The following description is alleged to be derived from an ancient
manuscript sent by Publius Lentellus, President of Judea, to the Senate
of Rome:
"There lives at this time in Judea, a man of singular
character, whose name is Jesus Christ. The barbarians esteem
Him as their prophet; but His followers adore Him as the
immediate offspring of the immortal God. He is endowed with
such unparalleled virtue as to call back the dead from their
graves and to heal every kind of disease with a word or a
touch. His person is tall and elegantly shaped; His aspect,
amiable and reverend; His hair flows in those beauteous shades
which no united colors can match, falling in graceful curls
below His ears, agreeably couching on His shoulders, and
parting on the crown of His head; His dress, that of the sect
of Nazarites; His forehead is smooth and large; His cheeks
without blemish, and of roseate hue; His nose and mouth are
formed with exquisite symmetry; His beard is thick and
suitable to the hair of His head, reaching a little below His
chin, and parting in the middle below; His eyes are clear,
bright, and serene.
"He rebukes with mildness, and invokes with the most tender
and persuasive language--His whole address, whether in word or
deed, being elegantly grave, and strictly characteristic of so
exalted a being. No man has seen Him laugh, but the whole
world beholds Him weep frequently, and so persuasive are His
tears that the whole multitude can not withhold their tears
from joining in sympathy with Him. He is moderate, temperate,
and wise; in short, whatever the phenomenon may turn out in
the end, He seems at present to be a man of excellent beauty
and Divine perfection, every way surpassing man."
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