Albert Newton Corpening

“ All the nations trampled Israel under their feet. Here has been the battleground of the world and Israel has suffered under the oppression of all. Even this temple, built by Herod, suffers in the presence of Roman sold- iers, strange customs, and foreign sports and spectacles that win our youth. See how few young people are yonder praying ! When this generation has passed what will become of Israel? (He kneels with uplifted face begins to pray.) Yahweh, Lord of our fathers, how long shall we have to wait? ”

“ He then came to us and said, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see : The blind received their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me."
The Baptizer: It is strange, indeed. Does Messiah dwell among the humble and preach to them as I have done? But I have done no miracles. Jesus is healing the diseases of men and raising the dead and preaching to the poor. Yet how different it is from the expectation of Israel ! ”

“ The Baptizer: Not behind him. Jesus will not be fighting with swords and spears. Did I not tell you that he is the Lamb of God?
Andrew : Yea, 'tis true ; but it is reasonable that Messiah will deliver us from the Romans and cleanse the land of the Greeks.
John: If he does not lead armies, how then will he win the support of the nation. He will have great difficulty in convincing the people that he is the Messiah.
The Baptizer : I know not. I only know that he is the lamb of God. (Jesus enters and passes by, then goes out.) Behold the lamb of God ! ”

“ And as for the evil man, seek out his wickedness till thou find none. The Lord is King for ever and ever : The nations are perished out of his land. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the meek : Thou shalt prepare their hearts, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear; To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more. ”

“ Why then dost thou baptize, if thou are not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that Prophet?
The Baptizer : I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not ; lie it is, who, coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His path straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough way shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." ”

“ I too, come for baptism, John.
The Baptizer: During thy whole life, I have never seen a fault in thee. I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Jesus : Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
The Baptizer: As thou wilt; not as I wish. (Exeunt)
Scene 3 Bvthabara. John the Baptist stands with a number of followers.
Peter: Thou saidst yesterday that the Messiah was already here. Art thou sure of it?
The Baptizer : Yes, Simon, I am sure. I have seen him.
All: Thou hast seen him?
Andrew: What is he like? What manner of man is he? ”

“ All he will need to do will be to speak the word, breathe forth thundering and lightnings against the Romans, and they will be routed and slain.
James : If he be like that, he will have no need of soldiers; but I think he will use soldiers and have a regular bodyguard as the scribes say David had.
Peter: What does John the Baptizer say about it? I shall believe him rather than them.
John: He says nothing about that. He is only interested that the people prepare for the Messiah's coming. The scribes say that if all the people would be righteous for one day only, Messiah would come. ”

“ The voice of the people is heard from without as they pray for the coming of the Messiah.
Zacharias : How the people pray ! Their souls are op- pressed because of the Romans and the influence of the Greeks in the land. It is no wonder. This land is ours, given us by the Lord in the days of our fathers. It was conquered by Joshua and organized under Saul and David. This city of Zion, the holy Jerusalem, is the city of our God. Here was Solomon's temple, the envy of the world. But wicked kings wrecked the kingdom. ”

“ Herod Antipas : I would rather have given a fortune. Neither the olives, nor the wines, nor the dyes of Galilee are to be compared to a prophet even though he is in prison.
First Official : I heard him preach once when he was at Enon, near Salim. He raved about the country going to the dogs because of the Greeks and Romans. He failed to see how prosperous it is with its new roads, new cities, travel, and thriving commerce.
Chief Captain: These fanatics have no care for law and order. Without the police protection of the soldiers, the outlaws would overrun the country. ”

“ But he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Third Disciple : It is, indeed, a noble testimony. "Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer."
Fourth Disciple : That soundeth very well so far as it goeth ; but the latter part is not to my liking. It is said that he from Nazareth teacheth that the kingdom of God is among men. That seemeth to say that our master hath no place in the kingdom of God and that his own followers are superior to him, even though they be not prophets. ”

“ Scene 5 Wilderness in Galilee, near the Jordan. John the Baptist sits on the ground surrounded by his other disciples.
First Disciple : Rabbi, we were discussing the question of purification today with some of the Jews. Many of them are not nearly so careful as we. Only the Pharisees, the Essenes, and we strictly observe these laws.
The Baptizer : Those who are corrupted by sin do not realize the need of purification. ”

“ The Baptizer : A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom ; but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
Act Three Galilee . 26 or 27 A. D.
Scene 1 Sepphoris, capital of Galilee, five miles from Nazareth. Herod Antipas and Herodias sit in the judgment hall. Soldiers stand in the background. ”

“ Retard not efe his coming with wickednes and sin. Thwart not his course with greed and avarice. Great shall be the Saviour and great his salvation; but he awaiteth the hour of our preparation. Ye come from everywhere to be baptized. generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, "We have Abraham to our father:" for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. ”

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“ HERODIAS, wife of Herod Philip, companion of Herod Antipas, beautiful mother of Salome. SALOME, daughter of Herod Philip and Herodias, a beautiful girl in her middle or early teens. PETER, oldest disciple of Jesus, fisherman by trade. ANDREW, brother of Peter, disciple of Jesus, fisherman. JAMES, disciple of Jesus, likewise a fisherman. JOHN, brother of James, disciple of Jesus, fisherman. A Baby, representing John the Baptist at eight days of age. Women, three or more. Men, several, the more the better. ”