whose popular power was manifest from the multitude of his adherents and admirers. ln these circum~tanccs, John's first duty was to give an unequivocal answer to the i11quir3· of the Jews. Tbis inquiry was pointed and particular. Was Jobn Elias, again visiting the people who revered him lt8 one of their holiest and mightiest saints? 'l'he:c was 1<ometbing in his appearance, his habits, his speech, that su_ggested this possibility. Or was he" the prophet," less definitely designated? Or could it be tlmt he was none other than the Messiah? The times were ripe for the advent of the promised Deliverer; John evidently possessed a spiritual authority, a popular power, such as Israel had not seen for many a generation. To every such inquiry John had only one nnswer: "I am not." In this disclaimer we recognize both the intelligence and the candour of the forerunner. A weak mind might have been overpowered by interest tio profound and widespread. A self-seeking and ambitious mind might have taken ,;dvantage of such an opportunity to assert a personal authority and to climb to the throne of power. John was superior to such temptations. Though greater than others burn of women, be did not aspire to a position for which God bad not destined him. ln fact, be was too great to wish to be aught but the herald and the servant of him who was tu come. II. J oHN's CLAIM. A just and admirable modesty we.snot, indeed never is, inconsistent with a due assertion of position and duties assigned by God. He who knows what God has sent him into the world to do, will neither depreciate bis own work nor envy anotbds. The claim made by J obn was very remarkable. Ha affirmed himself to be: 1. A fulfilment of prophecy. The circumstances of his birth and education, taken in conjunction with certain declarations of Old Testament Scripture, must have suggested to John that be held a pla.ce in the revealed counsels of eternal wisdom. 2. A voice. Often bad God spoken to Israel. In John he spake yet again. To him it was given to utter by human lips the thoughts of the Divine mind. Not that this was a. mechanical function; John's whole soul was inflamed with the grandeur and the burning necessity of that message of repentance which he was called upon to deliver to bis fellow-countrymen. Nothing but the conviction that his voice was the expression of Divine thought, that he was summoning men in God's Name to a higher life of righteousness and faith, could have animated him to discharge bis ministry with such amazing boldness. Nor could any other conviction have overcome the difficulty he must at first have felt in publicly witnessing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ. 3. A herald, and one preparing the way of a great Successor. It was bis to make i;traigbt the Lord's way. It we.s bis to announce the Messiab's approach, and to direct the attention of Israel to the coming in lowly guise of Israel's King. It was his to subside into comparative insignificance, to withdraw from publicity, in order that he might make room for One whose presence would bring the realization of the brightest hopes aud the most fervent prayers. It was bis to administer the humbler baptism with water-the symbol of a better baptism to be conferred by Christ, even that with the Holv Spirit. A.PPUCATION. 1. Learn the completeness and harmony of the Divine plan. The revelation of God proceeds upon an order which may be recognized both by the intellect and by the heart of man. 'l'he wisdom of the Eternal arranges that all preparation shall be made for the appearance of the world's Saviour; the morning star heralds the rising of the Sun of Righteousness. God's ways in grace are as regular and as orderly as bis ways in providence. 2. Learn the dignity and preciousness of Immanuel. One i;o honourable as the Baptist yet deemed hililllelf unworthy to serve the meek and lowly Jesus-to act as his meanest attendant. Lowly was bis attitude, and reverent his words, when the Son of God drew near. Surely he, who was so regarded and so heralded, demands our homage and deserves our love.-T.
Vera. 35--42.-Guests of Jesus. Although our Lord had not, during any period of his ministry, a settled abode, a temporary home was provided for him, now in one place and anon in other, where he could rest and meditate, and where he could receive his friends. For Jesus was neither an ascetic nor a recluse; he did not disdain the tranquil pleasures of domestic retirement, nor did he withdraw himself from the fellowship of those whose nature he deigned to share. Of our Lord's social disposition this pa.si;age i:w·nishes an illustration. OH, I. 1-Cil.] TITE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN.