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"Then," said they, " thou art Elias returned to earth, or one of the prophets risen from the dead," but he answered: "I am not." The austerity of John's life resembled that of Elias. John never wrote his prophesies; neither did Elias. John was the precursor of the Lord — a mission, they knew, Elias was one day to fulfil. John denounced the sinful union of Herod with his brother's wife, even as Elias did that of Achab and Jezabel; all of which led the people to conclude that John was none other than the Thesbian returned to earth. But once again the humble Baptist rises superior to self, declaring: " No, I am but the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose." There is nothing, it seems to me, so lovely, so edifying, so altogether touching, as profound humility in union with the loftiest greatness. It is something we can admire always, even when, in our little way, we despair of imitation. It forms the chief charm of John's character. Too humble to speak of himself, even as an individual, but rather as a breath, a voice, a cry sent forth into the wilderness of this world. Yet he unconsciously gave himself, thereby, his due meed of praise, by proclaiming himself a very part of the Saviour Himself. " The word of God," we are told, " came to John, the son of Zachary, in the desert." He was the word of God verbally, even as Christ was substantially. So true was he to his mission that his whole being, and reason for being, was expressed in that one cry: " Prepare ye the way of