Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-02-06
CHRIST AND HIS TIME.

political intrigues OF His time lie
subject Of much Interest, although but
few authentic data at this time nre
known upon which to base con-
clusions. The rule of the Romans wac
felt as exceedingly oppressive, anu
patriots eaw with alarm The very
last vestiges of national indie
that at the time our Lord COM
menoed TO gain reputation among
the people as public teacher, secret
meetinge were held by those who con-
spired against the forelgu rulers, and
that Jesus was once inviteI to such an
assembly.
A German anonymous writer, evil
IDENTIFY well read, in his deschichic
dea Rabbi Jeschua ben JOSEF, Ham
burg, 1851, claims that there are an
cient Hebrew manuscripts extant,
giving in brief outlines the minutes OF
the remarkable conference. Accord
ing to these, Jesus was invited to tue
meeting OF noted Rabbis under the
pretense that discussion was
to take place relative to the advisable
ity OF procuring u new breastplate for
the high priest. The pass word was
"urim methummin.' The meeting
was held in the precincts OF the Tenn
pie.
1t appears that the situation was
u. "A
knowledged the truth OF tho state
ments made. He added, however,
that there was no immediate remedy.
One OF the Rabbits then disclosed their
plans TO Him. He pointed out that
the people had IN vain, ~ he thought,
waited for the iulfillmsnt OF the pro-
phecies concerning a Messiah, and
the time wns favorable for the
appearance OF the promised dellverer.
He averred that the reputation o.
Jusus and The circumstances surround
Ing His birth pointed to Him as the
most suitable person to lead the con.
spiracy, and finally made the direct
proposition TO Him TO assune the title
and dignity OF king and lead the
people against the r mans. The
proposition was ut once declined and
Jesus took occasion to teach the truth
that the only safe course was to trust
in the Almighty, in whose power ana
wisdom the means OF salvation were
and who was able In His own time to
shape the fate Of the covenant people
in accordance with His plans and
purposes.
This narrative may, or may not, be
authentic. 1t Ia in perfect harmony,
though, with the brief historical
abatement OF 81. John (Chal. 6: 10y:
"When Jesus therefore perceived that
they would come and take Him by
force, to make Him king, He departed
again into a mountain, himGelf alone"
1t also agrees with the public course OF
our Lord, who, although conscious OF
the fact that His mission was to
obtain as His inheritance not only
Palestine but the whole earth (PsRlm
y, yet knew that the means to this
end were not OF revolutionary nature,
but the contrary. "Blessed are the
meek" He said, "ior they shall inherit
the earth"
But although Jesus declined to Join
hands with the oonspirators Of His
age, He inaugurated a movement that
has revolutionized the world in almost
every respect. He declared the suprem.
aoy of the Almighty by announcing
the principle that the first COM
mandmenl Of all 30 that which
requires undivided devoti3a TO HIM
Christianity ss explsinad by our
LORDS followers, Ia built upon this
principle. In the epistle to the z
muns, the duties of the followers o
jesus, Individually, socially, as
Church members and as fu5lects OF
civil governments, are all se; forth.
Tho first is to love, reverence an
submit 10 the Almighty; to imi.
tate HE projections ana qualiti,u.
and then devote the giits and
graces thus acquired to the unselnsa
service OF our iellowmen. Aud
this disunouvsly Christian doc
lrine is sound ana philosophical.
Every body owes to his fellow men
ustlcs in all things and to respect
.her liberty, their rights, their pror.
.rty and their character. But nobody
capable OF doing iuslice in thes-
respects, unless he h I'M eli is humble,
lnseltish and pure, and these quail
les can BIZ obtained in no other way
han through the regenerAtiug iu-
iueuce OF the sincere service OF God.
ChTist's relation to His time wcs
therefore this; He opposed ths rev.
lutionaty tendencies which He knew
would lead To destruction, but He