The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-15
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THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.


Second Persecution.
The church had its planting amid stirring and
astonishing scenes-the ascension OF Jesus the
descent of the Spirit. the dauntless preaching
of the apostles. the healing Of the lame man at
the gate beautiful, the unexampled, self-denylng
love and charity Of the Christians. That lovely
colonnade commonly called Solomons porch,
had become sort of rendezvous for believers
and inquirers. and multitudes resorted there 10
see and hear Miracles OF healing multi
Piled and the fame OF the faith swept far
beyond the suburbs of Jerusalem. The high
ways were crowded with inquiring pilgrims
the sight reminding OF a Judean feast
time And. although there were already loooo
converts to the Nazarene the number increased
daily.
None could be so blind not to recognize the
entrance of a new factor destined TO revolution
ize the current religious thought of Judea, if not
OF the world. The Hebrew hierarchy could not
complacently witness the growth of power
likely to destroy their ancient prestige They had
rot the Baptist's grace TO say, 1T must increase
while we decrease" They were filled with
envy They studied how TO check the rising
tide They We're in-advised enough TO take
that oft-tried but ever unsuccessful method OF
persecution-they cast the apostles into the
prison.
The next morning the sanhedrin met with a
that INSCRIPTIONS AID envious minds could in
vent Part Of it was to overawe the Galilean
peasants with the pomp and circumstance Of the
court So the high priest present with his
retinue and the full Council and Senate OF
Israel There sat the Sanhedrin in horseshoe
form, so that every eye could scan the accused
without obstruction.
But bewildering surprise in store for the
court During the night there had been
s.fI ali he aflfra rain af IN
the court room empty handed Their report Of
the condition in which they found the prison left
no manner of doubt but that the means by which
the prisoners had escaped supernatural
The embarrassing confusion of the situation
was augmented by the report, that moment
brought in the effect that the escaped pris-
oners, instead of trying to hide themselves
were actually standing in the temple and teach
ing.
The apostles were not rearrested. Such
course would have precipitated riot. Instead.
they were politely escorted into the judgment
hall The studied plan of prosecution was found
impracticabIe under the changed conditions.
The tables are strangely turned. The court
pleads There is a deprecating, almost be-
seeching strain in the high priests address.
He inadvertently compliments the courage and
zeal of the apostles which had in short
time filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ.
There is now shrinking horror at the blood
of Jesus which they had once so vociferously
impreoated.
Peter, with incompatible courage nails upon
the guilty conscience of the Sanhedrin the crime
Of having slain the Messiah, now risen and ex-
allied as a saving prince of whom they and the
Holy Ghost witnesses. But with the
voice he tells, as ever in the gospel, Of the gift
Of repentance and forgiveness.
But the repentance of the Sanhedrn was legal
only They feared the consequences and would
fain rid themselves Of further trouble and dan
ger by Staying the witnesses of Jesus also.
Providence used the commanding influence and
polite address of St. PauTs old teacher. Ga
naliel, surnamed the Beauty Of the Law" TO
screen the apostles from imminent peril.
One is apt to almost overlook the passing
statement, 'and beaten them" or at least not to
appreciate its full sgnihcance-the inhumanity
and terrible severity of the punishment. 1t
may have been the bastinado. the knotted
scourge or the scorpion" At all events. the
apostles left the judgment hall bathed in blood.
yet happy-O how happy!-rejoicing 10 suffer.
Not speak in the Of Jesus" AS well
might the sanhedrin bid the sun stop shining
or the tide rising A light destined to enlghten
the nations kIndled-a food to encircle the
globe. No malicious power OF devil
could quench the one or check the other.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
The implacable character Of religious jealousy
illustrated in the attitude of the Hebrew
hierarchy toward Christianity.
The number and severity of religious perse-
outions. Their invariable and historic impo-
tcnce.
The briIliancy OF Christiantys planting Su-
pernatural signs and wonders Significant and
benehcent miracles. The tireless zeal and
dauntless courage Of the apostles.
The spirit Of conservatism seeks its historic
justification in the address Of GanaiieL But IL
should be remembered that his words are not
inspired inspiration only insuring their faithful
record They not even approved By the
sacred annalist His words. though apparently
the very embodiment Of practical sagacity, are
really falacious. The course he advised might
be allowed as relates TO minor errors. Many a
public folly has been given an undue dignity By
persecution. which il left alone. would have
come 70 nothing. But graver errors, known TO
be such are 20 be opposed; while the truth.
known 70 be such. is to be upheld al any cost.
The Christian religion. even in Gamaliers day.