Xum!^ Il ill ' I .^mmmm JUL 18 1924 A t^e, i««ICAl %i ,*# DiviBiott3^^'^425 Sectioii '(■'■•' 'W45 /• THE LYNCHING OF JESUS "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; Him be- ing delivered by the deter- minate counsel and fore- knowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay." Acts 2:22-23 /^VM OF P^C i JUL iSl9 The Lynching of Jesus A Review of the Legal Aspects OF THE TRIAL OF CHRIST BY E. T. WELLFORD PASTOR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA. Newport News, Virginia. Printed and Bound by The Franklin Printing Company, 227 Twenty-fifth Street. 1905 SECOND EDITION Copyright, 1901, BT EDWIN TALIAFERRO WEI*I«FORD DKDICATKD TO MY FATHER WHO FOR MORE THAN THRKE) DECADES GRACED THE VIRGINIA JUDICIARY AND MY MOTHER OF WHOM WORDS CANNOT SPEAK PREFACE. It is not to write a book that I pre- sume to impose upon the public this treatise. With deep conviction, how- ever, of a grave injustice, a broad igno- rance of it, and a yet more general apathy towards it, I venture to present the legal aspects of the Trial of Christ. I have not deemed it necessary to quote more than a single authority for the various positions taken; they exist in such abundance that to chronicle all would be impossible, and one is suffi- ciently suggestive. My indebtedness to all available sources of information is freely acknowledged, especially to those facts so ably presented in the works of Dr. Joseph Salvador, M. Du- pin, and Simon Greenleaf. My quotations from the word of God are to be found in the Revised Version. The modern appellation of mob rule and violence seemed eminently appro- priate as expressive of tlie treatment Jesus received in the dawn of the Christian era, and is chosen as none too strong to convey a sense of the in- justice He suffered. E. T. Wellford. Newport News, Va., U. S. A., March, 1905. CONTENTS I THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS II THE ARBITRAMENT OF REASON III THE LAW OF THE LAND IV SPRINGS OF ACTION V ARREST OR SEIZURE ? VI COURTS OF INJUSTICE VII QUASI-INDICTMENTS VIII THE PASSION OF THE CAUSE IX ACQUITTED X THE CLIMAX XI LYNCHED XII JUSTICE THE LYNCHING OF JESUS I THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. Judge Lyncli sat in one Hundred and four cases in 1903. His circuit includ- ed every Southern state, except Vir- ginia and Maryland, with an even dozen executions at the North. One China- man, seventeen whites, and eighty blacks were hurled into eternity by his orders. Two women were among the victims. Mississippi heads the list with eighteen to her discredit. TribuS The total number of legal executions during the same year was one hundred 9 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. and twenty-three, about equally divid- ed between the races, with seventy- seven in the South and forty-six in the North. The sword of justice one hun- dred and twenty-three times un- sheathed, the sword of i7ijtisiice one hundred and four! And this a land of Vol 27 Nr?^^^^-'- ^^^ religious liberty! ^* '' The year 1904 has but added to past records a repetition of similar horrors. Before the fourth of July, race riots had been reported from Delaware, Alabama, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, In- diana and Massachusetts, Forty-five lynchings in the first six months of the year. The pen of the statistician was not dry before he was called to chronicle the atrocity at Statesboro, Ga., on August i6th, and in less than a month the attention of the whole 10 THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. country was directed to the same crime at Huntsville, Ala., September 8tli. Springfield, Ohio; Evansville, Ind., and Danville, 111., have attained a notoriety in 1904 unenvied by their sister muni- cipalities, not to mention times and places of lesser note. Such facts presage a serious condi- tion of state and demand a patriot's calm reflection. Mob rule in its in- ception took cognizance only of those outrages unmentionable in mixed audi- ences, but by 1903 to the twenty cases of assault were added forty-seven of murder, with thirty-seven of promis- cuous charge. ' Less than one fifth f7S,une^° of the lynchings are thus seen to be for the protection of womanhood. Wo- man must be safe-guarded but her pro- tector must be the law. This slogan of II THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. cliivalrous devotion to the fair, leaves unaccounted for eighty per centum of mob crimes. The wheels of justice may revolve i-Trans byij]^e "tlic mills of God"' aud the cost of I,ongfeliow. legal proceedings may be great; slower may be the former and costlier the lat- ter than is at all necessary, but the execution of a human being any other way makes more criminals than it de- stro3^s. Expedition and economy may both aid in abetting the evil, but they will never stop it. The trouble lies deeper. The populace has tasted blood. They are conscious of their physi- cal power. The savage spirit of barbarity has been revived, men