Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/106

cii The reader who wishes to see more on the subject may consult the notes to Dr. Piper's essay; Dr. Barlow's "Essays on Symbolism" ("The Tree of Life," and "Sacred Trees," first printed in the Journal of Sacred Literature, 1862); Didron's "Iconography," (Bohn's edition, p. 367, et seq.), and the authorities referred to by the different writers.

It was very natural, perhaps, that men should be curious to know what sort of a report of the trial and condemnation of Jesus was sent by Pilate to head quarters. That Pilate did write to Rome on the subject I am quite ready to believe, for not only have we the reiterated assertions of Justin and Tertullian and others to that effect, but we have examples to show what sort of a letter he may have written. The letters of the second Pliny are still extant, and among them are some arising out of his official position and addressed to his masters. Now his famous letter to Trajan about the Christians in Bithynia, affecting the life or death of multitudes, would only occupy about three pages of this volume while Trajan's reply would only take up a few lines.