“Seize the traitor! Down with the blasphemer! Drag him out! To the Sanhedrin! To the Sanhedrin!”
The members of the Society of the Urim were in the forefront; and besides, there had gathered a rabble from the streets who were eager to join the mob. A little band of the disciples of the New Faith clustered about Stephanos with devoted and loving faithfulness, but acted only as a defensive shield, and were soon borne down by the force and ferocity of greatly superior numbers. Amid wild shouts and confusion the little band was scattered, and Stephanos seized and taken out of the synagogue.
“Ha! Where is the great kingdom? Hath it been set up? Where is its throne?” said Saulus. “We shall make short work of thee and all thy kind! Come on, witnesses! To the Sanhedrin! To the Sanhedrin!”
Stephanos was dragged up the steep road to the “Hall of Squares,” where the august court was in session. On the way he made no resistance, and amid jeers, savage yells, and curses, was led along. With loud commands, Saulus headed the throng.
The seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin were seated at the farther end of the spacious hall, in tiers of seats rising from the centre, and sweeping around in an imposing semicircle. Annas was High Priest and presiding officer on this occasion. They had been apprised of the fact that Stephanos would be brought before them, and were ready to receive him. He was led in by Saulus and the witnesses; as many of the throng following as [pg 168]could find room in the public part of the hall. Everything was ready, and pointed to a foregone conclusion. The charges were made; and the witnesses stood up, one by one, to confront and make testimony against their victim.
“I heard him speak against the Holy Place, and blaspheme the Law.”
“I heard him declare that the doctrine of the Nazarene would destroy the Temple service, and do away with the Law of Moses.”
“I heard him say that he despised our sacred traditions and ordinances.”
“I heard him call our chief priests and Rabbis hypocrites, and speak of a new kingdom not of the Chosen People.”
“I heard him proclaim the Messiahship of the Galilean pretender, and blaspheme Jehovah.”