The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-05-07
THE PLOT AGAINST pArL.

THE PLOT AGAINST PAUL.
The Tower of Antonio was part OF
a great structure which probably ex-
tended the entire length of the north
ern side of the temple court. 1t was
fortress, barracks, and palace all in
one. Its size is indicated by the fact
that it could shelter an entire regi-
ment at once. Its splendor is assured
by the fame of its builder Herod
the Great always built handsomely
But he would want this building es-
pecially to be sumptuous, as he in
tended it should bear the name of
Mark Antony. Its very position also
demanded that it should be splendid.
1t was the sign of Roman power, as
the temple next to which it stood was
the splendid memorial of the Hebrew
faith. a significant trace of this
famous structure remains to our day,
in the deep trench to the north. 1t is
popularity known as the Pool of Beth
esda, but is probably the castle moat.
The chief interest and glory of this
heather fortress is that it sheltered
the Christian apostle. Under its
hospitable roof safe from the raging
of the mob, Paul received gracious
and comforting assurances Of security
until he should reach the goal of his
ardent missionary spirit, the city by
the Tiber.
While the apostle in prison was
wrapt in the consolation of a heav-
emily vision such as stayed him in
Corinth and afterward in shipwreck,
his malignant enemies were far from
idle. 1t was not me rely hatred that
infiamed them. 1t was the instinct
of selfdefense. A more significant
tribute to the success of the foremost
advocate of the new faith could not
have been given. There was not room
enough in Judea for both Paul and
the Established Church. One or the
other must die.
Noquestion but some of the conspir-
ators thought they We're doing God
service. They believed in the divine
right of assassination. They must
away with the man who taught apos-
tasy from Moses, and the "bold genius
whose dangerous independence treat
ed Mosaism and its essential covenant
as a thing of the past The Sanhe-
drin seems to have agreed with avidity
to the connection of a lie for the facilia-
ton of murder.
In his extremity Paul seems not to
have had the active sympathy of the
Christian Church in J Jerusalem. When
Peter was in prison prayer was made
for him by the Church. We read of
nothing of the kind in the case of Paul.
The signs are evident that he was yet
locke d upon with GOODNESS, if not hos
tility. There may have been Christ
ians who at that time were thinking
it would even be better if the contro-
versy between GENTLE Christian and
Jew Christian were made an end of
by Paul's death. But what Christian
faith failed in, natural affection ac-
complished. Paul's sister and neph-
ew were the means of his rescue from
the deadly plot of the oath bound
Sicarii.
At no point is Luke's narrative more
effective. There are the fewest posi-
BILE strokes, but every one of them
tells. 1t is like the white and black
picture now so popular. Every word
counts; much is suggested. All the
parties to the affair stand in relief
-conspirators, priests and elders,
chief captain, Paul's nephew, Paul's
self, and his guard to Casarea.
How futile the conspiracy The
oath-bound assassins were all uncoun-