THE TRIAL OF CHRIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 50

THE TRIAL OF CHRIST.

Text of the Reputkd Report by POSTIUS PILATB.

As announced some time back, a report by Pontius Pilate to the Emperor Tiberius on the trial and conviction of Jesus Christ has been found, so it is claimed, In the archives of the Vatican. Although no one as yet has been able to vouch for its authenticity, the document has occasioned much discussion io ecolesiastical circles in Rome, and a transcript of its contents has been given wide publicity. What may ba its ultimate value as an historical document, or whether it will bs found to be a clever forgery, it is impossible now to say. Dilziel's Agency sends from Rome a translation of the document, oE which the following are the most important passagas :—: —

"Pontius Pilate to Terentius C!.arus, secretary to the Emperor Tiberius, greeting :

"I am astonished at th 3 senßation created in Rome by the trial of Jesus Christ. The incident in itself certainly does not amount enough to demand tb.B attention of the Emperor, although it has been made the excuse by certain envious persons to discredit me to our master. • You call upon me to justify my actioa, and for that reason I make this report. u l deoy that I have compromised. Roman

influence by my action in this unfortunate affair. Everything that concerns the religion of the oocquered people has been respected, and I have been guidod by the policy, so important in colonisation, to avoid intrusion upon the personal affiirs of the governed.

" I found the Jewish people divided into two adverse factions, the Old Jews and the Young Jews. I closed my eyes when I thought it desirable to do so, and I was severe when severity seemed to be the proper course. I interfered in their disputes only upon rare occasions, and then ifc was when the dignity of the Emperor or the domination of Rome entered into the question. Ordinarily I took no notice of the rival parties.

"Oace only have I departed from the policy of non-intervention — ia the case of Jeius Christ, and in that instance both the Conservatives and Liberals alike demanded of me his condemnation. I will briefly recall the facts to you : — For some months the party of tha Old Jews had been alarmed at the progress made with a new doctrine propounded by a young socialist named Jesus. I could not see anything serious in his utterances, but they were regarded by the orthodox as very threatening. The Conservatives were thoroughly aroused.

" Then certain influential persons came to ma and charged J^sus with planning a rebellion. I did not believe one word of the3e charges, but, as they were persisted in, and it was further claimed that he had assumed the title of King of the Jaws, I summoned him to appear before m?. I admit that when I saw him I was most favourably impressed. I know men pretty well, and I know that Jssus was no ordinary man. You write me that he has been represented to you as being dangerou?. There was nothing dangerous about him. He had a qaiet, amiablo appearanca, and a manner of speech that showed him to be an orator. I willingly listened to his theories, which were philosophical rather than political, and I saw no reason to condemn him.

" As my functions give me the right to determine finally as to the capital punishment, I announced to his accusers, who were present, 'I see nothing wrong in this man.' This aroused universal resentment, and I found that pnblic opinion had reached such a point against the accused that nothing but hiscmviction would satisfy the people. 1 endeavoured to gain time by referring the matter to Hernd, but Herod promp'ly referred ifc back to me. After every effort to save the man from the clamours oE the crowd, I was forced to submit, and in deference to their religious ideas I condemned him, while at the same timo I dec'iaed all responsibility, saying it wa?) nothing in which the Government had B.V.J part, and the man wa? sacrificed to the re'igious principles of the people.

" The execution of the agitator took pla^e at Gjlgotha. Pviace was preserved by a guard of E, >maa soldiers, and I did all in my power to relieve the anguish of the rel-itives and friends of the condemned man. I do not think aDy of the followers of J-33U3 are now preaching his doctrines. If they are ifc certainly attracts no attention.

"Bfiefl7, that is the whole case. I am convincsd of the innoc-inca of tha man. H^ was uiijusfly condemned, and we are confronted with a judicial error. Would ifc be equitable to revise the casa 1 Yes. Would it be wise 7 No. In thia uahappy affair a great many persons are involved. For the most part they were guilty only of hasty judgment and religious prejudice. The faratics themselves in demanding the death of J-.SUS merely followed a principle they beli«ved to be true.

"From all points of view ifc were better that the matter rest where it w. Let the Jews continue to thii.k J^sus was punished fcr a crime against ths State. A revival of the case would not restore him to life, and it would ruin a number of prominent citizens and high functionaries It would disgrace the judges, who decided too hastily; the priests, who sanctioned the execution ; and the directors of public opinion, who deceived the pasple."