John answered: "I, indeed, baptize With water from the stream; But there is one among you now Of whom you do not dream. "'Tis He who cometh after me, The latchet of whose shoes, Because He is so mighty, I'm not worthy to unloose. "And He shall, with the Holy Ghost, Baptize you and inspire, And fill your souls with power divine, And with celestial fire. "Whose fan is in His hand, and He Will thoroughly purge His floor; And gather up His wheat, but then, With fire the chaff devour." And many other things said he, Exhorting all who heard; And preaching unto them, with zeal, The Gospel's precious Word. Emmanuel. AND in those days it came to pass That Jesus--Holy One-- From Nazareth came to Jordan, To be baptized of John. For He had reached just thirty years, The age the law declared Those called into the priesthood, For service were prepared. But John forbade Him, saying, "'Tis I have need to be A subject of Thy baptism, And comest Thou to me?" And Jesus, answering, said, to him, "Suffer it now, for thus To keep the law of righteousness, It well becometh us." Then, meekly, and with solemn awe, Did John the Lord baptize, And when the heavens were parted wide, He saw, with great surprise, As Jesus felt the water, and With humble reverence prayed-- The Holy Ghost descending, like A dove, upon His head. And a voice, in tones majestic, Came from the heavens, so bright, Exclaiming, "This is my beloved Son, In whom I take delight." The Temptation. THEN Jesus, with the Spirit filled, And soul exalted high, Was led from Jordan's bank into The wilderness near by, To be tempted of the devil-- Who in evil most delights. There He, with wild beasts, made his home For forty days and nights. After this the Lord was hungry, When the devil came, and said, "If thou'rt the Son of God, command These stones to be made bread." But He answered, "It is written, Man doth not live by bread alone, But by each word, proceeding From God, upon the throne." The devil then conducts Him through The holy city, fair, And sets Him on the temple roof, High in the ambient air; And says to Him, "If so Thou be The Son of God, indeed, Cast thyself down from hence, and for Thy safety take no heed; "Since it is written, 'Unto God In danger thou shalt flee, For to His angel band He gives A charge concerning thee.'" Then Jesus unto him replied, "Again the written word Rebukes presumption and declares, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord." Again the devil takes Him up Into a mountain--high, And shows Him all the kingdoms of The world, both far and nigh. And saith unto Him, "All these things Will I give unto thee If Thou wilt own my princely power, Fall down and worship me."