The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-12-07
TRUTH ABOUT ANANIAS.

TRUTH ABOUT ANANIAS.
"Who was Gamaliel?" asked PROBES.
sor James Russell Lowell of . student
in his Dante class. "A little noun.
tain in Judea," came the prompt ans
wer. In these days when the Bible
stands dusty on the shelf every one
knows of the Ananias club and its
founder, who, being ALEC the committee
on admissions, has modestly declined
election, although many, including
such prominent persons as Mrs. Storer,
Judge Parker and Baldwin, Mr.. Dix,
and the late Mr.. Hartman, have con-
sidered him eligible and urged bis
claim to membership; but astonishing
ly few know who Ananias was and
how he achieved his fame.
The prevalent impression is that
Ananias was a notorious and unmiti-
gated liar. History does not depict
him. 1t gives US only these facts:
The primitive Christians adopted a
scheme of socialism, which was quick
ly abandoned, as all such schemes
have been. But when it was organic.
ed enthusiastic believers sold their
possessions and put them into the com.
mon fund, administration of which
was centralized in apostolic hands.
These contributors were free will of.
ferings. In this respect they differ
from taxes, which they resembled in
that they were payments by individuals
for the uses of the community. Posi-
bly, Ananias did not believe in the
square deal" Perhaps bis wife,
Saphira, was thrifty, believed in laying
by, and exercised the influence a pru-
dent wife should have over an extra
VACANT husband. 1t may be that both
doubted the eventual success of the
socialistic plan; if SO, the events JUST
fed their prescience.
However this may be, they evidently
wished to keep up appearances with
the socialistic and progressive party of
their day. Even now some politicians
are regular" with mental reservation.
So they also sold their possessions and
put part of the proceeds into the com.
mon fund, but they kept back some
thing for a rainy day. 1t does not
appear that either made an affidavit,
or that one was necessary. So far it
appears, they were only guilty of that
secondary and very common form of
lying, suppression ofthe youth. Very
prominent, pious, and wealthy persons
of our own time who on general prin--
ciples loudly decry dishonesty in the
abstract do every day what Ananias
did. He simply lodged his taxes.
But when this transpired to the clair.
vovant vision ofSt. Peter, that impetu.
Gus saint holly rebuked the equivocator
who was so ashamed that he didn't
answer a word. He retained no astute
counsel to argue that there was no
intent to deceive, and to demonstrate
that truth is this to me and that to
thee, and whether truth or falsehood,
let it be-" "He fell down and gave
up the ghost, and the young men arose
wound up and carried him out and
buried him." Then, although wound
up. he nevertheless stopped going on.
The incident shows that history
does not always repeat itself, and that
some folks are luckier or cleverer
than others.
There IS precendent that allows a
citizen of New York to escape taxation
here by saying in an affidavit: 81
have been, and am now, a resident of
Washington" and subsequently to
explain that residence and domicile
are very different, that the former
depends upon intent, and that the
phrase 81 am a resident" is susceptible
Of the construction II am domiciled."
New York Sun.
His Sarcastic Friend.