The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-11-13

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Christ. 1t was probably fastened to the cross
while the cross lay on tho ground. From the
account Of st. Matthew We might infer the in
scrption was fastened after Christ was nailed
to the cross either while it vas lying on the
ground or after it was erected.
3. Place
Same as in first paragraph above
4. The Inscription.
It was customary to append to the cross a
statement Of the crimes of the victim. The
Chinese still have this practice. We read that
in some cases man preceded the criminal on
way to execution carrying a placard setting
forth the crimes Of the condemned.
From st. Johns account we would think Pr
late himself prepared Christ's inscription.
The inscription vas written in Hebrew Jar
amaic), Latin aud Greek. The Hebrew was
the tongue of the Jews, their sacred language,
that spoken by Christ himself The Latin was
the official language, that in which a Roman
sentence would most naturally be written. The
Greek was scholastic and most widely known.
All three were spoken at Jerusalem.
Read the four accounts, noticing variations.
st. John gives the inscription entire.
The inscription practically represented all
the languages of earth, and we have an init
nation of tue destined universally Of Christi
anity. Thus was set forth the truth of the
prophecies of tho Old Testament which teach
that the Messiah was to include Gentiles in his
redeeming work
Written, perhaps, simply for information,
possibly for dersion. yet the inscription ex-
pressed grand truth. The inscription is one
of the very best missionary texts. The He
brew suggests Joseph of Aramathea and many
another jew; the Greek reminds Us Of e. O.,
Acts. 10: o. the Latin brings to mind, among
others, Constantine.
1t would be iudicrous, If not so serious, to see
the Obstinacy Of PLATE in st. John 10: % as
comparedswith his utter fckleness, fearfuluess
lack of manliness and force of character, as ex,
hbited so shamefully at the trial of Jesus.
V. THE PARTING OF CHgIsT's RAIMENT.
Read St Mt, q 81, after the words And
they crucihed him -; st. Mark, 10: "a, after
"cTuciied him st. Luke, % "a. and they
parted his raiment and cast lot" %; St. John
1923, "a. Compare Ps., 2:18, which relates
historically to David bat prophetically to Oul
Savior. The fullest account is given by st
John. The SynOptic Gospels simply allude Il
this incident.
VI. TREATMENT OF CHRIST on THE CRoss
We notice how Christ was treated while in
agony on the cross first, by the po?ulaee in
general; secondly by the thieves who were
crucided with him.
FIRST: The TREATMENT BY THE PoPULACE
l. Data
st. Matt, % Sc 80 -43; st. Mark, Is; 90 s.
as far as to and believe; st. Luke, % 35-37
p Time and Place
These are practically the same as in the frs
paragraph above. The change of time make.
it somewhat later We may say it was Il
O'Clock a. m. As to year, month, etc, see para
graph l,
5. The Jeerers Of Christ on the Cross.
These were of several classes. Those re-
7 r - "a
/ seems that after crucilying the victims the sol
! diers were required to remain. We fiud it was
| the same squad of soldiers who crucifed Jesu:
I that parted his garments. (St. John, 10 %.
| They probably kept guard, preventing any one
1 on the crosses from being released. We see
| from ST. Luke %: &c, that the soldiers Joined
| in making sport Of Christ. IL is q rare thing
| that oxecutioners have any fun over victim
| That was a most wretched state of military dis
| cpline which could tolerate the taking of any
| advantage OF one suffering CaPitally. The
writer does not recall parallel in history TO the
| dignity, ribaldry, heartiesSnesS of the Roman
| detachment in their treatment of Christ. Even
4 condemned prisoner has rights.
/ But if we are surprised TO find the execu
/ TONERS of Jesus making sport of their victim
| we are even more amazed when we find that
the chief priests and scribes aud elders, The
! teachers of religion, Knocked dying criminal
/ The pulpit today is taking grand stand as Il
| the proper treatment of prisoners.
We notice that the aceusers of Christ wen
/ to SEQ him put to death. Was il ever so tha
| persons might fifty have opportunity to gloa
! over their judicial successes
| 1t has always been the fact that public execu
| tions draw together the worst classes. DIR
Talmago thus pictures the rabble at Calvary:
There is a Wild mob going through the streets
of Jerusalem AsiI passes along it Is augmented by
the multitudes that come out from the lanes and tht
alleys TO Join lee shout and the laughter and th,
! lnmeutnlion of the rioters who become more HHC
[ more ngoyernahic rs they get towards the gates
! OF the city. Fishermen vagabOnds, rude women
| grave officials. merchant princes bcggaT5 mingii
| In That crowd.
SECOND: The TREATMENT TIL
THIEVES
l. Data.
st. Mt, 27 A; st. Mark, 10: 80, "And thsy
! that were crucihed with him, reviled him - ST
Luke, % SO ~. For the story of the peniten
thief We depend entirely on st. Luke.
.. Time and Pace
AS to place see on paragraph l. The time i
a slight advance, say, 1880 a. M.
3. The ImpeRiteut Robber
What depravity The hour ofdeath general,
brings one TO his senses. Few so hate auOthe
as apparently to forget their own agony Ions
enough to rail at a fellow criminal To b
Kissed at by robber dying for his evil deed
must have added TO Christ's suffering.
4. The Peaiteat RobBer
The cross is a curious place for a conversion
But the cross so set forth Jesus in his love
patience, goodness that thoughtful, SINGER
spectator could but DO impressed with tn
greatness, genuineness, powor of Jesus.
That fountain in his day
1 there m IA 1 ~ Ia. M ha