The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-23
Oh TRAITOR Z
aracter Of Betrayer Ju-
dss Analysed.
sv,L MIXED WITH cooDa
- y Rev. DR.. Gilbert-Fain ssn-
- = Episcopal and Catholic
f.nnrehes- Other Services.

- : Episcopal and Catholic
cnnrehss- Other Services.
$ Rsv, Dr.. Gilbert, pastor of the First
kudlst Episcopal church, selected the
! SSSnctef 81 Judas as the topic Of his SUM-
Svening service, and in an able and
Nv manner discussed the question
& VSethsr Judas was traitor or zealot
& - hetzayal Of Christ to the Jews.
I1fnx ne words, "And from that time
rrht opportunity to betray Him." as
8 "A fart. TIE speaker introduced his dis
Il - With the suggestion that in analyx-
~ motives and actions of Judas We
at dealing with monstrosity, but
y aman and one against whom there was
q M or wisdom in hurting anathemas
= condemnation Of him might be
= he red signal Of danger to others,
& A g the present day, in whose hearts
- slumber germs Of q like nature
I'd Judas to his destruction.
e ~ Gilbert referred to the fact that.
1he other apostles were men Of Gal
Ju6as, Is his name Iscariot indicated,
S - ~ only one who was truly Jew,
80 I'll the intensity Of reverence for
= xIfual, temple service, priestly orders.
hich we're such prominent traits Of
3ooi1h character.
~ discussion of that part Of his
b which referred to the motive Of
~ = responding to the call Of Christ
4 ome His follower, the speaker
ne longing in every Jewish
for the coming Of the
who should restore the Jewish
their former glory among the ma
ID since Jesus was demonstrating
Dession of unusual power in the
nnce of miracles, it was not unnat-
p Judas to conclude that Christ was
~ the one who was to bring back
uish kingdom to its promised place
~ van Of earthly powers. Hence the
~ became his to hold some place of
lnnce under its coming king. John
James were referred to as
ling this same ambition in the
- that they might sit the one on
6deht and the other on His left when
j oDcended the throne. And yet the
1vo Of Judas could not have been all
u II without any element Of good. The
n5on Of the Savior, combined with His
Hlnecmeness Of manner and purity of life.
- likewise have influenced Judas in
poading to the call.
4he speakers logical force and power Of
olyyis had fuller play and were more
1unsly put forth in discussing the ques-
- - to the motive influencing Jesus in
~ selection Of Judas as one of His chosen
ootles and representatives. Did He not
now the evil lurking In the heart Of
3ndasf Could he not discern the traitor
h3hs protested friend? Was the future
~ clear TO His vision, that He could thus
hdeceived? Or was it simply that. in the
NI6llment Of prophecy, one evil and
licked character should be chosen, who
1upits every influence and example Of
pod, would persist In wrong until the
1ime Of betrayal wcrc consummateda
By citations from the Bible, a. we'll a.
jiom history and ordinary life, DR.. Gilbert
ndvsnced the theory that in calling or re-
}ecting men Christ takes man as he finds
him, and endeavors to overcome the in
1ercnt evil and develop the good by lead
he the disciple into nobler and better ways
u life. When Christ called Judas, the lat
ter did not differ materially from the other
apostles. All were tainted more or less
with Judaism and ignoble traits of charac-
Ter. Each one was sordid in some degree,
The difference being that while with the
other eleven the character of Jesus
had . Transforming effect, the influence
upon Judas was in the opposite extreme
That which awakened nobility in John
md James and the others only tended to
ewaken that which was evil in the heart Of
Judas. Then, again, Judas was not lack
hg in ability, which was shown by the
Act that he was elected the financier of
Ne group of apostles, and Jesus. through
this one talent, would lead Judas on to the
attainment Of other graces. Jesus did not
1ive the purse to Judas as temptation,
sother than the possession of any talent or
power becomes test of character. Vice
md virtue are frequently but the reverse
uides Of the same emotion. Love may
tarn to hate, and patriotism develop into
PERSONAL ambition.
DR.. Gilbert most eloquently contended
eeainst the view that in the performance
4 this deed Judas was impelled by
power against which he strove in vain.
Dante places Judas in the lowest hell in
company with the worst men Of history,
while the world has ever made the name
Judas synonymous with all that is
abominable and vile; and yet, if Judas
we're but the instrument in the hand of q
power he was unable to resist, then not
ecorn and loathing should be his due but
pity and even eulogy without stint. The
world In its estimate of Judas-or of Ar
noad-is not wrong and unjust. Judas
NJ not mere puppet, but q free man,
whose own volition chose the way in
which he went The worlds intuition de-
elares that every man is free to choose
ether the right or wrong, and this is as
we Of Judas as of every other man.
The speaker then indicated the success
we steps and emotions which led Judas
bis elimination of crime.
Ftrst - The financial INSTINCT" the
peculiar trait of his people which
aekes them the worlds bank
today, after awhile developed into
arice, which in turn became an entering
eeoge for evils of a graver nature. Avarice
nself would not fully account for the
ayat, for had Judas been only a COM
.oa thief, his purse often contained more
nm the price paid by the Jews for his
aafe in the conspiracy. His avarice be-
eame merely means by which other evils
uttered his heart.
cecond-As has been frequently sug-
.eo BY others, he may have thought
s this act would bring Jesus to the
as OF declaring His kingship and of es-
sosnning His throne. He had seen the
s'or overawe the soldiers, and pass un-
armed through the multitude when they
soOlo stone Him, and it may be Judas
ssumed that Christ would again demon