The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-14

John the Baptist. because OF his
holiness and courage as a servant
and mouth-piece OF God, was a thorn
in the side OF King Herod and his
courtiers and the great of that day.
Herod and his high priests and the
more prominent people considered
John the Baptist and Jesus fanatics.
Doubtless they would have made
away with them quickly had II not
been for their fears OF the people.
The common people heard the Master
gladly and declared that never man
spake like this man." the same com
mon people believed John to be u
prophet
We vii! not undertake TO say
whether John exceeded his commits
sion or not when he reproved the king
and queen. As a rule, however, We
believe IL to be the wiser plan for
Christian ministers 10 speak forth the
Word OF God fearlessly and plainly,
without attempting personal applica-
tion-allowing each hearer TO apply
the message to his own heart. Hero
dias fortunately represents an uncom.
mon class OF women. She was gov.
|
married the man who, for a time,
seemed In line for promotion to a
kingly position. But when the title
was given by the Roman emperor TO
| his brother, Herod Antipas, she In
lyeig!ed the latter by her charms and,
deserving her husband. became Hero
dias the queen" John the Baptist,
while fearlessly denouncing sin. felt
led TO make a personal application OF
his teachings TO King Herod
Some have assumed that Herod had
requested John the Baptist to visit
the palace and give a talk on the re-
forms he advocated, and that, In this
connection. the prophet pointed out
the wrong OF the kings conduct. say
ing that twas not in harmony With
the Divine Law that he was living
with his brother Philips wife. Hero.
dias heard OF this and realized that
IL the king accepted such counsel II
would mean that herself and her beau.
| tiful daughter, Salome, would becomS
outcasts from the palace and be with
out q home, as IL would be impossible
| for her TO return TO her husband,
Philip. The power OF Herodias over
the king led to Johns Imprisonment.
Her next move was to effect his
death, for she realized her position
, insecure so long as he lived. Johns
fearless speech might yet influence
the king.
This ambitious, wicked. artful wo'
t man plotted murder, and the king
birthday celebration was her oppor-
tunity. She forwarded the arrange.
|, ments for great banquet, at which
! were present the mobiles and princes
of the land. Wine was In plentiful
supply. She we'll knew that the wine
! would infame the passions and relax
= the moral tone Of the company. So
she had her beautiful daughter Sa'
lone, specially prepared and attired
and instructed her to perform one OF
. the obscene dances common to the
: east on such occasions, but not com
monty INDUCED in except by the lower
classes, and never by Processes
The occasion was to be a rare one
II was intended TO influence the king
, exactly as 1t did-to admiration and a
boastful offer to the girl Of any gift
| she would ask. The plan succeeded
to the letteF-The- kings words were
ASK OF me a gift, even to the half OF
: my kingdom" possibly a suggestion
OF his willingness to make her his true
queen.
Following her mothers instructions