The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-17
by WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

by WILLIAM L. GlA1<A0s
C-HE third degree" as prac-
In M ticed by the police in an en-
deavor to extort evidence, or
a confession of guilt, has
been the subject OF mucn
- controversy. 1t is no mod
ern device, being really but moolnCa a
tion of the ancient practice OF trIdi
bv torture. The insincer1ty ana crueI-
~ of IL had an illustration In the case
IF Tesus' The big men of his time
were bounding him to death. Iney
we're determined to trip him UP IN his
speech and to put an evil constru
ton upon his words, so that they mlght
have a semblance of evidence against
him. ..a into he
tween two opposing parties, the Phari-
sees, who were bitterly anti roman n
Home. That ''politics makes strange
bedfellows," is no new Observation.
Thev sent students, avoWed seekers
after knowledge, hoping thereby 10
catch Jesus off his guard by Ine ipt laus
sibiiity of their questions. DouptIess
ali the parties to this petty pioI
Thought themselves the servants OF the
cause of organized religion: Ior from
the beginning until now leaders OF re-
iigious institutions have stopped to un-
holy means to gain what they regard as
holy ends. Somehow the passion hoI
truth. which is the brightest loren
lighted at the altar of God. grows olIn
and Pickering and smoky IN me cS StJso
tianity, and the real prophets are TOO
often found outside the churches.
Our GuiIefuI Generation.
The controversy was one between
guile and simple sincerity. Someno"
II seems to be the tendency OF a nlgn-
ly organized society to depart from
simplicity and directness. Guile ana
administration are fashionable falings-
Consider-if the unlovely spectacle
may be contemplated for a moment
all the white lies' that have been tolo
this week in polite society. Imagine
the hostesses who have returned the
message mot at home" to unWelcome
guests; the acquaintance who, race 10
face. have been $50 glad to see you
when they were inwardly ANNOYED a
hostesses that they "have had sucn
lovely time" whereas the function has
been an ordeal.
but stay; let US get on the safer and
more comfortable ground OF the oolous
insincerity of those professed seekers
after light who came to- Jesus with
subtle and dishonest questions; forget
ting that God desires truth In the IN
ward parts, and that all falsehood is
q Reputation Of the God of truth.
There is no sight among men fairer
than the sincere quest after truth; and
none more disheartening than wisdom
and knowledge being used to buttress
an unholy or insincere position.
Some Hypocrites and Question.
These questioners, confident that
they could impale Jesus on one horn
of the dilemma or the other, asked,
as it lawful to give tribute unto Cae-
sar or not?'' If he said yes, the Jewish
patriot party would be about his ears;
If he said no, Rome and its adherents
would have to be reckoned with. The
Teacher, unperplexed and unafraid,
pierced through the question to the
spirit of the false and flattering ques-
toners. Eye hypocrites!" No gentle
speech that; for craft and gul!eness
and dishonesty on the part of religious
teachers are not to be dealt with ten
derby, as one deals with the sinful and
the ignorant. God pity the church
that forgets how to be patient with
her own deliberately erring leaders.
The question itself was easily and
strikingly answered by the clear Judg-
ment of Jesus He called for piece
of tribute money, bearing the image
and name of the reigning emperor.
Their very use of the coin showed that
they were under obligation to the civil
government for currency, for law and
conveniences. "Render therefore I'M
to Caesar the things that are Caesars. :"
OF course there are earthly Royalties
and obligations. A man is poor citi-
zen of the kingdom of heaven who is
not also a good citizen of his own
country. Patriotism is religious
duty. Christian citizens have ever
been the best citizens, as many a
bloody page of history records. The
existence of bad government is a re-
Election upon the fidelity of Christian
citixenship.
As coins are stamped, so are souls.
The human spirit bears the image and
superscrtption Of God. Therefore rem