The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-12-18
Tho MoiiTes OF Jadas...Why He he.
trayed His Master.

uiy CoHoiuetatiOn Dy one Oh the procfIe-
tors Of the INTELLIGENcER. 1 have
read it with much interest, and suggest
its publication. The verses OF Messrs
Story and De Quincy are certainly osigi-
nal, and, as such, worthy OF our conside.
ration. 1 have long ago discarded the
popular idea that Judas Iscariot was the
vilest of the vile and bIackest and basest
of men. That he was an unrcgenerate
man. l freely admit; that he was lost in
perditinn, l have no doubt; but that he
coolly and hellishly and calcuiatingIy
sold his Lord, wishing and knowing that
that Lord should go to the cross and die
as a slave, I do not believe. With some
notifications, the theory set forth in the
following poem may be the true one.
Most likely Judas was covetous, and
didn't object to the 'stwenty pieces OF
silver" Herein I disagree with the
theory below, but think Judas was mis-.
led, as were the other eleven, with the
idea of the temporal nature of the Mes
siah's Kingdom. He wanted to see the
Nazarene mount the throne of Judah.
liberate the descendants of Abraham
drive away the Romans and establish an
Universal Kingdom on the throne OF his
father, David" He was impatient that
his Master was so slow in assuming the
rule. He believed in his Messiahship
and Divinity, felt that the sword of CON
quest once drawn would not be put up
till JESUS had "made his foes his foot
STOOL" To hasten on this time of deliy-
erance, Judas determined TO bring about
q collision between Jesus and the Ro-
mans, knowing, as he thought, that his
Master would be victor, and that he,
Judas, with the other Disciples, would
get positions as generals and ministers
and cabinet officers in the new govern
ment.
The Scriptures say he was THIEF. /
know; they call him demon, I know !:
but others were possessed of demons and
were cured, and others who had stolen
ceased to be dishonest and "stole no
more" When Judas, amazed, saw that
his Master, who possessed all power in
Heaven and earth, did not exercise that
power for his defense, but calmly submit
ted to his captors, he Jae,o to the rulers and
cas' ao,on the money and said, "Ihave be-
trdyed the innocent 6tood." He saw, ap-
palled, his great mistake, and tried, vain
ly tried, to correct it. Failing in that,
in utter black despair, he hurried himself
ont of existence, and thus lost his soul.
Had Judas repented towards Cod" and
gone to Jesus and confessed his sin, be-
;lisye mercy would have been shown him
as to other sinners. Tho great sin of the
man was ~ failure to improve great
and distinguished privileges, (a) pre-
suming to accomplish seemingly good
ends by unlawful means. But will not
add further words to this introduction.
but commend the poem and its thought
TO the readers.
VIM. HENRY STRICKLAND.
Pablic attention is again called to w.
w: Story's poem "Judns Iscariot," first
published in 1870, and to the DE Ouin-
cey theory of the moties which Influenced
Judas in betraying the Lord. Several
papers have re-published the poem as it
was printed in Rldck,coods AEaqasine.
and recently reference has been made in
the. pulpit to thoiG of the character of
Judas as pictured by Mr.. Story. y
The re-pUriicf ION OF the poem reviyes
interest in ths theory that the motives of
Judas were as pure as those of the other
Disciples of Christ, and that Paul and
others, misunderstanding his motives,
have misrepresented him, and called
down on the head of a crash and vision
ary. man whose faith was firm the ha-
tired of all Christians
The theory is not new but Mr. Stofy's
dramatic treatment of the speculative
an mystical Is always attractive, and
in MS case it makes vivid picture more
acceptable than would tho argument cov-
ering the same ground.
to his best FRIEND In Rome, and tells the
centurion, long after the crucifixion, and
after che death of PLATE and other actors
in tho memorable scenes. Lysias epeaks
as Roman soldier and an unbelieyer.
and one who knew John, James, Peter.
"and Judas best of all. Judas is de.
scriDed as the only man that followed
Christ who thought that He was God
as "one IL whom the Masters words took
root and grew and howered.;' Judas. es
the story IL I'D, believed that Christ was
the King OF Kings, and he longed for the
day when his Master should reveal him
self as the living God. After dwelling
on this controllirg thought in the mind
OF Judas, Lysias proceeds to tell the story
OF the betrayal
Such SS, was his thought when at the passover
The Lord with His disciples met and
supped;
And Christus saw the trouble in his mind,
And said, - Behold, among you here is one
That shall betray me--he to whom I give
This sop, aud He tho sop to Judas gave !.
And added, THAT thou doest quickly Tdo:r
And Judas lefe Him, heating these last
Now shall the Son of Man be alorifaa.p
All, yesi his Mastcr had OWNED his
His Msstsr should be slorlfed through him.
Straight nnto me and the high priest he
Filled with this hope, and said, "3ehold me.
Judes, q follower Of Christus = comci
VIII ails point Pg.9 out ont my Master whom you
And nns AZ eng. y ...s;s sen. ms IL. -: :-
And, IS we went. Isaid, rebuking him, !
/" How Judas. is it you who tl,-s betyay
The LORD, 4, 3, ana Master whorh you love, to
A nd su,;Iino- II ~ am, !! -. ),