. . . On one of these occasions I heard him preach concerning the prodigal son.
After naming his text, the prophet remnrked, that some one had asked him the meaning of the expression of Jesus, "among those born of woman there has not arisen a greater than John," and said he had promised to answer it in public, and he would do it then.
“It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed, for he did no mirracles; but it was, first, because he was trusted with a divine mission, of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission, before or since? No man.
Second, He was trusted, and it was required at his hands, to baptise the son of man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, beholding the Holy Ghost descend upon him in the sign of the Dove? No man.
Third, John, at that time, was the only legal administrator, holding the keys of power, there was on earth: The keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory, had departed from the Jews; and John, the son of Zachariah, by the holy anointing, and decree of heaven, held the keys of power at the time.”