The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-06-24

iege We can make ours whenever We
will; but it will require patience and
courage to withstand the bitter oppo-
sition we will thereby incur. The
Baptist, after having accomplished
the end for which he came, found him.
self stricken down by the opposition
he had awakened.
And although 1900 years have
passed since that foul crime was re-
corded, the spirit Of that vanton prin,
cess still lives in the world. 1t lives
in all its power and vice in that ele-
ment in society that resents being re-
minded of it's sin; that, in the height
of its arrogant pride, thinks itself
above rebuke because, perchanoe, in
the eyes Of a blinded world, its posi-
ton is exalted. This is the element
that would silence the voice you
would raise against it.
But thank God, if the spirit Of
Herodias still lives, so does the spirit
of John the Baptist. Although his
tongue was stilled nigh two thousand
years ago, his voice still sounds
through the world, branding evil and
the evil-doer in the presence of God
and man. And never was there great
er need Of this voice, Never was the
spirit of Herodias more rampant than
it is today. Never did vice parade it,
self more insolently or in more fasoi'
mating hues. Shall We take up the
cry Of the Baptist, or shall we retire
before the profane opposition of this
modern Herodias?
But many would doubtless draw
back from occupying the position and
doing the work we have been speaking
of because of a sense Of weakness and
upworthiness. But our Lord him
self in his discourse on the Baptist
gives US a word Of encouragement
which, indeed, if we rightly interpret
it, should infuse into US a 5oldness
and strength which should carry us
through all temptations and discour-
agments. "Among them that are
born of women" he said to throngs
as they gathered about Him on the
hillsides overlooking the city of Main,
''there has not risen a greater than
John the Baptist, Notwithstanding he
that is least in the kingdom of heaven
is greater than he." The explanation
of these words is to be found in the
Epistles to the Hebrews, where the
inspired apostle explains the meaning
of the very thought which the Baptist
himself employed in speaking on this
point.
John lived under the dispensation
of the law and, in common with the
patriarchs and prophets, had but the
promises. He could give but the
blood of bulls and goats as reparation
for HE sin. 1t was not given to him
to know Of that "full, perfect and suf-
acient sacrifice. oblation and satisfac-
ton for the sins of the whole world
made once for all, by our Lord upon
the cross. He lived and died under
the law with its hard and fast system
of sacrifices and rites and under the
law he was the greatest born of wo-
man. How is it then that eve the
least in the kingdom shall be greater
than he? 1t is because he was the
heir of the promises only, while we
have inherited the reality. "He was
an heir Of the promises" We are
"heir of God and joint heirs with
Christ" The Baptist, great and
holy saint though he was, could not
claim this right of heirship because he
passed from the sphere of his proba-
ton before this inheritance vas won
for US on Calvary.
And now just a few words on the
practical bearing of all this on our
every day life. How are we to show
forth the principles Of which we have
been speaking? 1t is not given to all
of US to sway with eloquent words
multitudes of men. Few of lis have
the power Of attracting and Influencing
men as did the Baptist. But there
are ways in which each one of US,
weak and sinful as we are. can take
part in preparing the world for that
other coming of Christ, at which time
all things shall be consummated. The
preparation committed to us is one of
warfare. In our baptism we pledge
ourselves to fight manfully under
Christ banner until life end. Are
we doing it? Are we living like true
and loyal soldiers, ready always to
strike a blow for the cause to which
we are bound? When we hear our
Lord and Master attacked, for exam
pie, when We hear his name blasphem-
ed, are we quick to speak up for Him,
to let men know that w are his SOL
diers and that in our presence no at
tacks on Him will be tolerated; or do
we beat a cowardly retreat, laugh with
the crowd at the unholy jest and deny
our Lord who was not ashamed to bear
for our sakes the deep ignominyo of the
cross?
And yet another way we can emulate
the Baptist and assist in the prepare
ton for Christ's final kingdom. How
about those of Christ little ones all
about you who need to be lifted up, to
be encouraged, to be helped? How
about those fellow soldiers in this
great battle of the cross who have fall
len by the wayside, who look to you
for care, for kindness? Would you
make the excuse so commonly made
that you know not where they are;
that your business or your duties
generally do not allow you time to find
them? l tell you in reply that you
could not walk around the block in
which you live without finding some
poor soul whose life can be made
brighter by a kind word from you, but
which you withhold either from sloth
or from a want of moral courage.
Yes, it does require courage to per:
form these little acts, but if we would
follow the lead of the Baptist and
gather up the full lesson of his life we
must learn to act boldly as we'll as to
speak boldly. Our friends may smile
with somewhat of ridicule when they
see us knocking at the door of some
humble cottage in our quest for oul
Lords little ones. And oh, how hard
is ridicule to bear! But wait! When
the work of the Baptist, in which you
have been assisting, has been com
pleted, when his ways have been pre-
IL L.