The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-05
For the Union.
AN HISTORICAL FACT.

| 1t is affirmed in a paragraph which has recently
gone the rounds of the newspaper press with SEEM
inc approval that the sister of the celebrated John
Wesley, in reply to her brother, who maintained
s'wth great earnestness the doctrine of poputi
ror Dei,n and who, to impress his sentiment more
strongly, and to close the argument used this ex-
preston 81 tell you, sister, the voice OF the people
Is the voice of God"-said eyes, it cried Cruelty
him, cruelty him." The paragraph ends by saying
"a more admirable answer was, perhaps, never
given"
As repartee, the reply of the sister might be
tolerated. but, historically, an answer TO be "adml-
rabe," should conform to truth; and it is believed
that her reply in this case, is wide of the truth,
as it afrms that the people called for the crucfxion
of Christ. With the assertion attributed to John
Wesley, have nothing to do my object being TO
show that the reply of his sister is at variance with
the Gospel, according to St. Matthew, st. Mark,
st. Luke, and st. John.
1t NAV be true that the voice of the Jewish ma
ton was opposed to the new doctrines and innova-
tons upon their system preached by Christ; but 1t
nowhere appears that the voice of the people was
for crucifyng him for that difference of doctrine; for
they believed his sayings and followed him IN great
muttudes "The chief priests and those in au-
thority, were the opponents of Christ. They said,
''If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on
him. n-(St. John XII, 48.) Perceive we how we
prevail nothingl behold, the world is gone after
him."-(St John xii, 49,
To make myself understood, 1t is proper to pre-
dcton to those in authority, whether civil ecce-
siastca and their immediate dependants; and what
mean to assert here is the old adage--"Qm ficii
per alum, tacH per SEP for 1t is both common law
| and common sense, that whoever rrocures the per-
Torrance or execution of anything, does it himself;
and the responsibility, merit or demerlt, attaches
to him. Having promised this much, propose no
argument; for the quotations and references shall
make are clear and unequivocal. Christ said him.
self:
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son Of
Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto
the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. y"
(St. Matthew Xxx, 1877
"Then assembled together the chief priests, and
the scbes and the elders of the people, unto the pal
of the high priest who was called Caiaphas, and
consulted that they might take Jesus by subtity, and
kill him. But they said, not on the feast day. lest
there be an uproar among the people."-(St. Matt
XVI, 3, 4, S; and St. Mark xiv, l. 2) Then Ju-
das Iscarot Zone of the twelve) went unto the
chief priests" and offered TO- betray Christ, and
'they covenanted with him for thirty pieces Of sill
ver."-(St. Matthew XVI, Ia, Is; and St. Mark
xiv, 10, 11.)
"And, while yet spekc, 10, Judas, one of the
| twelve, came, and with him great multitude with
swords and slaves, from the chief priests and elders
| of the people," to Jesus and said, "Hail, Master
and kissed ~ st Matthew XVI, AZ, 48, 49 St
Mark xiv, 43, "A, 45.) This multitude was com.
| posed of the servants and dependents Of the chic
priests ana elders, who had been assembled in the
night to take Christ and bring him before the high
priest, in the absence of the people, whom they
feared, as st. Luke says-(chap. xxi, 81 "The
chief priests and scribes sought how they nigh
kill him, for they feared the people,
After they had taken Christ, they "led him away
to Caiaphas the high priest where the chief priests
the scrbes and the elders were assembled" ant
the chief priests, and elders, and all the council
sought false witness against Jesus TO put him tc
death" After questioning him for the purpose o
entrapping him, "tbe high priest rent his clothes
saying, he hath spoken blasphemy: what further
| need have we of Witnesses "What think We
They answered and said, he is guilty of death
! Then did they spit in his face &c.-(St. Matt
XVI; 81 to 81; and st. Mark xiv; SO to 65.)
Having in this manner condemned and insulet
! him, "when morning come, all the chief priests
and elders Of the people took counsel against jesus
TO put him to death; and when they had bount
him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pom
thus PLATE, the governor.n-(St Matt. xvii; /, 2
and ST. Mark XIV, /, 2)
! And here the chief priests became his accuser
before Plate also.--( Matt. xvii IL; and Mark x,
81
And when "Pilate said unto them, whom will v,
that release unto your Barrabbas, or Jesus, whcl
is called Christi" "The chief priests ant
elders persuaded the multitude that they shout,
ask Barrabbas, and destroy Jesus."-(Ma xvi
20.)
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown o
thorns and the purple robe. And Plate saith untc
them, Behold the man When the chief priests
therefore, and officers him. they cried out say
ing, Cruelty him, cruelty hm."(St. John xix, 5, 6
Here ST. John positively afirms that the chic
priests and officers were those who cried out Cruelty