must be broken afresh to law and order as the wdld horse to harness. The un- 12 THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. bridled spirit of an unmanageable mob bas run away witb law and justice. Tbe ^ 'Reign of Terror'* has sprung up in America. Tbe victim of tbe fiend may be as sweet as a rose-bud and as fair as a lily, tbe victim of tbe mob may be a very imp of Satan, but tbe real victim of lyncb law is tbe Government. Tbe Alabama jury was composed of men w^bo tbink, and tbeir words are like tbe voice of a propbet, 'We must eitber make a stand for law and order today, or surrender to tbe mob and tbe an- arcbist for all time."' Witb simple digest ^ Vol. 29, No. 15, trutb bas tbe New Orleans Times-^' ''^^' Democrat said: ''Tbe men wbo out- raged tbe laws of tbe State struck a blow at tbat sovereignty more deadly tban any enemy of State sovereignty 13 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. '""^DYg'eTtever delivered."^ So thinks the Presi- Vol. 29, No. 15, ^•^^^•dent, ''Indeed, the very existence of the republic depends upon the spirit of or- derly liberty under the law, which is as incompatible with mob violence as with clV.^DuJbiS any form of despotism."^ To this disastrous condition of affairs is added the humiliating spectacle of governmental participation. The offi- cers of the law, sworn to execute jus- tice to all and favor to none, are found calmly surveying the scene or actively encouraging it! To mob violence is added judicial murder! Not infrequently the awful realiza- tion dawns, when too late to make amends, that the tortured creature was as harmless as a babe. Fur}^ had vented its wrath upon a vicarious 14 THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. sacrifice and tlie innocent liad suffered for the guilty! Justice David J. Brewer did not go one step too far in that careful- ly prepared oration at Milwaukee, * 'Every man w^lio takes part in the burning or lynching of a negro is a murderer and should be so considered I — Literary in the eyes of the law."' In the ignor- vof 5. no. 4, ance and apathy of public sentiment lies the mob's opportunity. ''The fact is, the cause of crime among us is not defective laws, but a temperament un- known to our forefathers, a new racial tendency to tolerate crime as v/ell as _ - -, . 2 — Bausman iq to nnd excuses for it."^ Atn.i^aw Review, '04. When the people are educated to the enormity of these offences and when they grasp the inevitable conse- 15 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. quences, and not until then, will there be reform. Governor Montague of Virginia, and Governor Vardaman of Mississippi, have won the thanks of their States and the Republic for heroic measures that prevented lynch law. Governor Dur- bin of Indiana and Governor Terrell of Georgia have made their names ever memorable for a fearless and patriotic and just stand in the face of riot and disorder. The Detroit Free Press has recommended to a northern Executive the efficient methods of a Southerner, * 'Governor Herrick of Ohio should lose no time in beginning to study the Vardaman manual of tactics." The sword of resistance has at last been drawn from its scabbard. Here is the remedy. An open and fearless and i6 THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. full exposure of the crime witli the complete roster of its participants; blood for blood; and the moral support, both in prevention and cure, of all right thinking people. Lynch law is usually credited as an. American product. The most awful application of it, however, belongs to the first century. There is to be found par excellence the unauthorized mob, there the most innocent victim, there the law most flagrantly defied, there the judicial and military branches of government most actively engaged, there the most deliberate anarchy, there the most excruciating agony. The lynching of Jesus excels in brutality, and in the slaughter of the innocent, all succeeding offences. So long as the twentieth century looks on with 17 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. unstirred sympathy and passes by the mobbing of Jesus with unconcern and apathy, so long will similar deeds be repeated, in any land, with impunity. If the public conscience does not re- sent the greatest it will not take cog- nizance of the less. i8 II THr ARBITRAMENT OF REASON. *'We know, and what is better, we feel inwardly, that religion is the basis of civil society, and the source of all good, and of all comfort;^' The religious r-Burk«. man is the Christian. He believes in God, the immortality of the soul, and in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour from sin. His Bible takes the two former for granted and exists to reveal the latter. For him to live is Christ, to die is gain.