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The witness borne of him after his death； by those who had heard his testimony to Jesus； was； 〃John did no miracle： but all things that John spake of this Man were true。〃 John 10：41。 It was not given to John to call down fire from heaven； or to raise the dead； as Elijah did； nor
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to wield Moses' rod of power in the name of God。 He was sent to herald the Saviour's advent； and to call upon the people to prepare for His coming。 So faithfully did he fulfill his mission； that as the people recalled what he had taught them of Jesus； they could say； 〃All things that John spake of this Man were true。〃 Such witness to Christ every disciple of the Master is called upon to bear。
As the Messiah's herald； John was 〃much more than a prophet。〃 For while prophets had seen from afar Christ's advent； to John it was given to behold Him； to hear the testimony from heaven to His Messiahship； and to present Him to Israel as the Sent of God。 Yet Jesus said； 〃He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he。〃
The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations。 As God's representative he stood forth to show the relation of the law and the prophets to the Christian dispensation。 He was the lesser light； which was to be followed by a greater。 The mind of John was illuminated by the Holy Spirit； that he might shed light upon his people； but no other light ever has shone or ever will shine so clearly upon fallen man as that which emanated from the teaching and example of Jesus。 Christ and His mission had been but dimly understood as typified in the shadowy sacrifices。 Even John had not fully comprehended the future； immortal life through the Saviour。
Aside from the joy that John found in his mission； his life had been one of sorrow。 His voice had been seldom heard except in the wilderness。 His was a lonely lot。 And he was not permitted to see the result of his own labors。 It was not his privilege to be with Christ and witness the manifestation of divine power attending the greater light。 It was not for him to see the blind restored to sight； the sick healed； and the dead raised to life。 He did not behold the light that shone through every word of Christ； shedding glory upon the promises of prophecy。 The least disciple who saw Christ's mighty works and heard His words was in this sense more highly privileged than John the Baptist； and therefore is said to have been greater than he。
Through the vast throngs that had listened to John's preaching； his fame had spread throughout the land。 A deep interest was felt as to the result of his imprisonment。 Yet his blameless life； and the strong public sentiment in his favor； led to the belief that no violent measures would be taken against him。
Herod believed John to be a prophet of God； and he fully intended
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to set him at liberty。 But he delayed his purpose from fear of Herodias。
Herodias knew that by direct measures she could never win Herod's consent to the death of John； and she resolved to accomplish her purpose by stratagem。 On the king's birthday an entertainment was to be given to the officers of state and the nobles of the court。 There would be feasting and drunkenness。 Herod would thus be thrown off his guard； and might then be influenced according to her will。
When the great day arrived； and the king with his lords was feasting and drinking； Herodias sent her daughter into the banqueting hall to dance for the entertainment of the guests。 Salome was in the first flush of womanhood； and her voluptuous beauty captivated the senses of the lordly revelers。 It was not customary for the ladies of the court to appear at these festivities； and a flattering compliment was paid to Herod when this daughter of Israel's priests and princes danced for the amusement of his guests。
The king was dazed with wine。 Passion held sway； and reason was dethroned。 He saw only the hall of pleasure； with its reveling guests； the banquet table； the sparkling wine and the flashing lights； and the young girl dancing before him。 In the recklessness of the moment； he desired to make some display that would exalt him before the great men of his realm。 With an oath he promised to give the daughter of Herodias whatever she might ask； even to the half of his kingdom。
Salome hastened to her mother； to know what she should ask。 The answer was ready；the head of John the Baptist。 Salome knew not of the thirst for revenge in her mother's heart； and she shrank from presenting the request； but the determination of Herodias prevailed。 The girl returned with the terrible petition； 〃I will that thou forthwith give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist。〃 Mark 6：25； R。 V。
Herod was astonished and confounded。 The riotous mirth ceased； and an ominous silence settled down upon the scene of revelry。 The king was horror…stricken at the thought of taking the life of John。 Yet his word was pledged； and he was unwilling to appear fickle or rash。 The oath had been made in honor of his guests； and if one of them had offered a word against the fulfillment of his promise； he would gladly have spared the prophet。 He gave them opportunity to speak in the prisoner's behalf。 They had traveled long distances in order to hear the preaching of John； and they knew him to be a man without crime； and a servant of God。 But though shocked at the girl's demand； they were
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too besotted to interpose a remonstrance。 No voice was raised to save the life of Heaven's messenger。 These men occupied high positions of trust in the nation； and upon them rested grave responsibilities； yet they had given themselves up to feasting and drunkenness until the senses were benumbed。 Their heads were turned with the giddy scene of music and dancing； and conscience lay dormant。 By their silence they pronounced the sentence of death upon the prophet of God to satisfy the revenge of an abandoned woman。
Herod waited in vain to be released from his oath； then he reluctantly commanded the execution of the prophet。 Soon the head of John was brought in before the king and his guests。 Forever sealed were those lips that had faithfully warned Herod to turn from his life of sin。 Never more would that voice be heard calling men to repentance。 The revels of one night had cost the life of one of the greatest of the prophets。
Oh； how often has the life of the innocent been sacrificed through the intemperance of those who should have been guardians of justice！ He who puts the intoxicating cup to his lips makes himself responsible for all the injustice he may commit under its besotting power。 By benumbing his senses he makes it impossible for him to judge calmly or to have a clear perception of right and wrong。 He opens the way for Satan to work through him in oppressing and destroying the innocent。 〃Wine is a mocker； strong drink is raging： and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise。〃 Prov。 20：1。 Thus it is that 〃judgment is turned away backward； 。 。 。 and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey。〃 Isa。 59：14； 15。 Those who have jurisdiction over the lives of their fellow men should be held guilty of a crime when they yield to intemp