the council, but the law of God pronounces the death
sentence upon him. You teachers of the law, I call upon you to answer;
what does the holy law say of him who is guilty of disobedience to the
authorities appointed by God?" Then stood up Josue, and unrolling the
book of the law read therefrom: "The man that will do presumptuously
and will not hearken to the priest that standest to minister there
before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shalt die,
and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel."

Then again said Caiaphas, "What does the law decree concerning him who
profaneth the Sabbath?"

Then Ezekiel stood up and read, "Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore,
for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be
put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein that soul shall be
cut off from his people."

Then asked Caiaphas, "How does the law punish the blasphemer?"

Then stood up Nathanael, and unrolling the book of the law, read:
"Speak unto the children of Israel saying, whosoever curseth his God
shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he
shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly
stone him, as well the stranger as him that is born in this land."

"Thus," said Caiaphas, "is the judgment pronounced upon this Jesus of
Nazareth--pronounced according to law, and shall be carried out as
speedily as possible. Meanwhile I will have the condemned placed under
safe guard. Lead him forth, guard him, and by the safe dawn of the
morning bring him to the Great Sanhedrin."

"Come, then, Messiah," said Selpha, roughly, "we will show thee thy
palace."

"There thou shalt receive due homage," said Balbus, as he placed his
hand on the shoulder of Jesus, and marched him out of the chamber.

Then said Caiaphas exultingly, "We are approaching the goal. Now,
however, resolute steps are necessary."

The priests and Pharisees cried together, "We will not rest until he is
brought to death."

Then said Caiaphas, "With the break of day let us come together again.
This must be announced to the High Priest Annas and the rest. Then
shall the sentence be confirmed by the whole assembled council, and the
prisoner will immediately be brought before Pilate in order that he may
confirm it and have it executed."

The priests then departed, crying as they went, "God deliver us soon
from our enemy."

When the council had been dismissed and all was sti