The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1903-05-08
THE PLOT AGAINST PAUL.


The Tower of Antonio was part of
a great structure which probably eX-
tended the entire length of the north
crn 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 as
sured by the fame of its builder.
Hprod the Great always built hand
somely. But he would want this
building especially to be sumptuous,
as he intended it should bear the
name of Mark Antony. Its very po-
sition also demanded that it should
be splendid. 1t was the sign of Ro-
man power. as the temple next to
which it stood was the splendid
memorial of the Hebrew faith. A
significant trace of this famous struc-
tnre remains to our day, in the deep
trench to the north. 1t is popularity
known as the Pool of Bethesda, but
! is probably the castle moat. The
chief interest and glory of this
heather fortress is that it sheltered
| the Christian apostle. Under ITS
| hospitdble roof, safe from the raging
of the mob, Paul received gracious
and comforting assurances of secGri-
| tv until he should reach the goal of
his ardent missionary spirit, the city
by the 'riber.
While the apostle in prison was
wrapt in the consolation of heaven
| " vision such as stayed him in
| COrinth and afterward in shipwreck,
his malignant enemies were far from
idle. 1t was not merely hatred that
! infiamed them. 1t was the instinct
of self defense. 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.
No question but some of the con-
Spirators thought they We're doing
God service. They believed in the
divine right of assassination. They
must away with the man who taught
apOstasy from Moses, and the "bold
genius whose dangerous independ:
ence treated Mosaism and its essen
tial covenant as thing of the past. "
The Sanhedrin seems to have agreed
with avidity to the. connection OF a
lie for the faciliation of murder.
In his extremity Paul seems not
to have had the active sympathy of
the Christian Church in 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 evil
dent that he was vet looked upon
with GOODNESS, if not hostility. There
may have been Christians who at
that time were thinking it would
even be better if the controversy be-
tween Gentle Christian and Jew
Christian were made an end of by
Paul's death. But what Christiar
faith failed in, natural affection &C
complished. Paul's sister and
nephew We're 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
possible 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
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., priests and eld-
ers, chief captain, Paul's nephew,
Paul's self. and his guard to Caesa-
rea.
How futile the conspiracy! The
oath-bound assassins were all uncOn-
sciously speeding Paul on his way to
the throne of his widest honor and
power. Their plan was LAID with
consummate villainy. The dignity
and sanctity of the priesthood and
the Sanhedrin, highest court of the
nation, lent itself to the nefarious
plot. A most plausible request was
to be made of the Roman COM
mandant, that he would allow the
court to further examine the pris-
oner. En- route the guard was to be
overpOwered and the prisoner slain
Humanity speaking by most uneX-
peeted means, knowledge of the
plot was conveyed TO the chief cap
tain, who with true Roman prompti-
tude and skill put Paul beyond reach
of his enemies.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
The inveterate and historical tena-
tiousness to life of an ecclesiastical
establishment has. striking illustra-
ton In this instance. 1t is not OF
their nature to admit themselves to
be transitory. They are not willing
to diminish that others may in
crease. The synagogue would not
give place to the Church.
That there are monetary consider
ations unconfessed, but none the less
real, may be readily believed. 1t is
still question of''loaves and fishes
although the admission may not
he quite so frank as that of the
Ephesian silversmiths, by this
craft we get our wealth."
This is not, however, to deny the
absolute and disinterested devotion
of many who are attached to ecclesi-
astical establishments of every de-
scription.
The disturbed and unsafe condi-
ton of Palestine at this time can
hardly be exaggerated. A spark
would be enough to set it on fire.
Human blood had already flowed
with that of the beasts designed for
sacrifice-a high priest and many
wOrshipers had been slain. Ven
tidius and the Egyptian zealot had
| played their tragic parts. Under all
! the conditions the prompt and tact
full course of Claudius Lysias is to
be admired. He was justified in
parting with half of his garrison as
be did to give his prisoner safe con-
| duct.
Forty conspirators were thirty
seven too many! The odiousness Of
Paul is evidenced by the number
who were willing to stake their lives
for his destruction; but the very size
of the body made the keeping of the
secret impossible, and SO defeated
the plot.
Natural affection shines like a
jewel in this narrative. Paul's sister
loved him as her brother. There is
M avi6anoa che uoS a ChriStion