The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-08-10

DIS WAS inc Iueet'op
to large and earnest congregation by
our pastor at this mornings Sunday
service.
What do the readers Of The Journal
think about Judas?
Was he bad man from the begin
ning," as some insist.
Or was he good man who fell from
grace and afterward sold his Master
for thirty pieces Of silver?
The able divine who disclosed the
character Of Judas asked these ques-
tions, and afterwards gave US his own
opinion. When Judas was selected
by the Master as disciple and apos-
tie, he was good man in his inten-
tions and desires. To be less than
good man would discount the omnis-
cience of tie Master, who chose the
twelve and lived ia close connection
with them during His earthly minis
try. But 1T q certain time, just be-
fore Judat concluded to betray Jesus
into the hands of his enemies, the
Master announced that one Of them
sis devil" It is preposterous to
suppose that Jesus made knowing
choice OF devil when Judas was
FIRST named as disciple. That sug-
geetion would reflect upon Himself.
Therefore the trouble must have
lain in the change which was wrought
in the character Of Judas during the
period of his affiliation with Christ
and Hia disciples. From being man
Of good character, Judas through
some debasing influence. was trans
formed into being of low inclinations
and sordid motives. :.
What influence presents itself as q
debasing influence on the character of
Judas?
The preacher declared it to be Ju
das' inordinate love Of money. Ju-
das was the treasurer Of the organi-
cation. He carried the bag" He
was business man, 80 to speak. He
discovered financial possibilities in
his service to the Master. When the
crowds shouted "All hail, and flung
raim branches before the Saviour, he
ca oected to become very rich man,
doubtless, as chief 6nanoier of the
kingdom.
But when the chief priests shouted
"Crucify him, aud the prospect for
money making became much clouded,
poor, miserable Judas had already
forsaker God for the mammon of un-
righteousness. He was then eaten up
with desire for gain, and never until
the depth of his sordid depravity was
revealed to his own mind did he fling
down the betrayal money and commit
suicide.
The minister told the story of an
acquaintance of his own, of o good
boy whose character for honesty,
truthfulness and uprightness was the
universal praise Of the community,
who joined the church with o happy
experience. All who heard it decided
it to be correct exposition of good
boys life and character. So things
went out until the boy grew to be q
mau with family, respected BY
everybody. He then decided to open
q business in town, namely q livery
stable. They played cards aud drank
liquor. After some time he began to
play cards, and finally became tip
pier. He began also to neglect his
wife. He and his partner were not
suocessful-lost what they had invest
ed in the livery business.
The father Of the once good boy
set him up in busine"s again, but the
bad habits which he had acquired
clung to him.
At last the father and his son were
seen together one day in clump Of
woods not far away from their respeo-
tive dwellings,. A. shot was heard in
that direction by some who remember
ed it afterwards. The son went home,
but the father failed to return. Some
days passed, search for the father
was begun and he was found q corpse
in the clump of woods with bullet in
his head. While many believed the
son fred the fatal shot there was no
witness to the deed who could crimi.
nate the son. The son had pistol
and the balls corresponded to the bull
let in the older mans brain, but it
was still mystery, and thus forever
remained mystery.
Said the minister: "That boy was o
seod boy when I first knew him. He
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