The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-10
THE CHARACTER OF JOHN
In Many Ways He Was Similar
to Christ.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
The Rev. Mr.. Jordan Gives an Exhaus-
tive Review of the Life Work
of the Forerunner
of Jesus.

Yesterday. at the Christian church.
Rev. w. NJ. Jordan preached an appro-
pirate sermon, which was listened to
attentively by the large congregation.
Mr. Jordan took his text from Luke
1:so And the child grew and waxed
strong in spirit" The following is
brief synopsis of his words:
John the Baptist, as a forerunner OF
Christ, presented to US in himself
most wonderful character. While little
is said in the Bible regarding his child
hood and early manhood, we get at
least enough to know 1t was life full
of interest His parents. Zacharlal ana
Elizabeth, are not mentioned in any OF
the chapters that follow his birth, yet
the fact that his father was priest
would indicate that the son would re-
ceiye educational advantages IN the
priestly line The Holy Spirit. had in
formed his parents even before his Dlfth
of his wonderful mission, and we can
suppose that the fond mother would
continually remind him of his glorious
future: the pous father would spare no
pains in teaching him the law and the
prophets. This is evident from the
mast erfu way he handled. the scrip
lures in his after life.
Three points in his preparation are
conspicuous: First, hard study, second
temperate living. and third, complete
surrender to his life's work. The first
is evident from his knowledge Of the
scriptures; the second is seen In his
plain diet and the third in his living
in the deserats till the daw of sheW-
ing unto Israel Indeed he was thor
oughly posted on the questions of the
day His first mission seemed to be to
declare that the kingdom of heaven Is
! at hand and to call on the people to
repent and bring forth fruits worthy
of repentance. but his thought and
| declarations on economic questions
were strictly up-to-date and good
enough for the nineteenth century.
Listen to his exhortation: He that
| hath two coats, let him impart to nm
| that hath none; and he that hath meat,
let him do likewise Again, Exact no
more than that which is appointed YOU
| And again, Do violence to no man,
neither accuse any falsely, and be con-
| tent with your wages.
| THE people We're willing to call him
/ the Messiah but his browning char
acteristic, like great characters, was his
! honesty. So he denied that he was the
! Christ but said He that cometh after
/ me is mightier than ], whose shoes
! am not worthy to bear. he shall baptiZe
/ you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
| How like the Master was John in many
ways. The Holy Spirit named each be-
! fore his birth. But little is known OF
1 their early Ire. Johh pe6dH MS nm
4 istry at the age of 80; Jesus was bap-
tized and declared to be the son of God
and began His ministry at the age OF
/ 30. John worked hard: Jesus did the
same. John knew the scriptures; Jesus
knew them so Well that to every ques-
ton he could say, Thus saith the scrip
| lures
.Redection-Every successful life
! should, first, try to know what his mis-
sion is: second, thoroughly prepare
himself for his life's work: third. conse-
crate and concentrate every energy
upon his chosen profession and make il
| q success -