JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND DAVID'S THRONE IN BRITAIN!

TRIUMPH PROPHETIC MINISTRIES (CHURCH OF GOD) * ALTADENA * CALIFORNIA *

With a brief mention in the four gospels, Joseph of Arimathea leaves the New Testament record never to be heard from again. However, this intrepid and fearless man of God is NOT lost from the pages of secular records. History and tradition records the in- credible story of Joseph's relationship to Christ and the journeys they made together to the western confines of the Roman Empire. Joseph's business interests, and how he transferred the PHAREZ LINE OF DAVID to Britain after the death of Christ, makes fasci- nating reading and reveals a part of God's intricate plan for the re- demption of His people Israel! No story is more riveting or more exciting than that of the drama of Joseph of Arimathea and the founding of the Church of God in the tin islands of Britain!

John D. Keyser

We get a fleeting glimpse Then Pilate commanded the that is, the day before the Sabbath, Jo- in the New Testament. This great body to be given to him. And seph of Arimathea, a PROMINENT man of god strides onto center- when JOSEPH had taken the COUNCIL MEMBER, who was him- self WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM stage, commands our attention body, he wrapped it in a clean OF GOD, coming in and taking cour- for a few short verses then, just linen cloth, and laid it in his new age, went in to Pilate and asked for the as quickly, disappears -- never to tomb which he had hewn out of body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He be heard from again! Yet this the rock; and he rolled a large was already dead; and summoning the man, whose life is just as fasci- stone against the door of the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. And when he nating or as intriguing as that of tomb, and departed." (Verses found out from the centurion, he Paul or Peter, performed a VI- 57-60, NKJV). granted the body to Joseph. Then he TAL MISSION in the plan of bought fine linen, took Him down, and God! With these words Joseph wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid of Arimathea disappears from Him in a tomb which had been hewn Matthew records in chap- out of the rock, and rolled a stone the pages of the Bible. against the door of the tomb. -- Verses ter 27: "Now when evening had 42-46, NKJV. come, there came A RICH MAN The other gospels cover from Arimathea, named JO- the SAME EVENTS, adding de- Luke adds little that is not SEPH, Who himself had also be- tails that Matthew doesn't men- covered by Matthew and Mark: come A DISCIPLE OF JESUS. tion. We read in Mark: "And behold, there was a man This man went to Pilate and named Joseph, A COUNCIL asked for the body of Jesus. Now when evening had come, MEMBER, A GOOD AND because it was the Preparation Day, Page 2

"The Bible never men- JUST MAN. HE HAD NOT Joseph of Arimathea, following tions him again, yet we are CONSENTED TO THEIR the crucifixion. Surely this man not left in the dark concern- COUNSEL AND DEED. He was who was a disciple of Jesus; who ing the DOMINANT ROLE from Arimathea, a city of the had shown rare courage in beg- Joseph played in the spread- Jews, who himself was also wait- ging the body of Jesus, would ing of Christianity." ing for the kingdom of God. This have become a close follower of man went to Pilate and asked for Christ after the transforming ex- the body of Jesus. Then he took perience at Pentecost. The Bible it down, wrapped it in linen, and never mentions him again, yet laid it in a tomb that was hewn we are not left in the dark con- out of the rock, where no one cerning the DOMINANT ROLE had ever lain before." (Luke Joseph played in the spreading 23:50-53, NKJV). of Christianity." (The Traditions of Glastonbury. Artisan Sales, John, the apostle of love, Thousand Oaks, CA. 1983. tells us a little more: P.21).

After this, Joseph of Arimat- WHO was this man who, hea, being a DISCIPLE OF JESUS, in all probability, risked the BUT SECRETLY, FOR FEAR OF wrath of the Jewish authorities THE JEWS, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate when he requested the body of gave him permission. So he came and Christ for burial? took the body of Jesus. And NICODE- MUS, who at first came to Jesus by A Man of Substance! night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Je- In reading these verses sus, and bound it in strips of linen with from the Bible we can glean a the spices, as the custom of the Jews is number of things. First, and fore- to bury. Now in the place where He most, is the fact that he was a was crucified there was a garden, and RICH MAN from Arimathea. in the garden a new tomb in which no Ancient traditions note that Jo- one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Prepa- seph was a man of refinement, ration Day, for the tomb was nearby. -- well educated and possessing John 19:38-42, NKJV. many talents. He evidently had extraordinary political and busi- To most readers of the ness abilities that helped him to Bible, therefore, Joseph of Ari- become one of the wealthiest mathea is remembered in passing men in the world of that time. as the rich man who took the His financial and social standing body of Christ down from the can be estimated when we real- tree and placed it in his own pri- ize that he owned a palatial vate sepulcher. He then silently home in the city of Jerusalem passes out of the Scriptural re- and a country estate just outside cord leaving no trace whatsoever the confines of the city. These in the Word of God! same traditions reveal that Jo- seph also owned another spa- As E. Raymond Capt cious estate several miles north notes: "Strangely, the Bible has of Jerusalem at ARIMATHEA -- nothing further to say about Page 3 which is known today as council member. This would in- unfortunately, never been sufficiently Ramalleh. dicate that he was a member of reported. Today, we know the trial for the GREAT COUNCIL or SAN- life was fought out on the floor of the Sanhedrin with all the stormy violence Ramalleh was the birth- HEDRIN of the Jews -- the su- of a bestial, prejudiced fury on one side place of Samuel the prophet and preme national tribunal estab- and the granite uncompromising cour- is called, in the Greek Septuagint lished at the time of the Mac- age of the defence by men who knew version of the Old Testament, cabees, or perhaps earlier in the that by the very act of their challenge Arimathaim. This town was lo- time of Ezra. they had signed and sealed their own death warrant. -- The Drama of the cated on the busy caravan route Lost Disciples. Covenant Publishing between Nazareth and the Holy That Joseph was present Co. Ltd., London. 1980. P.13. City, and may therefore have at the trial of Jesus before the been a large factor in Joseph's Sanhedrin is evident by Luke's Jowett goes on to say that choice of a profession. All the comment that Joseph "had not "on this particular occasion we information we have about Jo- consented to their counsel and see the opposition potent with seph indicates that he was prejudice, slashing at a man of unusual business In the Roman Empire of the time of Christ with their verbal abilities within the Jewish Christ, the term "DECURIO" was darts, subtly fanning the and Roman trading circles flame of antagonism of his day. commonly used to designate AN OFFI- against Him. On the other CIAL -- under Roman authority -- side, we see the champions All four of the gos- WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF METAL of the defence striking pels state that he was "a MINING. The implication is that Jo- back with rapier swiftness. disciple of Jesus" who was seph was a PROVINCIAL ROMAN The history of the Trial, as himself "waiting for the SENATOR in charge of Rome's over- it has come down to us, kingdom of God." John seas mining interests. shows that the defence adds that Joseph was a dis- fought back with all the ciple of Jesus "secretly, for resolute heroism of fearless deed." In fact, there is evidence fear of the Jews." It is obvious, warriors, invincible in the cour- that Joseph of Arimathea led an then, that Joseph of Arimathea age of their firm convictions." was well aware of the person and impassioned defense of Christ at the trial. In the crowded assem- ministry of Christ in his home- The defense of Christ by bly of the Sanhedrin, Christ was land and, in order to protect his Joseph and those who supported led to face Caiaphas and his standing and business interests, him must have been brilliant, father-in-law Annas who, as the was a "secret" disciple of Jesus. and a classic in the legal annals reigning High Priest of Judaism, The religious hierarchy of the of Judea at the time. When the represented the Sadducean fami- day, made up of the Pharisees vote was cast, forty out of the lies of which they were mem- and Sadducees, could have eas- seventy-one legislative members bers. George F. Jowett relates ily ruined Joseph if they were of the Sanhedrin voted for the what transpired: aware of his religious affiliation. dismissal of the case and the Therefore Joseph chose, at this Contrary to the common belief freedom of Christ. This the Sad- time, to keep his connection with that Jesus was completely surrounded ducees never forgot. They con- Christ secret. However, there is by enemies at that strange midnight trolled all the wealthy ruling more to Joseph's connection with trial, the light of recent findings prove families of Jerusalem and the Christ than meets the eye! it to have been very much otherwise. surrounding areas -- with the ex- That Jesus was encompassed ception of the intrepid Joseph! Luke mentions that Jo- by a vengeful, hostile group who sought His total extinction is substanti- His influence was so great that it seph was a COUNCIL MEM- ated, but THE BRILLIANT BATTLE stretched beyond the boundaries BER, and Mark adds FOR THE DEFENCE against the sav- of Jewish politics into the high "PROMINENT" to the term age demands for destruction has, places of Roman administration. Page 4

"He is the man who at this stage called the Life of St. Mary that of the manuscript copy of of events quietly moves into the Magdalene. the Tertius Opus of Roger Ba- scene. He was the power behind con in the Bodleian Library of the throne who backed up the A copy of this document the University of Oxford, which exhortations of the Liberal Party is to be found in the Magdalen is generally considered to date in the Sanhedrin, and the man College Library at Oxford, Eng- from the end of the fourteenth or who stood behind the defence of land, and dates from the early beginning of the fifteenth Jesus with his resourceful century. support on that fateful night." (Ibid., p.15). It is abundantly clear that this copy of the At this point Life of St. Mary from Ra- Caiaphas demanded that banus' original is written Jesus be tried before Pon- by a professional scribe. tius Pilate, the Roman The careful "illumina- Procurator of the Roman tion," the various copying Province of Palestine, on errors, and the fact that at the charge of treason. the end of the manuscript What happened next is re- the writer goes on to tran- corded in the pages of the scribe a homily (sermon) Bible. of Origen (the celebrated writer, teacher and theolo- The British Tin gian of antiquity) on Mary Industry Magdalen, lends credence to this being a faithful In the Latin Vul- copy of the original. gate of the Gospel of Mark (15:43) and Luke As J.W. Taylor (23:50) we find the term notes, "the original work "DECURIO" used instead of which this is a copy of "COUNCIL MEM- was undoubtedly written BER" to describe Joseph's either by Rabanus him- office or occupation. In self, or its author must Jerome's (Catholic have made considerable scholar, 345?-420 A.D.) use of the Homilies of Ra- translation of the Vulgate banus, for the general the term "NOBILIS DE- style and composition of CURIO" is used -- the the work (as M. Faillon NOBLE DECURIO! The First Page of the has well shown) CLOSELY Manuscript of Rabanus FOLLOWS that of its reputed Not only that, but early author." (The Coming of the documents of Britain and Gaul Saints, p.81). refer to Joseph in the same man- part of the fifteenth century. No ner. The Welshman Maelgwyn history is known of this manu- The book in the Mag- of Llandaff calls Joseph the script; but it is neatly written on dalen College Library has been "NOBILIS DECURIO," as well parchment and beautifully illu- recognized as a work of Rabanus as Rabanus Maurus (776-856 minated in colors and in gold. in past centuries, and appears as A.D.), Archbishop of Mayence Experts note that the writing and such in the well-known list or and writer of the manuscript illumination is very similar to catalog of William Cave Page 5

