Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-10-30
STUDY ARREST AND
TRIAL OF SAVIOUR
Lawyers Point Out That Case Was
Handled in a Manner
Strictly Illegal
ARMED FORCES GREATEST FEAT
The International Sunday School Les
son For November 1 Is 1.-THE Arrest
and Trial of Jesus."-Matt. 26:
47-6S
(By William T. Ellis)

A gloomy appropriateness envel-
ops this momentous lesson at the
present hour when all the earth re-
sounds to the clamor of military
strife. For the arrest of Jesus, and
His death, was the apotheosis of
force. Then, as now, clear teach
ings of truth were silenced beneath
the blows of armed might; principles
gave way to sheer material strength.
Yet by the apparent defeat of Jesus
such power was added to justice and
righteousness that now all the world
perceives the inevitable doom of the
rule OF force. For it was in this
dark hour of the apparent victory of
mere physical might that Jesus ut
tered the words, so widely quoted
now, ''All they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword"
We are summoned to the turning
point of time by this lesson; to the
apex of history. 1t is the consum-
nation of the drama of the ages. To-
ward 1t all previous centuries looked
from it all time since has been
dated. In all history and in all litera-
ture there is nothing else so worthy
of study as the passion of the worlds
Redeemer.
A simple aim for every one who,
in the Sunday School or out of it,
takes up this theme is to master the
facts in their order. Before any in
telligent deductions can be made. the
simple facts themselves should be
clearly in mind. Resolve not to let
this occasion pass without master
ing the sequence of the events of
this last day of the earthly life of
Jesus.
The Soldiers and the Sufferer
Into the Garden of Submission, be-
meath the gray olive trees where the
moonlight cast strange shadows, a
noisy crowd of soldiers and temple
police had come, with a rabble at
their heels. Judas led them, and
gave the false kiss of betrayal. In
that place where, few moments be-
fore, Jesus had wrestled in agony,
until the bloody sweat streamed
and undisturbed. The Gethsemane
prayer had been answered. He had
been strengthened for His ordeal
Alone with God He had been in an
guish; now, amid men, He was at
peace.
Motley was the multitude that in
vaded this solitude on the slope of
the Mount of Olives. The Scribes
and the Pharisees were there, to see
that their plot did not miscarry.
Their own minions, the temple po-
lice, were present to do the bidding
OF the schemers. So were soldiers
of the Roman legion. On the out
skirts lurked friends of Jesus, one
of whom, probably Mark, escaped
only by leaving his cloak in the
hands of the enemy.
The dignity of Jesus cried out
against the affront offered Him by
this armed multitude: "Are We come
out, as against a robber, with swords
and slaves? When 1 was daily with
you in the temple ye stretched not
forth your hands against me; but
this is your hour, and the power of
darkness" The rebuke to the petty
meaning of His captors should have
touched these ceremonious leaders of
the people in a sensitive spot; they
had failed in seemliness, as we'll as
In justice. Better far the way of a
British soldier who was asked :
What would you do if you should
capture the Kaiser" I'D treat him
like a king" instantly answered
Tommy"
The ChivaIrous Prisoner
Three knightly deeds marked the
first moments of the capture of
Christ. A goodly gentleman was
he, and the truest pattern of chiv-
airy. First of all he stepped for
ward fearlessly into the light of the
torches to accept full responsibility.
No shirking, covering or cringing
about him. Whom seek ye?..
am he"
Gentle as she who nursed Thee at
breast
(Yet what a lash of lightnings once
Thy tongue
To scourge the hypocrite and Phari-
seeD-
Nerve Thou mine arm, o meek, o
might One!
Champion of all who fail, I fly to
Thee"
Fearless for SELF yet how solicit
tous for His friends. Jesus did not
seek a way out for Himself but His
first thought was "If ye seek me, let
these go their way" The act was
like a mother bird defying an enemy
while her flock scurry to cover The
most Christlike of all virtues is to
think first of others. That is the
core of social service. 1t is essential
Christlikeness. Jesus had done His
work; He was about to die; but these
men who were to be the nucleus of
His church were to live; and His
work would go on.
In that great hour, when the be-
holding angels must have held their
breath at the majesty and magni-
tude of the transaction. Jesus took