The Newtown bee., 1898-10-21

Jesus which is called Christi"
This Is a question, the answer to which
preeipitsted the most awful tragedy the
world has ever known. Jesus is on trial
for His life. For three years the Master
has gone in and out among the towns and
hamlets of Palestine. His footsteps have
everywhere left the fragrance of deeds
Of loving kindness and Astounding char
ity; His words have been from the full.
ness OF q heart bursting with the tender
est compassion, the sweetest sympathy,
the deepest love. AS His three years
ministry draws to a close, he goes up to
Jerusalem to keep the Passover, and it Is
In connection with this festival that Jesus
offers Himself to the people of Jerusalem
as their rightful Messiah. VIII they ac-
cept Him as such? They have been only
too glad to benefit by all the gracious
works which He has done among them in
the past. He has raised their dead to
life, has given sight to the blind and
eager to profit by all these works, that
they have thronged and pressed upon
Him. They have brought their sick from
every quarter on beds and touches, and
He has healed them, every one. Now ia
their opportunity TO manifest their graft
tude and their devotion, and to proclaim
this matchless Man as their rightful. Sow
ereign and Lord. Surely they will read
lily and gladly do it. But no; there ia a
question of policy comes In here. TIE ac-
cept this Man is to commit themselves to
higher principles Of action than they have
been accustomed to. They have lawful
ruler, one Caesar. Shall they continue
their allegiance to Him, or transfer it to
this Jesus who now offers Himself for
their acceptance. 1t requires no long
time to settle the question; and their de-
cision is in their own words just this /:
away with Him! We have no king but
Caesar"
Then there ls the meeting Of the lead
ing parties Of the city-parries under Or
binary circumstances bitterly opposed to
one another, who now come together and
sink their party differences to combine in
a common cause against Jesus. They do
not debate long as to what their course
must be. Why should they? The ques-
ton Of their popularity an ong their con-
stituents Is at stake. Jesus must not be
allowed for q moment to stand between
them and the votes which helped the m
to their present political positions, votes
x,KnIoh ha ma kha naxuar fO daRaat thavo n
future election, or to place them in the
offices of state once more. What will
these politicians do in the case OF Jesus ?
Ii Is q simple proposition. They'll do
just what that class of men who have
more regard for public approval than for
divine right are doing to-day. The mat
ter is speedily settled and the leaders In
party politics at Jerusalem stiie their
consciences, barter their self-respect,
prostitute their manhood and sell their
souls by plotting to get rid of Jesus
which is called Christ.
Judas now comes upon the stage and
plays his final part in the great tragedy.
Judas has been very near Jesus for three
years past. But Judas has profited little
by the Divine companionship. He has
been the treasurer Of the little company
OF Master and disciples, but has become
tired or carrying the bag with so little
revenue to pat In It. Every day Judas
expectation Of material kingdom in
which he himself, perchance, should en-
10y lucrative position, has been grow
NJ less and less; and when two days be