The Dolores star., 1911-04-07
Teacher That
Turned Away
His Scholars

- Ew is1ssl Aavs 49, ~
~ worries Isa1sss tAat havo
given . cordial reoognitjea
w 70 the leaders that vsso
greater thsa tAsy. Thsy
have not tAsnsslvss besa
great enough TO DO this. especially
when rscognition Of The greater lsa1-
Or meant Of necessity . loes n their
own prestige and following.
But John the Baptist was one e
those few exceptional leaders. Whea
be saw Jesus approaching. and a.
ciared solsmnly 70 bis own followers
that Jesus was the Lamb Of God, the
long.expected Messiah. be knew ven
enough that his followers would leave
him for the new teacher. He woulA
have besn ashamed Of them II they
had not done 20. He would have bssa
ashamed Of himself II they hal ut
done 90. for Il would have meant that
he had wholly failed In his life work.
that he had been preaching John Ne
Baptist rather than Christ.
And yet II was By no means easy
for John to take this step. ] am sure.
For many years have been secretary
Of . college faculty. and ! know how
hard II 10 even for college professors
to advise the bright students away
from their own classes.
Know What u Meant.
But John the Baptist did II. though
Il meant loneliness. though he knew
that tho whole world would 60 after
the new teacher. He did Il. though
II meant prison and forsetfulness FOR
himself. He vas glad and proud that
Christ was to increase. though II
meant Of necessity that be should o.
crease.
And John the Baptist did mot speak
under his breath. that few might hear
him. Heralds must have loud voices.
and he was the chosen herald Of the
Messiah. Il was an ear.fllling uttsr.
ance. We may be certain. when the
second Elijah made proclamation Of
the King.
Note. too. that the Baptist rscog-
missed, and would have ill men rscog-
nice. the distinctive character of
Christ. He did mot summon msa 10
the great miracle-worke or the great
teacher. or the great preacher an1
prophet. BEHOLD" he said. the LAmb
Of 0od!" Christ was divine. and he
was q sacrifice. and neither without
the other. That 10 the one msssags
Of al that follow In the footsteps Of
John the Baptist.
Il knew him not" said John. intro
ducinG the Messiah. That was The
second difhcult thing he did. 10 &c
knowledge his past blindness. THIS
dimculty keeps many nom coafess,sg
Christ-ths confessioa b a aehDowt
sdgment that they have bsea NsSpg.
Il have SEEN" said Joha. He -
held the Holy Spirit from heaven. an1
be heard the Spirits testimony. John
the baptist had had IN experiences d
his own. No one can bear witness -
another mans experience. or b .
herald upon another mans say-so
Put Christ ossors AlmssM.
And John the Baptist did the same
thing the nett day. A less sincere
man would have satisfed bis co..
science with one proclamation. and
would have kept bis scholars. There's
the TRUTH" most would said: take 4
or leave T." Not 20 John the Baptist:
be fairly drove his scholars from him
to Christ That 10 another reason
Why be was chosen TO b Christ's
herald.
Thus Il h. today % In the day Of
John. that true teachers pass on their
scholars 10 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 acQuaintancss that viii
fascinats them. and parents give W
their children to enter Christ's service
ten thousand miles away. And thus
u 10. to take the lesson from the other
side. that you and ! are called 10
leave friends and parents and ease
and possessions. yes. and our jobs
the Baptists. and enter with single
ness Of heart the one compelling 81.
legisnce Of Jesus Christ. For he 10
the ehisfest among ten thousand. and
the One altogether lovsly.-Prsaehsr's