Indiana State sentinel., 1851-06-19
From the American Messenger.l

This man is mentioned in the Scriptures twenty
times namely sixteen times in the gospels thrice in
the book of Acts, and once in the first epistle 10
Timothy. His name is also found in that ancient
symbol commonly called the Apostles Creed. There
is unusual degree of interest connected with him,
from the fact that he the Judge at the trial OF
Christ Let these things be noted concerning him.
l. HIS name Pontius, was his family name or as
we say, his sirname. Pildte was his giUen name,
and intended TO distinguish him from other men,
bers Of the family Of Pontius.
2 HIS country. He was by birth Roman. His
ancestors were among the old Romans, and were dis
tinguished. He was not Jew.
g. His office. He is called in our English Bible,
by Matthew, ''the governor" and by Luke, ''the
governor of Judea.' The Latin writer's, following
Tacitus generally call him procurator. 1t is not so
clear what the office of procurator was, but all agree
that he was the highest officer resident in the country
where he exercised his Office. Plate was in fact
governor of more than Judea, for that country had
been added 10 Syria and made one province, COM
monty called Syria Plate was successor TO Vaeri-
Grac chus and held his Office under the emperor
TiberuS.
f. His character. He was man OF ungovernable
temper obstinate and implacable. He seemed 10
glory in displaying his authority, and in wounding
the feelings of those whom he ruled. He avari-
cious and rapacious He seized on the corban and
devoted that sacred fund TO the structure of an aque-
duct. He ''minged the blood" of certain Galileans
''with their sacrifices" The ears of the Roman
emperor Tiherius had been filled with complaints con-
cerning him, before the matter of our Saviour was
brought before him. This will account for his adjudg
ing our Lord TO death. He knew ''that it was for
envy the chef priests had delivered him. Thrice
did he ask the question, '''Why'' should Icondemn
him "What evil hath he done 20 Thrice did he
say, ''I find fault in him. He had been warned
by his wife not to condemn him. When he heard that
Christ "made himself the Son Of God, he was the
more afraid" Yet he condemned him. And why !?
Because he hoped 10 alay the violence Of the COM
plants made by the Jews against him TO Tiberius
The Jews continually put their plea the ground
that if PLATE let Jesus co. Tiberus would have just
cause of complaint, as Jesus made himself king; +;
and ''Piae, Wiing to content the people, released
Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus to be
cified" Plate had already brought on himself the
dSpleasure of Tiberus in another matter, of which
complaint had been made by the Jews. He hoped
thus to bring himself into favor with the Jews, and
retain the favor of the emperor. Not long after
this he committed great-outrages in his province,
and was ordered 10 Rome to give account of his
conduct but Tberus was dead before Plate reached
Rome.
S. His end On this subject there is some doubt
but Eusebius and other respectable historians give
credit TO the account that Plate was banished from
Rome to VienEe, in Dauphine, where he was reduced
TO such straits that in despair he killed himself with
bis sword, and rushed into the presence of the
Judge of all the earth.