The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-10

abstemiousness kept vigil in the dun
geon. Herodian wantonness blaZed
and reeled in the banquet-cha mber.
Self-oblivious devotion below is
matched by an overweening ambition
above. The forgiving spirit, ready to
pray for despiteful users, is offset by
a Yindictive thirst for the blood of one
whose very life was a rebuke to sin
ners. On the Inky agate of the
Herodian court the character of John
Baptist. stood out in high relief, a
clear-cut cameo of snowy luster.
If 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 contracnted the incestuous con
ection which called forth the Baptist's
stern and constant at is not law 'ul,"
This banquet seems to have been.
in part at least, military affair.
Antipas was toastiDg and feasting his
officers. he was putting them in
heart for the war into which his un-
natural crime had plunged him.
Their ivory touches rested upon tes-
sellated floor of banquet-hall in the
marble palace, within the impreg-
nable fortress of Macherus. The tat
rarchs couriers had brought in haste
from every quarterthe dantiest viands
of fish, flesh, and fowl, while wine
filled golden goblets to their brim,
and the air was scented with jet and
spray of perfume.
Herodias was in her boudoir.
Ambition was her ruling vice. She had
discarded her rightful husband, faith
er Of her beautiful daughter, because,
he had no title. She married one who
already sustained the relation of uncle
and brother-in-Iaw to her, and in do
ing so displaced loyal wife from her
husbands side.
At length Herodias had title and
numerous palaces and fawning cour-
tiers; but she had also a Nemesis,
whose imperiots sit is not lawful y
either threat nor cajolery nor bible
could silence. Her strait was desper-
ate. The uncompromising preacher
of righteousness was making progress
with her paramour. If he converted
him, she would be discarded, and all
lost. She had secured the Baptist's
imprisonment. But locks and bars
seemed no restraint to his subtle in
fluence, while his dungeon walls seem
ed to echo his at is not lawful" with
ever louder detonations.
The desperate and wicked woman
baited her hook with her daughters
modesty, and went angling in the
pool of drunken revelry. When Anti
pas found himself caught, he lacked
moral courage to snap the hook He
feared to veX Herodias, and had sup
erstitious scruples about breaking his
oath. He doubted the effect of his
vacillation upon the courtiers and
chi(iarchs whom he was seeking by
this very banquet to attach more
closely.to himself. On the one,hand he
was apprehensive of the effect on the
murder of one who stood so high in
their regard. Wretched man! This
was the turning-point in his career.
With the infamous choice of this
hour he began the descent which ter
minated in disgrace, exile, death.
A moment later, Salome, paragon
of voluptuous beauty, flushed with
her lascivious dance, carries, with an
inhumanly steady hand golden plat.
ter from the banquet table, on which
rests the head of the martyr. A choice
dish that for Herodias, 1t was her
share in the banquet.
The Teachers Lantern
A character in which there is no
balance-wheel of principle is despica-
BILE. When such a one reaches a posi-
ton of power it is public calamity.
LAS roaring lion and a raging bear,
so is a wicked ruler over the poor
people" Some who would be lavish
in their upbraiding of social outcast
are singularlv mute before sin while
it is shrined in wealth, luxury, and
power. John Baptist was not OF that
order. No station in life is to loftIv
to lift its occupant above the reach of
the pains and penalties of sin. They
can pass even palace-door is a fearful
thing to deliberately cherish hatred
and revenge in the heart. 1t is sure to
bear its crimson fruit For his oath's
sake. A poor women of my city said
to me last winter that there come a
day when they had not scrap to put
on the table. She put her shawl on,
and went down to the corner saloon.
stated the fact to the saloon keep
er, reminding him, in addition,
that her husband had spent Il good
deal of money at his bar. He professd
to be sorry for her, but said he had
prmtSed not to aid anybOdy,and there
fore cOul6 not holm bar Curor;e;o.