Omaha daily bee., 1881-07-18

opportunities of meeting with him
This is certain; that he would often
MEET WITH GOD
in spiritual communion and the teach
er who had come from God, and VIII,
had taught him the spiritual nature o
Christ's kingdom, would help him il
his devotion.
Passing over this part of his life We
find him next presented TO our view
In his place in the Jewish Sanhedrim
Jesus had come to Jerusalem at the
feast OF tabernacles and his presenc,
had been hailed by the multi
tude who crowded around hin
eagerly listening to the words Of grace
and salvation which flowed from hi
lips. A number of the people be
lieued on him and avowed their con
victions. The people were keenly in.
terested, and their feelings were toe
loudly expressed not to come to the
ears Of the Pharisees and priests, who
felt as il their dominion was tottering
beneath them.
sTUNG BY MALICE
and jealousy, a hurried meeting Of
the great council of the nation was
called to determine what should be
done in the extraordinary circum-
stances in which they we're placed.
1t was resolved to send officers to APP.
prehend Jesus and drag him before
before their tribunal. When the off.
GERS drew near to Jesus they found
him in the midst of the
people, inviting them in the most
encouraging manner to partake OF
the mercy brought nigh to them. I'll
any man that thirst let him come to
me and drink" Before securing their
intended prisoner the officers were in.
duced to listen, and as they did 80
they found themselves interested in
the discourse. Their attention became
more and more rivitod, they caught
the feeling of admiration which
HEAvED IN EVERY HEART.
They hesltated and delayed carrying
their design into execution, and when
Jesus finished his discourse they were
so awed that they became completely
powerless, they allowed him to pass
away u%ndisturbed, and, at the risk of
being terribly punished, they returned
to those who had sent them out, with
this signal testimony, "Never maj
spoke like this man." The council
sat in stern and sullen impa-
thence waiting the return of their
servants. and on hearing this unex-
pected answer their passion could be
restrained within no bound. Here
were their own dependents failing
them at this ordeal moment. care
we also deceivedl Have any of the
Pharisees believed on him, but this
people who know not the law are
cursed" 1t Is as if they had said,
"This is a popular delusion; only
the lowest and most ignorant of the
people have been
DECEIVED BY HIM:
non of the learned have thought for
n moment of espousing his cause.
Can you point to a single Pharisee,
a single ruler, who regards him with
a friendly eye. No, it is impossible,
and cursed must the people be who
are thus liable to be dcluded."
1t is a trying time to Nicodemus as
he sat there III the Council, a
time fitted to search him and
to show to himself and others
the innermost springs and motives of
his nature. He sees the passions of
brother councillors exasperated to the
utmost. Not a voice in the assembly
is lifted in behalf of justice. Does
Nicodemus seek at this time to con-
ceal his faith in Jesus rs he had done
on a former occasion? No though he
should stand alone
LIKE A BREAKwATER
in the middle of the waves he feels
himself called on to speak out even
though he should thus bring down up.
on him the ire of all his associates.
saw that the council was about to
proceed to violent measures and in
language which showed how calm he
was in the midst of the tempest he put
the simple question, "Doth our law
judge any man before Ithears him and
knows what he doeth?"
In the conduct of Nicodemus on
this occasion we discern courage and
faithfulness of the highest order. II
was a testing time and Nicodemus
stood it. H. said enough and he said
no more. 1t is evident that DURING
the two years that have elapsed since
first we met with with him, he has
made decided progress in
CHRISTIAN LIFE.
He who, at the first, could come tc
Jesus only by night, now stands by
him in the open day, and in the face
OF the most formidable opposition, be.
fore which the courage Of the strong
est might have quailed. add t.
your faith virtue,'. the old Roman
courage, a noble quality when used il
defense of a good cause. Christ hai
a kingdom and a cause in the world,
in which there is evil opposing the
good.
Again the curtain drops and month,
elapse before we hear any more of the
Jewish councillor. During this time
he may have suffered not a little per
secution, owing to the suspicion,
raised against him by the part he had
taken. But his faith was o strong
and he could bear the trial, and ma,
have been strengthened by it. Th'
wind that might blow away the feebl,
spark may only kindle
THE STRONGER FIRE
into a flame. Everything now indi
Gated that the earthly course of tn,
prophet who had appeared was draw
ing to a close. He had fulfilled tn,
time appointed in the councils o
heaven and his work was about to b,
Hnishad The council of A. -.