The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-09

June 10, 1900; Mark vi, I4-29-Death
of John the Baptist.


Extremes met in the fortress palace of Herod
Nazaritish abstemiousness kept vigil in the dun
geon. Herodian wantonness biazed and reveled
in the banquet chamber. Self-oblivious devotion
below is matched by an overweening ambition
above. The forgiving spirit ready pray for
despiteful users is Offset by a vndictive thirst
for the blood Of one whose very life was re-
buke to sinners On the inky agate of the
Herodan court the character Of John Baptist
stood out in high relief a cear-cut cameo of
snowy luster. II any Herod ever needed
a post graduate course in the art of luxury. this
one had it. He received his finishing touches
during his visit TO Rome. At that capital OF
debauchery he contracted the inccstuous and
adulterous connection which called forth the
Baptist's stern and constant 1T is not lawful"
This banquet seems to have been. in part
at least, military affair Antipas toast
ing and feasting his chliarchs. He was putting
them in heart for the into which his I'M
natural crime had plunged him. Their ivory
couches rested upon tessellated floor OF banquet
hall in the marble palace. within the impreg
nable fortress of Machaerus. The tetrarch's
couriers had brought in haste from every quar-
ter the daintiest yiands of fish. flesh and fowl.
while wine filed golden goblets to their brim.
and the air scented with jet and spray OF
perfume. Herodias was in her boudoir.
Ambition was her ruling vice she mad discarded
her rghtful husband. father OF her beautiful
daughter. because. forsooth. he had no title. She
married one who already sustained the relation
of uncle and brother-n-lsw to her. and in doing
so displaced loyal wife from her husbands
SIDE At length Herodias had a title and
numerous palaces and fawning courtiers; but she
had also Nemesis. whose imperous 1T is not
lawful neither threat cajoery nor bride
could silence. Her strait was desperate. The
uncompromising preacher of righteousness was
making progress with her paramour. If he
verted him. she would be discarded and all lost.
She had secured the Baptists Imprisonment.
But locks and bars seemed no restraint 10 his
subtle influence, while his dungeon walls seemed
to echo his 1T is not lawful with ever louder
detonations. The desperate and wicked
woman baited her hook with her daughters mod
esty. and went angling in the pool of drunken
revelry. When Antipas found himself caught he
lacked moral courage to snap the hook. He
feared to Herodias and had superstitious
scruples about breaking his oath. He doubted
the effect of his vacilation upon the courtiers
and chiliarchs whom he seeking by this
very banquet TO attach more closely to himself
On the other hand. he was apprehensive of the
effect on the people of the murder of who
stood so high in their respect wretched mani
This was the turning point in his career With
the infamous choice of this hour he began
the descent winch terminated in disgrace exile
death. moment later Salome. para
gon of voluptuous beauty, flushed with her
lascivious dance carries. with an inhumanly
steady hand. golden platter from the banquet
table, on which rests the CHASTITY head of the
martyr. A choice dish that for Herodias. y,
was her share in the banquet
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
character in which there is balance-wheei
of principle is despicable When such one
reaches position of power IL Is a public calam-
ity las roaring lion a raging bear so
is wicked ruler over the poor people. .
Some who would be lavish In their upbraidng Of
social outcast singulariy before sin
while 1t is still shrined in wealth. luxury and
power John Baptist of that order.
No station i'm life is lofty TO lift
its occupant above the reach Of the pains and
penalties OF sin They pass even palace
doors and fall with their full weight upon kings
hearts. . II is fearful thing to deliber-
ately cherish hatred and revenge the heart.
II is the seed OF murder, and is TO bear its
crimson fruit. For his oath's sake A
poor woman OF my city said to me last winter
that there came a day when they had not a
scrap to put on the table. She put her shawl
on, and went down to the saloon. and
stated the fact to the saloon keeper. reminding
him. in addition. that her husband had spent a
good deal of money at his bar. He professed to
be sorry for her. but said he had promised not
to aid anybody. and therefore could not help
| her Surprising how tenacious some are of
their oaths and promises when it suits their con-
venience. That proverb has no weight with
| them. "a bad promise is better broken than
kept" This that Herod who, in
mockery, clothed Jesus in royal robes and sent
him back to PLATE. Out OF the corrupt