The National tribune., 1894-07-26

L a
| raw hide. They were probably cut from
goods made by spinning the shaggier hair
| of a camel-a kind of drugget or carpet
| appearing cloth. The poor in the East and
monks still wear garments manufactured
from cancels hair and wool mixed 1t seems
| the prophets were accustomed to raiment
thus made. e XII, 1: g. Sofafse prophets
| initiated such garments. (Zac., 1874 Gar
| ments Of men in early days were long and
| flowing requiring girdles to bind them close
about the waist. The girdle of st. John
| Baptist was made of leather. Elijah the
| Prophet wore such a girdle. e XII, rs. J
| Girdles were made of linen, silk, gold and
silver. Leather was indicative of austerity.
| In ST. Marks account of st. John Baptist
| Q6) the English version has the word
skin instead of leather, but the original
| (Greek) is the same in both cases
His meat was locusts and wild honey"
Jews were permitted to eat locusts. (Lev.,
11:22) Boehart enumerates 10 kinds.
Modern travellers tell us these insects are q
common food in Asia and Africa. where they
greatly abound. The Greeks would eat
locusts, but they did not particularly relish
them, looking on them as inferior food. The
wings and legs were torn of, and the entrails
cast away, leaving the rest to put on splits
for roasting. Sometimes the people dried
and pulverfzed them into meal for making
bread. They also cooked and dressed them
in oil. In such cases they often packed them
in salt and cut off slices as were required.
Throughout Arabia locusts were strung as
dried apples often are in America, and
brought to market for sale. At times they
were boiled.
st. John Baptist also ate wild honey. There
was much such honey found in trees,
among rocks and elsewhere. (Jud., IA: g;
L Sa, 4:26; Ps., 81:16.) Many have
thought we are TO understand kind of sub
stance which exudes from palm, fig, date,
etc, trees Rabbinieal writers mention palm
honey, fig honey, etc. LANCE says that per-
haps st. John Baptist ate honey from bees
and also from trees. As to his drink see st.
Luke, 1: Is. We see the changes OF dishes
for the forerunner of Christ There were
different species OF locusts and various kinds
of honey. IF he could not get the one, he
might the other. Adam Clark, the Com
mentator, thinks he fried dried locusts in
honey. We are not alone in our theory that
the meaning of the account is that he was
obliged frequently to resort to the above
diet, and net that verse 4 gives the entire bill
Of fare.
Eerses z and 8.
All the time ST. John Baptist magnifes
his Principal The gap between the two was
great. ST. John felt unworthy to adjust the
latehet of Christ's shoes. Christ was mightier
than ST. John. When we remember in how
high esteem he stood, the people must have
gotten the idea that his successor was indeed
to be sublime parsonage. He did not claim
credit for the distinction Of being the herald
for such royalty. He felt it too great honor
to engage as slave of Christ st. John was
baptized with water, but his successor was
baptized with the Holy Spirit. st. John
used only the sign of the sacrament, but
Christ impaired what the sign implied. It
is the duty of all to magnify Christ.
Verses o, 10, II.
We must study as one paragraph. St. Mt,
3: 1917; st. Mark, 1:9-11, and st. Lu.,
3: 81, %
The baptism of Christ by st. John Bap-
tist 1t was in the river Jordan at Bethabara,
on the east side, to wit, in Perea. 1t was
done when ST. John Baptist had been herald
ing him for six months. Christ was 80 years
old, six months younger than his heralder.
He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness;
baptized just as he was born; as he was cir
cumcised; as he ate and drank; because he
us, represented us, acted as we ought to act.
He thus, too, Endorsed the ministry of st.
John Baptist. His baptism was attended by
certain phenomena. When his baptism was
completed the heavens opened, as it were
parted, leaving an avenue through which
access could be given between Heaven and
Christ. Down the Heavenly way descended
the Holy Spirit, having wings like those of
a dove. Then miraculous voice was heard:
= Thou art my Beloved Son, in whom am
well pleased
Where the woods in verdure dressed,
Hung DER Jordan's waters bright,
john fillfille{ his Lords bsiIest
Gave to Christ tlis sacred rite;
While the Spirit like n dove
Rested on the Holy Oac,
Lo! a voice from heaven above:
This is my Beloved Son."
Suggestions.
l. Be forerunners for Christ Prepare the
way.
2. Repent. Stop SHINING.
8. Confess sins.
4. Be baptized.
5. Magnify Christ. Stand behind the
cross.
6. Be not content without baptism of the
Holy Spirit.
=. AS children Of God try so to live rs to
secure his commendatioD. Try to please
your Heavenly Father. And children should
seek the approval of their human parents.