Likenesses of Christ
"In 1702 the late Rev. H. Rowlands, author of 'Mona Antiqua,' while superintending the removal of some stones near Aberfraw, Wales, for the purpose of making an antiquarian research, found a beautiful brass medal of our Saviour, in a fine state of preservation, which he forwarded to his friend and countryman, the Rev. E. Llwyd, author of the 'Archaeologia Britannica,' and, at the time, keeper of the Ashmolean Library at Oxford.
"This medal has on one side the figure of a head exactly answering the description given by Publius Lentulus of our Saviour, in a letter sent by him to the Emperor Tiberius and the senate of Rome. On the reverse side it has the following inscription, written in Hebrew characters:--
"'This is Jesus Christ the Mediator,' or 'Jesus the great Messias.'
"Being found among the ruins of the chief Druids, resident in Anglesea, it is not improbable that the curious relic belonged to some Christian connected with Bran the Blessed, who was one of the hostages of Caractacus at Rome from A.D. 52 to 59, at which time the apostle Paul was preaching the gospel of Christ at Rome. In two years afterwards, A.D. 61, the Roman General Suetonius extirpated all the Druids in the island.
"The following is a translation of the letter referred to, a very antique copy of which is now in the possession of the family of Kellie,--afterwards Lord Kellie, now represented by the Earl of Mar, a very ancient Scotch family,--taken from the original at Rome:--
"'There hath 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 as a Prophet, but his disciples call him the "Son of God." He raiseth the dead, and cures all manner of diseases; a man of stature somewhat tall and comely, with very reverent countenance, such as the beholders both love and fear; his hair the color of chestnut, full ripe, plain to his ears, whence downwards it is more Orient, curling and waving about his shoulders.
"'In the midst of his head is a seam or a partition of his hair after the manner of the Nazarites; his forehead plain and very delicate; his face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a most lovely red; his nose and mouth so formed that nothing can be reprehended; his beard thickish, in color like his hair, not very long but forked; his look, innocent and mature; his eyes, gray, clear and quick. In reproving he is terrible; in admonishing, courteous, and fair spoken; pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remarked that any one saw him laugh, but many have seen him weep. In proportion of body, most excellent; his hands and arms most delicate to behold. In speaking, very temperate, modest, and wise. A man, for his singular beauty, surpassing the children of men!'
"The representation of this sacred person, which is in the Bodleian Library, somewhat resembles that of the print of this medal, when compared together. It was taken from a likeness engraved in agate, and sent as a present from the sultan for the release of his brother, who was taken prisoner.
"There is a well-executed drawing of this at the Mostyn Library, much worse for age."
On a photograph by Messrs. McClean & Co., London, is printed the following:--
"The following extract in proof of the authenticity of the above portrait is translated from the Latin contemporary historians of the period. 'The only true likeness of our Saviour, taken from one cut on an emerald by command of Tiberius Caesar, and was given from the Treasury of Constantinople by the Emperor of the Turks to Pope Innocent VIII. for the redemption of his brother, then a captive of the Christians.'"