(Scriptorum Ecclesiastiicorum ADMINISTRATION IN monopolized in Caesar's day by the Historia Literaria, vol.ii, p.38 BRITAIN! Beneti of Brittany. -- Page 156. Oxford, 1740-1743). It is an historical fact that Diodorus Siculus himself, In the 22nd chapter of TIN was mined and exported to in book V of his history of the this manuscript an account of the the European continent in large world, details the British tin embalming and burial of Christ quantities from CORNWALL, industry: by Joseph of Arimathea and Ni- ENGLAND, during the Roman codemus is related, along with a period (Funk & Wagnalls New They that inhabit THE BRIT- ISH PROMONTORY OF BELERIUM detailed description of the mau- Encyclopedia, vol. 23. Pp. [old name for Cornwall], by reason of soleum and sepulcher that Jo- 163-164). The Encyclopedia their converse with merchants, are seph had hewn out of the rock Britannica reports that "tin was more civilized and courteous to strang- for his own use. Then the manu- IMPORTED FROM CORN- ers than the rest. THESE ARE THE script states that Joseph was WALL INTO ITALY after, if PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE TIN, which with a great deal of care and la- known as the NOBILIS bour they dig out of the ground; DECURION. Along with the traditions of Jewish and that being rocky, the metal is mixed with some veins of Gildas Badonicus ( presence in Cornwall, THERE ARE earth, out of which they melt the 516- 570 A.D.), one of the TRADITIONS OF JOSEPH having metal and then refine it. Then visited the area in the course of his they beat it into four square earliest British historians, pieces like a die and carry it TO also refers to Joseph as mining business. A BRITISH ISLE, near at hand, "NOBILIS DECURIO." CALLED ICTIS. For at low What does this Latin title mean? not before, the invasion of Brit- tide, all being dry between them and ain by Julius Caesar. (1943 edi- the island, they convey over in carts In the Roman Empire of tion. Vol. 22, p.233). The tin ABUNDANCE OF TIN. But there is mines of Cornwall were a major one thing that is peculiar to these is- the time of Christ, the term "DE- lands which lie between Britain and CURIO" was commonly used to source of this metal; and in Ro- Europe: for at full sea they appear to be designate AN OFFICIAL -- UN- man times the metal was IN islands, but at low water for a long way DER ROMAN AUTHORITY -- GREAT DEMAND because tin they look like so many peninsulas. WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF was used in the making of alloys. Hence the merchants transport the tin they buy of the inhabitants of Gaul, METAL MINING. The implica- and for thirty days' journey they carry tion is that Joseph was a PRO- In his book entitled Ro- it in packs upon horses' backs VINCIAL ROMAN SENATOR man Britain, I.A. Richmond THROUGH GAUL TO THE MOUTH in charge of Rome's overseas tells of the development and OF THE RIVER RHONE. mining interests. Ivor C. Fletcher growth of the British tin industry adds that "the office seems to and trade with the continent of And again: have been a lucrative and much Europe: coveted one. Cicero [Roman This TIN METAL is trans- writer, statesman and orator Much of the most famed of ported OUT OF BRITAIN INTO GAUL, the merchants carrying it on (106-43 B.C.)] remarked that it British metals in the days before the Roman occupation was TIN. The vivid horse-back THROUGH THE HEART was easier to become a Senator accounts by Diodorus Siculus [1st cen- OF CELTICA TO MARSEILLES and of Rome than a DECURIO in tury B.C. Greek historian], of overland the city called NARBO. -- Diodorus Pompeii." (The Incredible His- pack-horse transport of CORNISH TIN Siculus, Booth's translation, vol.i, tory of God's True Church. Tri- from the Gallic [French] coast to Narbo p.311. umph Publishing Co., Altadena, (Narbonne) in the FIRST CENTURY B.C., and of the ISLAND EMPORIUM CA. 1984. P.54). The office of The promontory of Corn- ON THE BRITISH COAST, from wall is rich in the remains of old Decurio is also known to have which merchants obtained it, all speak existed UNDER THE ROMAN of a brisk and flourishing early trade, mining works and debris. The Phoenicians were probably the Page 6 first to utilize Cornish tin; and called 'JEWS' PIECES,' and the The Encyclopedia Bri- some mines, like the Ding-Dong stream works of tin that have tannica (1943 edition) notes that Mine, can be traced to a high an- been formerly deserted by the la- "the wealth of CORNWALL... tiquity. The oldest crude pits bourers are called 'JEWS' lies not so much in the soil, as containing smelted tin are called WORKS' or 'ATTALL SARA- UNDERGROUND and in the "JEWS' HOUSES," the tradition CEN.' The JEWS appear to have surrounding sea. Hence the fa- being that THE TIN MINES OF called themselves, or were called vourite Cornish toast, "fish, tin CORNWALL were by the Britons of Cornwall, and copper." The tin of Cornwall "WROUGHT BY THE JEWS 'SARACENS.' " has been known and worked with pickaxes of holm, box and FROM THE BRONZE AGE. By hartshorn -- tools sometimes All through the land of ancient charters the "TINNERS" found among the were exempt rubble of such from all juris- works." These diction (save in date to very re- cases affecting mote times. land, life and limb) other than There is that of the Stan- hardly a tin- nary Courts, and bearing spot in peculiar laws Cornwall that were enacted in has not been the Stannary worked over by parliaments. A the "OLD TAX on the tin, MEN," -- as the after smelting, ancient miners of was paid to the the land are al- earls and dukes ways called. of Cornwall." "....upon what- (Vol.6, p.453). ever spot the OLD MINER has worked there we are told The "Ictis" of Diodorus What does all this have to do the Phoenician has been or with Joseph of Arimathea? THE JEW has mined. The ex- Cornwall the ancient presence Just this: Along with the tradi- istence of the terms "JEWS' and influence of the JEWS is tions of Jewish presence in Corn- HOUSES," "JEWS' TIN," marked by names and places like wall, THERE ARE "JEWS' LEAVINGS," "AT- "BOJEWYAN" (ABODE OF TRADITIONS OF JOSEPH hav- TALL" and "ATALL SARA- THE JEWS), "TREJEWAS" ing visited the area in the course CEN," prove the connection of (JEWS' VILLAGE) and "MAR- of his mining business. Frag- these strangers with the Cornish KET JEW." These, as well as the ments of poems and miners' miners." (Romances of the West, historical "JEWISH WIN- songs, handed down through the by Hunt. London, 1872). DOWS" in St. Neot's church and centuries, make FREQUENT other Jewish monuments and REFERENCE TO JOSEPH. One In Polwhele's History of memories, abundantly supple- refrain runs, "Joseph was a tin Cornwall (Falmouth, 1803) we ment the older traditions of the man, Joseph was in the tin read that "the OLDEST "JEWS' HOUSES" and "JEWS' trade." (Cornwall, by S. Baring- smelting-places are called LEAVINGS." Gould, p.57). In the Guide to 'JEWS' HOUSES,' the old blocks Penzance, Land's End and of tin occasionally found are Scilly, the author states that Page 7

"there is a traditional story that has great significance, as we WHAT EXACTLY WAS HIS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA was shall soon see! STATUS? connected with MARAZION [a The only grounds which he could have had which would be in small seaport of Cornwall -- 2 WHY would Joseph be agreement with Jewish AND Roman miles east of Penzance] when he given such a title in the manu- law and at the same time avoid giving and other Jews traded with the scripts? WHY would he be offence to the chief priests, would be as ancient tin-miners of Cornwall" called "the Great Lord Joseph of THE NEAREST RELATIVE OF THE (5th edition, Ward, Lock and Arimathea"? BECAUSE HE DEAD MAN. Co., London). WAS OF THE ROYAL LINE DESCENDED FROM KING With that pronouncement Is it really so incredible DAVID, and this title was in Fletcher continues: that Joseph of Arimathea had keeping with his birth as A Under both Jewish and Roman commercial interests in the Brit- PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF Law it was the responsibility of the ish Isles -- the Cassiterides or DAVID! That makes him related NEAREST RELATIVES to dispose of "Tin-Islands" of the an- the dead, regardless of the cir- cumstances of death. cient world? After all SE- This, then, was the man God used to NECA, the Roman Mary, the mother of philosopher, dramatist and ESTABLISH THE DAVIDIC LINE Jesus, would clearly be in no fit OF PHAREZ in the final home of the emotional state for such a task, statesman who was ap- which would have been consid- pointed tutor to Nero and wandering ten tribes of Israel! It was ered "man's work" anyway. The had great influence with JOSEPH, not Jeremiah, who planted brothers of Jesus as young men the emperor, amassed the seed of David in the islands of or teenagers would have lacked great wealth as a result of the maturity to perform such a Britain. duty, LEAVING JOSEPH (AC- his business interests and CORDING TO TRADITION investments in Britain. Un- to Christ! THE UNCLE OF MARY) THE NEXT fortunately, Seneca obtained his IN LINE. vast fortune by trickery and pro- Ivor C. Fletcher reveals Unless Joseph had STRONG LEGAL GROUNDS, as described, for moting usurious loans to the why this is apparent: British. Joseph, on the other claiming the body, the Jews would have RESISTED the idea of a man -- hand, was impeccably honest in The gospel record of Joseph whom they hated and had caused to be all his business transactions. burying the body of Jesus in his own executed -- given the honour of being Virtually all the early records sepulchre STRONGLY SUPPORTS buried in a private sepulchre, instead of and traditions concerning Joseph THIS TRADITION. A casual reading the official burial place for criminals. of the account would lead one to as- ASSOCIATE HIM WITH THE The last time that Joseph, the sume that Joseph claimed the body legal FATHER of Jesus, is mentioned MINING ACTIVITIES OF from Pilate on the grounds of being a in scripture is when Jesus is twelve CORNWALL AND THE MEN- friend or follower of the dead man. years old (Luke 2:44-52). From then on DIP HILLS OF SOMERSET! This is far from the case, how- the Bible speaks only of His mother ever. The chief priests, with the per- and brothers. The clear implication is The Royal Link mission of Pilate, had made special that Joseph died when Jesus was a arrangements regarding the security of young man or teenager. The people of the body of Jesus for the express pur- his home town of Nazareth asked the Some early historical pose of keeping it out of the hands of question, "Is not this the carpenter, the manuscripts refer to Joseph as His followers (Matt. 27:62-66). son of Mary? (Mark 6:3). A son would "Joseph de MARMORE" as well We are told that Joseph did only be spoken of in this way if the fa- as "Joseph of Arimathea." "Mar" not reveal at that time that he was a fol- ther were dead. lower of Jesus. He was a disciple "se- is an Eastern term for LORD and Under Jewish law THE cretly for fear of the Jews" (John NEAREST MALE RELATIVE would "more" or "mawe" signifies 19:38). have the clear responsibility to assist GREAT. Therefore, his title If Joseph did not approach Pi- the widow and her children. As we saw would mean "the Great Lord Jo- late on the grounds of being a disciple, earlier, this role would almost certainly seph of Arimathea" -- a title that be taken up by JOSEPH OF Page 8

ARIMATHEA. -- The Incredible His- therefore, had to defer to Jo- Jesus." (P.18). The Harlein tory of God's True Church. Pp.53-54. seph's claim. Joseph's act of Manuscripts in the British Mu- claiming the body of Christ seum (38-59f, 193b) further sup- E. Raymond Capt also made him a MARKED MAN, port the claims that Joseph of shows that it had to be a RELA- and the hatred of the Sadducees Arimathea was uncle to Mary the TIVE who claimed the body of toward him must have been sur- mother of Jesus. One of the Christ: passed only by their hatred of Je- manuscripts adds that he had a sus. Also, we must remember, it daughter, ANNA, calling her It is quite obvious that the was Joseph who led the defense "consobrina" or COUSIN OF husband (Joseph the widower and car- penter) of Mary died while Jesus was of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. MARY. In the High History of young. Under both the Holy Grail it ROMAN AND HE- plainly states that BREW LAW, the "Joseph was his NEXT MALE KIN [Christ's] mother's automatically becomes the LEGAL GUARD- uncle" and "this Jo- IAN of the family. In seph, as the Scrip- this case it was Joseph ture witnesseth, was of Arimathea.... his [Christ's] UN- We also can- CLE" (Appendix M, not overlook the fact that Joseph "went in The Coming of the BOLDLY unto Saints, by J.W. Tay- Pilate...and (Pilate) lor. P.245). This ex- gave the body to Jo- plains the close seph." (Mark relationship Christ 15:43-45) The Sanhed- had with Joseph of rin had declared Jesus a criminal. Ac- A Stater of Augustus cording to both ROMAN AND Arimathea. JEWISH LAW, unless the body of an executed criminal was immediately This did not win him too many George F. Jowett remarks claimed BY THE NEXT OF KIN, the points with the Jewish on this relationship: body of the victim was cast into a com- authorities! mon pit, where as with others, all During the lifetime of Jesus physical record of them was com- there constantly appears reference to pletely obliterated. Certainly, the fa- Ancient traditions, held his association with a RELATIVE at natical Sadducean element of the close to the heart of the Eastern Jerusalem. Profane history is more Sanhedrin who sought the total extinc- Church, claim that Joseph was positive on the matter, identifying the tion of Jesus, even in death, would related to Christ and was, in fact, connection with Joseph. As we study have allowed NOTHING SHORT OF the old records we find there is a valid A LEGAL CLAIM on the body of His GREAT-UNCLE! The Jew- reason for the close association of Je- Christ. -- The Traditions of Glaston- ish TALMUD states that Joseph sus and his family with Joseph. It is bury, pp.19-20. was the YOUNGER BROTHER quite obvious that the husband of Mary OF THE FATHER OF MARY, died while Jesus was young. Under We must also realize that and therefore was her uncle and Jewish law such a circumstance auto- Joseph of Arimathea was a man a GREAT-UNCLE TO JESUS. matically appointed THE NEXT whom the Sadducees DARED George F. Jowett, in his book MALE KIN OF THE HUSBAND, in NOT OPPOSE without running The Drama of the Lost Disci- this case Joseph, legal guardian of the family. This fact explains many things. up against the Roman admini- ples, also states that "according History and tradition report Jesus, as a stration of the land. Joseph's in- to the Talmud, Joseph was the boy, frequently in the company of His fluence was so great it stretched YOUNGER BROTHER OF UNCLE, particularly at the time of the beyond the borders of Judea into THE FATHER OF THE VIR- religious feasts, and declares that JE- the upper echelons of Roman GIN MARY. He was her uncle, SUS MADE VOYAGES TO BRITAIN authority. The Sadducees, and therefore a great-uncle to with Joseph in his ships. CORNISH Page 9

TRADITIONS abound with this testi- great mercantile fleet and mining and in favor with God and men." mony and numerous ancient landmarks interests in Britain, coupled with Then there is a gap of eighteen bear HEBREW NAMES recording a deep LOVE OF THE TRUTH years in the life of Christ -- these visits. of God, to transfer the SEED OF eighteen years in which the New Jowett continues: DAVID and establish the Church Testament is totally silent about of God in the tin islands of the activities and whereabouts of Even during the short period Britain? the growing Messiah. Most peo- of the ministry of Jesus there is defi- ple have thought that Jesus lived nitely shown to exist A CLOSE AF- The Missing Years! in the town of Nazareth, working FINITY between them, far greater than as a carpenter until He com- one would expect from an ordinary guardianship. It was fatherly, loyal, The pages of the Bible menced His ministry at the age with a mutual affection death could not are strangely silent concerning of thirty. However, there are a sever. Jesus' life between the ages of 12 number of implications in the We know that Joseph never and 30. The only incident of His New Testament that indicate oth- forsook his nephew. He stood by Him erwise -- that indicate He as a bold, fearless defender at was OUT OF THE CON- the notorious trial, and DEFIED Another story tells how Jesus, visit- FINES OF PALESTINE THE SANHEDRIN by going to ing the mines of Cornwall with His un- Pilate and boldly claiming the during these years! body when all others feared to cle Joseph, taught the miners how to do so. His arms were the first to extract tin from the ground and Notice what Luke cradle the broken corpse when PURGE IT of the ore wolframite. says in Luke 4:16-22: "So taken down from the cross and place it in the tomb. After death He came to Nazareth, he continued to protect the mutilated childhood is to be found in Luke where He had been body of Jesus from the conspiring 2, where He goes missing and is brought up. And as His custom minds of the Sadducees. He risked his found sitting in the midst of the was, He went into the synagogue all, wealth, power and position in those teachers at the Temple: on the Sabbath day, and stood up crucial years fulfilling his obligation as guardian of Jesus and of the family of to read...And the eyes of all who Mary. He loved Jesus dearly. The dis- And when He was twelve were in the synagogue were ciples spoke of Joseph with an affec- years old, they went up to Jerusalem fixed on Him...So all bore wit- tionate regard. They wrote he was a according to the custom of the feast. ness to Him, and marveled at the "just man," a "good man," "honour- When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered gracious words which proceeded able," and "a disciple of Jesus." The out of His mouth. And they said, latter clearly indicates that all through behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and their association Joseph must have en- His mother did not know it; but sup- 'Is this not Joseph's son?' " There couraged Jesus in His great work and posing Him to have been in the com- are a couple of things that stand that he was aware of the mystery of His pany, they went a day's journey, and out here. First of all, the use of birth and probably His destiny. All evi- sought Him among their relatives and the expression, "where He had acquaintances. So when they did not dence proves that Joseph believed in been brought up," seems to im- the validity of all Jesus taught and ulti- find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, mately suffered for. -- The Drama of seeking Him. Now so it was that after ply that while Christ had spent the Lost Disciples, pp.18-19. three days they found Him in the tem- His childhood in Nazareth, He ple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, had not continued to live there. both listening to them and asking them Obviously, He had not lived This, then, was the man questions. And all who heard Him God used to ESTABLISH THE were astonished at His understanding there for some time. This impres- DAVIDIC LINE OF PHAREZ in and answers. -- Verses 42-47. sion is reinforced by the question the final home of the wandering His hearers ask in the syna- ten tribes of Israel! It was JO- The last mention in the gogue: "Is this not Joseph's son?" SEPH, not Jeremiah, who New Testament of the boy Jesus -- almost as if they were in doubt planted the seed of David in the is found in Luke 2:52, which regarding His identity. islands of Britain. And what bet- simply states: "And Jesus in- ter man than Joseph with his creased in wisdom and stature, Page 10

