Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-27
TOLUPTUARY HBROD.
TIE SECOND OF A SERIES OF SPECIAL SER
MONS BY REY. @. b. AFFORD
Upon the Characters Who Were Present at the
Trial of Christ-Ths Lesson Taught
BY the Life Of Hsrod.

At the Third Presbyterian Church
last evening Rev. @. III. Afford preached
the second OF g series Of special sermons
upon "Herod Antipas, the Voluptuary."
His text was taken from Luke 25-7-
land as soon as he knew that he be-
longed into Herod's jurisdiction, he sent
him to Herod, who himself also, was at
Jerusalem at that time"
Rev. Afford began his discourse with
some historical and biographical re-
marks concerning the subject of his
sermon. In the year 81. A. D., the
whole family OF the Herod's had a re-
union in Jerusalem. 1t was in the Sec
ond year Of the reign Of Plate, and It
was there that Herod Antipas commit
ted his first great public sin. John the
Baptist was boldly preaching the doc
trine OF repentance in the region at that
time, and he denounced the sin OF Anti
pas. For so doing he was cast into
prison. When he was brought before
Herod's court, he took the opportunity
to denounce Antipas before his partners
in crime and the whole court. This
bold denunciation Of sin eventually cost
him his life.
As John spoke without, another
voice, the voice of conscience, spoke
within Herod's heart. He did many
things 10 conciliate conscience, but he
would not give up Herodias. Men Of
ten act that way. In sickness they
promise many things, but with con-
valesence they hold to their pet sins.
One cannot compromise with conscience.
The standard of right cannot be short
ened.
Events soon led to the second dark
crime committed by Herod Antipas. AT
a banquet given In honor Of the thir-
teenth anniversary OF hisreign, Salome,
daughter of Herodeas, charmed him
with her dancing, and he offered her
whatever she wished. The demand was
for the head OF John the Baptist.
Herod feigned sorrow; IL was mock sor-
row, for he Immediately sent for the
executoner, and had John beheaded In
prison. His haste proves his compile
ity in the plot. Many a man rejects
Christ, just for fear Of being inconslst-
ent with himself; but no man can be
saved unless his Christian life is incon
sistent with heather life. He cannot
reform, unless his life after reforma-
ton is inconsistent with his life before
reformation. Man ought never to feel
bound by an oath, the fulfllment OF
which is sin.
Some months later all Galilee was
stirred by the teaching and miracles OF
Christ. Some said be was Elias, others
that he was a prophet. Herod said he
was John the Baptist, risen from the
grave. The ghost Of the past stood be-
fore him his dreams. Be tried to con-
clliate conscience while resting under
his first crime; under his second he
tried to silence conscience. But con-
science will not be sileDced. Con
science makes towards Of us ALL"
Herod was afraid OF Christ, and
wished to get Him out OF his domain.
In sly, crafty way, he sent some OF
the Pharisees 70 Him to pretend friend
ship and to urge Him to leave. Christ
told them He was simply doing the
work Of love, and that no power could
stop it until it was completed. A few
weeks later, to right former wrong
and to make friends with the Tetrarch,
PLATE sent Christ to Herod for trial.
Six years after the crucfixion, Herod
was deprived of his domlnions and ban
ished TO Gaul.
What warning is the life of Herod
Antipas. His life was selfish one, a
life of ease and luxury, OF pleasure and
rapacity. BE was a hypocrte, pre-
tending to be religious, to gain the good
will of the Jews. de was treacherous,
pretending to be the protector Of John
the Baptist, when he was in reality
plotting his death. He was an migrate,
receiving the hospitality of his brother
Philip, and stealing the afec-
tions of the wife OF his
host. What grand opportunities were
given to Herod to repent and be- saved.
He heard the preachings Of John, and
OF Christ, but rejected the last oppor-
tunity given him for salvation. We
should take warning from such life
aud realize how dangerous it is to tritle
with conscience-to try 10 conciliate, to
stife, and to defy 1t. Rather let us
listen to the Spirit which whispers
within, To-day IL ye Will hear His
voice, harden not your hearts"