the Old. It is high praise for John that she alone and her dancing daughter hated him, for a pious tradition tells us that even the very soldier, sent to fetch his head to the banquet hall, with tears implored forgiveness and was, by the Baptist, blessed and comforted.
Brethren, there is one more incident, that wherein John sent from prison two of his disciples to the Christ, asking: "Art thou He that is to come, or wait we for another? " Here is mystic meaning! John did not doubt, but sought to convince his unhappy disciples what a rich legacy was theirs; viz., the Son of God. Two messengers he sent, as though his mission's final act was to turn Jew and Gentile to the Lord. He plays at being criminal, to show that it is only in misfortune the sinful soul sends forth to God the twofold prayer: " Lord, assist me and forgive." And for answer, Jesus bade them tell the miracles they had seen and heard. Brethren, the day will come for you and me — our dying day — when, ere another dawn, our angel guardian will come to ask: " Art thou he that is this day to come to heaven, or wait I for another? " Ah, well will it be for our souls if from the prison of our bodies they can answer: " Go tell your Lord and mine what things you have heard and seen. Tell Him I have been, by my charity, eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and a support to the halt. Tell Him that, through my means, souls have been cleansed from the leprosy of sin; and that, through me, even the spiritually dead have risen again. Tell Him my whole life has been
