is the same place, it is worthy of notice that it is specially mentioned as near " waters.'' (Judges vii. 24.)
The name of the place ought always to be dear to the hearts of Christians. It is the place where the first disciples of Jesus were made, and the foundation of the Christian church was laid. It was here, " the next day," that Jesus was publicly proclaimed as the "Lamb of God." It was here, ''the day after," that Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus. Here then the Church of Christ, properly so called, began.
In leaving this passage, let us remember that John the Baptist's ministry left the Jews entirely without excuse, when afterwards they refused to believe on Christ. They could never plead that our Lord's ministry came on them unawares and took them by surprise. The whole nation dwelling in Pales- tine, from the great ecclesiastical council down to the humblest classes, were evidently aroused to a state of attention by John's doings.