The Penn's Grove record., 1911-03-10

have not themselves been
great enough to do this, especially
when recognition of the greater lead
er meant Of necessity a loss in their
own prestige and following.
But John the Baptist was one OF
those few exceptional leaders. When
he saw Jesus approaching, and de-
clared solemnly to his own followers
that Jesus vas the Lamb of God, the
l6hg-expected Messiah, he knew well
enough that his followers would leave
him for the new teacher. He would
have been ashamed of them If they
had not done SO. He would have been
ashamed of himself if they had not
done SO, for 1t would have meant that
he had wholly failed in his life work,
that he had been preaching John the
Baptist rather than Christ.
And yet 1t was by no means easy
for John to take this step, | am sure.
For many years l have been secretary
of a college faculty, and I know how
hard it is even for college professors
to advise the bright students away
from their own classes.
Knew What II Meant.
But John the Baptist did 1t, though
It meant loneliness, though he knew
that the whole world would go after
the new teacher. ae did it, though
1t meant prison and forgetfulness for
himself. He was glad and proud that
Christ was to increase, though 1t
meant of necessity that he should de-
crease.
And John the Baptist did not speak
under his breath, that few might hear
him. Heralds must have loud voices,
and he was the chosen herald Of the
Messiah. 1t was an ear-fiiling utter
ance, we may be certain, when the
second Elijah made proclamation Of
the King.
Note, too, that the Baptist recog-
nized, and would have all men recog-
nize, the distinctive character of
Christ. He did not summon men to
the great miracle-worker, or the great
teacher, or the great preacher and
prophet. Behold" he said, THE Lamb
of Godi" Christ was divine, and he
was a sacrifice, and neither without
the other. That is the one message
of all that follow in the footsteps of
John the Baptist.
IT knew him not" said John, intro
ducing the Messiah. That was The
second difficult thing he did, to ac-
knowledge his past blindness. This
difficulty keeps many from confessing
Christ-the confession is an acknowl-
edgment that they have been wrong.
81 have seem" said John. He be-
held the Holy Spirit from heaven, and
he heard the Spirits testimony. John
the Baptist had had an experience of
his own. No one can bear witness to
another mans experience, or be a
herald upon another mans say-so.
Put Christ Before Himself.
And John the Baptist did the same
thing the next day. A less sincere
man would have satisfied his con-
science with one proclamation, and
would have kept his scholars. There's
the truth" most would said; take 1t
OF, leave it." Not SO John the Baptist;
he fairly drove his scholars from him
to Christ. That is another reason
why he was chosen to be Christ's
herald.
Thus it is, today as in the day of
John, that true teachers pass on their
scholars to other teachers that are
able to carry them further, and min
listers yield their church to other min
listers that can preach the gospel more
freshly, and friends introduce their
friends to new acquaintances that will
fascinate them, and parents give up
their children to enter Christ's service
ten thousand miles away. And thus
It is, to take the lesson from the other
side, that you and 1 are called to
leave friends and parents and ease
and possessions, yes, and our John
the. Baptists, and enter with single
ness of heart the n compelling al
legiance of Jesus Christ. For he is
the chiefest among ten thousand, and
the One altogether loYely.-Preacher's
Helper.