^ An essential part of,_phn.,:„. his religion is to have a reason for the hope that is in him,^ and he covets 3-1 Pet. 3: is. for his principles a candid investiga- 19 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. tion. Christianity has always been ready to submit to the arbitrament of reason. *'If the Lord be God follow i-i Kings i8:« Him, if Baal follow Him'" has been the attitude of her prophets both be- fore and since the days of Elijah. Show that Jesus Christ is unworthy and Christendom is ready to reject Him. She asks for sympathy only be- cause she has demonstrated His divini- ty. This is the mind of her master and this the stand of her God, ^If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the a-john 18:23. evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?"^ Crises are the seeds of destiny. The kernel of Christianity is in the cross. If three thieves v/ere crucified upon Calvary, then all are without God and 3-Acts 4:12. without hope in the world.^ But if a thief, a sinner saved by grace, and a 20 THE ARBITRAMENT OI^ REASON. Saviour were there, each Christian is a son of God though it doth not yet ap- pear what he shall be.' If Jesus of i-i John 3:2. Nazareth was a criminal, justly con- victed and legally executed, then His followers have no apology for their ex- istence, and their worship is blasphe- my. Equally is it true if by wicked hands He was crucified and slain, illog- ically and illegally put to death, then His rejection is a capital offence — a sin against justice, reason and God. If He w^as innocent, or even though guil- ty when illegally executed, he who de- lays to rise to His defense is twenty centuries behind the times. Upon the legal aspects of the trial of Jesus thus hinges the dream of Paradise and the hope of Glory. Was He con- victed and must man eat and drink for THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. i-icor. 15:32. tomorrow he dies?' Or was He lynclied, suffering the innocent for the guilty, the lamb of God slain for the salvation of the world? 22 Ill THE LAW OF THE LAND. Guilty or not guilty is a state. Ac- quitted or convicted is a condition. An estate of innocency is pre-supposed for all, oue of guilt must in each, case be proven. Innocency may be defended and maintained, guilt must be brought forward and established. It is the pro- vince of law alike to shield the inoffen- sive and to punish the evil doer. There are maxims in law as there are axioms in Mathematics, and these constitute International statutes. To this ground work of justice is added by authorized legislation the law of its own land. To 23 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. judge and to be judged is the inalien- able rigbt of every individual, and tlie universal together with the provincial law the essential rule of procedure. Each man has a right to his personal opinion on the trial of Jesus Christ, but that opinion has neither weight nor credence unless based upon His guilt or innocence in the light of the law of the land. One must remember that the life of Jesus was passed in a unique time. The glory had departed from Israel, and the sceptre from Judah, the ty- rant's heel was on the royal head. The Roman eagle had supplanted the shield of David. Israel's law was now bound in Roman Enactments. Cer- tain prerogatives of justice still re- mained with the conquered people, but 24 THE LAW OF THE LAND. sovereignty was with the Caesars. In wliat and how far did the Hebrews^ au- th6rity remain? What attributes of government did their conquerors reserve to themselves? All students of ancient history will admit two facts. The first, that the policy of Rome was to leave her subjugated territory with every manner and custom that did not clash v/ith her own conceptions of a world- wide empire. The people thus left to their national associations would be less restive under the foreign yoke. And in the second place, to reserve for herself in eveiy instance the arbitra- ment of life and death. This Rome always maintained as an exclusive at- tribute of sovereignty. It thus occurs that the Hebrew people had the full and free exercise of their religion and 25 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. practice of their law, whilst at th^ same time it was not lawful for them i-john 18:31. to put any man to death/ Pilate could say, ^'Take Him yourselves and judge a-john 18:31. Him according to your law,''^ but Israel could not execute Christ until Caesar's representative had also *'deliv- 3-john 19:16. ered Him to be crucified."^ Jesus, therefore, must be found guilty by the Jew, that verdict approved by the Ro- man, be executed with every humani- tarian consideration for a victim, and with the impressive dignity of the law. This was the necessary process of any case originating with Israel. The Sanhedrin w^as the Hebrew Court. The great Council consisted of seventy-one members, the lesser, or pro- vincial Sanhedrin, was composed of twenty-three which was subject, how- 26 THE LAW OF THE LAND. ever, to enlargement. It was the func- tion of the great Sanhedrin to appoint the Provincial, and to delegate to this latter, when so constituted, the super- vision of local affairs. Capital punish- ment was inflicted by this smaller body until the authority was taken entirely from the Hebrews forty years before the destruction of the Temple.