The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16

great sensation: people Of all classes came
TO hear his burning words and to learn
new truths: ne had excited deep interest
and expectation. for the whole nation were
looking forward to some wonderful and
marvellous event. y deputation was sent
from Jerusalem TO wait upon him and to
put to him the question, Who are thou?'
John received them. heard their inquiry.
and as he listened 10 it he passed into the
hour of his subtle temptation. Miraculous
~ born. his childhood had been peculiar,
and from his early manhood he had dwelt
in the desert places, apart from all man
kind. holding converse with his own soul
amid the solitude of the wilderness, wait
ing for the guidance Of his Cod. Accord
ing to the stern teachings of the law, i'm
PEELED by duty, he lifted his voice in earn
est appeals to repent" and to him came
many. desiring to lead a new life. And
now comes this deputation. Is it small
thing to have special deputation waiting
upon you from the capital Of the country
10 ask your opinion and abide by Your de-
cizion?
is it a little thing to hear them say,
''Who art thou?' in a tone of respect,
when seems. to imply, I'VE believe we al
ready know in you the person we have
long been expecting a sudden tempta-
ton was thus brought TO bear upon John.
Little did they understand the simple
grandeur Of his soul! One word and that
would have brought all 10 his feet to wor-
ship the Messiah.
How did John meet this temptation?
HE confessed; ana deceived not, but con-
fessed. I am not the Christ" The wonder
was but increased. what them That
he was some man, could not be doubtec
So they asked further, Art thou Elias?"
And he said. Il am not" art thou that
prophet?" and he answered, NO" He
did not at once reveal who he was, but
allowed them to pursue their questions
for q time He baf1led them and kept
them at arms length.
1t is the same way we ourselves are
treated. even in our highest inquiries. We
ask and get negatives-not Affirmative
for our answers. Blessed is the man who
will persevere in his inquiry till he
reaches the truth.
John knew who he was. That is one Of
the main points every man ought to I'M
derstand about himself. He ought TO be
able to say VINO he is, what he has been
called to DO, and what he is qualified to
perform A man may have great power
within a given compass, and yet a few
steps beyond that line be utterly weak
and useless.
DO we know ourselves? DO we know
the measures of our strength? Do we
work within the compass that God has as
signed US, or will we leave the world
without having done it any good?
WHO art thou?" they said to John. If
he had replied. 81 am the Christ" lie
would have won moments victory. but
at the same time he would have opened
up to himself a most ignominious and
lasting disgrace.
Who art thou. o man? What canst thou
do? What is the purpose Of COD as re-
vealed in thy life? Art thou great? Art
thou little? Art thou intended for public
life? Art thou meant for His ministry?
What is thy place? What is thy calling
in life? What is thy duty? DO you do it?
Let man honestly ask himself these
questions, understand clearly Gods plan
for him, work according to that plan, and
his life cannot be spent in vain.
Look at John; see how the great men
crowd around him; hear what temptations
they suggest to him. In all probability it
had never occurred to John himself that
he was Elias; that he was that
prophet; that he was some great one.
So the suggestion comes to him with all
the force of subtle temptation. In the very
work God gave him to do, it arises and
whispers OF success. What does he an
swer? Casting aside all ambition and all
public honor he makes reply Il am the
voice OF one crying in the Wilderness
only the voice, nothing more; intangible,
impassionate illusive-that was his an
swer II am . voice to bring a new mes
sage The message given, the voice dies
away and is gone. The message remem-
bered: the voice forgotten. a more hum
Bile reply, a more gentle rebule was never
given Thus, he to whom had been offered
brilliant career, a starry crown, high
theme, and a general following of his peo-
pie puts 1t all aside, and gently. but firm
ly, says. NO; am but voice; L am not
the Expected one: clearly, and once for
all, understand that my ministry and func-
ton in life is very different; l am only
the herald, not the King; l blow the blast
on thef trunpe, and He Himself will be
here soon
A stern, solemn grand man was John.
he would receive no compliments; he
would take nothing which did not belong
to him by right. Simple, truthful, I'M
finching, humble, he stands as the model
FOR Christians TO follow. He has shown
us what each Christian has to do-to so
before; to proclaim the advent of the
Iord; 10 call men TO repentance; TO awake
them from slumber; to urge them TO be
ready. for the Bridegroom cometh.
Ana then, having done the work God
gave him 10 do; delivered the messas sc
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