The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-02-13

by 1t. John was the first great revival
preacher after the birth of Christ There
-yas everything in the appearance and
manner of the man himself to attract at
tention. He had been living like her
nit in the solitude of the desert, clothed
in the rough dress of one of the old pro-
phets, eating such food as he could find
In the wilderness, not caring for rest, ease,
or comfort, despising hardship and dan
ger. 1t was a corrupt people that then
inhabited the land. 1t was sultry
sitting atmosphere, needing thunder to
shake it, and the rush of sharp north
wind to purify it. John was Just the man
for the times-the man the world had
been waiting for during the long centu-
ries, after the old prophets were dead
and no new ones came in their places. At
last at the call Of God, he suddenly came
out of the desert, as the sun breaks
through the clouds, and when it was
noised abroad that this strange, stern,
fearless man was seen walking on the
banks of the Jordan and crying, Re
pent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at
hand, then the news spread like wild
fire and the multitudes hocked to see and
hear him. And what did they hear {?
One graphic sentence of his own describes
his preaching: "And now the axe is
laid unto the root of the trees" There
was no mistaking the meaning of the
message-bold, plain, true, strong. Such
man will always be heard. The peo-
pie recognize the true tone and ring of
the voice which comes from the heart OF
the speaker and goes straight as an ar
row to the conscienceo of the hearer. Had
one of the old prophets actually reap
peared on the earth? Yes and no. No
ancient prophet had literally risen from
the dead, but one had come in the spirit
and power of one of the mightiest of these
departed messengers of God, and the
hearts of the people thrilled in listening
to what impressed them as if those long
client voices were sounding in the ear OF
the world once more.
But greater than John was yet to
come. John announced him when he
said He that oometh after me is might
Ter than ]" Did 1 say just now that
John was the man the world had been
waiting for Yes, but only as the fore
runner and herald of One the latchet of
whoSH shoes he was not worthy TO un
loose; One whose lofty title was, "The
desire Of the nations" One for whom pa
triarchs, prophets and kings had been
looking for four thousand years; One
who was by nature the Goldman and by
Office the Redeemer of the world.
Andrew must have been profoundly
impressed by these things. he no doubt
shared in the expectation then common
every ywhere, that great deliverer was
about to appear. Had not his mother
taught him that ont of Jacob a star
should arise? Had not his father told
him that the King of Zion was coming,
and that to him should the gathering OF
the people be2
THE GREAT PROCLAMATION.
Immediately after Johns announce
ment Jesus appeared on the scene. He
too. walks on the banks OF the Jordan
not stern and grim as was the Baptist,
but gentle, winning, tender, with a
crown of sorrow on his head, but love
and pity in hie heart Then Johns tone
Is changed his warning voice, which
rang like q trumpet, shattering the air
With It's startling blaet, now sounds soft
and sweet as lutte and looking upon
Jesus as He walked, be said Behold
the Lamb of God" This was Johns
greatest announcement to the world. It
must have touched the heart OF Andrew.
From his childhood he had seen the even.
ing and the morning 5aorifce He knew
that It could not take away sin of itself
but that 1t was a radiant finger pointing
to the one all sufficient sacrifice which
the great High Priest would offer for the
sins of the world All day long after
Andrew heard Johns invitation to be-
mold the Lamb Of God, ne must have
been thoughtful and full of tender feel.
ing. The next day John repeated the
same saying: Behold the Lamb of
God. There is good in reDetition.
While the iron is hot, repeated blows of
the hammer will give it the desired
shape Repeating thing impresses it.,
drives it In. You do not drive a nail
with one stroke OF the hammer, but by
many strokes. Repeating thing doubles
It's weight and value Two, twice over,
ia only four, but repeated three times it
is Elk f; repeated six times it is twelve
John followed up his first testimony by
repeating it. Then Andrew hesitates no
longer, he leaves John; he follows
Christ John is not displeased at being
deserted, provided those who left him
followed the Lamb
ANDREW INQUIRING
Now see Andrew in his character of q
IL w