adduced to convince us of a fact so well established as the existence of the Man Christ, or we might refer to other profane writers, as Tacitus, Josephus," &c.

This I regard as pleasing intelligence. And, surely, if the united testimony of what are styled profane writers be of itself sufficient to establish so important a fact as the existence of Christ,— how much more ought the testimony of the Historians of the New Testament to be regarded as conclusive in relation to the records of their own nation!

The vast importance given to this Medalinteresting as it undoubtedly is-is not too great, if it does, as is asserted, "corroborate and afford the most powerful proof of the truth of the historical record-nay, absolutely overpowering proofs of the existence of the facts that have taken place.” But how are we to reconcile these avowals with the author's repeated assertion that HISTORY can

never attain a higher point than possibility and probability?

At page 340 of Mr. Wirgman's volume (the one preceding that at which our extracts relative to the Medal commenced) we read as follows:"The proof of DOCTRINE must be the universal assent of all mankind; while the highest point to which HISTORY can attain is merely the greatest degree of probability.-Certainty it never can attain !"

That there is a difference between Doctrine and History may be readily imagined, but to me, at least, it is not quite so easy to conceive that the latter can be at once in a condition to afford

absolutely overpowering proofs" of the truth of any thing, and in such a state that to " certainty it never can attain!" Besides, if "facts constitute History," those facts, although the circumstances which they record are fleeting, are themselves unalterable, and, in my humble opinion, remain for the belief of all mankind both of the present and of all future generations: and thus we are taught to believe that we shall "stand in our lot

at the end of our days" in the Heavenly Temple, according to our Works and the soundness of our Faith. But it is, unhappily, too evident that the profane writers of antiquity have more influence over the minds of the learned than those of the sacred class this is much to be deplored. I cannot, however, refrain from remarking that the "DOCTRINE" So highly thought of and prized has come to us through no other medium than that of "HISTORY;" and if HISTORY be incapable of “ attaining to absolute certainty," how can we be assured that the important "DOCTRINE" attributed to Christ was ever really delivered by him?-and yet it is this "DOCTRINE" which forms the groundwork of, and the principal plea for, the "Divarication of the New Testament!"

It affords me much pleasure to be enabled in one instance, at least, to unite in sentiment with Mr. Wirgman, and to close my extracts from his work with the admission that incontestable truths are to be found in Scriptural HISTORY! Enough! It is now raised from its degradation.

The 16th sublime Poem of King David is