Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-27

CONTEXT.-Eighteen years passed
between the visit to the temple. studied
last week, and the baptism which is the
theme of our present lesson. The inspired
Denman passes over in silence that entire
period which was more than half of the
earthly life of the Lord Jesus. During all
those years He was in Nazareth, in the
home of Joseph, his foster father, the car
penter. to whom and His mother, Mary,
He was subject in all things duke, ii:o1-
SD There He increased in wisdom and
stature under the system of training then
impaired to Jewish youth. Many contec-
lures have been offered In explanation of
this long retirement, which has been set
forth as worthy of imitation by all who
would come to their life work well fur
nished. 1t is enough for us to know that
priest or prophet could not be indicted to
Office until thirty years of age. To this Gus
tom Jesus conformed, leaving him but
three years for his great work.
BEGINNING (yerse 1).-There are IA
Yorable as well as unfavorable circum-
stances with which a great enterprise may
be launched Many good cause has failed
simply because it was not begun at an OPP
perfume time and place, while other causes
nave speedily pushed on to success through
the good influence of surroundings. Prov-
dence appointed the mode for the begin
ming of the gospel of Jesus Christ This
young man. hidden away in obscure and
despised Nazareth John i:46) came out into
the world to be introduced TO the nation in
connection with another who had for six
months attracted much attention and gained
extended fame. At the time it was not I'M
derstood precisely why another, a preacher
of righteousness, called people to repent
ance, but afterward when the history came
TO be written in the light of all that trans
pired, it appeared that he really made the
beginning of the gospel. He opened the
Christian dispensation.
MESSENGER tverses ? and 3).-And
more than that also. He who preceded
Christ, who began the gospel and opened
the door into the new era did not hold that
place fortuitously but designedly. He was
a messenger who did not come of his own
accord, to do merely what his heart prompt
ed or his talents fitted him to do, as all
other men come, but he was divinely sent
tJohn 1850. There was in his heart the i'm
pulsion of the Holy Spirit, and he heard a
voice saying to him Go" so that he could
do no other than obey. Moreover, he had
been foretold by the prophets (Mal iiiD.
showing that the purpose and plan of God
We're understood in the previous centuries.
That prediction was indeed the very essence
OF Old Testament prophecy (Rev xix:1O
This appointed and foretold messenger fur
Their distinguished himself by the singleness
OF his purpose When he came he limited
himself to one work, as a voice crying
Prepare the way of the Lord"'
MISSION Oversees 4 and 5)-The mode
of undertaking this appointed, foretold and
accepted mission is next described. This
messenger, John the Baptist selected the
wilderness the sparsely settled country,
not the city, as the scene of his ministry.
The wisdom of this course is apparent.
Palmer people, less influenced by priestIv
and rabbinical control would be reached
those more hospitable to a declaration of
truth and sincerity, less bound by custom
and prejudice. He retired to the Jordan.
but few miles east of Jerusalem where
the necessities of drink and food and of his
ministry might be had John Iii :230 There
he preached, delivering his message directly
to the mind and heart and expecting results
only in and through the message. His own
theme was righteousness, which is the mi
tial theme of the gospel His coordinate
theme was baptism for remission of sins,
the ordinance attesting Il spiritual change.
Vast audiences assembled, heard, repented,
accepted baptism.
HABIT (verse 6).-What sort of
man was this who undertook by divine
appointment to win men from their sins as
a preparation for Christ? We may expect
every man to be adapted to his calling, and
that adaptation should embrace several
particulars without which he might hope
for little success. 1t is important to fit
man to his work and for 1t. The record
concerning John is therefore very interest
ing and instructive, pertaining only to his
apparel and food the account being given
also by another evangelist Matt iii:4).
He was clothed in a sort of coarse or rough
garment made of camers hair, which /.
appears was common to the prophets
Czech xiii:4). Elijah was clad in such
raiment q Kings i:s), and John had
been designed to bear the spirit of THAI
prophet duke i:17), it was proper that he
Should dress like him. Moreover, John dt9
locusts and wild honey-what might be
gathered in the country near by. In short,
his habit of life was free from the fashion
and display of the rich and influential.
TESTIMONY oversees and S).-Had
Jchn limited his preaching TO righteous
ress and baptism for remission he would
have rendered valuable service to the coun-
try AS a messenger sent from God ne
rad a much larger message. which he
faithfully presented to those who gathered
about him, probably to those who became
his disciples John i:29). This larger mes
sa ge was direct testimony concerning Jesus