d his
friends away, that they may give their love and service to another
master.

There is further illustration of John's loyal friendship for Jesus. It
seems that John's disciples were somewhat jealous of the growing fame
and influence of Jesus. The throngs that followed their master were
now turning after the new teacher. In their great love for John, and
remembering how he had witnessed for Jesus, and called attention to
him, before he began his ministry and after, they felt that it was
scarcely right that Jesus should rise to prosperity at the expense of
him who had so helped him rise. If John had been less noble than he
was, and his friendship for Jesus less loyal, such words from his
followers would have embittered him. There are people who do
irreparable hurt by such flattering sympathy. A spark of envy is often
fanned into a disastrous flame by friends who come with such appeals to
the evil that is in every man.

But John's answer shows a soul of wondrous nobleness. He had not been
hurt by popularity, as so many men are. Not all good people pass
through times of great success, with its attendant elation and
adulation, and come out simple-hearted and lowly. Then even a severer
test of character is the time of waning favor, when the crowds melt
away, and when another is receiving the applause. Many a man, in such
an experience, fails to retain sweetness of spirit, and becomes soured
and embittered.

John stood both tests. Popularity did not make him vain. The losing
of his fame did not embitter him. He kept humble and sweet through it
all. The secret was his unwavering loyalty to his own mission as the
harbinger of the Messiah. "A man can receive nothing, except it be
given him from heaven," he said. The power over men which he had
wielded for a time had been given to him. Now the power had been
withdrawn, and given to Jesus. It was all right, and he should not
complain of what Heaven had done.

Then John reminded his friends that he had distinctly said that he was
not the Christ, but was only one sent before him. In a wondrously
expressive way he explained his relation to Jesus. Jesus was the
bridegroom, and John was only the bridegroom's friend, and he rejoiced
in the bridegroom's honor. It was meet that the bridegroom should have
the honor, and that his friend should retire into the background, and
there be forgotten. Thus John showed his loyalty to Jesus by rejoicing
in his popular