The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-06

6ucn was tne SUBJECT OF the able discourse
delivered by Prot. w. Nj. Barbour of Bangor,
by particular request at the State St. Church
last evening. -
The speaker commenced by saying that the
study of human character can never be devoid
Of interest, and when undertaken for instruc-
ton it cannot fail to profit. God intended us
to receive instruction from such study, as is
evident from the variety of characters set be-
fore us in His word. Some characters are in
tense, evenly set on one end, carrying their
possessors through the most incongruous ex-
periences. Others are made up of diverse yet
blended excellencies. Milton was stern as a
Roman, delicate as a woman; Washington was
a. good q general as patriot, as excellent a
counsellor as either.
Pilates character was neither contradictory
or intense; it had little diversity and little
beauty. His amiable traits were natural, and
for what was admirable about him the Judean
procurator has but little credit His character
was transparent not requiring labored analysis.
In his personal characteristics he was neither
the best or worst Of men. He was courteous,
naturally good-hearted, plausible and discreet.
He was Indifferent on religious matters and
could not understand the animosity of the
priests towards Christ, and the reason why he
handed over Jesus to be scourged was because
1t was his duty to hand a criminal over to the
lictor,-a Roman form of court. We cannot
wonder at his skepticsm in religion when he
saw the Pharasaical character of the religion
lists of the time.
Pilates connection with Christ shows three
phases of craftsmanship. First, Judge of him
before consenting to Christ's death. When
the Jews demanded Christ of him he waver-
ed, he did not stand firm like a hero; he had
not the old Roman virtue which would refuse
to condemn. Nothing about Plate was there
that rung of the field or forum, that Plutarch
would have embalmed in history. He was
afraid of being reported at Rome, and he de-
creed Christ to death, although he really liked
him and would have served him, thus afixing
the stigma of compromise and cowardice to his
political fame in the following manner-he
sent Christ to Herod to be relieved of the re-
sponsibility of his death, and tried to give Bar
abbas in exchange for him. Where no princi-
pie is at stake compromise is generally the best
Cancellation; where principle is at stake COM
promise is the worst of political sins. 1t never
did succeed, it never ought to succeed, it never
pM and never can. Here his character is
shown at its worst He does not hide his de-
sire that the people should assume the moralif
not the official responsibility OF Christ's death.
He was bound to lead the people to righteous
ness, not to let them lead him to unrighteous-
ness. The fact that he allowed agitators with
motives 30 base to approach him showed his
lack OF principle, and that they knew it. He
had no right to sentence Christ to death and
give Roman judgment in an ecclesiastical
case. Blasphemy was Jewish crime, and
they had no right to inflict death, SO they
trumped up charge of sedition against Rome.
But PLATE thought Him innocent of sedition,
but as he was fearful of losing his Office he con-
scented to the demands of the vultures After
Christ's death Pilates history shows how he
fell. He became avaricious and cruel, was re-
called by Vitellius, and died by his own hand.
BY turning Pilates character to account we
we shall draw few lessons from it,
First, "Our study of Pilates disposition
shows where a character is inherently weak"
If he had only been strong in truth he would
not have been false to duty-the fortress OF
character is loyalty and conuiction of duty. The
strong character is always the one loyal to con-
viction. Just as the tense nerves, free breath
ing, bright eye,and ringing voice betoken ply
steal strength, SO does the bold, clear, upright
decision betoken moral stamina
$50 thine own self be true; thou canst no,
then be false to any man."
Secondly, "We see how differently the same
circumstances may develop character in differ
ent men," PLATE and Christ were in the posi-
ton to each other of judge and prisoner, ant
yet while Christ's character shone out all thu
more gloriously from the trial that of Plate
showed the worst characteristics. LIST all leari
lesson from the trial how an enduring char
acter can be developed by circumstances, tina
ne VINO Is good may become better, and he VIII
ID DAD can only become worse if he has nothing
better to guide him than the favor of king
nothing more stable to act for than the an
plause of a crowd.
Thirdly, "We are reminded boxv ,,,,o,,
mans happiness depends on his character
1t is known that the Roman ladies' wero e.
ably disposed to Judaism. Pilates wife into,
coded with him for Chrsts life Think ofbo,
remorse must have affected him in after life
Think of the poem where Pilates wife is owe,
come with grief at the loss of her child an
longs for the presence of him whose name 81
dares not utter, who troubled her dreams in
foreign land, and of whose innocence und
doom she is well assured. Whereas if Pila
had welcomed, and believed in Christ, and az
ed as he really believed, what happiness in
ter life might have been his
Fourthly, "We learn what State suffe
from ruler whose character is marred by file
Utility of principle" Chief Magistrate shou
never be vacillating and time server. /
should make the time serve him. If There ey
was chance for nation to become glorious
was when it might have had Christ for its ch
citizen. The opp ortunity was lost by the fe
Utility of principle of its chief magistrate;
power, tact, foresight, craftsmanship, all wor