^ The f^g^i';"cou"i great Sanhedrin was not an appellate court but held concurrent jurisdiction only; the decision of either was final. Before this Provincial Council Jesus must be arraigned. What were its laws? It is providential that a question of such magnitude should be so easily answered. The ordinary reader may find in most all approved commentaries a resume of the code. The more dili- 27 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. gent and painstaking student may fol- low tlie Rabbins not only in the Law but its Traditions. Tbe late Dr. Joseph Salvador published at Paris, in the early part of the last century, a work entitled ^^Htstoire des Institiitio7ts de Moise et du Peuple Hebreur A Jew of noble descent and innate capacity, a student of broad culture and deep learning, his work has been a recog- nized authority. He wrote to justify his people in their crucifixion of the Nazarene. The searcher after truth may therefore take his chapter on ^'The Administration of Justice'^ as an epitome of the law void of all Christian tendency. To the learned Israelite's credit be it said, that however far fetched his applications may be, he does not shirk to tell the truth regard- 28 THE LAW OF THE LAND. ing the law of tlie land, no matter how fiagrant has been its violation by his peo]3le. Waiving, for the time, the great bulk of extant authority that parallels his statements, let the candid judge consider only those points of law admitted b}' both friend and foe. There were three stars around which revolved Hebrew jurisprudence — an open trial, an untrammeled defense, and unimpeachable testimony. The first necessitated a Court that sat only by da}?-, the second insured to the ac- cused a thoughtful hearing and assured against all interference and violence, whilst the third credited the prisoner at the bar with the benefit of every doubt and required the Commonwealth to present a company of creditable wit- nesses. 29 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. Their conceptions of justice may well be understood from the attitude of their Doctors. Tryphon and Akiba are recorded as saying, "If we had been members of the high court, we should never have condemned a man to death." Simeon, the son of Gamaliel, answers, "Would not that be an abuse? Would you not have been afraid of multiplying crimes in Israel?" The people who quibble about the morale of capital punishment cannot be insus- ceptible to the genius of law. If Jesus Christ was rationally sup- posed guilty of blasphemy it was in- cumbent upon the Sanhedrin to take cognizance of it. A warrant for His arrest must be issued by the legal au- thority and placed in the hands of an executive officer before His liberty 30 THE LAW OF THE LAND. could be infringed. Even then, after His arrest, judgment must be arrested until His guilt was establisbed. Jesus must be brought into Court by day, and that not 2, feast day. The indict- ment must be read and an opportunity given the prisoner to plead. And let it be noted that a plea of guilty did not throw the accused upon the mercy of the court, nor establish his offence. "We hold it as fundamental, that no one shall prejudice himself." ^'If a man accuses himself before a tribunal we must not believe him, unless the fact is attested by two other witnesses." Again their scribes must be reported, "For our law does not condemn upon the simple confession of the accused, nor upon the declaration of one p7'ophet alone." 31 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. In the natural process of tlie cause the witnesses would now be intro- duced. Many are ruled out of court. No woman, child, slave, irresponsible party, or bad character can be allowed to testify. No woman, because the witness upon whose testimony the guilt of the accused is established must strike the first blow at the execution in further attestation of veracity. No child, because of immature judgment; no slave, because he is under orders; no irresponsible party, for the witness is liable to the punishment that he w^ould inflict upon the accused, if he has sworn falsely; no bad character, for truth is indispensable to justice. Before proceeding to their examination eacb witness must be charged by the Court. *^It is not conjecture, or what- 32 THE LAW OF THE LAND. ever public rumor has brought to thee, that we ask of thee; consider that a great responsibility rests on thee; that we are not occupied by an affair, like a case of pecuniary interest, in which the injury may be repaired. If thou causest the condemnation of a person unjustly accused, his blood, and the blood of all the posterity of him, of whom thou wilt have deprived the earth, will fall on thee. God will demand of thee an account, as He demanded of Cain an account of the blood of Abel. Speak." To