The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-11-23

Nllch VIII III d6dlL. - S'Sc'
~Time-Friday morning Of the Cruciix-
ion. continuing from between 1 and 2
o'clock until after sunrise.
Place-The palace Of the High Priest.
Judas had betrayed his Master with
q kiss, and the great mingled company
of rulers, Romans, officers, and sol
diers with lanterns and swords and
slaves, were beginning their home
ward march to the city.
Peter Immediately alone, single
handed, drew his sword and defied the
whole Roman and Jewish powers. He,
in his impetuous, loving, courageous
way, began to show that he would live
up to his promise that he would die
for Jesus before he would desert him.
Attacking the nearest one, who may
have been oficious in the taking OF
Jesus, a servant Of the high priest,
Malchus by name, Peter struck wildly
and missing his mark cut off merely
the ear Of his enemy. Jesus imme'
diately stopped him. For it was un-
necessary, since Jesus could have at
any time twelve legions of angel de.
tenders. Peters defense was contrary
to the teachings and plans of Jesus.
1t was useless, for Peter could not
overthrow by the sword the Roman
power. 1t was the worst thing he
could do for his Master; it would ruin
his cause and his defense, for it placed
him in the attitude of a rebel against
the Roman government, and PLATE
could not have pronounced him limo.
cent, for it would give color to the
charges Of the Pharisees that Jesus
was an enemy of Caesar, and a rebel
against the Roman government. Peter
might have been arrested for rebel.
lion, and perhaps the other disciples
with him, and their work of founding
the kingdom have been hindered.
Jesus remedies the evil by miracu.
lousy healing the wound. This heal
ing showed that Jesus was no rebe!
against the Roman power. 1t showed
the nature of his kingdom, as the king.
dom of peace and truth and love. 1t
showed his w character and how
he lived up to his own precepts. 1t
showed his divine nature and power.
It Is recorded only by the physi'
clan, Luke. (22:51) Thus" says
Tholuck, "the last act Of those hands
before they were bound was a work
of mercy and of peace in healing that
slight wound, the only one eve in.
ficted for his sake"
The trial before the S%anhedrin was
illegal according to all the above tests.
It was held in the night. 1T was a
packed jury, a star chamber of self.
appointed assessors" The object of
the enemies of Jesus was to condemn
him and to give him over to the
Roman authorities for crucifixion be.
fore his friends could rally and inter.
pose in his behalf. Sought false wit.
ness against Jesus, for 1t was impos.
sible to condemn him by any true &C.
cusations. To put him to death. This
they had determined for reasons of
their own. What they wanted was
some plausible pretext that would en-.
able them to persuade the Roman au.
thorities to put Jesus to death.
Jesus held his peace. They would
not accept a denial, and they would
have perverted the meaning of any
explanation he could make. He re.
fused to least pearls before swine" or
to "give that which was holy to dogs"
There are many times when it is well
for Christians to initiate their Master
in this. Do not waste time and
strength in replying to those who are
determined to oppose Christianity IN.
der all circumstances. Replying often
advertises the enemy; and arguments
take the attention from the main work
of the Gospel, the saving Of the world
from sin. Attend to the business Of
the church, save men from sin; cul'
ture them into a noble character, help
the needy, visit the sick, preach the
Gospel, and the works of Christianity
will answer its enemies. At the same
time explanations of difficulties tc
those who wish to learn are always in
order.
Macaulay in his essay on Milton
says, "Aristo tells a story of a fairy.
who, by some mysterious law of her
nature was condemned to appear at
certain seasons in the form OF a foul,
poisonous snake. Those who injured
her during the period of her disguise
were forever excluded from participa.
ton in the blessings which she be.
slowed. But to those who, in spite OF
her loathsome aspect. pitied and pro-
tected her, she afterward revealed her
self in the beautiful and celestial form
which was natural to her, accompa.
MED their steps, granted all their
wishes, filed their houses with wealth,
made them happy in love and victori'
Gus in war" So what is done to Christ
IN his disguised and lowly form is a
test of our character and of our love,
and will be rewarded and blessed by
him when he comes in his glory;
while those who reject him in his hu.
mility must come before his judgment,
seat when he sits on the right hand
Of the power of God.
A possible array Of witnesses If they
lad wished to learn the truth. What
an array of witnesses they might have
found had they wished to learn the
truth! Here a company Of those who
had been lame, but now were running
l. all Tho cforv IF fhair h%aa1iDp.