the crooked way straight by his baptism of repentance and the rough ways plain by his touching appeals to all! No wonder people flocked by the thousands to hear him, no wonder they loved him. God bless the people for it now, as then, for let a man but throw himself into a work body and soul and with true sincerity, and straightway he finds the people at his back. At last for John came that great day when he and Jesus met, and instantly he cried: " Behold the Lamb of God! " No need of miracles to rouse his faith; rather it was his faith that cleft the heavens and brought the Spirit and the voice proclaiming Christ to be the Son of God. John's work was done; thenceforth he must decrease and Christ increase. But before retiring from the scene he fearlessly denounced the incestuous union of Herod with his brother Philip's wife. A dungeon in the strongest fortress of Judea was soon John's home, and there took place his passion — the trial of his faith. Born and bred a Jew, he doubtless looked as all Jews did for a conquering Messias— one who should establish one kingdom, the kingdom of God on earth forever. Yet what a disappointment! Here was he, a prisoner, seemingly abandoned by the man he himself had called the Son of God; half his disciples deserted to the Nazarene, the other half reporting daily that Christ was either fleeing from His enemies, outraging the sacred laws of the Sabbath, and of handwashing, or consorting with the wicked and feasting with the publicans and sinners — John's enemies. Was this the man for whom he (John) had