avoid a ^'Comedy of Errors" in the Tragedy of Life each witness must depose, first, to the identity of the par- ty. There must be more than vague rumor or undercurrent of superstition; the witness must establish "the month, 33 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. day, Hour, and circumstances of tHe crime." The personnel of the Court consisted of twenty-three judges. When, for any reason, one was incapacitated two Elders were added, similar circum- stances again arising two others ap- peared until the number of Judges had increased to sixty-two. At their feet sat a body of auditors, somewhat anal- ogous to a modern jury. One of these might be entrusted with the de- fense, or one might volunteer to aid the accused. When the evidence was all in the youngest judge who favored acquittal so expressed his opinion, together with his reasons. An older officer might have unduly influenced, by the weight of his years, the judgment of his col- 34 THE LAW OF THE LAND. leagues. When all in favor of acquit- tal had, in the order of their juniority, expressed their convictions, the oppos- ing judges were heard in like manner, speaking with the ^''greatest tnodera- ti07iJ*^ Next was heard any auditor who desired to defend the accused, to press any argument not fully devel- oped, or to introduce any new consid- erations. This privilege of the floor was not granted to any who favored con^ viction. The prisoner was entitled to every opportunity, the Commonwealth to but one. Lastly the accused had the privilege of making his own de- fense, to v/hich the profoundest atten- tion was demanded. The case now went to the judges for their decree. All spectators were re- r— Shorthand moved and two stenographers^ recorded known!*" 35 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. • the judgment, one the names of those who acquitted, the other the contrary. Eleven votes out of twenty-three ac- quitted and the prisoner was immedi- ately released. Thirteen voices were necessary to conviction. One-half vote less that a majority set at liberty, one and one-half vote more was necessary to with-hold it. No motion was re- quired to arrest judgment. It could not be pronounced until the third day. The interim must be devoted exclu- sively to the review of the case. To this end a semi-fast was ordained, meats and drinks were both curtailed, and nothing left undone that would contribute a ^''sana mens in sano cor- poreP The tribunal reconvened on the morning of the third day. Any voice 36 THE LAW OF THE LAND. miglit be cHanged from condemnation to acquittal, but not a single vote from acquittal to condemnation. The spirit of tlie law being tbat no man could be put in jeopardy twice for bis life eitber before a Court, or even any integral part of it. Tbe execution was as solemn and dignified as it was serious. It was im- mediate, and tbe Court remained in session until its orders were carried out. Every precaution was taken, not only to prevent any mistake but to re- deem any error. Tbe judges were still on tbe bencb and a sberiff stood at tbe door witb a flag of truce. Anotber similar official preceded tbe execution- ers, wbilst a tbird, a mounted courier, was present to communicate between tbe two. If any individual approacbed 37 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. the judges with new evidence, or other extenuating circumstance, the magis- trate at the door waved his flag, the courier conveyed the tidings and the prisoner was returned for another hear- ing. The preceding magistrate was a herald and in a loud voice proclaimed, ^*A. B. is led to punishment for Blas- phemy (or whatever charged). The witnesses who have sworn against him are C. D. and E. F. ; if any one has evidence to give in his favor let him come forth quickly.' ' The courier reported all responses proffered and the flag of truce recalled the par- ties. The prisoner was allowed to secure his return by a profession of new considerations from his own lips, no less than five times. The Chemists of that age had prepared their best 38 THE LAW OF THE I.AND. anaesthetic and it was required to be given the condemned before reaching the place of execution, to deaden his men- tal and physical agony. Death, in only the most flagrant offences and heinous characters, was on the cross. Such was the law of the land. To what extent was it recognized and followed in the most important case on record? 