The same incident is re- him: 'Really, then, the sons are to Capernaum. Most often, these corded in Matthew 13, with tax-free. But that we do not were merchants and traders who added questions posed by the cause them to stumble, you go to conducted their business there. synagogue worshippers: "Is this the sea, cast a fishhook, and take Evidently the tax collector con- not the carpenter's son? Is not the first fish coming up and, sidered Jesus a "stranger" or a His mother called Mary? And when you open its mouth, you "foreign visitor." When we con- His brothers James, Joses, Si- will find a STATER COIN. Take sider this incident, there is more mon, and Judas? And His sisters, that and give it to them FOR ME than a suggestion that Jesus had are they not all with us? been absent from Pales- WHERE then did this tine for a considerable Man get all these length of time. things?" (Verses 55-56). Clearly, they were not The same conclu- very familiar with Je- sion becomes apparent sus! He was such a when we consider John STRANGER to them the Baptist's reaction to that the people could Christ. E. Raymond not even refer to Him by Capt ex- plains: name, but only by His relationship to the other When Jesus appears members of His family upon the banks of the Jordan River where John was bap- whom they knew. tizing, the Baptist seems "WHERE then did scarcely to recognize Jesus, THIS MAN get all these even though they were first things" clearly indicates cousins and must have that Christ did not re- known each other during ceive His knowledge in their early childhood. Fi- nally, John recognizes who the town of Nazareth! the STRANGER is and ex- claims: "Behold the Lamb of Let us now in- God!" Now, if Jesus had vestigate another pas- been living in Nazareth all sage in the New those surely John would not AND YOU.'" (Matthew have appeared puzzled as to Testament which indicates His identity. Then, later, John sent two Christ's absence from the area: 17:24-27, The Kingdom Inter- of his disciples to make a peculiar "After they arrived in Caper- linear Translation of the Greek query: "Are you he who should come naum the men collecting the Scriptures). or look we for another?" Apparently, TWO DRACHMAS [tax] ap- the two had not met for years since proached Peter and said: 'Does In a number of Bible John displays a profoundly IMPER- FECT KNOWLEDGE of the One your teacher not pay the TWO translations they call the "TWO whom he was proclaiming. -- The Tra- DRACHMAS [tax]?' He said: DRACHMAS" Temple tax, ditions of Glastonbury, p.6. 'Yes.' However, when he entered however the Temple tax was the house Jesus got ahead of him paid with a Jewish shekel -- a There is yet another inci- by saying: 'What do you think, coin especially minted for that dent in the New Testament indi- Simon? From whom do the purpose. In the above passage cating that Jesus was absent from kings of the earth receive duties we find Jesus being asked about His homeland for a considerable or HEAD TAX? From their sons His liability to pay the two period of time. In the book of or from the STRANGERS?' drachmas or "strangers' tax" John we read the following: When he said: 'From the which was a Roman poll-tax lev- STRANGERS,' Jesus said to ied against FOREIGN VISITORS Page 11

Philip found Nathanael and The Traditions of Cornwall back to the 13th century, but said to him, "We have found Him of even then, the date and origin of whom Moses in the law, and also the "Legends exist that Jesus its name is unknown." (The Tra- prophets, wrote -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said traveled far and wide. The relig- ditions of Glastonbury, p.29). to him, "Can anything good come out ious teachers of INDIA assert He of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, had dwelt among them studying Another story tells how "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael there for three years before trav- Jesus, visiting the mines of coming toward Him, and said of him, eling on to what is now Tibet. Cornwall with His uncle Joseph, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to Him, Ancient religious books of India taught the miners how to extract "HOW DO YOU KNOW ME?" Jesus record Jesus visiting the Himala- tin from the ground and PURGE answered and said to him, "Before yan kingdom of Nepal. Other IT of the ore wolframite. At the Philip called you, when you were un- traditions take Jesus to Egypt" same time, according to local der the fig tree, I saw you." -- John (The Traditions of Glastonbury, tradition, Joseph also taught the 1:45-48. p.7). While it is certainly possi- boy Jesus how to extract the tin and purge it. Is it not sig- Nathanael lived in nificant that Malachi the Cana of Galilee, which is Tradition and written testimony as- prophet, in his prophecy located about five miles sert that Jesus did indeed reside on the and analogy of Jesus, casts from the city of Nazareth. Island of Avalon, and there created a Christ in the ROLE OF A If Jesus had been living at building to live in which was later REFINER OF METALS Nazareth during his youth called a "church." (Malachi 3:2-3)? Malachi -- some eighteen years -- it mentions silver, and it is a seems very strange that ble that Jesus did visit other fact that silver was often Nathanael would not have countries, the STRONGEST and extracted from Mendip lead dur- known Him. Both Nathanael and MOST PERSISTENT traditions ing the time of Christ. Philip should have been ac- place a young Jesus in CORN- quainted with Jesus' command of WALL and the ISLE OF Associated with the the Scriptures -- it would have AVALON near the little Somer- mines of Cornwall are the mines been known far and wide! Not set town of Glastonbury in of the MENDIP HILLS, north of only that, but would the very England! Glastonbury -- in the county of Son of God have no effect upon Somerset, England. During Ro- the community in which He sup- A number of legends link man times these mines produced posedly lived for eighteen years? the boy Jesus, and Joseph of Ari- lead, copper and other metals The implication can only be that mathea His uncle, with THE TIN which form alloys with tin. The Jesus had not been in Palestine MINES OF CORNWALL. One great war-machine of the Roman for a long period of time. story relates how Jesus and Jo- Empire consumed vast quantities seph often anchored their ship in of these alloys in the production Now, naturally, this the natural harbor at THE of weapons. There are traditions brings to mind the following MOUTH OF THE CAMEL among the people of the hill questions: If Jesus was absent RIVER to come ashore and col- country of Somerset that Joseph, from Palestine for what appears lect water for the ship. "Nearby, after first seeking tin from the to be a considerable period of is an ancient well that since SCILLIES (islands off of Corn- time, then WHERE was He be- olden times has been known as wall) and in Cornwall itself, tween the ages of 12 and 30? Is 'JESUS' WELL.' It was regarded came to the Mendips -- accom- there any evidence that sheds as having healing powers. For panied on a number of occasions light on his whereabouts during centuries pilgrims came to the by a YOUTHFUL JESUS. these years? The answer is a well and the remains of a chapel, definite YES! erected over it, are still discerni- E. Raymond Capt notes ble. Records of its existence go that "at the parish Church of Page 12

PRIDDY, high on the top of the tell visitors to the area the Holy JESUS." (Wheel is an old Cor- Mendips, they have an old say- Legend of Christ COMING nish word for "mine"). ing: 'As sure as OUR LORD THERE AS A BOY WITH HIS WAS AT PRIDDY.' And a carol UNCLE. They spoke of the leg- Another LINK between sung by the children of PRIDDY end and 'it was as much of your JESUS AND THE TIN TRADE begins: 'JOSEPH WAS A TIN life was worth' to express any OF CORNWALL is found in St. MERCHANT, a tin merchant, a doubt about Christ coming to Anthony-in-Roseland. Here is tin merchant,' and goes on located an almost un- to describe him arriving known structure called FROM THE SEA IN A "Place Manor Church" BOAT [WITH THE BOY with a Pre-Norman stone JESUS]." (The Traditions arch over the South Door. of Glastonbury, p.34). Carved in this arch are an- cient pictographs -- esti- St. Just, in CORN- mated to be more than a WALL, also has LEG- 1000 years old -- telling ENDS OF JESUS the story of Jesus and His COMING TO THE DIS- uncle coming to Place for TRICT. Among the many tin. According to the pic- traditions is one that re- tographs their boat got lates the story of a into difficulties during a STONE Jesus stepped on storm, and was washed when he first landed there. ashore on the headland In 1932, while cleaning where the modern light- out a blocked house now CULVERT, stands. The op- workmen came erators of a local across a flat trading post stone covered managed to with curious and bring Joseph's unintelligible damaged boat markings. Since into the sheltered this stone was side of the head- blocking the flow land, by Place, of water from a where repairs well known as were carried out. the "CHRISTEN- Joseph and Jesus ING WELL," the stayed at the people of St. Just trading post immediately while the boat thought that it was being re- was the one of legend -- the one ST. JUST." (Ibid., p.33). paired. The pictographs go on to Christ stepped on when He say that before they left the area, landed. They reasoned that the The old Ordinance maps they erected a stone with an ac- strange markings on it were of the west part of CORNWALL count of their visit there. placed there later when the iden- show two rich lodes or veins of tity of their visitor became TIN, bearing the names "COR- Scattered throughout the known. "Even before the finding PUS CHRISTI" (BODY OF tin mining areas of Cornwall are of the stone, the old folks would CHRIST) and "WHEEL OF to be found a number of very Page 13 ancient CELTIC CROSSES "PARADISE." This place is sometimes likely that the tor stronghold was called "TUNIC CROSSES." found on old maps of the area. -- The the political center of a much These crosses, found alongside Incredible History of God's True wider area than Glaston- bury. Church, p.51. roads and in church cemeteries, are of a type found NOWHERE Jesus at Avalon Archaeologist E. Ray- ELSE IN THE BRITISH ISLES mond Capt notes that "the earli- -- or anywhere else in the world, The strongest and the est name of Glastonbury was for that matter! States E. Ray- most persistent traditions place "YNIS-WITRIN" (Ynys gyrdyn mond Capt: "On one side of the the young Jesus on the mystical -- British; Glaestingabyrig -- cross is a crudely cut Christian island of AVALON -- later to Anglo-Saxon) or the "GLASSY cross and on the other, THE become the little Somerset ISLAND." Later, when it was FIGURE of what can only be A county town of Glastonbury. found to be fruitful and ideal for BOY, DRESSED IN A KNEE- Here, as the story goes, Jesus the cultivation of apples, it was LENGTH TUNIC. Here we have and His uncle constructed a wat- called "INSULA AVALONIA," NOT a crucified Christ, or Isle of the Apple Trees. nailed to a cross, but A The Bible indicates that Jesus was AVAL, in Welsh [Celtic], YOUTH WITH HIS means apple. Just how this ARMS OUTSTRETCHED an educated man and a superb public area came to be known by IN AN ATTITUDE OF speaker. It is evident that He did not re- the name "GLASTON- BLESSING. These crosses ceive such an education at any college BURY" remains in doubt. may well portray the AGE- in Galilee or Judea. One suggestion is that the OLD MEMORY of the origin of Glastonbury is in visits of the young Jesus to tle hut similar to those at the "Glaestingaburgh," the hill these shores in the company of nearby Glastonbury Lake Vil- fort of the Flaestings, a family His uncle Joseph" (The Tradi- lage. The site they chose was at who settled in the area. Another, tions of Glastonbury, p.34). the base of a hill from which ran and more accepted theory is that a spring of water, later known as the CELTIC word for green is Apart from the places al- Chalice Well. "Glas" and hill is "ton." GLAS- ready mentioned, West County TON is therefore "the green traditions also associate St. Mi- In early times AVALON hill," so named after the tor, or chael's Mount, Redruth and was a small island at the back of mount that dominates the land- Glastonbury with a visit from Je- a large, marshy estuary known as scape." (The Traditions of Glas- sus. Ivor C. Fletcher uncovered a the Uxella. The estuary was cov- tonbury, p.13). tradition in Upper Galilee that ered by waters from the Bristol tells of a visit to Glastonbury: Channel, and received the waters When the Saxons arrived of the rivers Axe, Parret and the in the 6th century A.D., they Among the Maronite and Cat- Brue. The River Brue was a built a town about a half mile luei villagers of Upper Galilee the tra- navigable river from the foot of from the tor and obtained a char- dition lingers that Jesus as a youth the nearby Mendip Hills to the ter, adding "borough" or "bury" became a shipwright on a trading ves- sel from TYRE, one of the biblical sea -- just south of Bristol. to the original name -- thus "ships of Tarshish." "Glaston-bury." According to the story, He Rising above the land- was storm-bound on the WESTERN scape is the hill, known today as Tradition and written tes- COASTS OF ENGLAND throughout Glastonbury Tor. Once a place timony assert that Jesus did in- the winter. The location of the visit is given as "THE SUMMERLAND," a of Druid worship, the 500 foot deed reside on the Island of name often used in ancient times for tor may have also been the chief Avalon, and there created a the modern COUNTY OF SOMER- stronghold of one Melwas, king building to live in which was SET. A district associated with this of the "Aestive Regio" (the Sum- later called a "church." A wealth visit to Somerset is known as mer Kingdom) of Somerset. It is of ancient writers, both Page 14 ecclesiastical and secular, affirm Pitsaeus; De Sancto Joseph at The church of which we are this. For more than a thousand Aramathia, by Capgrave; The speaking (Glastonbury) from its antiq- years it was commonly spoken uity called by the Angles, by way of Magna Tabula of Glastonbury, distinction, "EALDE CHICHE," that is of as "the church [home, house] at Haworth Castle; John of the "OLD CHURCH" of wattle work at built NOT BY HUMAN ART." Glastonbury, by Hearne; Bede's first, SAVOURED SOMEWHAT OF Augustine, the Catholic monk Ecclesiastical History; the Brit- HEAVENLY SANCTITY EVEN who was sent to evangelize Brit- ish historian Gildas and Geoffrey FROM ITS VERY FOUNDATION, ain by Pope Gregory I, was quite of Monmouth also make mention and exhaled it over the whole country, claiming SUPERIOR REVERENCE, familiar with the facts and the of the wattle "church" built by though the structure was mean....Men existence of this structure. In a Christ. of that province had no oath more fre- letter to Pope Gregory (Epistolae quent, or more sacred than to swear by ad Gregorium Papam) William of Malmesbury the Old Church, fearing the swiftest Augustine writes with obvious also recites the well-known story vengeance on their perjury in this re- spect. In the meantime it is clear that delight and at great length about the depository of so many the "church": saints may be deservedly called an HEAVENLY In the Western con- SANCTUARY UPON fines of Britain there is a cer- EARTH...who there more tain ROYAL ISLAND of especially chose to await large extent, surrounded by the day of resurrection un- water, abounding in all the der the protection of the beauties of nature and neces- Mother of God. -- Acts of saries of life. In it the first the Kings of the English, Neophytes of Catholic Law, bk. I, ch.2. GOD BEFOREHAND AC- QUAINTED THEM, found a For centuries be- church constructed by no hu- fore the island of man art, BUT DIVINELY CONSTRUCTED, OR BY AVALON was re- THE HANDS OF CHRIST named GLASTON- HIMSELF, for the salvation BURY by the invading of His people. The Almighty Saxons, two names has made it manifest by many were frequently found miracles and mysterious visi- tations that He continues to in the writings of the watch over it as sacred to old scribes -- clearly re- Himself, and to Mary, the Mother of Wattle and Daub Hut ferring to something of great im- God. portance. Usually no explanation of St. David who went to Glas- is given, indicating that the peo- Augustine's statement in tonbury in 540 A.D. In 546 A.D. ple of the day were quite familiar his letter is verified by the Saxon David enclosed the original wat- with the names. "To the Priest- historian, William of Malmes- tle structure in LEAD in order to hood and historians of those en- bury, who wrote in the twelfth preserve it, and erected a pillar thralling years, the TWO century. His last work, De Antiq- on the site with a brass tablet NAMES employed designating uitate Glastoniae, mentions the bearing record to the fact. the particular place were 'SE- little wattle house. Other works, CRETUM DOMINI' and 'DO- such as De origine Ecclesiae With the passage of time MUS DEI.' The first title means Britannicae by Elvan of Avalon the little wattle house became an 'THE SECRET OF OUR LORD' (a British scholar educated in the object of deep veneration by all, and the second, 'THE HOUSE School of Joseph of Arimathea at and many swore oaths by the old OR HOME OF GOD.' The ex- Avalon -- circa 180 A.D.); Relat. "church" very much like people planation given is that the LIT- Hist. de rebus Anglicis Act, by today swear an oath on the Bible. TLE WATTLE TEMPLE WAS William of Malmesbury wrote: Page 15

THE HOUSE, OR HOME OF were the largest in the world -- the local "La Tene" art is the famous GOD, BECAUSE THEREIN HE both in size and in attendance -- Glastonbury bowl which was produced DWELT, and the Secret of the with a listing of sixty large uni- about the time of Christ. There is little doubt that Jesus could have developed Lord was the Dowry and dedica- versities and an average atten- many skills from British craftsmen. -- tion of the same to His mother" dance of over sixty thousand The Incredible History of God's True (The Drama of the Lost Disci- students! The wealthy and the ar- Church, pp. 56-57. ples, p.144). istocracy of the Greek and Ro- man worlds sent their children to The Bible indicates that This is not myth, legend Britain to study law, science and Jesus was a public speaker par or unsupported tradition. The ti- religion. excellence. He had a tremendous tle is officially recorded in the impact on the crowds that gath- ancient names found in the fa- The wise men of India, in ered around Him, "and they were mous DOMESDAY BOOK -- a their ancient books known as the struck with awe at his mode of document that embodies the re- Rig-Vedas, make mention that instruction." (Mark 1:22). Not sults of a statistical survey only was He a good speaker -- He was also an of England carried out by According to this, after Saul's perse- order of William I, King of EDUCATED speaker! The England. The survey, cution Joseph and his companions New Testament records made in 1086, was an at- were thrust into A BOAT WITHOUT that the people of His tempt to register the landed OARS OR SAILS by the Jews, who home town of Nazareth wealth of the country in a were glad to be finally rid of them. were astonished at His systematic fashion, in or- preaching: "So all bore der to determine the reve- Britain was a great center of re- witness to Him, and mar- nues due to the king. The term ligious learning. The great li- veled at the gracious words DOMESDAY is a corruption of brary at the abbey in which proceeded out of His DOOMSDAY (the day of the fi- Glastonbury housed the largest mouth" (Luke 4:22). nal judgment), and the work was known collection of books out- so named because its judgments side the library of Alexandria in Remarks Ivor C. regarding levies and assessments Egypt! The fact is, ancient Brit- Fletcher: were final and irrevocable. The ain had then acquired great stat- entry says: "The DOMUS DEI, ure in the world, with institutions It is very clear that not all of in the great monastery of Glas- of learning and attendance rival- His formal education and public speak- ing training had been received at Naz- tonbury, called The Secret of ing those of advanced nations areth. If His training had been merely Our Lord. This Glastonbury today! the product of a local school or college Church possesses in its own ville then the people would not have been so XII hides of land which have Ivor C. Fletcher ex- astonished. never paid tax." pounds on this: It is unlikely that higher edu- cation of that calibre was even avail- able in a provincial town such as The Education of Christ! Britain, during the first cen- Nazareth. Nathanael implied this in his tury A.D., would have been an ideal remark: "Can any good thing proceed Finally, there is evidence place to study and develop skills in from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). various aspects of the building Jerusalem was the academic that Jesus attended school in industry. Britain! During the first century headquarters of the nation, yet Jesus Eumenius states that British had not trained among the professional A.D. Britain was known architects were in great demand on the public speakers here either. Mark re- throughout the Roman world for Continent during his day. Several writ- lates that: "HE TAUGHT THEM, as the excellence of its educational ers mention the skills of British crafts- possessing authority, and not as the men, especially in the metal working scribes" (Mark 1:22). system. Gildas states, in the Cot- industries. tonian Manuscript, that the Brit- The Jews were deeply puzzled The enameling process was in- by this very fact. They asked the ish universities of Jesus' time vented in Britain. A superb example of Page 16

Jesus was charged by the question: "How knoweth this man let- prudence. HE SPOKE GREEK WITH Jewish authorities with the ters, having never learned?" (John A FLUENCY THAT YOU WOULD 7:15). HAVE THOUGHT THAT HE HAD most heinous of crimes -- The Weymouth translation BEEN BROUGHT UP IN THE that of BLASPHEMY (see renders this: "How does this man know LYCEUM." Matt. 26:65). This meant that anything of books," they said, "al- It may be mere coincidence though he has NEVER BEEN at any of but Jesus had far more of the QUALI- Christ was looked upon by the schools?" -- Ibid., p.57. TIES AND TALENTS OF AN EDU- the Sanhedrin as "accursed CATED BRITON than He ever did of of God"; and Joseph, be- The Bible indicates that an educated Jew of the same period. -- Ibid., p.58. cause of his long association Jesus was an educated man and a superb public speaker. It is evi- with Him and the "heresy" It is NOT mere coinci- dent that He did not receive such He promoted, was looked dence -- Eastern and Western an education at any college in traditions claim Jesus completed upon in a similar vein. Galilee or Judea. However, He His education in Britain! most certainly could have re- ceived such an education in Brit- William Blake, British ain! If Jesus had visited Britain, poet born in London in 1757, and was educated there AC- was familiar with the stories as- CORDING TO THE TRADI- sociated with Glastonbury and TIONS, He would have found the presence of Christ in the Brit- some sixty colleges or universi- ish Isles. In his beautiful poem ties to choose from. Ivor C. entitled Jerusalem, Blake pens Fletcher comments on the his thoughts in a tender and lov- QUALITY of the British educa- ing way: tional system:

The educational standards And did those feet in ancient were such that students came not only time from the British nobility but also from Walk upon England's mount- several FOREIGN NATIONS. It is said ains green? that even PONTIUS PILATE, as a And was the Holy Lamb of young man, studied in Britain. God A very high standard in ora- tory or public speaking was often at- On England's pleasant pas- tained by first century Britons. Tacitus tures seen? records on a word by word basis the And did the Countenance speeches of several high ranking Brit- Divine ons of his day. Shine forth upon our clouded Such speeches were often col- ourful, stirring and inspiring, much hills? like, in some ways, the speeches of And was Jerusalem builded Jesus. here A few hundred years before Among those dark Satanic the time of Christ, the Greek writer mills? STRABO described an EDUCATED BRITON of his day, Abaris, as fol- lows: "He was easy in his address; Bring me my bow of agreeable in his conversation; active in burning gold! his dispatch and secret in his manage- Bring me my arrows of ment of great affairs; diligent in the desire! quest of wisdom; fond of friendship; Bring me my spear! O trusting very little to fortune; yet hav- ing the entire confidence of others, and clouds unfold! trusted with everything for his Bring me my chariot of Page 17

fire! reproach" -- see Hebrews 13:13. of Golgotha. ASK Publications, Al- I will not cease from mental In other words, all the instru- hambra, CA 1988. Pp. 180-181. fight ments of death were "accursed" Nor shall my sword sleep in because they came into contact This is WHY Joseph of my hand, with the "accursed one" -- Arimathea sought an urgent Till we have built Jerusalem Christ! How this was dealt with audience with Pilate -- he had to In England's green and pleas- by the Jewish authorities is ex- claim Christ's body before the ant land. plained by Ernest L. Martin: Jewish authorities could burn it to ashes. In doing so, however, The Death of Christ and the The essential teaching on how he fueled the anger and hatred of Saulian Persecution to CLEANSE the land of such "ac- the religious authorities. cursedness" is found in Deuteronomy 21:22,23, and in the previous verse 21 Following the retrieval When Joseph of Arimat- it says this purging was to be done by hea went to Pilate to claim the BURNING (Hebrew: bahgar). In the and the resurrection of Christ, body of Christ, he really the anger of the ruling sealed his fate as far as the Joseph of Arimathea was no priesthood of the Sanhed- rin exploded to the sur- Sanhedrin was concerned. It stranger to the city of Marseilles. As was bad enough when Jo- face. In secret conclave seph defended Christ before the chief port in the continent of they plotted and planned a the hastily assembled group Europe for the export of tin and lead, campaign of unremitting of Jewish leaders; now he the ships of Joseph were probably a persecution against the was rubbing salt into an al- common sight in the harbor. newly formed Church of ready festering wound! Je- God. Maliciously, they de- sus was charged by the Old Testament example of such purg- termined to exterminate or Jewish authorities with the most ing, it was thought necessary to BURN imprison all those who followed heinous of crimes -- that of THE POSSESSIONS of such an "ac- "The Way" -- and Joseph was at cursed one" because the abominable the top of the list! Soon a great BLASPHEMY (see Matt. sin of the person was even TRANS- 26:65). This meant that Christ FERRED TO THE THINGS OWNED persecution swept through the was looked upon by the Sanhed- BY THE SINNER (since he had land. rin as "accursed of God"; and Jo- touched them and this reckoned even seph, because of his long his possessions "accursed". This was Saul (who was later to the case with the things belonging to become Paul) raged through Je- association with Him and the ACHAN who sinned so grievously in "heresy" He promoted, was the time of Joshua (Josh. 7:15, 24-26). rusalem and the surrounding looked upon in a similar vein. What happened was that Achan him- coun- tryside, aiding the venge- self was killed (with his children and ful Sanhedrin in their pogrom Joseph's audience with animals) and all his "accursed" things against the followers of Christ. Pilate to retrieve Christ's body were burnt up together with him. This He struck quickly and viciously. practice of utter destruction was con- Members of the Church of God was, in the eyes of the Sanhed- sidered the only way to purify the land rin, a slap in the face and per- of Israel from such defilements.... -- whether they were Greek, Ro- ceived as a defilement of Jewish To keep the land from being man or Jew -- were openly (or in law. Because Christ was consid- polluted, Christ HAD TO BE DE- secret) struck down like vermin. ered "accursed of God," even the STROYED before sundown and the No mercy was shown. The re- "accursed" stauros had to be burnt up cords of the time indicate that the instrument of death and the very so that no person could ever touch it soil it stood in was defiled. The again.... prisons of Judea were filled to apostle Paul said that the TREE What the Jewish authorities capacity with the unfortunate (the stauros) Christ died on was wanted to do was to take the dead body victims of the persecution. reckoned "a shame" (Hebrew of Christ AND the "accursed" (shame- ful) tree and BURN THEM UP TO- 12:2) and he called the cross- The first notable victim GETHER just as the Israelites did with Saul seized upon was Stephen. piece (Latin -- patibulum) "the Achan in the Old Testament. -- Secrets Page 18

