The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-11
SIDE-LIGHTS.

Pontius Pilate.-These are the chief known facts
as to the previous history of the governor or, more
accurately the procurator, of Judea, whose name is
conspicuous as occupying solitary prominence in
the creeds of Christendom. He belonged by birth
or adoption to the gems of the Pont one of whom,
c. Pontius Telesinus, had been the leader of the
Samnites in their second and third wars against
Rome, BIC. 3aI-2o2. The cogu0men Pilatus means
EARNED with tilum or javelin,' and may have had
its origin in some early military achievement AS
applied however. to Mount Pilatus in Switzerland,
it has been conjectured that it is contracted form
of Pileatus, from ilens, cap, and is applied to the
mountain having for the most part handicapped
summit. The cap known by that name was often
worn by soldiers instead of helmet, and by Roman
citizens generally and hence it was commonly pre-
sented to emancpated slaves formal token of
manumisson. Possibly, therefore, the name might
imply that the procurator belonged to the class OF
E5cyzsui, or freedmen. When Judea became for
mally subject to the empire, on the deposition OF
Archeaus, tyocuyatoy, or collector of revenue in
vested with judicial power, was appointed to govern
it, subject to the Governor of Syria luke Il, y,
and resided commonly at Casarea. Pontlus Plate,
of whose previous career we know nothing, was APP
pointed AID 2s-26 as the sixth holder of that Office
His administration had already prior to our Lords
trial been marked by series of outrages on Jewish
feelings. l. He had removed the headquarters OF
his army from C2sarea to Jerusalem, and the troops
brought their standards with the image of the en-
peror into the Holy City The people were excited
into frenzy and rushed in crowds to C9sarea to inn
pore him to spare them this outrage on their reg-
ion. After five days of obstinacy and partial
attempt to suppress the tumut PLATE at last yield
ed ?. He had hung up in his palace in Jerusalem
gilt shields inscribed with the names of heather
deites, and would not remove them till an express
order came from Tiberius. g. He had taken money
from the Corban, treasury of the Temple, for the
construction of an aqueduct. This led to another
tumult, which was suppressed by the slaughter not
of the rioters only, but also of casual spectators
4. Lastly, on some unknown occasion, he had slain
some Galileans while they were in the very act of
sacrificing duke I3:D, and this had probably
caused the ilfeeling between him and the tetrarch
An.ipas mentioned in Luke 23:I2. 1t is well to
bear in mind these sntecedents of the man, as notes
of character as follow him through the series of
vacillations which we have to trace.-Plnnst-
tire.
We can all be Pilates if We WILL
Once to every man and nation comes the moment
to decide,
In the strife of truth with fasehood for the good or
evil side;
Some great cause, Gods new Messiah, offering each
the bloom or blight,
Parts the goats upon the left side, and the sheep
upon the right,
And the choice goes by forever twixt that darkness
and that light.
James Russell L9zoeH
A Danger Signal.-Often when travelling among
the Alps one sees small black cross planted upon
a rock the brink of torrent to mark the spot
where men have met with sudden death by accident.
Wherever man had triled with his conscience, and
violated principle and chosen the world as against
Christ, there would the sorrowful monuments stand
Pilates picture is black cross on the brink of hui
man history. 1t says, Beware of dallying with
duty l"-Sbnygeon.
A Prayer to Sing in the Heart
My Saviour, would own thee
Amid the worlds proud scorn,
The world that Knocked and crowned thee
With diadem of thorn
The world that now rejects thee
Makes nothing Of thy love,
Counts not the grace and pity
That brought thee from above.
My Lord, my Master, help me
To walk apart with thee
Outside the camp where only
Thy beauty may see;
Far from the worlds loud turmoil,
Far from its busy din,
Far from Its praise and honor
Its unbelef and sin.