39 IV SPRINGS OF ACTION. A Stream can rise no liiglier than its source. Inevitably it will issue far below its mouth. The execution of Jesus could not be more just than the inception of the charges against Him. The whole course of His trial must be colored by the soil from which it springs, and ultimately terminate upon a lower plain than that upon which it originated. An illegal charge can never be legally established^ nor any penalty therefor legally exacted. The rational mind is sure to find the mo- tives that led to Christ's apprehension 40 SPRINGS OF ACTION. In the analysis of His trial and convic- tion. Indeed, a knowledge of all such is essential to a complete and trust- worthy opinion. Jesus was bom of royal, though humble, parentage, in the City of Beth- lehem, brought up at Nazareth in Galilee and accustomed to attend regu- larly the religious functions of His race at Jerusalem. He was a Jew, and by training and observation, acquainted with the religious and political condi- tions of Israel, with their respective laws and the manner of their execu- tion. To every requirement He was prompt to respond,' meeting civil as i-Matt. sns. quickly as sacred obligations.' At a-Matt. 17:27. thirty years of age He began His public career with a seal of attestation from God.^ For twelve months He v/as 3-i.uke 3:22. 41 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. forging to the front. During the next year lie was no less tlian ^'the day 1-i.uke 1:78. spring from on high."^ and the "glory 2-i.uke 2:32. of His people, Israel.""* And then, it is the inevitable course of greatness. He was at once the idol of the multitude and the envy of their rulers, whom He had outstripped. He defended the rights of the masses and healed every kind of sickness and disease, both men- tal and physical, amongst the people. His word was with authority, His 3-Mark 1:22,27 works wIth power.^ He proved that in- estimable boon to a downtrodden peo- ple, of one who discovers the whitened sepulchers to which they have bowed allegiance; and in the room of the de- posed enthrones a pure God, Said one of their own number, "No man can do these miracles that Thou doest except 42 SPRINGS OF ACTION. God be with Him."' The conscious- ^-J*'^" 3:*. ness that as He increased they must decrease became a deep conviction with the Jewish rulers. From this time on their every breath was charged with ^'the pestilence that walketh in dark- ness and the destruction that wasteth at noonday.'"' One or the other mustz-psaimgi*. die; they were afraid, He was not. Into the home of Bethany came the unwelcome guest. Two went out — Lazarus and the Angel-reaper — and two, Mary and Martha, were left. To comfort their broken hearts came the ^ 'The Resurrection and the Life."^ pours-johnnai. returned to the fire side at Bethany — the Sisters, the Traveller from that mys- terious bourn whither all depart to come no more, and Jesus. All the world went after Him, because all the 43 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. world has its dead, and His voice was above the sound of many waters, soft and sweet, a reviving cordial to "the loved and lost.** They, the erstwhile rulers of the peo- ple, were not able to go and do like- wise. "The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said What do we? for this man doeth many signs. If we let Him thus alone all men will believe on Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. But a cer- tain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take ac- count that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and '"■'°^". 50! that the whole nation perish not."' "So from that day forth they took 44 SPRINGS OF ACTION. counsel that they might put Him to death."' ^ Jesus therefore walked no'-Jo^^nn^ss. more openly among the Jews.''"" The ^-Jotn 11:54. chief priests and Pharisees gave a commandment, "If any man knew where He was he should show it, that they might take Him."^ The path ofs-john 11:57. duty had no fears for the Nazarene, and six days before the Passover He stopped at Bethany on His way to Je- rusalem/ Then it was the "chief priests 4-joiin tr. i. took counsel that they might put Laz- arus also to death: because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus. "^ So deep s-john 12: n. had thirst for blood buried itself in their hearts that Lazarus also was drawn into its murderous vortex ! There was one insurmountable dif- ficulty in the way — the means to ac- 45 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. complisli their foul design and exe- cute an innocent man. No deed that He had ever done was reprehensible, no word He had ever spoken was im- peachable. Might He not be entrap- ped? At any rate His enemies consid- ered it worth trying. The chief priests together with the scribes and elders were the first to as- say the impossible. Tell us, said they, "By w^hat authority doest Thou these things? or who is he that gave 1-i.uke 30:2. Thee this authority?"^ *'And He ans- wered and said unto them, I also will ask you a question; and tell me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves saying, If we shall say from heaven, He will say, Why did ye not believe him? But if we shall say 46 SPRINGS OF ACTION. from men, all the people will stone us: for tliey be persuaded that Jolin was a prophet. And they answered that they knew not whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you b}^ what authority I do these things/" While they were suspended i-i.uke 20: j^ upon the horns of this dilemma Christ riddled them with the hot bullets of His logic. 