Along with Peter, John and oth- and their vengeful enemies -- us- The Boat Without Oars! ers, Stephen had defied the ing his power and influence to Saduccees by vigorously preach- avert danger to his brethren. The time came when the ing the Kingdom of God Saul's fury knew no bounds. Try Sanhedrin finally caught up with throughout the city of Jerusalem. as they may, Joseph's position as Joseph and his faithful compan- Thousands were converted daily, a Roman official prevented Saul ions. Frederic Mistral, the a fact which further infuriated and his partners in crime from French Provencal poet who lived the corrupt Sadducean priest- harming his person, or those in the nineteenth century hood. Fate soon caught up with whom he personally defended. (1830-1914), relates what hap- Stephen; and he was stoned to pened in his work called Mireio death by the minions of the San- Nevertheless, it soon be- -- published in 1859. hedrin as Paul looked on. came a losing battle. Within FOUR YEARS after the death of According to this, after George Saul's persecu- Jowett writes that tion Joseph and "so fierce was his companions Saul's vindictive were thrust into purge that he A BOAT WITH- wrought havoc OUT OARS OR within the Church SAILS by the at Jerusalem. The Jews, who were boundaries of Ju- glad to be finally dea could not rid of them. This confine him. Ille- occurred, accord- gally, he tres- ing to Mistral, on passed far within the coast of Pal- Roman territory estine -- some- where he where near to hounded the Mt. Carmel. devotees without Thrust into the censure or inter- boat with Joseph ference from the were Lazarus, Roman admini- Trophimus, stration. No doubt Maximin, Cleon, the Romans felt Eutropius, Si- Saul was doing donius (Restitu- them a service, and a good job in Cathedral of Marseilles -- tus, "the man born blind"), ridding them of what they con- Near "Ephesium" Martial and Saturninus. Included sidered an undesirable religious Christ (34 A.D.) many of the in the boat were also Mary, wife pestilence." (The Drama of the Christians were scattered out of of Cleopas; Salome; Mary Mag- Lost Disciples, p.30). Jerusalem and Judea. There can dalene; Martha and the maid of be little doubt that the ships of the two latter, Marcella. Throughout this terrible Joseph's vast mercantile enter- time Joseph of Arimathea re- prises carried the numerous refu- The poem relates that as mained the fearless, stalwart pro- gees to safety in other lands. the boat was drifting out to sea tector of the disciples of Christ -- This fearless and indomitable Sarah, the handmaid of Salome and especially the women. On man of God spared neither help and Mary Cleopas, cast herself every possible occasion he nor wealth in aiding all the peo- into the sea to join her mistress, placed himself between them ple he could. and by the help of Salome was Page 19 brought into the boat. After beat- HIS COMPANY PASSED leaving the city of Rome and all ing about the Mediterranean for INTO BRITAIN and after the land of Italy to the right. some time, the boat drifted to preaching the Gospel there, Then happily turning their THE COAST OF PROVENCE died." (Ecclesiastical Annals, course to the right, they came IN GAUL (FRANCE) and, fol- under section A.D. 35). near to the city of Marseilles, in lowing the RIVER RHONE, AR- the Viennoise province of the RIVED AT ARLES, which was On commenting about Gauls, where the RIVER eventually converted to Christi- this information from Cardinal RHONE is received by the sea. anity by the preaching of Baronius, Ivor C. Fletcher notes: There, having called upon God, Trophimus. the great King of all the world, No trace of Joseph in Palestine they parted; each company going Mistral drew his material is found after about A.D. 35, no record to the province where the Holy from the Provencal traditions as of any martyrdom and no reference to Spirit had directed them, pres- his movements outside of the areas of they live today in the scattered Britain and France. The information ently preaching everywhere, 'the homesteads of the Camar- Lord working with them, gue, and in the minds and To the middle district -- or PRO- and confirming the word hearts of all the people in VINCIA GALLICA -- which was al- with signs following.'" the adjacent country- side. most as Roman as Rome was, came Gladys Taylor, in Further information another companion of Joseph in the her book Our Neglected can be found in the Ecclesi- boat -- TROPHIMUS. Trophimus set- Heritage, takes note of the astical Annals of the six- tled in the city of ARLES, which was same incident: teenth century Vatican formerly called Arelate. librarian, CARDINAL Caesar Baronius, the CAESAR BARONIUS given by Baronius relating to the en- church historian who was also (1538-1609 A.D.). Baronius, an forced voyage to Marseilles of Joseph appointed librarian of the Vatican in 1596, wrote in his magnum opus, An- historian of great integrity who and his companions seems THE MOST LIKELY AND LOGICAL ACCOUNT nales Ecclesiastici, of the finding in the was known for his uncompro- OF HIS MOVEMENTS. -- The In- Vatican Library of a most ancient mising treatment of the truth, credible History of God's True manuscript in which was described the discovered a document of great Church, p.73. voyage of a company of our Lord's antiquity in the Vatican archives. friends, travelling in an OLD BOAT which had been abandoned by its mas- To his fascination, the manu- The Cardinal's Annals ter and was WITHOUT OARS OR script revealed that in THE quote the Acts of Magdalen, SAILS, who LANDED AT MAR- YEAR 35 A.D. Joseph of Ari- which we have already dis- SEILLES, whence they spread out over mathea and a group of compan- cussed, for the record of the voy- SOUTHERN FRANCE where many ions that included Lazarus, Mary age to Marseilles and the churches record them as their founders. Magdalene, Martha and a num- spreading of the gospel in the Among this company is JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, who is not mentioned ber of others, WERE CAST south part of Gaul. as founder of any of these churches, a ADRIFT IN A BOAT from the fact which suggests that he may have coast of Palestine by PERSE- In chapter 37 of the Acts, journeyed on and could not have spent CUTING JEWS. after listing the names of Jo- much time in southern France. Ba- seph's companions in the OAR- ronius dates the arrival of this boat to A.D. 35. -- Covenant Books, London. "In that year the party LESS BOAT, Rabanus Maurus 1969. P.15. mentioned was exposed to the goes on to describe their danger- sea in A VESSEL WITHOUT ous voyage: "Leaving the shores Further confirmation of SAILS OR OARS. The vessel of Asia and favoured by an east the voyage of Joseph and his drifted finally TO MAR- wind, they went round about, companions can be found in the SEILLES and they were saved. down the Tyrrhenian Sea, be- Otia Imperialia, a book written From Marseilles JOSEPH AND tween Europe and Africa, by Gervais de Tilbury who was Page 20

There is, however, evi- Marshall of the Kingdom of Ar- Kalends of August, and was bur- dence that Marseilles was les (in France) in the year 1212. ied with great honour at Taras- settled by the Phoenicians at Dedicating the book to Otho IV, con." (Monuments Inedits, By a much earlier date; and the Tilbury writes about the old Faillon. Vol. ii, p.114). name of the city is taken church of Les Saintes Maries in from the Phoenician word the Camargue: There are many other sources, including Greek and for "settlement." There, on the seacoast, one Roman authorities that tell the sees the first of Continental churches story of Joseph and the oarless which was founded in honour of the most blessed mother of our Lord, and boat. Even the Jewish Encyclo- consecrated by many of the seventy- pedia, under the title "Arles," two disciples WHO WERE DRIVEN mentions that the first Jews in FROM JUDEA AND EXPOSED TO Arles arrived by boat without THE SEA IN AN OARLESS BOAT: captain, sails or oars. Maximin of Aix, Lazarus of Marseilles, the brother of Martha and Mary, Eu- trope of Orange, George of Velay, Sat- Another source adds that urninus of Toulouse, Martial of "without sails and oars, they Limoges, in the presence of Martha, drifted with the wind and the Mary Magdalene and many others. currents arriving unharmed at CYRENE, in northern Africa. "The tradition of Joseph After obtaining sails and oars, of Arimathea and his compan- the little party of refugees fol- ions in the oarless boat was ac- lowed the trade route of the cepted by the whole LATIN Phoenician merchant ships as far CHURCH for over a thousand west as Marseilles, France." years. For proof of this we have (The Traditions of Glastonbury, only to turn to the BREVIARY p.37). (book of prayers, hymns, psalms and readings used by Roman The South of France Catholic priests) at ST. MAR- THA'S DAY, JULY 29th. There Joseph of Arimathea was we find a LECTION FOR THE no stranger to the city of Mar- SECOND NOCTURNE seilles. As the chief port in the (NIGHT) which tells how Mary, continent of Europe for the ex- Martha and Lazarus, with their port of tin and lead, the ships of servant Marcella, and Maximin, Joseph were probably a common one of the seventy-two disciples, sight in the harbor. It has been WERE SEIZED BY THE JEWS, said that Joseph's name was as PLACED IN A BOAT WITH- well known in the area as the OUT SAILS OR OARS, AND names of Carnegie, Schwab and CARRIED SAFELY TO THE Bethlehem Steel are to us today. PORT OF MARSEILLES. It can therefore be assumed that Moved by this remarkable fact, Joseph had many influential the people of the neighbouring friends at Marseilles who would lands were speedily converted to gladly welcome him amongst Christianity; Lazarus became them. bishop of Marseilles, Maximinus of Aix... and...Martha ...died on Marseilles, situated in the fourth day before the southern France on the Page 21

Mediterranean coast, is the capi- Marseilles, founded by the rendered many important services, the tal of the department (province) Phocaeans, is built in a stony region. Romans in their turn assisted in their of Bouches-du-Rhone. Sitting Its harbour lies beneath a rock which is aggrandisement. Sextius, who defeated shaped like a theatre, and looks toward the Salyes, founded not far from Mar- slightly east of the mouth of the the south. It is well surrounded with seilles a city which was named after Rhone, the city was originally walls, as well as the whole city, which him and the hot water found there (Aq- called MASSALIA and was is of considerable size. Within the cita- uae Sextiae, now AIX). Here he estab- founded circa 600 B.C. by mari- del are placed the "Ephesium" and the lished a Roman garrison and drove ners from Phocaea in Asia Mi- temple of the Delphian Apollo. The from the sea coast which leads from "Ephesium" is the temple consecrated Marseilles to Italy, the barbarians nor. There is, however, evidence to Diana of Ephesus. All the colonies whom the Massilians were not able to that Marseilles was settled by the sent out from Marseilles hold this god- entirely keep back. The land which the Phoenicians at a much earlier dess in peculiar reverence, preserving barbarians abandoned he presented to date; and the name of the city is both the shape of her image and also the Massilians, and in their city are laid taken from the Phoenician word every rite observed in the metropolis. up heaps of booty taken in NAVAL for "settlement." J. W. Taylor re- The Massilians live under a ENGAGEMENTS against those who well-regulated aristocracy. They have a disputed the sea unjustly. Formerly cords that "the great port of they enjoyed singular good for- Massilia, the modern Mar- Not long after Joseph arrived in tune as well in other matters as seilles, by means of which southern France, a British delegation also in their amity with the Ro- most of the intercourse be- mans, but since the war of tween Provence and the rest arrived at Marseilles to greet him and Pompey against Caesar, in extend an invitation for him to return which they sided with the van- of the civilized world was quished party, their prosperity carried on, was quite an old with them to Britain. The delegation has in some measure decayed. city in the early days of was sent by King Arviragus -- Nevertheless some traces of Christianity. Founded by their ancient industries may the Greeks some six centu- council, composed of six hundred per- still be seen among the inhabi- ries before the birth of our Lord, sons, called Timuchi, who enjoy this tants, especially the making of engines of war and SHIP-BUILDING. Now it had steadily increased in size dignity of life. Fifteen of these preside over the council and have the manage- that the surrounding barbarians under and in importance as the com- ment of current affairs; these fifteen are the dominion of the Romans are daily merce of the world had widened. in their turn presided over by three of becoming more civilized, and leave the Pytheas sailed from Marseilles their number, in whom rests the princi- occupation of war for business of when he made his first voyage to pal authority; and these again by one. towns and agriculture, there is no No one can become a longer the same attention paid to these British waters in 350 B.C., and objects by the people of Marseilles. consequently at this early date, Timuchus who has not children, and who has not been a citizen for three The aspect of the city at the present day Marseilles must have been a generations. The country abounds in is a proof of this. All who profess to be maritime centre of very olives and vines, but on account of its men of taste turn to THE STUDY OF considerable importance" (The ruggedness the wheat is poor; conse- ELOCUTION AND PHILOSOPHY. The city for some time back has be- Coming of the Saints, p.111). quently the people trust more to re- sources of the sea than of the land, and come quite A SCHOOL FOR THE avail themselves fully of their excellent BARBARIANS, and has communi- A fascinating account of position for commerce. cated to the Galatae such A TASTE both Marseilles and the sur- FOR GREEK LITERATURE that they even draw contracts on the Greek rounding countryside is found in Strabo continues: the works of STRABO -- Greek model. Further, AT THE PRESENT DAY IT SO ENTICES THE NO- geographer and historian of the The people of Marseilles BLEST OF ROMANS THAT THOSE time of Christ (63? B.C. - 24? possess dry-docks and amouries. For- DESIROUS OF STUDYING RESORT A.D.). Strabo's account, there- merly they had an abundance of ves- THITHER IN PREFERENCE TO fore, shows the city that Joseph sels, arms and machines, both for the ATHENS. These, the Galatae observ- did business in, and later arrived purpose of navigation and for besieg- ing, and being at leisure on account of ing towns; by means of which they de- peace, READILY DEVOTE THEM- at in the "oarless" boat. Strabo fended themselves against the SELVES TO SIMILAR PURSUITS, writes: barbarians, and likewise obtained the and that not merely individuals but the alliance of the Romans, to whom they public generally; PROFESSORS OF Page 22

