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Rh or has the unchangeable changed, and is He wavering in His purpose? Such would be the natural conclusions of a sensible man under the circumstances. Now, John the Baptist had no authority from God for what he was doing, as Abraham had. All he could say was, 'He that sent me to baptize is true;' and he cannot tell who he was. Then his going into the wilderness: God had ordered Solomon to build the finest temple that was ever built in the world, and made promises that whosoever came to that house with his offerings his prayers should be heard and answered. This temple had been the place of their meeting for hundreds of years, for the Jews think this temple the next place to heaven.

"Now see the difference:

"1st. John has no authorized authority.

"2d. He changes God's place of worship.

"3d. He changes the doctrines.

"4th. He changes the mode of application.

"Now, the idea of Gamaliel was that John wanted to be some great man; hence, he took this mode of eccentric life to establish it. And there is nothing better qualified than the course he took to make an impression upon the ignorant and unlearned — to go away out into the wilderness by himself, get a few friends from Jerusalem to go out and hear him, and come back and tell of the great wonders which they had seen in the wilderness. Then John's appearance — his long, uncombed hair and beard, his fantastic clothing, and his food, nothing but bugs and beans — such a course and such a character are well qualified