The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-18

grew more and more intoleraDle inc eVer-re-
curing evils brought upon them by the rapaci-
ty OF their Roman rulers. the sham elessness OF
tho Herodian princes, the cowardice and SER
Witty OF the Judean aristocracy. the debase-
ment OF the high priests and their families.
and tho dissensions OF rival parties had
aroused n longing for the deliverer announced
In the prophetic writinGs-the Messiah-to so
groat pitch that any highly gifted individual
possessed Of outward charm or imbued with
moral and religious grace would readily have
found disciples and believers in his Messianic
mission. The most earnest thinkers OF tho
time had long regarded the political position
OF the Judeans since their roturn from the
Baby oman exile as n temporary or prerara-
tory state which would only continue until the
true prophet arose and Elijah turned the
hearts OF the athrrs to tho children and re-
stored tho tribes Of jacob. 1t Is pointed out
ns significant Of tho pcrvasivcness OF this con-
viction that when the people elected the Has
monnuan Simon as thoir prince. they decreed
that he and his descendants should hold that
position only until the true prophet arrearedto
assume the royal dignity. and 1t was only to
scion OF the House OF David that according to
prophecy. the dignity belonged.
This ardent longing for the Messiah. and the
belief in his advent. swayed all classes OF the
Judean nation. excepting the aristocracy and
those who chung to home. These were sntis-
fed with the present and anticipated harm
rather than hcnont from any change. during
the short SPACE of thirty years Erent number
o! enthusiastic mystics appeared who With
out any intention to deceive. and bent unon
removing tho load OF caro- and sorrow that
weighed SO heavily upon the peorle. assumed
the character OF prophet or Messiah ana
found disciples who followed their banner
faithfully unto death. But though 1t appears
tb,t nh attracted rputy believers.
no one was acknowledged as such 10y tho whole
nation. Tho incrssant friction between the
various communities and the deep study OF
the holy books had awakened a critical spirit
difficult to satisfy. The nation. moreover. was
split into many parties. each entertaining
different idea OF the future saviour. and rem
dering it. therefore. Impossible that any one
nsrirant should receive general recognition
as the Messiah. Tho republican Zea'ots pic
tured him as delivering Israel from his ono
mics destroying tho Roman empire and re-
storing tho golden era Of David's kingdom.
The School OF Shammai added to this represen-
tation OF the Messiah tho attributes OF ardent
| religious zeal and perfect moral purity. Tho
| followers OF IIillel, less influenced by fanat-
| cism or political views. expected a prince OF
peace who would bring tranquility into tho
| country itself and introduce harmony In its
| relations with all its neiGhborinE states On
| one point. however. all were agreed: the Mes
| siah must spring from the branch OF David.
| and thus. In tho course OF tme the expression
| Ben David" tho son OF David. became iden
teal with tho Messiah.
| twas the sect OF the Essences that pictured
the Messiah and the Messianic time in the
| m ost idealistic manner. The great object OF
| their asceticsm was to hasten the kingdom
| OF heaven and the coming era Their adj
! herence would be granted only to him
| who led a pure and a spotless life. who re-
nounced the world and its vantties and gave
proofs that the Holy Spirit dwelt within him.
| He must also have power over demons. AMI
| inaucurate a system OF community OF goods.
| in which poverty and determination would
| be tho fundamen entail principles OF society. 1t
was from these Essences that for the first t'mo
the cry went forth. The Messiah is coming!
Tho Kingdom OF Heaven is at hand" The
summons OF this forerunner was not address
ed to the nations Of the earth. but was simply
intended to invite the sinners among the
Judean people to penitence and reformation.
The Essene who set forth this call to the Is.
raelites alone was John the Baptist our au-
thor holds that his name signifies the Essene.
that is to say. he who daily bathed and cleaned
| both body and soul in spring water. 1t Is GER
tain that he led the Same life AS the Essences,
fed upon locusts and wild honey and wore the
| Earb OF the prophets OF olO. CLOAK Oh camei i
hair fastened by leather Girdle. John seems
to have firmly entertained tho belief that il
only the whole Judean nation would bathe IN
the river Jordan. knowledge their sins. and
adopt the strict rules OF the Essences. the
promised Messianic time would be no longer
deferred. lie dwclt with other Essenes in the
desert in the vicinity OF the Red Sea. rresum
ably in order to be ever at hand to teach the
repentant sinners the moral Specification o
baptism. Bound UP with that rite was doubt
less the adoption OF tho Essenian rule OF lie
There were unquestionably many.imbued Will
an enthusiastic spirit and saddened by thu
evils and distress they Witnessed. wht
eagerly responded to the cry OF the
Essene Baptist. Did tho baptized persons re
turn morally improved by their immersion
History does not reply but Prof GHrtz con
sidcrs that our knowledge OF the sta'c "i Juoo'
n"N''' 'oi'," 49, ",',,,t s,a,,r, m.op