A number of the RHONE THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, AND through Marseilles and along the VALLEY CHURCHES trace LIKEWISE OF MEDICINE being em- great northern road to Britain. ployed not only by private persons but their origins back to by towns for common instruction. LAZARUS and other of Jo- Strabo also describes the seph's companions in the We see here that Mar- city of NARBONNE, another boat....Tradition reveals that seilles was not only a great ship- city important to the tin trade and building and trading center, but situated west of the River Rhone. Lazarus inhabited the cata- Founded by the Romans in 118 combs under St. Victor... also a great center of learning, greater evidently than even the B.C. and their first colony be- city of Athens -- long known for yond the Alps, Narbonne was a its educational system! In fact, leading port up until the 13th Marseilles was one of the FOUR century when its harbor silted GREATEST CITIES OF CIVI- up. LIZATION during Roman times, competing with Ephesus, Athens These descriptions by an and Rome as a center of com- almost contemporaneous author merce and learning. "Specially give us a graphic picture of the connected by race and religion civilization of Marseilles and the with the older civilization and Rhone valley during the time of learning of the East, it yet stood Joseph. This was no barbarous in the very van of Western pro- country -- some distant backwa- gress, and drank daily of the ter of the Empire! It was a rich strength and vitality of Roman and prosperous region, full of spirit and power which ebbed learning and education that ri- and flowed as in a ceaseless valed the great centers of the Ro- stream through the very heart of man Empire. This was the area it" (The Coming of the Saints, that received Joseph and his p.114). refugee companions as their boat put to shore after the tenuous Great roads passed voyage from Palestine. through Marseilles to the west and to the north -- the great west- A great many local tradi- ern road slicing through Nar- tions have been handed down in bonne into Spain, and the great THE MARSEILLES AREA re- northern road leading through garding the arrival and later ac- Arles, Vienne and Lyons to the tivities of Joseph of Arimathea north parts of Gaul and across and his little band of refugees. the sea to Britain. Both of these Ivor C. Fletcher notes that "it is a roads were in constant use by ci- clear historical FACT that vilians and the Roman military. SOUTHERN FRANCE was one During the reigns of Claudius of the FIRST AREAS IN THE and Nero, the Romans were en- WEST to receive the gospel gaged in a war with the British, message." and a continual stream of troops passed along this road to and One local tradition tells from Britain. Claudius himself, of the boat without sails or oars at the head of his troops, under- drifting to the coast of Provence took a forced march from Rome and, after following the RIVER RHONE, arriving at the city of Page 23

ARLES. As we have already that LAZARUS INHABITED and lives as strong today as ever. If we seen in the Jewish Encyclope- THE CATACOMBS UNDER come back from the crypt or subterra- dia, the first JEWISH SET- ST. VICTOR, and many "mo- nean church into the (upper) church of St. Victor, at the west end of the nave, TLERS in the area are said to mentos" of his stay in Marseilles under the organ-loft, we find a life- have "come in a boat which had can still be seen. sized STATUE OF ST. been deserted by its captain." LAZARUS...and underneath the statue Author J. W. Taylor vis- two pieces of stone REMOVED In the Spanish town of ited the Church of St. Victor in FROM THE OLD SEPULCHRE AT BETHANY out of which our Saviour CIUDAD RODRIGO, we find Marseilles, and relates what he raised him. On the pediment of the another version of the same leg- saw: statue is this inscription: end. This simply states that Mary Salome, Mary Cleopas, Mary A door on the south side of 'Divo Lazaro Magdalene (the sister of the nave leads down to a subterranean a Christo suscitato qui Massiliensium primus Lazarus), Lazarus, Maximin, church, large and lofty, which dates from the fourth century. This was built Apostolus Chelidonius, Marcella and hujus ecclesiae crytam JOSEPH OF ARIMAT- King Arviragus is recorded as having ministerio et passione HEA came to granted to Joseph and his followers, illustravit. AQUITAINE GAUL and there preached the gospel "twelve hides" of land, tax free, in In memoriam missionis "Yniswitrin," described as a marshy tract A.D. MDCCCXCVII of the Kingdom of God, grato animo parochus "as the histories of the -- afterwards called the "Isle of Avalon." fidelesque Gauls and the local tradi- S. Victoris dedicant.' tions plainly teach." by the Cassianite monks, and from its position has been untouched and could Faillon, in his Monuments not well be destroyed through all the A number of the RHONE centuries since. Inedits (Paris, 1859 & 1865), VALLEY CHURCHES trace And all this vast fouth-century summarizes Lazarus' journey to their origins back to LAZARUS church has been visibly built around A Marseilles and his preaching and other of Joseph's compan- STILL OLDER NATURAL CAVE OR there: ions in the boat. On the south GROTTO known as the ORIGINAL side of the old harbor at Mar- FIRST-CENTURY CHURCH OR Tradition states that St. REFUGE OF ST. LAZARUS.... LAZARUS, after the ascension of Je- seilles -- near the Fort St. Nico- The great height of this under- las -- stands the CHURCH OF sus Christ, remained for a time in the ground abbey church, its darkness, its company of the Apostles, with whom ST. VICTOR, built in the 13th stillness, the few scattered but perfect he took charge of the Church which century and once attached to an round pillars supporting the roof, and was at Jerusalem. After this he went to abbey founded early in the 4th the 'FIRST-CENTURY CHAPEL' the island of Cyprus in order to escape which is enshrined by it, all combine to from the persecution which arose century. "With its lofty crenel- produce a picture of early Christian life lated walls and square towers (about Stephen). and architecture, striking and Having filled there for several built of large blocks of unce- irresistible. years the office of a missionary priest, mented stone, it resembles a for- No explanation that I know of HE ENTERED INTO A SHIP, AND tress" (Encyclopedia Britannica, has been, OR CAN BE, offered other TRAVERSED THE SEA, BY THE than that OFFERED BY TRADITION GRACE OF GOD ARRIVED AT 1943 edition. P.965). The -- that here was the place where Church of St. Victor was con- MARSEILLES, the most celebrated LAZARUS OF BETHANY lived and town of Provence. Here, exercising the structed above CRYPTS dating preached and ministered and died, and functions of his priesthood, he served mainly from the 11th century. that therefore within some two hundred God, to whom he had entirely conse- These crypts embody architec- or three hundred years afterwards this crated his life, in righteousness and ture of both the Carolingian pe- church was built in honour of HIS true holiness. He preached the word of MEMORY and to enshrine his body Life to those who had not yet received riod and THE EARLY which was then present here. CENTURIES OF THE CHRIS- it, and gained many converts to Jesus And all through the ages ever Christ. -- Vol. ii, p.114. TIAN ERA. Tradition reveals since this faith has been firmly held, Page 24

Martial, accompanied by The city of Marseilles To the middle district -- his father and mother (Mar- controlled irregular patches of or Provincia Gallica -- which cellus and Elizabeth), Zac- coastline and towns all along the was almost as Roman as Rome cheus (the publican of the Mediterranean coast. They were was, came another companion of gospels) and JOSEPH are under the protection of Rome Joseph in the boat -- represented as arriving at LI- and generally lived in harmony TROPHIMUS. with the Roman government, but MOGES in the first century. had their own government and Trophimus settled in the managed their own affairs as city of ARLES, which was for- Strabo just described. merly called ARELATE. Some 54 miles northwest of Marseilles, Above this area was Arles stands on the left bank of PROVINCIA or the NARBON- the Rhone where the river di- NAISE, which extended from vides to form its delta. Arles was immediately above Marseilles to an important city at the time of as far as Vienne. This seems to Julius Caesar's invasion, and have been a Roman district, un- later became the seat of the pre- der direct control of the Roman fecture of the Gauls and one of government and especially colo- the foremost cities in the western nized by Rome. In fact, it be- empire. Today the city still con- longed to Rome long before the tains some of the old Roman rest of Gaul was conquered, and buildings -- including an arena was known as PROVINCIA that holds more than 25,000 peo- GALLICA all during this time of ple. "St. Trophimus is known conquest and for a long time af- there AS THE FIRST BISHOP terwards. The rest of the conti- OF THE CITY" (The Coming of nent above it was known as the Saints, p.132). GAUL or GALLIA. Just over the border in Gaul was LUG- Some stones, said to be DUNUM or LYONS -- the capi- from the first-century meeting- tal of the Segusii who were at place built by him, are still this time also under Roman con- standing, and the later cathedral trol or supervision. (originally dedicated to Stephen) was rededicated to the MEM- Probably here also a ORY OF TROPHIMUS when measure of self-government was his body was removed here in allowed by the Romans. We 1152. "The cathedral is still therefore find, in the south of called the cathedral of St. Tro- France in the first and second phime, and the TOMB OF ST. centuries, THREE NOTABLE TROPHIMUS forms a font or DISTRICTS AND GOVERN- baptistry on the left side of the MENTS: The Massilian in nave as you enter it" (Ibid., MARSEILLES, the Romans in p.132). His body was subse- PROVINCIA GALLICA, and in quently moved to AUTUN. Lugdunum or "LYONS of the Gauls" a modified local govern- Local traditions state that ment with Roman occupation he came from the East, was of and control. Greek nationality and the per- sonal friend of Paul and Peter. Page 25

One tradition claims that Paul town, with high white houses contained his relics. Notes visited him on one of his mis- and a small central "Place" or Augustus J. C. Hare, "its west sionary journeys, and the house plaza. The plaza contains a foun- bay, which has the appearance of (or the site of the house) in tain and four sets of trees to form a tower, is surmounted by a cu- which they met is known today a promenade. On one side of the pola and contains two storeys. In as "La maison des Saints." Ac- plaza a lane leads up to the its lower storey (is) the TOMB cording to George F. Jowett, church. Here, and in the sur- OF ST. RESTITUT" (South- "Trophimus was sent to Gaul by rounding countryside, the MEM- Eastern France, London, 1890). Joseph [of Arimathea]...He was ORY OF MAXIMIN is the consecrated the first bishop of strongest. MARTIAL, accompanied Arles and there performed an by his father and mother (Mar- outstanding service...His Christi- With regard to another of cellus and Elizabeth), Zaccheus anizing endeavours embraced a Joseph's companions, SI- (the publican of the gospels) and large area which formed the DONIUS or RESTITUTUS (the JOSEPH are represented as ar- DISTRICT OF NAR- riving at LIMOGES in BONNE. He became the About this time, even the JEWS OF the first century. Martial first Metropolitan of the CORNWALL accepted the Truth of God! remained at Limoges (the Narbonne, with Arles as ancient Lemovices and his Bishopric. For centu- Records show that Kelvius, son of Solo- Augustoritum) and old ries it continued to be a mon, DUKE OF CORNWALL, not only Aquitaine legends, going prominent stronghold of accepted Christianity but became a min- back at least as far as the the Christian faith in ister; and a man by the name of Moses -- 10th century, say he was Gaul" (The Drama of the said to be British, but presumably of the FIRST missionary Lost Disciples, p.165). some HEBREW relationship -- became apostle of Limoges an APOSTLE TO THE "SARACENS"! (Fastes Episcop, vol.ii, MAXIMIN'S p.104). PRESENCE in the south man or boy born blind), we are of France is remembered by the told in a PROVENCAL TRADI- The other Christians who little town named after him -- TION that he accompanied the accompanied Joseph in the little ST. MAXIMIN. Thirty to forty Bethany family to Provence. But boat, also left their imprint in the miles from Marseilles by train, of his life after arriving in south- traditions of southern France. the village sits in an extensive, ern France, we have two differ- Rabanus states that EUTROPIUS cultivated plain full of vineyards ent traditions. One states that he "was the first Bishop of and olive gardens. The plain it- was the same as CHELIDONIUS Aquitaine" and preached at OR- self is surrounded on almost and worked with Maximin, after ANGE (Aurasicum) and every side by distant high moun- whose death he took charge of SAINTES (Sanctonas), whereas tains or hill ranges. In the center the Church of God at AIX. The SATURN- INUS preached at of this fruitful plain is what ap- other tradition identifies his his- TOULOUSE (Tolosam) where pears to be one vast towering tory with the little VILLAGE OF he was killed by a mob who structure -- the big white church ST. RESTITUT and the more threw him down from the of St. Maximin. From the dis- important old town of St. Paul capitol. tance the adjoining town is Trois Chateaux (the old Roman hardly visible, and one sees colony of Augusta Tricastino- On to Avalon! nothing else but the church until rum), of which church he is said entering St Maximin itself, when to have been the leader and While there are STRONG the church disappears from view. founder. TRADITIONS surrounding the companions of Joseph in south- The village itself is a The Church of "St. Resti- ern France, the traditions of Jo- quiet, semi-Eastern-looking tut" is said to have formerly seph himself having resided here Page 26

