We are told in Acts of the apostles that Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said: "Now this man, (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity--and falling headlong he burst asunder and all his bowels gushed out--that field is called the field of blood." Matthew says Judas repented and gave back the money. Peter says that he bought a field with the money. Matthew says that Judas hanged himself. Peter says that he fell down and burst asunder. Which of these accounts is true? Besides, it is hard to see why Christians hate, loathe and despise Judas. According to their scheme of salvation, it was absolutely necessary that Christ should be killed--necessary that he should be betrayed, and had it not been for Judas, all the world, including Christ's mother, and the part of Christ that was human, would have gone to hell. Yet, according to the New Testament, Christ did not know that one of his disciples was to betray him. Jesus, when on his way to Jerusalem, for the last time, said, speaking to the twelve disciples, Judas being present, that they, the disciples should thereafter sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Yet, more than a year before this journey, John says that Christ said, speaking to the twelve disciples: "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil." And John adds: "He spake of Judas Iscariot, for it was he that should betray him." Why did Christ a year afterward, tell Judas that he should sit on a throne and judge one of the tribes of Israel? There is still another trouble. Paul says that Jesus after his resurrection appeared to the twelve disciples. According to Paul, Jesus appeared to Judas with the rest. Certainly Paul had not heard the story of the betrayal. Why did Christ select Judas as one of his disciples, knowing that he would betray him? Did he desire to be betrayed? Was it his intention to be put to death? Why did he fail to defend himself before Pilate? According to the accounts, Pilate wanted to save him. Did Christ wish to be convicted? The Christians are compelled to say that Christ intended to be sacrificed--that he selected Judas with that end in view, and that he refused to defend himself because he desired to be crucified. All this is in accordance with the horrible idea that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. III. JEHOVAH. GOD the Father. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the God of the Christians. He it was who created the Universe, who made all substance, all force, all life, from nothing. He it is who has governed and still governs the world. He has established and destroyed empires and kingdoms, despotisms and republics. He has enslaved and liberated the sons of men. He has caused the sun to rise on the good and on the evil, and his rain to fall on the just and the unjust. This shows his goodness.