The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-19
THE POWER OLA WOMAN.

John the Baptist, because -of his
boldness and courage as a seryan,
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 the High Priests and the
more prominent people considered
John the Baptist and Jesus fanatics.
Doubtless they would have made
away with them quicgly had II not
been for their fears Of the people.
The common people heard the Mas
ter gladly and declared that "never
man spake like this man., the same
common people believed John to be
a prophet.
We will not understand to say
whether John exceeded his commits
sion or not when he reproved the
King and Queen Az rule, however,
we believe 1t to be the wiser plan for
Christian ministers to 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. Herodias
fortunately represents an uncommon
class of women She was governed by
boundless ambition. She married the
man who, for a time. seemed i'm line
for promotion to a kingly position. But
when the title was given by the
Roman Emperor to his brother, Herod
Antipas, she invegled the latter by
her charms and, deserting her hus-
band became Herodias the Queen.
John the Baptist, while fearlessly de-
nouncing 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
theS 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, saying
that 1t was not In harmony with the
Divine Law that he was living with
his brother Philips wife. Herodias
heard of this and realized that If the
King accepted such counsel 1t would
mean that herself and her beautiful
daughter, Salome. would become out
casts from the palace and be without
home, as It would be impossible for
her to return to her husband. Philip.
The power of Herodias over the King
leu 10 JOHH lIlpTlSoillHeHl. titT neNt
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-
man plotted murder, and the King'N
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 sup
ply. She we'll knew that the wine
would inflame the passions ana re-
lax the moral tone of the company.
So, she had her beautiful daughter,
Salome, specially prepared and at
tired, and instructed her to perform
one of the obscene dances common to
the east on such occasions but not
commonly indulged in except by the
lower classes, and never by princesses
The occasion was to be rare one. II
was intended to influence the King
exactly as Il did--to admiration and
a boastful offer TO the girl of any
gift she should ask. The plan sue
ceeded 10 the letter. The Kings words
were, "Ask of me gift. even to
the half of my Kingdom'--possibly
suggestion of his Willingness to make
her his true Queen.
Following her mothers instructions,