South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-11
JOHN The BAPTIST
TOPIC OF SER N @ N
BY REV. GOFFENEY
Pastor Points Out Character
istics Of Disciple Which
Set Forth Duties.

Rev Waldemar GuGency !u a SER
mon on John the Baptist" which
Dc delivered before hiz congregation
az Che IONS Evangelical church
yesterday ruornlu- pointed out
thrce characteristics Of John which
se said plainly set forth mans duty
Today
f.Is sermon in part.
"JcEu the Baptist becomes OF Pc
culaf interest 70 as when We remcm-
Ter that Jesus spoke OF him IN
terms ~ praise az he spoke OF no
ether man "Iie is a shining light
Tie j. more than a prophet. But
This is not all One day he uttered
the remarkable words. @Of all the
men born Of woman there hath
arisen none greater than John the
baptist, thus placing him on the
hignest pinnacle o. human greatness
After describing the geOgraphi-
cal setting with its many historical
association which John chose as the
scene Of his activity. the pastor gave
a description Of the croWnins scene
OF 81. Johns life.
1T IS spring time. The air IS re-
dolent with the fragrance Of spring
flowers. The Jordan is at its food.
The preacher Is surrounded By a
vast thrOng q hearers. The point
Of the river before us has rich hist
Orical associations. Here the Israe-
lites first passed through into the
promised land. Here Elijah stepped
into the chariot which God sent 10
bear him 10 heaven. John has ceas-
cd speaking. His stalwart frame
trembles. He IS conscious OF pre-
sence in that assembly which has
never graced his audience before
A strange stiffness settles down upon
the mass. Some extraordinary event
IS at hand Imagine the surprise OF
the people when John suddenly
raises his right hand and pointing 1t
az a man. utters those words which
countless generations had vainly
hoped to hear. those words which
have since thrilled and enthused
thousands. yea millions. Behold the
Lamb OF God which taketh away the
sin Of the world" The amazement
81 the people only deepens when
Jesus steps forward and requests
baptism See Johns head drop,
tears come to his eyes, his shoulders
droop. Hear his voice break when
ne Gays. I have need 10 be baptized
OF Thee. and CONTEST Thou to me?'
But Jesus very gently said. Suffer
30 10 be so now, for thus IL becOmeth
us 10 fulfil righteousness" Hesl-
tating no longer the illustrious cand-
date steps into the water and Jesus
is baptized By John in the Jordan.
IN speaking OF the minister OF
John. IL was brought out that its one
edomiEant feature was its. posi-
tiveness. There was nothing indeh-
nIte or vague about the preaching OF
John. His discourses contained no
IFS and maybes and why's and where
fores. but COUGHING his message in
he simplest language possible he
said time and again. Repent ye for
the kingdom Of God is ut hand
TT is "A mistake to believe that the
world is unwilling 10 hear an In
tensly earnest, positive religious
address. 1t viii go farther 20 hear
this than any other type OF discus
sion For after all the one thing ali
mankind is seeking, the one longing
which undeTlies all other desires Is
the salvation OF the soul
I'm conclusion three characters
ties OF John were enumerated which
plainly set forth mans duty today.
John was a voice OF protest
against the sins OF his time. Are we
protest against the wickedness OF
our time? In order 20 be 10 is not
necessary TO stand upon the busy
thoroughfares and raise ones voice
against crime and ungodliness. We
should be silent protests in that we
are not partakers in other mems
sins. and by refusing TO associate
with those who haunt their vices in
tho face OF society.
John was a witness for the Dor Z.
John came 10 prepare tho way OF
the Lord. We are 10 prepare the
way for the coming OF the Lord into
This community IL there is a per
sen IN our family who is not con-
verified. then we arc 20 seek In every
way TO open up a path Cor Christ
into that heart. II there is a nom
christian family living I'm the block
with us or about whom we know,
then We must seek some method by
which We may build a path into that
family for tho Saviour. We must
use our friendships. our business
relations and associations as so
many suspension bridges over which
Jesus Christ may walk into the
hearts and lives OF men and women