John the Baptist

The life and character of John the Baptist have always had a great fascination for me; and I am thankful to have been permitted to write this book. But I am more thankful for the hours of absorbing interest spent in the study of his portraiture as given in the Gospels. I know of nothing that makes so pleasant a respite from the pressure of life's fret and strain, as to bathe mind and spirit in the translucent waters of Scripture biography.

As the clasp between the Old Testament and the New--the close of the one and the beginning of the other; as among the greatest of those born of women; as the porter who opened the door to the True Shepherd; as the fearless rebuker of royal and shameless sin--the Baptist must ever compel the homage and admiration of mankind.

In many respects, such a life cannot be repeated. But the spirit of humility and courage; of devotion to God, and uncompromising loyalty to truth, which was so conspicuous in him, may animate us. We, also, may be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah, as he was; and may point, with lip and life, to the Saviour of the world, crying, "Behold the Lamb of God."

Contents

I. THE INTEREST OF HIS BIOGRAPHY II. THE HOUSE OF ZACHARIAS III. HIS SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS IV. THE PROPHET OF THE HIGHEST V. THE FIRST MINISTRY OF THE BAPTIST VI. BAPTISM UNTO REPENTANCE VII. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE MESSIAH VIII. NOT THAT LIGHT, BUT A WITNESS IX. "HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE" X. THE KING'S COURTS XI. "ART THOU HE?" XII. "NONE GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST, YET..." XIII. A BURNING AND SHINING LIGHT XIV. SET AT LIBERTY XV. THE GRAVE OF JOHN, AND ANOTHER GRAVE XVI. YET SPEAKING XVII. THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIAS

JOHN THE BAPTIST.

I.

The Interest of his Biography.

"John, than which man a sadder or a greater Not till this day has been of woman born; John, like some iron peak by the Creator Fired with the red glow of the rushing morn.

"This, when the sun shall rise and overcome it, Stands in his shining, desolate and bare; Yet not the less the inexorable summit Flamed him his signal to the happier air." F. W. H. MYERS.

John and Jesus--Contemporary History--Anticipation of the Advent.

The morning star, shining amid the brightening glow of dawn, is the fittest emblem that Nature can supply of the herald who proclaimed the rising of the Sun of Righteousness--answering across the gulf of three hundred years to his brother prophet, Malachi, who had foretold that Sunrise and the healing in His wings.