“John was a prophet without price whose thundering call exposedunrighteousness in any quarter. Like the courageous prophets before him,John understood that the proclamation of God’s word included moralresponsibility. There were no sacred cows in his herds; he did not read thepolls before speaking and acting; he protected no special interests;nor didhe predicate what he said and did on chances of success. John’s was acostly courage. In so doing, he risked a swift end, which eventually camefrom a cold sword wielded by petty functionaries.”-James Edwards