The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-04

kaur. old Machaerus. the fortress OF
Herod Antipas. on n mountain 500 leet
high east OF the Dead sea. In the dun
geons OF this ancient stronghold. sun IN
tact Josephus says John the Baptist was
a prisoner. and here he suffered mar
tyrdom. The speaker then gave an ac-
count Of that pathetic tragedy
The hero's end was approaching, ana
the tired hero was not far from his
crown. IL was an evening I'm the early
spring. the anniversary OF Herod' : birth.
The despot gives a banquet. His lords
sit down for a Belshazzar feast. The
lights are burning In the hall; the VINE
is red. and all ~ merry in the palace
on the hill. No one of that gay throng
concerns himself about the poor prison.
or IN his dungeon close at hand In the
keep. Yes. one; one remembers him,
with fear and hatred.
After even wine has palled upon the ap-
petite of the lustful crowd, Hefod ana
his guests are entertained with a licen-
ciOus dance by Saiomc. his own wifes
daughter by her former husband.
Herod's passions are atiame, and he or
fers with drunken rocklessness 20 Destow
upon the dancer any gift she asks.
She is ready; her ugress mother, living
I'm adultery. rebuked by John, who had
said TO EerOd. 1T is not lawful for thee
10 havs thy brothers philip wife, had
instructed salome what TO ask, and the
girls lips opened TO say: Give me here
John the Baptsts head on charger.
Even the besotted King. and the wine
soaked guests are ahashed AT this de-
mand: but the word of the great man IS
az stake. He Will not have MS honor
questioned. afraid of man. 50 far as TO
forget true hcmor and the wrath OF
God he gives the fatal command.
Down - the dungeon 20 the guards.
Come get up, John, your trials are over
this is your coronation hour; heaven Is
waiting. and the angels have their harps
strung 10 welcome you. Their lips are
opening to sing thy victory and reward,
and God X ready to say, wei done,
good and faithful servant Thou dldst
precedc thy Master here on earth. ana
thou shall be Ills morning star in hea-
ven.
Ii was but a mOmentary trial. lie "au
no tims for preparation. needed none.
An unfinished prayer. "a sword flash, ana
Heaven.
Back TO tho banquet hall the soldiers
bear the CORY head. and on saver
hand il tO the maiden. She carries
away. The banqueters do not relish
such a sight as this. and Herod race
blanches &C the horrid spectacle. Ana
now the girl hands the awful trophy OF
the mothers triumph to Herodius.
Horodius was a woman. but, aias her
crimes hal destroyed long ago her Mo-
mans heart %, woman, when tIou
takest the crown of virtue from my
brow. that crown which related thee 10
Heaven and tho angels. thou dost any
thvself to hell. the crown thou thth
woarest. A. indeed. IL give thee power
over men is domning both 10 them ana
thee and its CLEAN is but the hsht Ok
the Internal fires. ...
Next morning after the murder Johi
disciples came and took away the head-
lees body of their master and MS ne"
grave is sprinkied with their tears. he
only thing left for them now is 20 go ana
tell Jesus.
This is the last resource OF the De
reaved. and bamed. When We come 10
our strengths end. an we can do Is 10
tako the burden. too great for u.s. ana
Law n az the Masters feet
Next Sunday night Dr. herrs SUBJECT
will Doe "A Journey Through the Coasts
Of Tyre and sidou, and by Hermon 10
The Region East of the Jordan RIVER.