The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-01

raised from the dead" the two great doctrines
for which the apostles were appointed witnesses
(hcts I:22) Having charged Che Sanhcdrim with
murder he opened up the svay of pardon. This
risen Christ had become the chief In the new dis
pcnsation, like one of the stones which builders
cast aside as worthless he had become the head
OF the corner. But 1t was not merely matter
of honor,--this Jesus, as his name implied, Matt.
l:2D had become Saviour. Thus WAS preached
the atoning, riscn exalted Redccmer, -strdnye
words by brave men,
MARvELLED. .--(vcrscs 10 and ID The SAM
hedrim, assembled to Judge, was greatly sur.
rrsed. The man who had been healed, standing
with therA> was proof that notable miracle had
been wroJSAt The fact could not be denied. 1t
would be utterly useless to attempt to remove
the impression produced upon the public mind.
lt was equally unwise to make an attack upon
the men who had done the deed. but, what
was most bewildering, the men were AN enigma.
They were unlearned,--tlcy did not belong to
that class from which great things might be cS.
pectcd. They had conducted themselves with
proprcty, and what was most notable, they
displayed the same general characteristics which
Jesus had manifested, when, a short time before,
he stood at the same bar of judgment Aud 50
IL was felt that these were no ordinary men,
and this was no ordinary event which the Jewish
council was called TO consider.
CONFERRED. Oversees IL to 1S) The situa.
tion was exceedingly embarrassing to those who
had apprchcnded the apostles. 1t was deemed
necessary to hold a secret conference to deter.
mine what should be done. That conference re-
volved around one question, "What should he
done with the men, against whom no charge
could be- sustained Men who ought to have been
set at liberty because innocent must nevertheless
receive some treatment that should prevent the
increase Of their influence and the spread of the
cl,isc they loved. Such WAS the prostitution Of
the court that it proposed to bolster up dc.
caying system by prosecuting those who were
,ishcring in new era for which the world had
been preparing for centuries They determined at
last what to do,-to call Peter and John and
command them not TO teach any more in tic
name OF Jesus. They determined to their
authority TO suppress testimony, to stile tree
speech. to deprive the world OF the truth
REPLIED.-(Nerses 10 TO 23). In all this the
Slnhcdrim had made grcvious mistake. They
considered the guardians and promoters of
ligion, vested with authority to establish forms
and ceremonies and TO induct ministers into
office, to sanction and to silence whom they
would. They had discharged that Office hitherto
no one questioning their right. They now rs.
sumcd that Peter and John were in like manner
amenahle to them, and that without their
authority they must he silent. But these men
had not been licensed by men. They had not
graduated from the schools. They held no parch.
mcnts from the church. They claimed commits.
sions from higher source, OIatt NXNIli:10.2O
on account of which they felt an irresistible i'm
pulse to preach. 1t was an added element uf
their greatness and sublime proof of their
courage when they fell back upon their Divine
calling and rejected the command of the council.
Then it was that the rulers showed their i'm
potcnce, for they could do nothing but threaten
and release the prisoners
CONCLUSTON.-rlere is no more sublime
spectacle than man standing amidst enemies
in defense of dear to his heart. There
is conviction that lie is right. Joined to
the courage Of his convictions There is the
Willingness to face opposition and to endure
personal injury. There is the belief that the
truth must triumph and that God will sustain
those who advocate the truth. Such a man has
conscious strength and other men gather about
him andebclicvc in him. No one can silence
him, and no one can hurt him. 1t is folly for
any to array themselves against him. Such have
been the great leaders of the centuries whose
brave words have called the people OF their
times to better living and prepared for higher
achievements This first persecution that came
upon the church in Jerusalem was therefore an
inoalculable blessing. 1t exalted the men who
were the objects OF priestly jealousy. and set
forth the christian religion as suited to comfort
and strengthen in time of trouble