dence of sincerity--of reality_.
His independence of anything that this world could give made men feel
that whatever he said was inspired by his direct contact with things as
they literally are. It was certain that his severe and lonely life had
rent the vail, and given him the knowledge of facts and realities,
which were as yet hidden from ordinary men, though waiting, soon to be
revealed; and it was equally certain that his words were a faithful and
adequate presentation of what he saw. He spoke what he knew, and
testified what he had seen. His accent of conviction was unmistakable.
When men see the professed prophet of the Unseen and Eternal as keen
after his own interests as any worldling, shrewd at a bargain,
captivated by show, obsequious to the titled and wealthy; when they
discover the man who predicts the dissolution of all things carefully
investing the proceeds of the books in which he publishes his
predictions--they are apt to reduce to a minimum their faith in his
words. But there was no trace of this in the Baptist, and therefore
the people went forth to him.

_Above all, he appealed to their moral convictions, and, indeed,
expressed them_. The people knew that they were not as they should be.
For a long time this consciousness had been gaining ground; and now
they flocked around the man who revealed themselves to themselves, and
indicated with unfaltering decision the course of action they should
adopt. How marvellous is the fascination which he exerts over men who
will speak to their inner-most souls! This has always been the source
of power to the great orators of the Romish Church--men like Massillon,
for instance--and to refuse to use this method of approach is to forego
one of the mightiest weapons in the repertory of Christian appeal. If
we deal only with the intellect or imagination, the novelist or
essayist may successfully compete with us. It is in his direct appeal
to the heart and conscience, that the servant of God exerts his supreme
and unrivalled power. Though a man may shrink from the preaching of
repentance, yet, if it tell the truth about himself, he will be
irresistibly attracted to hear the voice that harrows his soul. John
rebuked Herod for many things; but still the royal offender sent for
him again and again, and heard him gladly.

It is expressly said that John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming
to his baptism (Matt. iii. 7). Their advent appears to have caused him