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Humble Hero
Salome hastened to her mother. What should she ask? The an-
swer was ready—the head of John the Baptist. Salome shrank from
presenting the request, but the determination of Herodias prevailed.
The girl returned with the terrible demand: “I want you to give me
at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Herod was astonished and perplexed. He was horror-stricken at
the thought of taking John’s life. Yet he was unwilling to appear
fickle or rash. He had made the oath in honor of his guests, and
if one of them had offered a word against the fulfillment of his
promise, he would gladly have spared the prophet. He gave them
opportunity to speak in the prisoner’s behalf. They knew John to
be a servant of God. But though shocked at the girl’s demand, they
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were too drunk to protest. No voice was raised to save the life of
Heaven’s messenger. These men of high positions carried great
responsibilities, yet they had given themselves up to drunkenness.
Their heads were turned by the giddy scene of music and dancing,
and conscience lay sleeping. By their silence, they pronounced the
sentence of death on the prophet of God, to satisfy the revenge of an
immoral woman.
Herod reluctantly commanded the prophet’s execution. Soon the
head of John was brought in. Never more would that voice be heard
calling for repentance. The revels of one night cost the life of one of
the greatest of the prophets.
How often have the innocent been sacrificed through the intem-
perance of those who should have been guardians of justice! All who
put the intoxicating drink to their lips make themselves responsible
for all the injustice they may commit under its benumbing power.
Those who have jurisdiction over the lives of others should be held
guilty of a crime when they yield to intemperance. They need full
command of their physical, mental, and moral powers in order to
possess vigor of intellect and a high sense of justice.
Herodias gloated in her revenge and assured herself that Herod’s
conscience would no longer be troubled. But no happiness resulted.
People came to abhor her name, while Herod was tormented by
remorse. He was constantly trying to find relief from a guilty con-
science. As he recalled John’s self-denial, his solemn, earnest ap-
peals, his sound judgment in counsel, and then remembered how he
had come to his death, Herod could find no rest. In the affairs of