The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-05

I IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF THE REJECTION OF JESUS BY
THE Jlws-In The rejection and murder OF Jesus, the
rulers their interests and authority were more I'M,
mediately endangered, were more deeply lmpiicaien
than the people; hut unless the mass OF the people
had been blinded by these false notions OF the Mes
slab, they would not have demanded, or at least with
the general voice assened TO the sacTihce OF Jesus
The progress of Jesus at the present period In the
public estimation, his transcendant popularity, arose
| tom the enforced admiration OF his commanding ue-
meanor, the notoriey Of his wonderful works, per-
hsps = for such language 10 always acceptable TO the
common eaI--from his bold anlmadverslon on the ex
listing authorities; but il was no doubt supported IN
the OF the populace by hope that even yet ne
would conform to their popular views ofthe Messiah
character Their present brief access Of faith would
have stood long against the conllnued disappon'-
ment of that hope; and II was no doubt by woraihg
the action of this powerful feellng 'hat the oah-
hedrm able suddenly, and, almost appears
SO entirely TO change the prevailing sentiment.
Whatever the proverbal versatility OF the popular
mind there have been some chord strung 10 the
most sensitive pitch, the slightest touch OF whicn
would vi5rate through the whole frame OF society anu
madden, at least a commanding minority 10 lneir
blind concurrence in this revolving iniquity nus
in the Jewish nation but more especially IN The prime
movers, the rulers and the heads OF the Pharlsac
party, the murder of Jesus was an act of unmlligaed
cruelty but, we have said, II arose OF The gene
rally fierce and bigoed spirit which morally lncapaci
tae,l the whole people from discerning the evidence
of his mission from Heaven in his acts of divine good
ness well divine power IL was an act OF Iell,
gous fanatcism they thought, in the language OF
Jesus himself that they were doing God service
when they slew the MASTER as much as afterwards
when they prosecuted hi followers.
When, however, the last, and as far as the exs-
tence of the nation the most fatal display of the ex-
stence of this fanaticsm took place. It was accden-
tally allied with nober motives, with generous mpa-
tence of oppression and the patriotic desire of ma
tonal independence However desperate and frantic
the struggle against such irresistible power, the I'M
precedented tyranny of the late Roman procurators,
Festus, Abinus, and Forus, might have almost JUS
tilted the prudence of manly and resolute insurrec-
ton. Yet in its spirit and origin 1t was the same
and il well known that even to the last, during
the most sanguinary and lcentious tumults in the
temple well as well as the city, they never entire
y lost sight of deliverance from God, whom they yet
thought would interpose in behalf of his chosen peo
Pile. In short, the same moral state of the people,
for the rulers for obvious reasons were less for
ward in the resistance to the Romans the same tenn
permanent and disposition, now led them to reject
Jesus, and demand the release of Barabbas, which,
years later, provoked the unreenting vengeance of
Titus, and dcuged the streets with the blood of their
own citizens. Even after the death Of Jesus, this
spirit might have been allayed, but only by the COM
plete abandonment of all the motives which led to
his crucifxion-b the general reception Of Christi
anity in all its meekness, humility, and purity-by
the tardy substitution of the hope of mortal for that
OF temporal dominion.
This, unhapplly was not the case; but it must be
left for Jewish history to relate how the circumstances
Of the times instead Of assuaging subduing,
peraej the people into madness instead Of predspos
ing to Christianity confirmed their inveteraie Juda
ism, and led at length to the accomplishment of their
anticipated doom.
Altogether then, ii is evident that was this brood
ing hope of sovereignty at least of political ndepen
dence, moulded up with religious enthusiasm, and
lurking, were, in the very hearts Of the peo
pie, which renders it impossible that the pure the gen
tie, the humane, the unworthy, and comprehensive
doctrines of Jesus should be generally received, or
his character appreciated by nation in that temper OF
mind; and the nation, who could thus incur he guilt
of his death prepared to precipate themselves
cal sagacty might perhaps have anticipated the crisis
which could only be a,erted by that which mo-
rally impossible, the simultaneous conversion of the
whole people to Christianity.