The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-24

not even, as we may say, this responsibility
to recommend him. He was driven out
contemptuously from Nazareth, as we
read, no doubt as a vain and
presumptuous visionary, or admon-
Usher of his elders and betters. 1t is plainly
palt with him or for him. but even were
consenting to his expulsion. Not without
reason apparently did he say afterward,
when it was told him that some of his rela-
tives had come where he was dlscourslng
and wished to speak with him, that the
who were faithful and followed the divine
will and law were his relatives, his brothers
and sisters. Sundry relatives of his are re-
ferred to in the Gospels, and there are
traces of a somewhat extended family cir
Gle. Ii his relatives had been active for him,
or even had had faith in his nature and
aims, surely it would not have failed to
leave parks on the gospel record. which so
much needed the comfort and countenance
of every supporting circumstance. Instead
of this we nave Il record of Jesus expulsion
from Nazareth and his subsequent desertion
and loneliness in his hours OF peril and
trial.
The story of Jesus. again, is the story of
a man without a trade. This may seem at
first sight a trivial point. But l am per-
suaded it is no small matter, and may have
had no incons;derable ifluence in the judy
ment of the people, or of the ruling classes,
against Jesus. For it WAS q cardinal point
with the Rnbbins that some manual trade
must be possessed and practiced by II
teacher; for he must not take money for his
teaching or depend on it in II manner for
his support. That Paul, who had been
highly educated by the Rabbins, had a
trade and worked at it, that of a lent
maker, is plain from the book of Acts. The
Rabbins were of all trades, even of some
that seemed mental and low in the scale,
like grave-digging. and if my memory mis-
lead not. even STRENGTHENING. They were
''shoemakers, %tailors. bakers, incense
makers, builders, surveyors. ~joiners, tan
ners. Smiths" and many other kinds of
laborers; and they worked at their trades
practically and l~aboriously, setting a brave
example and even rejoicing III 1t IA
a religious duty and Il necessary means OF
spiritual growth and of counter balancing
the effects of exclusive study of the law.
Now, there Ia but n mere trace in the Cos
pels that Jesus had acquaintance with any
handicraft. Once he is called the carpen-
ter in Mark; but in the. parallel place in
Mathew 1T is only THE carpenters. son."
There ia no hin in the Gospels that the
Master even worked ut this or any other
trade, although in later traditions it is
stated that he made plows and ~ox-yokes,
and very quaint stories exist of his way of
helping his father at carpentry when he
was q child. Also, rs | have said, he was
supported by the disciples who attended
him.. The trades and laborings OF disciples
are mentioned plainly. 1t is incredible,
when We consider tho habits and teachings
of the Rahbins on this point, that, If Jesus
had don likewise, no mention of it would
have occurred in the Gospel records, 1t
would have been accounted u reconciling
and recommending point. in his life and
character.
Again. tho story of Jesus is that of a man
who Was Il country person. He never was
a dweller in Jerusalem or in any important
city. When expelled from Nazareth, where
he had led u village life for thirty years, he
went to Capernaum. This indeed IL called
"a city" IN the Gospels, but the small and
despised Nazareth is given the same title.
Jesus spent two or three years Of hia minis
try in going about between the Ave small
or places ON the sea of Galilee. of
which Caparnnum was one; II the 40
called city has disappeared totally from
sight, and even from tradition, IA to it's sit
~uation; as likewise have others of the five
The whole of Galilee was provin-