that his friends would not raise a tumult and free him, or that the
guard might not be corrupted, or could he not break his fetters with
his abhorred magic arts?" The priests were silent. Caiaphas replied
in tones of the deepest conviction: "I see that ye neither know nor
understand. Then listen to the high priest. It is better that one man
should die and the whole nation perish not. He must die!" And as the
fatal words fell from the lips of Caiaphas the whole Sanhedrin was
moved. Caiaphas continued: "Until he is dead there is no peace in
Israel, no security for the law of Moses, and no quiet hours for us."

Hardly had Caiaphas ended than the rabbi sprang to his feet exclaiming
in excited tones: "God has spoken through our high priest! Only by the
death of Jesus of Nazareth can and must the people of Israel be
delivered!"

Nathanael exclaimed: "Long has the word lain upon my tongue! Now is it
uttered. Let him die, the foe of our fathers!" Then sprang all the
priests from their seats and with uplifted hands and eager voices
exclaimed: "Yes, he must die; in his death is our salvation!" When
they sat down, Annas, the aged high priest arose, and speaking with
intense bitterness, declared: "By my gray hairs let it be sworn, I will
never rest until our shame is washed out in the blood of this deceiver."

Then stood up Nicodemus and said: "O, fathers, is it allowed to say one
word?" And all cried: "Yes, yes, speak, speak!" Then said Nicodemus:
"Is the sentence already pronounced upon this man before there has been
an examination or hearing of the witnesses? Is this a proceeding
worthy of the fathers of the people of God?" Nathanael said: "What!
Wilt thou accuse the council of injustice?" Zadok exclaimed: "Dost
thou know the holy law? Compare----" Nicodemus replied: "I know the
law; therefore also I know that the judge may not pass sentence before
witnesses are heard." "What need we any further witnesses?" cried
Josue. "We ourselves have often enough been witnesses to his speech
and his actions, by which he blasphemously outraged the law."
Nicodemus answered, unmoved by the clamor of the assembly: "Then you
yourselves are at once the accusers, the witnesses and the judges. I
have listened to his sublime teachings; I have seen his mighty deeds.
They call for belief and admiration; not for contempt and punishment."

"What," exclaimed Caiaphas indignantly, "this scoundrel deserves
admiration! Thou wilt cl