if they had been reared in
close companionship. How would John's stern, rugged, unsocial nature
have affected the gentle spirit of Jesus? What impression would the
brightness, sweetness, and affectionateness of Jesus have made on the
temper and disposition of John?

When at last the two men met, it is evident that a remarkable effect
was produced on John. There was something in the face of Jesus that
almost overpowered the fearless preacher of the desert. John had been
waiting and watching for the Coming One, whose herald and harbinger he
was. One day he came and asked to be baptized. John had never before
hesitated to administer the rite to any one who stood before him; for
in every one he saw a sinner needing repentance and remission of sins.
But he who now stood before him waiting to be baptized bore upon his
face the light of an inner holiness which awed the rugged preacher. "I
have need to be baptized of thee," said John; but Jesus insisted, and
the rite was administered. John's awe must have been deepened by what
now took place. Jesus looked up in earnest prayer, and then from the
open heaven a white dove descended, resting on the head of the Holy
One. An ancient legend tells that from the shining light the whole
valley of the Jordan was illuminated. A divine voice was heard also,
declaring that this Jesus was the Son of God.

Thus it was that the friendship between Jesus and the Baptist began.
It was a wonderful moment. For centuries prophets had been pointing
forward to the Messiah who was to come; now John saw him. He had
baptized him, thus introducing him to his great mission. This made
John the greatest of the prophets; he saw the Messiah whom his
predecessors had only foretold. John's rugged nature must have been
wondrously softened by this meeting with Jesus.

Brief was the duration of the friendship of the forerunner and the
Messiah; but there are evidences that it was strong, deep, and true.
There were several occasions on which this friendship proved its
sincerity and its loyalty.

Reports of the preaching of John, and of the throngs who were flocking
to him, reached Jerusalem; and a deputation was sent by the Sanhedrin
to the desert to ask him who he was. They had begun to think that this
man who was attracting such attention might be the Messiah for whom
they were looking. But John was careful to say that he was not the
Christ. "Art thou Elias? ... Art thou that prophet?" He ans