three cases. But it is 'innocent'
to try.

"However, there is another ancient case, mentioned in the
Bible, in which the laws commanded one thing and conscience
just the opposite. Here the record of the law:--'Now both
the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment,
that if any one knew where he [Jesus] were, he should show
it, that they might take him.' Of course, it became the
official and legal business of each disciple who knew where
Christ was, to make it known to the authorities. No doubt
James and John could leave all and follow him, with others
of the people who knew not the law of Moses, and were
accursed; nay, the women, Martha and Mary, could minister
unto him of their substance, could wash his feet with their
tears, and wipe them with the hairs of their head. They did
it gladly, of their own free will, and took pleasure
therein, I make no doubt. There was no merit in that--'Any
man can perform an agreeable duty.' But there was found one
disciple who could 'perform a disagreeable duty.' He went,
perhaps 'with alacrity,' and betrayed his Saviour to the
marshal of the district of Jerusalem, who was called a
centurion. Had he no affection for Jesus? No doubt; but he
could conquer his prejudices, while Mary and John could
not.

"Judas Iscariot has rather a bad name in the Christian
world: he is called 'The son of perdition,' in the New
Testament, and his conduct is reckoned a 'transgression;'
nay, it is said the devil 'entered into him,' to cause this
hideous sin. But all this it seems was a mistake; certainly,
if we are to believe our 'republican' lawyers and statesmen,
Iscariot only fulfilled his 'constitutional obligations.' It
was only 'on that point,' of betraying his Saviour, that the
constitutional law required him to have any thing to do with
Jesus. He took his 'thirty pieces of silver'--about fifteen
dollars; a Yankee is to do it for ten, having fewer
prejudices to conquer--it was his legal fee, for value
received. True, the Christians thought it was 'The wages of
iniquity,' and even the Pharisees--who commonly made the
commandment of God of none effect by their traditions--dared
not defile the temple with this 'price of blood;' but it was
honest money. Yes, it was as honest a fee as any Am