Legend relates that after are nonexistent! As we have legend of the washing ashore of reaching the coast of Brit- seen, the legends of Provence the trunk of a fig-tree belonging tany, Joseph and his eleven show that Joseph came to Mar- to Joseph of Arimathea. The fellow-travelers sailed from seilles and the Rhone Valley as name (Ficus Campus) Fecamp is Morlaix to FALMOUTH in one member of the group that ar- believed to have arisen from this England. From here they rived in the disabled boat. How- legend. (Tradition and North- ever, the evidence seems to Western France, by Augustus continued on to Cornwall. indicate that he simply passed Hare. George Allen, 1895). through this region to another destination. We find faint traces 4/. In Cornwall we find tra- of him at LIMOGES (in com- ditions of Joseph arriving in a pany with Martial) and at ROC- boat with a young Jesus. HE AMADOUR, the traditional PASSES ON (tradition). dwelling-place of Zaccheus, who is said to have journeyed WITH So WHERE did Joseph JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA and go -- WHERE did he finally stop Martial as far as this town, "and and do the Work of God? to have stayed here because of its resemblance to his old home Researcher George in Palestine" (The Coming of the Jowett notes: Saints, p.203). How many of the disciples In summary we find: were with him [JOSEPH] during HIS SHORT STAY IN GAUL it is difficult to say. It is amazing how nonchalantly 1/. At Marseilles and Ste. the records deal with this important Baume we find cave churches or matter. Various existing records agree dwelling-places of the early in part with the Baronius record [An- Christians, held as such since nales Ecclesiastici, vol. I, p.327], nam- time immemorial and identified ing among the occupants of the castaway boat Mary Magdalene, Mar- with Lazarus and one of the Ma- tha, the handmaiden Marcella, Lazarus ries. Joseph of Arimathea is said whom Jesus raised from the dead, and to have come with them AND Maximin the man whose sight Jesus re- PASSED ON (Local tradition stored. Then non-committally the re- and Life of Rabanus). port read, 'AND OTHERS.' -- The Drama of the Lost Disciples, p.63. 2/. At Limoges and Rocama- A number of records state dour we find a similar cave- that PHILIP (one of the 12 disci- shelter and the traditional com- ples) was included in the phrase ing of Jewish missionaries in the "and others." There is a wealth first century, on of whom is Jo- of uncontested testimony prov- seph of Arimathea. Zaccheus and ing that Philip went to Gaul Martial remain, while JOSEPH where he received Joseph when PASSES ON (Tradition). he arrived at Marseilles, and AP- POINTED HIM APOSTLE TO 3/. At Morlaix a disciple of BRITAIN! It is well known that Joseph -- Drennalus -- is said to a great number of converts had have preached in 72 A. D. left Palestine during the Saulian Again, at Fecamp (along the persecution -- very probably on coast from Morlaix) we find the Page 27 ships belonging to Joseph. Philip than the opportunity to preach mentioned that Joseph, his son was one of them. the gospel to the people of Brit- Josephes and the rest of the ain. Evidently ARVIRAGUS group arrived at a place called Not long after Joseph's AND JOSEPH WERE WELL "SARRAS." In book xiii, cap.10 arrival in southern France, a KNOWN TO EACH OTHER the narrative goes on to say that British delegation arrived at prior to the delegation's invita- the "SARACENS" (of Sarras) Marseilles to greet him and ex- tion, and this is quite believable under King Tolleme la Feintes tend an invitation for him to re- when we realize Joseph more were fighting against the Britons turn with them to Britain. The than likely acquired many under King Evelake. Evidently delegation was sent by KING friends in the south of Britain King Evelake was a local leader ARVIRAGUS and, through during the years he looked after belonging to one of the prov- them, he offered Joseph lands, a his mining interests in Corn- wall inces of Britain, and the Saracen safe haven and protection against and Somerset. (Tolleme) "which was...a rich Roman persecution. "Arviragus king and a mighty [one]," is re- was prince of the noble lated as marching to meet SILURES OF BRITAIN, Therefore, as a thorough search of him, and the encounter in the Dukedom of Corn- the ancient records shows, it was JO- seems to have taken place wall. He was the son of on the British side of the King Cunobelinus, THE SEPH OF ARIMATHEA -- not Jere- Channel. "Moreover -- CYMBELINE OF miah -- who planted the Davidic line of and this is of further in- SHAKESPEARE FAME, Pharez in the British Isles! terest -- King Tolleme the and cousin to the re- 'Saracen' is said to have nowned British warrior-patriot, After leaving their friends been the 'cousin of King Eve- CARADOC, whom the Romans behind in the Rhone Valley, Jo- lake, so that although they were named CARACTACUS. To- seph and his new group of com- at war with each other and ap- gether they represented the panions -- twelve in all -- headed parently of different nationality, ROYAL SILURIAN DY- along the great northern road to ties of marriage had taken place NASTY, the most powerful war- the north coast of France. We between the 'Saracens' and the rior kingdom in Britain, FROM can retrace their journey step by ancestors of King Evelake" (The WHOM THE TUDOR KINGS step. From the city of Marseilles Coming of the Saints, AND QUEENS OF ENGLAND up the Rhone River as far as Ar- pp.149-150). HAD THEIR DESCENT" (The les or farther; then a journey of Drama of the Lost Disciples, thirty days across Gaul, through Are not these "SARA- p.68). the country of the Lemovices to CENS" under the leadership of the seacoast of Brittany; the the wealthy King Tolleme none Joseph gladly accepted stopover at Limoges; the arrival other than the JEWISH TIN the British invitation and made in Brittany at either Vannes or WORKERS of Cornwall? We ready to embark for Britain with Morlaix and, finally, four days' have already seen that the Jews a specially chosen group of com- sailing across the English Chan- of Cornwall "appear to have panions. Philip, it is reported, nel to Cornwall. Legend relates called themselves or were called consecrated Joseph in the year that after reaching the coast of by the Britons of Cornwall 36, and from then on Joseph of Brittany, Joseph and his eleven 'SARACENS.'" Arimathea became known as fellow-travelers sailed from "THE APOSTLE TO Morlaix to FALMOUTH in Eng- The narrative in the poem BRITAIN." land. From here they continued goes on to say that the "Sara- on to Cornwall. cens" turned a deaf ear to the Without a doubt Joseph message of Joseph and his com- was attracted to the Sacred Isle If we turn to the poem panions, however King Evelake of AVALON for reasons other Mort d'Arthur, we find and the Britons were kindly Page 28 disposed towards him and were and his companions TWELVE concessions, including the right of citi- more or less won over by the HIDES OF LAND -- a hide for zenship with its privileges of freedom teaching of Joseph and his son. each disciple. Since each hide to pass unmolested from one district to another in time of war. [This "right" Isn't that interesting? represented 160 acres, the sum proved invaluable in the later preach- total of the grant was 1,920 ing of the gospel to the British.] The From Cornwall two tradi- acres. It is an interesting fact that grant was given to them as "Judean tional routes are found in the leg- in the last century, when the refugees." (Quidam advanae -- 'certain ends of Glastonbury tracing United States of America was strangers' -- old Latin. In Later Latin, "Culdich" or Anglicised, "Culdees.") -- Joseph and his group to their fi- expanding westward, grants of The Traditions of Glastonbury, p.41. nal destination. One tradition has land were given to settlers -- 160 the little group traveling OVER- acres per person or family! At first, according to Wil- LAND from Cornwall to Avalon liam of Malmsebury, while, according to the Arviragus and his subjects other legend, "the refugees were not receptive to the sailed around the southern Gospel message preached tip of England, passing by Joseph and his what is today known as companions: 'Land's End.' Then follow- ing the west coast, they In the year of our sailed northward to the Lord, 63 [actually, it was ear- Severn Sea. From there lier], twelve holy missionaries, they entered the estuaries with Joseph of Arimathea (who of the rivers Parrot and had buried the Lord) at their head, came over to Britain, Brue. Following the River preaching the Incarnation of Je- Brue eastward, they ar- sus Christ. THE KING OF rived at a little cluster of THE COUNTRY AND HIS islands about twelve miles SUBJECTS REFUSED TO inland from the coast, JO- BECOME PROSELYTES TO THEIR TEACHING, but in SEPH'S DESTINATION Joseph's Sarcophagus consideration that they had WAS THE ISLE OF AVALON, come a long journey, and being some- suitable as a quiet retreat...[and] at Glastonbury what pleased with their soberness of a place they knew had already life and unexceptional behaviour, the been hallowed by the presence E. Raymond Capt writes king, at their petition, gave them for of their Master [Christ]" (The about this grant of land to the their habitation a certain island border- refugees from the East: ing on this region, covered with trees Traditions of Glastonbury, and bramble bushes and surrounded by pp.38-39). marshes, called Ynis-wytrin. -- Written King Arviragus is recorded as 1126 A.D. from "the writings of the having granted to Joseph and his fol- ancients" which he found at Glaston- lowers, "twelve hides" of land, tax free, bury Abbey. The Royal Welcome in "Yniswitrin," described as a marshy tract -- afterwards called the "Isle of Afterwards, however, When Joseph and his Avalon." Confirmation of this Royal Arviragus must have become companions arrived at Avalon, Charter is found in the official DOMESDAY BOOK of Britain (A.D. converted because Hardynge's they were met by King Guiderius 1086) which states: "The Domus Dei, Chronicle (a fifteenth-century and his brother ARVIRAGUS -- in the great monastery of Glastonbury, writing based upon much earlier who was a king of the royal called the Secret of the Lord. This works) gives the following pas- Silures of Britain. As we have Glastonbury Church possesses, in its sage about Joseph and seen, Joseph and Arviragus were own villa XII hides of land which have never paid tax." (Domesday Survey fo- Arviragus: old friends and, as a result of this lio p.249b.) This notable act of the friendship, the king gave Joseph King gave the recipients many British Page 29

Joseph converted this King After they received title "often painted or washed with Arviragus to the land, the little band built lime, these wattle buildings with- By his prechying to know ye homes for themselves out of wat- stood the most severe weather." laws divine tle and daub -- following the Even castles of the day were And baptisted him as write practice of the Celts who inhab- built of the same material. Gi- hath Nennius ited the area. The abbey records, raldus Cambrensis, speaking of The chronicler in Britain ton- quoted by William Malmsebury, Pembroke Castle wrote: "Arnul- que full fyne show that Joseph and his com- phus de Montgomery, in the And to Christian laws made panions also built a meeting- days of Henry I (A.D. him inclyne. place: "These holy men built a 1068-1135) built a small castle chapel of the form that had been of twigs and slight turf." Accord- With the gift of the shown them. The walls were of ing to Ovid in Faesti ad Fest twelve hides of land came the osiers wattled together." From Roma, the primitive Capital of PROTECTION Arviragus of- research undertaken by the late Rome was of similar fered against intrusion by construction. the legions of Rome. Dur- No apostle, not even Paul, led a life ing the middle of the first- more filled with high purpose, enterprise Spreading the Gospel century A.D. the country- side on both sides of the and achievement than did Joseph the un- This little settle- Severn was held by the cle of Christ! ment on the Isle of British in comparative se- Avalon soon became the curity, being OUTSIDE the main F. Bligh Bond, F.R.I.B.A. (mem- center of a missionary effort that lines of Roman conquest. ber of the Somerset Archaeologi- spread throughout the land and cal Society and formerly director across the English Channel into It is a remarkable fact of excavations at Glastonbury Europe. Joseph wasted no time that despite the bitter determina- Abbey) this meeting-place con- in proclaiming the good news of tion of the Roman Empire to per- structed by Joseph and his men the Kingdom of God to all who secute, uproot and destroy was circular, having a diameter would listen. everything that was Christian in of 25 feet, with the twelve huts Britain -- despite the pillaging of Joseph and his companions In examining the early re- and burning of monasteries, forming a circle around it. All cords there does not appear to churches and libraries by Ro- the buildings were evidently en- have been any national or gen- man, Saxon, Dane and Norman closed in a circular stockade to eral acceptance of God's Truth in -- not once was the sanctity of keep out wild animals. The cen- Britain for over a hundred years Avalon defiled. These are the ter building, or the meeting- after Joseph arrived -- although lands which Roman writers re- place, may have incorporated or the gospel was preached in for- ferred to as "territory inaccessi- covered the earlier structure built eign countries by MANSUE- ble to the Roman where Christ is by Christ when He was at TUS, BEATUS and taught." Glastonbury. MARCELLUS during the inter- vening century. Mansuetus (also Behind the wall of pro- Although Malmsebury known as St. Mansuy), an Irish tection formed by Arviragus and describes the wattle meeting- or Caledonian Briton, became his Silurian warriors Joseph, and place as "rude and misshapen," founder of a Church of God at the disciples of Christ who fre- its wall was without a doubt built Toul in Lorraine, and his death is quently visited the area, were in the custom of the day -- tim- placed at 89 A.D. This is con- safe from harm, and free to bered pillars and framework, firmed by a second-century preach and teach the Kingdom of doubly wattled inside and out. Christian sarcophagus discov- God to the local inhabitants. The roof was thatched with ered at Malaincourt in Lorraine, reeds. as author Capt notes, which bears an inscription Page 30

Fifty-two years after Jo- indicating that it was the tomb of the cost of long journeys to dis- seph had tenderly placed the one of Mansuetus' friends who tant cities and to far countries. body of his nephew Jesus into accompanied him from Britain his own personal tomb, this (Acta Sanctorum, Supplement, The Vetusta Ecclesia of intrepid man of God passed vol. i, pp.313, 343, 349). Glastonbury remained as a wit- into history on July 27, 82 ness for the Truth of God; but it Suetonius Beatus is said was not until the year of the A.D. by the old records to have been great persecution at Lyons and converted in Britain, baptized by Vienne in Gaul (177 A.D.) that Barnabas, a companion of Aris- we find any indication of a wide- tobulus, and to have afterwards spread Christianity in Britain. become the Apostle of the Hel- vetians (Swiss). He died at Un- It appears that it was to- der Seven in Helvetia, 110 A.D. ward the end of the second cen- This is validated by local tradi- tury that God's Truth received its tions and the cave of Beatus on main impetus, and that up to that the borders of Lake Thun. Bea- time its progress had been slow. tus is remembered in the area as "From the writings that have a British missionary, and the site come down to us it may reasona- of his first meeting-place is still bly be gathered that FEW CON- shown. The district around Inter- VERTS were made by the laken, "Unterseen" and Beaten- original missionaries, but that berg is full of old traditions re- their holy lives (and possibly de- garding him. scendants) had kept the memory of their religion green and fra- Marcellus, the first Brit- grant, and that the Church of ish martyr, founded churches at Glastonbury still remained a Tongres and Triers, and is said to monument of their devotion" have been martyred in 166 A.D. (The Coming of the Saints, p. 160). These three men are re- membered as BRITISH MIS- From this time forward SIONARIES, and it is difficult to the Church of God in Britain believe that they would have must have grown rapidly, for at wandered about on the other side the end of the third century and of the Channel preaching the the beginning of the next gospel if their own country had (300-305), when the great DIO- meanwhile remained ignorant of CLETION PERSECUTION had the Truth. There is little doubt begun, a GREAT NUMBER of that the British historian Gildas British Christians (according to was right in picturing the Britons Gildas) suffered for the Truth -- as very slow in receiving the among them Alban, Anphibalus, Truth -- even though it was Julius, Aaron, Stephanus and brought to them in the very earli- Socrates. est years. And those in whom the gospel message took root in the About this time, even the area of Glastonbury, naturally JEWS OF CORNWALL ac- turned to those who were ready cepted the Truth of God! Re- to receive their message, even at cords show that Kelvius, son of Page 31

