The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-05-27
Great Personages
of the Bible
By
REV. LEONARD A. BARRETT
John the Baptist

Wv garding the boyhood of John the
Baptist. We first discover him living
In the solitude of the desert, a strong
courageous, but lonely man. The gar
ments which he wore were made of
camel's hair, and for food he ate To-
Gusts and wild honey.
This man of the desert had a great
message It was not political mes
sage addressed especially to the Ro-
man government; nor was it a mes
sage destined to revolutionize, In q
short space of time, Its immoral life.
John the Baptist addressed his mes
sage to the common people. It was
simple, direct, and forceful. The Sub
stance of his message can be ex-
pressed in a single word, Repent"
Large crowds gathered to hear what
he had to say. He taught them the
value of honesty, righteousness, and
fair play. He struck hard at the root
Of sin. He told the people that they
should repent and begin to live their
lives all over again. He not only
spoke in public assemblies, but also
baptized those who came under the
conviction of his message. He was
called John the Baptist because he
tism was unquestionably immersion.
So powerful and influential was his
message that many persons thought
he was Jesus Christ. Those who were
under this impression soon had their
ideas corrected, for one day Jesus
Himself came out of the crowd to
John the Baptist, with the request
that he baptize Him.
Any man who speaks out SO convfnc-
ingly and boldly as did John the Bap-
fist, is bound TO have his enemies
During the exceedingly brief period of
John the Baptist's career, he I'M
scathingly criticized those who com
mitted crime in high places. Espe-
cially did he denounce Herod,
tetrarch of Galilee, because he had
divorced his wife in order that he
might marry Herodias, the wife of his
brother.
John the Baptist was a sort of
man who would have died for the
truth. While he was not afraid of
what Herod said, yet he was under his
control. Herod had him arrested and
imprisoned as a punishment for his
public criticism While John was in
the prison he became very discour-
aged and began to question whether
or not Jesus whom he baptized was
really the promised Messiah. So he
''Art thou He that should come or
must we look for someone else?" The
reply which Jesus sent to John was
not rebuke for his doubt, but word
of encouragement He told him all
that was being accomplished, that the
good work was prospecting, and that
he should not doubt. but have faith
and courage. Addressing the crowd of
people around Him, Jesus told them
how great was his estimation of John
the Baptist.
The career Of John the Baptist,
though brief, was of great value. He
was the greatest man of his age.
While John the Baptist was in pris-
ON, Herod celebrated the anniversary
Of his birthday by giving one of his
lavish and extravagant banquets.
Upon this occasion the daughter of
Herodias, whose name was Salome,
danced before Herod He was so
pleased with her dancing that he
promised to give her whatever she
should ask. After consulting with
her mother, she returned and asked
not for money, power, or position, but
for the head of John the Baptist.
Herod was not pleased with the re-
quest, but he had made his promise
to the dancing girl in the presence OF
many Of his guests, and pride urged
him to grant it. He was afraid Of the
taunt and jeer of those about him
should he refuse the request. False
pride has been the undoing of many
persons. For his oath's sake, therefore,
although he knew it was wrong and
Inwardly resented it, he commanded
that John the Baptist be killed in the
prison and the request of Salome
granted.
Herod and his kingdom have long
ago crumbled to dust, but the influence
of the personality of John the Baptist
abides with us still.
(0. 1895. western Newspaper Union.l