'You have been loud in your professions, but let Me assure you that the publicans and harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. You have been like unto the worthless son that answered, "I go, sir,'' and went not: they like unto him, who though at first he refused, "afterwards repented and went.''* *You are as the wicked 2-Matt. as: $». husbandmen who, beating some and killing some, sent all their master's 47 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. servants away empty. The lieir they slew that the inheritance might be theirs. **Did you never read in the Scriptures the stone which the build- ers rejected, the same was made the 1— Matt. 21 : ^'3*3.46: head of the corner?"^ They writhed under this discomfiture, but He had one word more. ^Remember the mar- riage feast of the King. Many were called, few chosen. Those that w^ere 2-Matt. 22:1-14 first bidden were not worthy.'* One thing only prevented their taking Him by force — ^they feared the people. Woefully crestfallen, they resign the charge to hired bandits, and now "sent forth spies, which feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of His speech, so as to deliver Him to the rule and to the authority of 48 SPRINGS OF ACTION. the governor.'" Pharisees and He- i-i.uke 20: ao, rodians hand in handP a-Mark 12: ij. With a flattering introduction these lewd fellows of the baser sort inquire, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar or not? But He perceived their craftiness and said, Shew Me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said Caesar's. And He said unto them. Then render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. "^ 2^36."^^''''' The subtleties of logic had failed, the intrigues of politics proved futile; what next? An appeal to the fanati- cism of religion. Can any man answer a question concerning the resurrection of the dead and not incur the displeas- ure of the Pharisees or the Sadducees? "Master," said the latter, "there were 49 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. seven brethren: and the first took a wife and dying left no seed; and the second took her and died leaving no seed behind him, and the third like- wise; and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died. In the res- urrection whose wife shall she be of ^~'^'^^%l^^ih.Qm.} for the seven had her to wife.'" He, exposing their ignorance, declared that the resurrection, ''Even Moses shev/ed in the place concerning the - bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not 2-i.uke 20: the God of the dead, but of the livinof.''- 37-40. ' c> Certain of the scribes could no longer restrain their emotion, and giving vent to their feelings cried out, "Master, 3-ivuke 20: Thou hast well said."^ 39. 40. They were now driven to the last of 50 SPRINGS OF ACTION. resorts and appealed to the teclinical- ities of law! An attorney appears with the question, **What commandment is the first of all?^^ Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.'^' The scribe, ac-^-Y*""^"* knowledging that this exceeded all burnt offering and sacrifice, departed, thinking how Jesus had said, ^'Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.'* ''No man after that durst ask Him any questions."^ i-Mark 12: 34, In vain had the leaders appealed to philosophy, politics, religion, and law. He had been tempted in all, but re- 51 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. mained still without sin. Tliere is one other expedient left and they are re- solved, at all hazards, to try it. The illegality of the case is already res ad- judicata. Even the heathen Seneca admits, *'No action will be considered as blameless, unless the will was so; for by this will the act was indicated.'^ 52 ARREST OR SEIZURE? The embers of Jewish passion had now burst into a roaring flame. What the law could not do, for it was just, the unconquered spirit of animosity de- termined should be wrought by force. A conference was held. Caiaphas was there, and with him those of kindred mind. They "sought how they might take Him with subtlety and kill Him.^^^ i-Mark 14: i. It was decided to mob whom they could not convict! Had the masses fathomed their plot and its motives? One, at least, was sufficiently sure of it to act upon his 53 THE LYNCHING OK JESUS. information. ^^^^^s Iscariot went unto the cliief priests and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will i-Matt. 26: 15. delivei Him unto you?"' Thi^ he could easily do, for he was one of the twelve and knew his Master's movements, 2-john 18: ». even to the secret places of prayer.^ With unconscious revelation of their own personality, they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver — the legal 3-Ex. 2i:32.value of a slave destroyed by a beast P '^And from that time Judas sought op- 4-Matt. a6: 16. portuuity to dclivcr Him."^ Jesus was soon cognizant of this barter and treachery. He spoke of it to His dis- ciples, and John must have heard the s-john 23: 26. tiame of the traitor.^ Christ was daily with them in the Temple, but, doubtless, for fear of the many hundred who would rise to His 54 ARREST OR SEIZURE ? defense, they dared not lay hands upon Him in public. "Safety and innocence fly with the light, Temptations and dangers walk forth with the i— selina night "I Shirley. True, it was not according to their law to proceed under cover of darkness, but law with its devotees had been or- dered to the rear. Anarchy rode in the saddle followed by his frenzied train. Under the safeguard of a sleep- ing city, Judas led them to arrest a man on His knees! With the traitor went a great multitude armed with swords and staves, emissaries of the chief priests, the scribes and the el- ders. "" As they passed the tower of ^-Mark 14; 43. Antonia a band of Roman soldiers of varying rank, off duty for the night, swelled the motley aggregation. The flickering torch and earthen lamp ad- 55 THK LYNCHING OF JESUS. vanced to obscure tlie light of tlie world! Out tlirougli the gate of the city, down into the valley of Jehosa- phat, and up the rugged slopes of Oli- vet they went—- ah, how little they knew it — to "Bring forth the royal diadem, x—Perronet. And crown Him Lord of all. ' ' i They found Him, as Judas expected, where He oft resorted with His disci- ples. "God Almighty writes a legible hand.'' Innocency was inscribed on His face. When they saw Him, and as the sweet cadence of His voice drop- ped upon their ears, "they went back- »-johni8:6.ward and fell to the ground.""* Their better self recoiled from so foul a deed. 3-Matt. 26: 49. Judas kissed Him.^ To seize and bind was a lesser wrong; stifling conscience, they took the weak because they were 56 ARREST OR SEIZURE? strong! The traitor had led, they fol- lowed. Peter drew his sword. The right ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest, fell to the ground, and Je- sus stooped to pick it upP This was i-johtii8:io,n no time for war, else legions of angels liad been present. It was their hour and the power of darkness.^ "Then all 2-i.uke 22: 53. the disciples left Him and fled."^ 3-Matt. 26:56, There was no cause of offence in Him, not even could any charge be imputed; they laid hold of an innocent man. There was no warrant for His arrest; the Jewisb Court had issued none; Pilate knew not of it; they were a law unto themselves. Nothing, there- fore, was ever said of Peter's resistance; he had more right of defense than they had of aggression. Judas went because he was paid, the Jewish mob because 57 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. ttey were frenzied, the Roman soldiery because tHey were curious. Miglit ac- complished what right would not assay. Jesus was seized; He could not be ar- rested. If of&cials of either Israel or Rome were there in executive capaci- ties, then to anarchy was added judi- cial complicity; the ermine of office was stained with the yellow of bribery, and annihilated in the whirlwind of du- plicity. ' Should further evidence be asked the most dubious will be satisfied as they behold the prisoner conducted, not to any court or legal judicatory, but to the house of Annas — a private citizen. 58 VI COURTS OF INJUSTICE. , Jesus was taken successively before Annas, Caiaplias, and Pilate, tlien Herod, and again returned to Pontius Pilate. Wliat jurisdiction liad Annas or Herod? What right to sit in the case had Caiaphas? What ability had Pilate? These are vital interrogations. They led Him first to the palace of Annas and He was examined by the father-in-law of the high priest.' This ;-J^^° ^s: 13; Jew was a w^ell known character. He had occupied the bighest office of the sons of Aaron, but had been deposed 2 — Josephus by Valerius Gratus.^ He was a suc-^^-^^'C^"' 59 THE LYNCHING OF JESUS. cessful demagogue. By his intrigiie ^YQ of his sons, his son-in-law and his Att.'iirch!' IX* grand-son, were made high priest.* Jesus was arraigned before him first of all for his infiuence. Then too, he was a man of enormous wealth. Had he offered the bribe with which Judas and the false witnesses were paid? Did the traitor lead the captive to him to deliver his goods? This is probable. A third consideration is sure. Like every Jew, who has accumulated wealth, he was a money lender. The Romans, high and low alike, were under many financial obligations to him and banked on more. This power would be a val- uable asset before Jesus could be slaughtered, and they would make sure of its possession in time. It is a striking fact that the charge against Annas and 60 COURTS OF INJUSTICE. his house remembered in Jewry is "a private influence on the judges in their administration of justice, whereby ^mor- als were corrupted, judgment perverted, and the Shekhinah withdrawn from Tc-rof»1 » "» I— Edersh«im Israel. voi. i, p. 163. A fourth reason insured the out- come. Annas was certain to use all his power, both with Jew and Roman, to put Jesus out of the way, for ^<9;/^- ;;2