The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-02-14
Sunday School Column
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les.
son for Teachers and Pupils.
BY CHAS. K. MEYERS.


Feb. 1S-The Ministry of John thu
Baptist.-Mark is; Luke 3, 1923.
Our attention is gain called to tina
wonderful man, John the Baptist. W.
studied as to his birth some week:
ago, and now take up his work as thu
fOrerunner for the Christ. John ha(
gone through preparatory training
for his work. He spent many years
in the wilderness east OF the Jordan
There in solitude communing with Goo
he had impressed on his mind the
work he was to do. At length came
the time for action. John went sud
denly into prominence as preacher
and a mover of the hearts of the peo
pie. He came like one whom he was
called after by many people-Elijah
of the olden times.
In the lesson verses found in Luke
there is a complete setting forth OF
the date when John began to preach,
by telling just who were the local
kings and Roman governors at the
time mentioned. Roman history con-
firms the bible statements, adding an
other link in the chain of proof that
the bible is indeed true.
John made his appearance along the
valley of the Jordan river He spoke
in way to arouse interest and there
was an immense number of people
out to hear him. What he said made
an impression, hundreds confessed
their sins and were ready to be bap-
tized in the river.
OF course the important thing for
us all to consider is the nature OF the
message John taught. He first made
plain that he came as forerunner OF
one greater than he, and that his
mission was to prepare the way. To
make the case so the people would un'
derstand John likened his work to
that of one who filled up the valleys
and leveled the mountains in an en-
deavor to make an easy way for his
superior.
John came right straight at the
point, and told his hearers they were
sinners, and should flee from wrath
to come. once asked returned mis-
sionary from India as to what he
talked when addressing group of
heather hearers He said: Il talk
to them just as would to men in
America. The people OF India, like
all others, feel and know they are not
doing right, they know they are SIN
ners in the sight of one who is pure
and good" They have been taught
by their leaders that atonement for
sins can be had by acts which cause
pain to the body and this is the reason
why we see men cutting themselves
with knives and undergoing great
physical torture.
John declared the same gospel is
did Jesus and the same as from ever!
proper minister today-"Repent of
YOUR sins and show forth fruits of a
changed life in your conduct with
men," He said that the axe was to-
be laid at the roots and that every
tree, or in other words every life,
which does not bear fruits of right
doing along bible lines will be cut
down and be destroyed. Christ set
forth the case in the famous words:
"By their fruits We shall know them"
Jesus told of the tree which was to|
be allowed to grow one more year
with the hope that it might bear fruit,
and thus be saved from the axe. 1t
is fearful thing to consider that the
days of health and strength given us
muy be only little time added to al
low us to make a record OF fruit
bearing" for God and His gospel as
set forth in the New Testament.
John did not ask great upturning
rebellion against the government,
a life removed from contact with the
ordinary paths Of business life and
duty. He told the soldiers to avoid
violence toward the people, make no
false charges, and to be content with
their pay The tax gatherers were
told to obey the laws as to taxes and
20 no further and rob the people.
love and compassion was
asked of all, even to the extent OF
dividing garments and food. Jesus
those who were kind to
the poor and needy for His sake, and
St. Paul denounced one who pretends
to be christian, and will not help the
needy.
One could keep writing for page
more as to this lesson. Let it be noted
that John did not say that his water
baptism in itself had a saving power.
There was what he called the bap-
tism of the Holy Ghost, silent invis-
ible changing of the heart and life,
which was the vital thing. This is