498                      A. M. E. REVIEW.

continuity of service and labor sustains the unbroken series in life's
long chain of action.
  John must decrease but that for which he labored and toiled is ever-
lasting, this knows no decrease but grows greener with the elapse of
ages.  And so with every one who has a mission of truth and love for
the world. He must fall, but the truth goes marching on.  Standing
at the base of Lovejoy's monument one experiences an unspeakable
joy and inspiration as he reads the inscriptions and the sentiments for
which Lovejoy labored and laid down his life.  Walking  over  the
grounds of Western University, Kansas City, Kan., grounds made sacred
by the footsteps of John Brown, one feels the thrill of the noble pur-
pose for which he died. "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the
clay. But his truth goes marching on." And so it is, One must de-
crease but the principles of truth and justice for which he stood, live.
Like John, one should do well his work and at the end of his task
willingly and calmly give place for others.
II. John the Baptist's Place in History.
             II. John the Baptist's Place in History.
  (1) Our Lord's Testimony of him.--What went ye out in the wilder-
ness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? A man clothed in soft
raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are  in king's  houses.
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you and
more than a prophet. For this is he, whom it is written, Behold, I
send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before
-thee.  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women
there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding
he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.   Matt.
11:7-11. This is the testimony of our Lord to the multitude concerning
John. What went ye out to see? A reed shaken with the wind? The
inferential answer is, no. He is not a vacillating character, shaking
like the reed in the wind. What he believed, he preached fearlessly.
It made no difference whether it was rebuke for the Pharisees and
scribes or for Herod. He preached fearlessly against sin. John in his
steadiness of character was a model preacher. In this he truly re-
sembled his prototype, Elijah. He was not a preacher to be tossed to
and fro, carried about with every wind and doctrine. The preacher
who is constantly changing in doctrine and belief, going from church to
church, gives evidence of a weakness that is inconsistent with the truly
called and chosen minister. Be no more children tossed to and fro and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, has a deep meaning for him
who preaches the gospel. The minister is not to be like a child, un-
steady, but he must be a man of settled convictions, unswerving pur-
pose.  Such is the character of John, given by the Master.




			

OHS/National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center Serial Collection

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 28, Num. 1

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  01
Date:  07/1911