Judas and the Priests BY H. PRELL, A RECENT ENGLISH ARTIST. + And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them."-Mark, 14, 10. WTM HAT Jesus foresaw and knew, was the hideous act of treachery which was about to be perpetrated against Him. From the very first He had told His apostles that even among them, the twelve chosen from all men as truest and best, "one of you is a devil." This one was Judas Iscariot, a man more cautious and careful than all the rest, so much so that he had been selected to carry their common purse, and pay out moneys for them. To Judas, Mary's measureless extravagance with the ointment of spikenard seemed unpardonable; he cried out that the oil was worth "three hundred pence" and should have been turned into money for the poor. The Gospel of John declares bitterly that he spake "not that he cared for the poor," but because he was "a thief” and wanted the money himself. At all events a sudden impulse seemed in that moment to overwhelm Judas. Perhaps in very fact, he became temporarily "a devil." Rising from his seat at the feast, he went forth into the night, sought some of the priesthood of Jerusalem and bargained with them to betray the Master. He arranged to guide some of their people to seize Jesus while the fickle multitude were not near to give Him protection. For the deed Judas was to receive "thirty pieces of silver." ACTS XI-BARNABAS AND SAUL 1721 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22¶Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with |