Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-18
FAMOUS TRIALS
THE TRIAL OF THE SAVIOUR.

The trial of the Saviour has been considered reverently by scholars in the science of Jurisprudence from the standpoint Of the lawyer. Large vol umes have been published about 1t in this aspect and it has proved. as 1t should be, a topic of prpfound interest as treated from the platform by sev- eral lecturers.
 It Is most proper that in beginning a series Of articles on celebrated trials the most nomentus Of all the trials recorded in history should receive the first mention. The jurists in recent years have profited by the researches Of several generations Of scholars in Roman and Jewish law. These have been brought to bear upon the pro- eedure, the charges. the evidence, the condemnation and punishment which completed the tragedy which has transformed the world.
 The trial of Jesus was twofold- ecclesiastical and civil. The ecclesi- astical trial took place before the great SantedFin, consisting of seventy one members. The Roman or civil trial was held before Pontins Pilate, the Resaan governor Of Judea, and afterward before Hered, Tetrarch of Gailee. These trials took place within a space of from ten to twenty hours.
 The arrest of Jesus took place fol- lowing the last supper as He was leaving, with his disciples, the house Of Mark on the outskirts of Jerusalem. This WAS about midnight on the eve- ming of April 6. A. D. so- He was taken into custody by the band of temple officers and Roman soldiers, guided by Judas. He was first taken to Annas and afterward sent to Caia- phas, the former being the father in law of the latter. A private prelim- mary examination of Jesus was then had before one Of these church dig nitarfes. Saint John describes this examination, but does not tell us clear ly whether it was Annas or Caiapl1as who conducted it.
 After the preliminary examination Jesus was arraigned about 2 o'clock in the morning before the Sanhedrin, and was formally tried and condemned to death on the charge of bfaspheny against Jehovah. After a temporary adjournment of the first session the SanhedFin reasseTnhied at the break of day to retry Jesus and to determine how. He should be brought before Pilate.
 Tn the Ieaf1y morning of April z, Jesus was led before Pontius Pilate, who was then stopping in the palace of HeTpd on the hill of Zion, his GUS tonary residence when he came up from Caesarea to Jerusalem to attend the Jewish national festivals. A brtef trial of Jesus by Pi1ate on the charge of high treason against Caesar was had in front of and within the palace of Herod. The result was an acquittal of the prisoner by the Roman prose cutor, who expressed his verdict in these words: T find no fault in Him. ''
 Instead of releasing Jesus, after fay- ing found Him not guilty, PiIate, being intimidated by the rabble, sent the prisoner away to Herod. who was then in attEndanee upon the passover feast, and was at that moment pre- siding in the ancient palace of the capital of the Asnfoneans in the i'm mediate neighborhood Of the residence of Filate. A brief, informal nearing was had before fTerod, who, having
 nOcked the prisoner and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, sent Him back to the Roman governor.
 After the return of Jesus from the court of Herod. Piiate assembled the priests and elders, announced to them that Herod had found no fault with the prisoner in their midst, reminded them that he himself had acquitted Him. and offered to seourgs and then release Him. This compromise and stibtsrfuge was scornfuiiy rejected by the Jews. who had demanded the cru cthxion of Jesus. PiIate, after much vacillation, finally yielded to the de- niands of the mob and ordered tf1e prisoner to be crucffied.
 From this brief outline of the trial of Jesais it will readily be seen that there were two distinct hearings. one by the Hebrews and one by the Romans.