Solomon, DUKE OF CORN- defenseless and the atrocious history on JULY 27, 82 A.D. WALL, not only accepted Chris- massacre at Menai -- which led Loving hands and heavy hearts tianity but became a minister; to the revolt of the British Queen laid Joseph to rest among the and a man by the name of Moses Boadicea and the torching of Ro- Christian company that had pre- -- said to be British, but pre- man London, Colchester and St. ceded him -- near to the little sumably of some HEBREW rela- Albans with over 80,000 Roman wattle meeting-place which he tionship -- became an APOSTLE deaths. "Through it all there was and his companions had built TO THE "SARACENS"! a continuous flow of converts over forty years before when aflame with the fire of the Gos- they arrived on British soil. Entering His Rest pel, spreading from Avalon into the land and camp of the enemy, Cressy, in his Church No apostle, not even valorously defiant. The martyr- History of Brittany, wrote: "Jo- Paul, led a life more filled with dom of Aristobulus and Simon seph was buried near the little high purpose, enterprise and Zelotes in Britain must have wattle church he built." Melchin, achievement than did Jo- who wrote circa 560 seph the uncle of Christ! The remains of Joseph of Arimathea A.D., recorded: "The In spite of the many sor- lay undisturbed until 1345 A.D. During disciples...died in succes- rows that had darkened his sion and were buried in life, Joseph's personal tri- this year one John Bloom of London was the cemetery [on the Isle umphs in spreading the given permission by King Edward III to of Avalon]. Among teachings of Christ, from dig for the body of Joseph....[he] located them, Joseph of Mar- Avalon to the far reaches and recovered the remains of Joseph. more, named of Arimat- of the British Isles and hea, receives perpetual across the Channel into Europe, wrung his heart, but the...mission sleep, and he lies in linea bifur- far outweighed the tragedies he of St. Paul in Wales with the cata near the south corner of the had shared and witnessed. He royal British must have soared oratorio, which is built of hurdles saw his British friends meet and his stalwart heart" (The Drama [wattles]" (Quoted by John of shatter the legions of Rome -- of the Lost Disciples, pp. Glastonbury). pushing back all that Rome 228-229). could muster. During these years According to George F. in which the soil of Britain be- Joseph lived to see all but Jowett, on the stone lid of the came saturated with the blood of one of the original apostles of sarcophagus in which his bones friend and foe alike, not once did Christ go to their rest. James, the were later buried, under the ini- the foot of a Roman soldier brother of John, had been put to tials of Joseph of Arimathea, are penetrate the protective line of the sword by Herod in 64 A.D. inscribed these immortal words: British warriors that guarded the And James, the brother of Jesus, "Ad Brittanos veni post Christum secrets of Avalon. This incredi- was hurled down from a pinnacle Sepelivi. Docui. Quievi." (To the ble defense was carried out un- of the Temple to his death in 62 Britons I came after I buried the der the dual leadership of the A.D. Only John outlived Joseph. Christ. I taught, I have entered Pendragon Caradoc (Caractacus) Evidently, he was one of the my rest.) "In these few simple and King Arviragus. very few apostles and disciples words are contained more trag- of Christ to die a natural death at edy, romance, and drama than in Joseph witnessed the the advanced old age of 101. any other inscription ever writ- British defeat at Brandon and the ten; words so characteristic of all treacherous betrayal of Carac- Fifty-two years after Jo- the faithful Apostles of Christ, tacus into captivity with all his seph had tenderly placed the seeking no self-justification, royal family, followed by the body of his nephew Jesus into merely a simple record of a duty Roman pardon of the British his own personal tomb, this in- performed" (Ibid., p. 229). king. He saw the slaughter of the trepid man of God passed into Page 32

The line of PHAREZ, to Maelgwyn of Avalon -- corner of St. Mary's Chapel and which Joseph belonged as writing about 450 A.D. -- de- of the silver and white cruets uncle of Christ, was TRANS- scribes the place of burial in containing the sweat and blood FERRED TO BRITAIN (in these words: of Christ buried with him." his own person) -- which was Joseph of Arimathea, the NO- already long the home of the The remains of Joseph of BLE DECURION, received his ever- Arimathea lay undisturbed until line of ZARAH! At a later lasting rest with his eleven associates 1345 A.D. During this year one date, the TWO LINES in the Isle of Avalon. He lies in the southern angle of the bifurcated line of JOHN BLOOM of London was MERGED, thus healing the the Oratorium of the Adorable Virgin. given permission by King Ed- breach. ward III to dig for the body of Long before the era of Joseph -- provided he first re- Maelgwyn, a magnificent abbey ceive the consent of the Abbot had been constructed over the and the monks of Glastonbury. original site -- enclosing the wat- When this was duly granted, tle house of Christ in lead for its John Bloom located and RE- preservation, along with relics of COVERED THE REMAINS of Christians past. All the early and Joseph. R. de Boston, a monk in later authorities, such as John of the Lincolnshire Monastery, sim- Teignmouth, Leland, Hearne and ply recorded: "The bodies of Jo- Morgan, refer to the SAME seph of Arimathea and his RESTING PLACE of Joseph as companions were found in cited by Maelgwyn; and seldom Glastonbury." do they fail to quote the inscrip- tion as it appeared on Joseph's Archbishop Ussher, in his tomb. book, provides a copy of the li- cense, copied from the royal ar- The erudite Archbishop chives in the Tower of London, Ussher refers to William of given by Edward III in 1345, to Malmesbury as "our chief histo- John Bloom of London, with the rian." Leland and others call right to excavate the body of Jo- William "an elegant, learned, seph underneath the enclosure of and faithful historian." William the monastery. Ussher also re- lived in the famous Glastonbury cords that the body of Joseph Abbey on two different occa- was found exactly where all had sions in order to complete his stated it rested. The license was outstanding manuscript. At that signed by King Edward on June time, before the great fire of 8, 1345. Ussher also quotes from 1184, all the ancient records and the "Record of the burial of St. manuscripts were in existence Joseph and his companions," and at his disposal. He also from The Great Register of the CONFIRMS the time and place Monks of Glaston. of Joseph's death and burial. Another reference to the Archbishop Ussher, him- tomb of Joseph of Arimathea at self a historian of great repute, Glastonbury is presented by Li- writes in his carefully detailed onel Smithett Lewis, who spent work of "St. Joseph's burial in most of his 86 years searching the bifurcated line next to the the archives for information Page 33 about Joseph at Avalon. He East end of St. Mary's Chapel in that accomplished! THE LINE OF writes: Church. There it remained till the PHAREZ, to which Joseph be- AUTUMN OF 1928, when loving longed as uncle of Christ, was hands brought it reverently into the The body of St. Joseph, whose Church, and placed it in the ancient St. TRANSFERRED TO BRITAIN burial at the wattle church of St. Mary Katherine's Chapel, the North Transept. (in his own person) -- which was was recorded by Maelgwyn of Avalon, Moreover, there is a plinth in- already long the home of the line writing about A.D. 450, lay undis- side to receive the silver ark with the turbed till the year 1345, when Edward of Zarah! At a later date, the Saint's remains. A glass top was put on III gave his licence to John Bloom of TWO LINES MERGED, thus the tomb that all generations might see London to dig for the body if the Ab- what was found. -- Glastonbury, the healing the breach. bot and monks permitted, and just as Mother of Saints. the discovery of the bones of King Ar- Brutus, descended from thur at Glastonbury in 1190 were re- corded in far-away Essex by the monk It was Lewis himself who the Trojans of Troy -- who in Ralph de Coggeshall, so in a far-away discovered Joseph's Altar Tomb turn were descended from Zarah monastery in 1367 we find a monk re- that had been buried in the -- arrived in Britain in approxi- cording that "the bodies of Joseph of churchyard for some 266 years. mately 1100 B.C. His line, Arimathea and his companions were One autumn day (in 1928), while strengthened over the centuries found at Glastonbury." by the invading Saxons and Nor- The remains of St. Joseph walking by the ancient cemetery, were put in a silver casket which could Mr. Lewis stubbed his toe on a mans, and eventually merging be raised at will from a stone sarcopha- stone object protruding from the with the Milesian branch of the gus, the base of a shrine to which the ground -- evidently lifted out of line of Zarah in Ireland, has frequent pilgrimage was made. This the ground by frost. Upon exca- ruled the British Isles ever since stone altar tomb, the base of the shrine, without any major interruption. like the Holy Thorn, survived the vation, the stone object turned Reformation. out to be Joseph's long lost tomb. During the time of King Lewis continues: Today the stone sar- Zedekiah of Judah, it is claimed cophagus shows evidence of that Jeremiah the Prophet Holinshed, in his "Chronicle," having been wrenched from its brought a daughter of Zedekiah A.D. 1577, speaks of St. Joseph's sep- original resting place -- the work to Ireland -- where she suppos- ulchre as being still at Glastonbury, evidently being done by some edly married into the line of and the learned John Ray in his "Itiner- strong metal lever or bar. Ac- Zarah. However, there is NO ary" records that on June 2, 1662, "We RECORD whatsoever in the an- saw Joseph of Arimathea's tomb and cording to E. Raymond Capt, chapel at the end of the church." As we "the silver casket (containing the cient annals of Ireland, Scotland, have seen, the Holy Thorn was cut bones of St. Joseph) allegedly re- Wales or England that makes down in the Great Rebellion. The after- posing in the tomb are missing. mention of this ever occurring! math of the same period saw the altar However, the sarcophagus con- tomb of St. Joseph leave its shrine. Various groups, includ- During the Commonwealth a Noncon- tains a "plinth" or base, which formist divine was put in as incumbent would have held such a casket" ing the British-Israelites and a of the Parish Church. In 1662 this in- (Traditions of Glastonbury, number of the Churches of God, terloper was turned out and a Church- p.94). still cling to this erroneous tradi- man instituted. It was that very same tion, completely OVERLOOK- year, in which by God's Providence ING the role Joseph of John Ray came to Glastonbury and saw The Line of Pharez in Britain the tomb in the ruined chapel. Later in Arimathea played when he ar- the year, tradition says, from fear of Although Joseph and his rived in Britain during the first Puritanical fanaticism like that which companions did not see any century of our era. That Joseph destroyed the Holy Thorn, silently, great number of people con- was met by a reigning king of hastily at night, the altar tomb was re- verted to the Truth of God dur- the Zarah line when he stepped moved from the ruined shrine in St. ashore in Britain should tell us Mary's Chapel at the Abbey, and ing their years in Britain, God's placed in the churchyard of the Parish MAIN PURPOSE for leading Jo- something right there! God was Church for protection outside of the seph to the Isle of Avalon was directing the affairs of His Page 34 people Israel in the islands of the history and tradition is con- The story of Joseph of sea, to bring about the healing of cerned, the line of Pharez in Ire- Arimathea, filled with adventure, the breach and the fulfillment of land disappeared with Oilioll -- drama, tragedy and immense Genesis 49:10, which says: "The the last king of David's line courage, has long been over- scepter shall not depart from Ju- (934-918 B.C.). looked by the Churches of God. dah, nor a lawgiver from be- This fearless man of God right- tween his feet, until Shiloh Therefore, as a thorough fully belongs at the leading edge comes..." search of the ancient records of the missionary effort to spread shows, it was JOSEPH -- not the Word of God to all nations. Centuries earlier, King Jeremiah -- who planted the He stands shoulder-to-shoulder David of Israel visited Ireland Davidic line of Pharez in the with Paul, Peter and the others and established his throne there British Isles! Centuries later, in who left their indelible footprints under the Irish name of Ollamh the time of the famous King Ar- in the far reaches of the Roman Fodhla. However his line, after thur of the Round Table, THE Empire and beyond. 137 years, apparently came to an TWO LINES MERGED AND abrupt close when a rival royal THE BREACH WAS HEALED!! house of the line of Zarah took the throne by force. As far as

JACOB AND THE PILLAR-CRYPTS OF CRETE!

The religious customs of Minoan Crete have long posed questions in the minds of archaeologists and historians. What purpose did the myste- rious standing pillars, found in underground crypts, serve? WHY were the ancient Minoans so preoccupied by the BULL and the symbolism associated with it? Were the religious practices of Crete influenced by those of Egypt and, if so, HOW did this come about? A study of history and the ancient genealogical records reveal a close link between Egypt and Crete -- a link that served as a stepping-stone to the civilizations of Atlantis and Mycenaean Greece!

WHO WILL BE THE "BRAND" PLUCKED FROM THE FIRE?

In the book of Zechariah we read about Joshua the high priest ex- changing his filthy garments for "rich robes" and a "clean turban." What significance does this action have? The same man is referred to as a "brand plucked from the fire" -- what does this mean? The keys to the answers are found in the last book of the Bible -- the book of Revelation!

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