The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1889-06-28
LESSON XIII, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATloNAL SERIES, JUNE 80.
Importance of the Lessons Hero Reviewed.
Alternative Possibilities of Happiness or
n1isery-Condition and Population of Pal
estine-Roman Law.

nificant. II we could believe that the writer's
ST the New Testament and their immediate
successors3had fabricated this impressive mar
rativo we should at onco be driven to tho
conclusion that, far beyond all men that ever
lived, they discovered the art of making
falsehood far moro vital in its spirit and
more powerful in its effects than truth, for
all the admitted truths recorded in profano
history have had less effect on tho subsequent
course of the world, and today have less effect
upon the lives and consciences of men than
this simple narrative. We should, in adopt
ing that theory, be compelled to the utterly
absurd conclusion that q little band Of Jews,
most of them ignorant and nearly all poor,
had, with most marvellous ingenuity, with
skill in fiction surprising all the masters in
that art, fabricated q story which revolution
lied the civilized world, forged theology
which survived all forms of government, and
announced q dclusion which has fired the
hearts Of hundreds Of millions of people and
led them to despise danger and welcome
death. Such u theory is too preposterous for
discussion.
On the other hand, admit the truth Of this
narration and what awful conceptions nt
once rise to impress the mind: God, eternity,
sin, moral accountability, retribution and Ii
ability to eternal woe. then an incarnated
Saviour, FREQ salvation. redemption, resur-
rcction, eternal happiness. Tho bare posi-
bility of such alternative results should, even
on the lowest principles of self love, awaken
every man to earnest inquiry. That there
are points in the prophecy not yet determined
and statements in the history not fully I'M
derstood should not weigh for one moment
against tho awful Importance Of what is
clear. The teachings Of each lesson have
been noted in their turn; but it may be well
to set forth q few facts in history and Ian
guage which aid in making clear the mean
ing of tho Gospel history.
First, it is to be noted that the four gos-
pels were written in the Greek language,
though thereis evidence that Matthew first
composed his in Hebrew, and that they were
written after the Christians had become suf
ficiently numerous to create demand for
complete record, each gospel being devised to
meet the needs of q special class. These
classes arose US follows: The Jews had lost
the Hebrew language as popular speech,
and at the time of Christ spoke the Syro-
Chaldaic; the country was ruled by the Ro-
MANS SO the language Of the laws was Latin,
while the scholars Of Palestine and adjoining
countries wrote in Greek. Tho Romans had
conquered all the civilized world west Of
Persia, including Greece, Egypt and Asia
Minor, where the conquests Of Alexander the
Great had made Greek common vehicle of
speech and writing. The Jews retained He
brew as their sacred language. Hence we
sec that tho inscription over the head of
Christ upon tho cross was in the Hebrew and
Greek and Latin, to be read by the priests
and the people in Jerusalem who were not
Jews as well as the residents.
Thus, too, those evangelists who wrote for
Gentiles often add dtheinterpretation of q word
giving its name US the Jews had it in Hebrew
and then the Greek equivalent, which their
readers understood. Golgotha in Hebrew
was Calvaria In Latin. Mark, Luke and
Paul were Greek names, though borne by
Jews. Simon, Levi, etc., were Hebrew
names, while in several cases the writer gives
the name ono was known by in both lan
guages, whether a totally different name or
merely the same name translated. Simonis
Hebrew; Peter is Greek, from ''petros, "arock
As might be expected from their age, nearly
all tho towns retained their old Hebrew
names, as Nazareth, Bethlehem, Capernaum;
but towns recently built had Latin names, as
Cnsarea, Philippi.
The government was In like manner COM
posite. 1t WAS the practice Of the Romans to
slaughter without mercy till a country was
conquered, then grant universal amnesty,
take the leading mon OF tho conquered coun-
try into the Roman service, interfere not at
all with religion and as little as possible with
local customs as long as government was re-
spected and the taxes paid. The Roman gov
ernors appointed for the conquered countries
were not only instructed, but it was obviously
their best policy, to be considerate of local
prejudices, and they often yielded to what
they considered folly or injustice because
they cleared sedition of the people," Pi-
late, whose office included the functions Of
local governor and judge advocate, repent
edly interceded for Jesus and declared that
he found no fault in the man." nevertheless
he gave Him up to the jewish council, and
they condemned Him under Jewish law.
The intcrlock Of local and general law was
very similar to that In British India and the
territories belonging to the United States:
For all otfenses against tho ordinary law tho
people retained their old courts and privl-
leses, but If the accused was Roman citi-
zen or was charged with treason to Rome, he
had to go before tho higher court. Plate de-
clared that Jesus had done nothing that Ro-
mans cared to punish, and as to tho rest he
was willing to please the Jews; but st.
Paul inherited Roman citizenship from his
father, so the local authorities dared not
leave him bound," nor could he be put tc
death till he had had his appeal to Rome.
Even when tho inferior courts condemned
the Romans often executed tho sentence, as
in the case Of Jesus; crucifixion was Ro
man method, as that of the Jews would have
been by stoning. Despite Pilate's anxiety te
please tho influential Jews his troubles con
stantly increased for they wero restive under
Roman rule), and he finally ordered mas
sacrc in Samaria, for which he was recalled
to Rome. He was found guilty and banishet
to Vienne in Gaul France), where he dice
nine years after the crucifxion His enc
mics in Rome averred that he committed sui
eide in consequence of his disgrace. and ther'
is an old tradition that he sank in. . hope
Jess melancholy, lived alone in hui on !, NJ v
Pills rilatas, and taa!y drowned himself r. y