Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-08-15

the great prophet for their plan com.
menced TO tremble before Hin He
knew their REASONABLE secret, and
they thought their own safety de-
manded His death. at Is better"
they said, "that one man should die,
than the whole people should perish"
The plan TO put Jesus to death was
conceived, from the moment he de-
clined to take any part in the conspir-
acy Of the priests. lie, US see what
helped to bring this plan to maturity
and how II was carried out.
The popularity Of esus became
great. YultItudcs followed Him aud
sounded His praise. This fact would
naturally increase the uneasiness Of
the priests. For this grow ing popular
ity meant corresponding decrease IN
their own. "what shall we DO, for
everybody follows Hint" was their
anxious question. Besides, his public
career might he considered sus-
piclous Ia Rome, and they,
by putting Christ out Of the wny, had
an opportunity Of throwing veil over
their own dark plans, appearing loyal
while they were laying the secret plots,
which at last led 10 the rebellion and
10 the destruction OF their city.
But this consideration alone might
not have been sufficient for them to
lead Jesus to death, had not another
event happened, which deserves special
attention. A ccording 10 tho law, the
people were 10 worship God at certain
yearly festivals In Jerusalem. Hut
none should 70 to the house Of the Lord
emp,y.handed. Each one was required
10 bring his gifts before the Lord
These gifts were 10 CONSIST Of the pro-
ducc Of the earth or Of the nocks and
herds, and each one was supposed TO
bring from his own property that which
had been set apart for the Lord. Thisin'
volved some trouble, when the Worship
or had several days journey aud had
10 bring with him his grain or wine
or oil or sheep, doves or cattle for sacfi'
fees and for fcas,s. But such was the
requirements Of the law, and the pro-
vision was wisc one, since n divine
service which brings no sacrifice cam
not bo u much worth.
Now the priests Of that age had In.
vented an ingenious plan, whereby
those who came 10 Jerusalem 10 wor.
ship could save themselves n great
deal Of trouble. Tho prlestly family,
Of which Annas was the head, had con.
verified the temple ground into stables,
sheep pens, etc. Those who came to
worship did no, need 10 bring animal-
with them. They could bring their
money and buy tho required Victims
for the altar right on tho temple
ground. And Jews from abroad who
Ind foreign currency could change this
into the money OF the country within
the sacred preciucts. Need II DO said
that these dealers In cattle aud
these money changers used the OPP
portunity Of robbing their customers
aud that the priest, shared the profits
Ia payment for the license granted 10
break the law Of Col, to rob the PEG.
pie and profane the holy place? Such
was the case, aud the Pharisees In par.
ticular hated the prieHts for their AFRO.
gancc aud avarlco la this respect.
The indignation tina! was felt among
tho common people found expression
In the act OF Christ, when he drove tho
oxen out Of the temple and scattered
the money on tho ground. TIL O greedy
priests were dumfounded at this act.
hut towards as they were, they dared
not openly protest against It. Thou.
sands upon thousands would have
stood up for Jesus, had the priests
used violence against him on account
OF this, They, therefore wisely said
nothing. hut they Immediately held
a secret council aud II was conc luded to
XIII Jesus. Thc plan which they had
long ago talked about was to be carried
out now. Jesus hat publicly rebuked
them as greedy, sacrileglous thieves,
lilo was to DO assassinated for the truth
lie had yindlcated.
Jesus was now n captive. lilo was
hurried OIL under tho cover Of night
TO the house Of Annas, who had sum.
moned n few Of the other members OF
the Sanhedrim. This crafty old sinner
| houaI 10 mn awnminatinu 90 ha a III.