THE WANDERING JEW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 53

THE WANDERING JEW.

Bx Walteb T. Stephenson.

It must be' confessed that the historical evidence on which this legend is based is extremely unsatisfactory, and, moreover, the myth does not appear to have come into being until 12 centuries after the death of Christ. From that period until within the last century the accounts are as plentiful and also as various as you please. The only point on which they really agree is that such an individual exists in an undying condition, wandering over the face of the earth, seeking rest and finding none. The earliest allusion to the Wandering Jew is found in the " Historia Major," that famous narrative of the world's history by the monks of St. Albans which was taken up by Matthew of Paris as the successor of Roger of Wendover about 1225. The learned priest tells of a certain archbishop of Armenia the Greater who came <to England on a pilgrimage in 1228, and was entertained for some time at St. Albans. On one occasioa the visitor was asked if he knew aught of Joseph the Wanderer, a man of whom there had been . much talk of late as one who was still alive, although he had witnessed the crucifixion of our Lord. The archbishop replied through his interpreter that he had received this same Joseph as a guest at bit own table just before leaving home; had often conversed with him, and placed implicit belief in his story, which was substantially to this effect: Aa Jesus wa3 being dragged forth from Pilate's presence to be crucified? Oartaphiluß, a porter of the hall, struck him on the back with his hand, and said in mockery : "Go quicker, Jeaus, go quicker; why dost thou loiter 1 " Jdsus immediately turned upon him and sternly replied : " I go, but thoa flbalfc wait till my return." And accordingly Oartaphilns is still waiting. At the time of the crucifixion he was 30 years old, and when he reaches the age of 100 he returns to the same age' as he was when our Lord suffered.

Some years after Christ's death this Oartaphilus was baptised by Ananias (who also 'baj tiaed the Apostle Paul) umder the name of Joseph. He dwells in various eastern countries, but mostly in Armenia. He is a man of holy conversation, although of few words, and very circumspect in his behaviour. When questioned he will speak of things which occurred at the 'suffering aad resurrection of our Lord. Never smiling, he seemß to be always looking forward with dread to the coming of Jesus Christ, lest at the last judgment he should find Him in anger whom, on Bis way to death, he had provoked to just vengeance. He invariably declines to reoeive any money, being satisfied with slight food and clothing. A few years later Philip Mouskes, afterwards Bishop of Tournay, wrote his rhymed chronicle (1242), which contains an account of the Jew almost identical with that derived from the Armenian prelate. We hear no more of tha Wanderer till the commencement of the nixteenthxentury, when various vague reports began to be circulated concerning such a person. Finally, in 1547, he was actually seen in Europe, if wa are to credit the narration contained in a manuscript signed by Oorysoßtomus Dudulaeus Westphalus, and. dated Revel, August 1, 161&. This writer relates the story as he received it by word of mouth from Dr Paul'Von Eitzen, who was born at Hamburg in 1522, appointed Bishop of Schlesvdg in 1562, and ■died in 1598. It seems that Dr Yon Eitzen was in Hamburg in the winter of 1547, and on a certain Sunday in church he observed a tall man, with long hair, standing barefoot during the sermon. He appeared to listen attentively to the discourse, and whenever the name of Jesus was mentioned bowed himself humbly with sighs and beating of the breast. Although the weather was bitterl/oold, he was poorly olad, and judging prom his appearance, he was about 50 years of age. Everyone wondered over the man, who, according to credible witnesses, some of high d.egree and title, had, been seen in England, France, Italy, Hungary, Persia, Spain, Poland, Moscow, Lapland, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, and other places. \

•The doctor's interest being excited, he sought this mysterious being out, and questioned him privately. The man replied that he was a Jew of Jerusalem, by name Ahasaerus, by trade a shoemaker. He had lived at the time of Christ, whom he had regarded as a deceiver of the people. When sentence of crucifixion had been pronounced by Pilate he knew that Christ would be dragged past hia -house on the way to Calvary. Hastening home, he stood in the doorway with >-his child in his arms to have a sight of the victim. As the Saviour was led by his door, bowed under the of the heavy cross, he seemed about to rest a moment on the step, bat Ahasnerus drove him on with zealous rage. Jesus, obeying, looked back a moment and said ; " I shall stand and rest, but thou Bhalt go on till the last day." At these words the man set down the child, followed Christ, witnessed His agony and death on the cross, left Jerusalem, and has ever since been a wanderer over the face of the earth. In Whatever land he travelled he was enabled to speak its language ; when money was given him be distributed it among the poor. Never smiling, he always listened gladly to God's word, and waxed indignant when he heard Curses. On being -questioned he showed finch perfect familiarity with the world's history since the death of Christ- that it was Impossible to doubt the truth of Mi atory.

The Ravel manuscript also declares that this same Jew was seen in Madrid, 1575; in Vienna, 1599; and in Lubeck, 1601. The writer concludes his narration with this sententious comment : " What thoughtful, Godfearing persons are to think of the said person is at their option. God's works are wondrous and past finding out, and are manifested day by day, only to be revealed in fnll at the last great day of account."

Such are the principal notices concerning the Wandering Jew which have been recorded, and they are all about equally unsatisfactory when we come to examine them in the light of common sense and reason. Yet, admitting the story to be a mytb, the very longevity of the legend^and its essential unvarying character point to some foundation of truth. — Public Opinion.