Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-08-08
firesiof Rsaolng,
From the American Messeng
The Two Prophets.

"And thsy too stood 5y Jordan" He the
aged prophet, whose wonderful wisdom and
her0ism had rnng throughout the land of
Israel, who had dcne many mighty deeds,
because the God OF hosts was with him, he
stood beside the flashing waters OF that lovely
stream, and by him his young disciple, on
whom the man of Ged had cast his mantel as
he passed, and who had hidden farewell to
father and mother, and followed him.
Their hearts are full of deep and silent
thought. One has finished the wonderful
work given him to do, and his soul is longing
to go hence and be with God. Already rays
Of the heavenly glory shine in upon his soul,
and illuminate his features Calm, serene,
t%rustful, he stands beside the Jordan without
a fear. But the other is very sorrowful ne
knows he is to lose his beloved master, and
his heart sinks at the thought. Yea, l
know it; hold We your peace" was his an
swer to those who broke in upon his grief.
He could not speak ofit; he could only cling
to that beloved friend till the last hour had
come. "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, l will not leave thee" had been his
VOW uttered in the anguish of his trembling
soul.
f" and they tco stood By Jordan" Bright
~ beneath that eastern sky the stream rolled
on, its ripling waves all FLASHING with silver
Akhb- AiA tDo tOOh AtS AiduiiC, dlQ
wrapped it together, and smote the waters,
and they were divided hither and thither, so
that they two went over on dry ground."-
The young disciple was not probably aston
ished by this miracle; too many had been
wrought before for that, and his soul was in
that state Of dread expectancy when nothing
could much surprise It.
When they had gone over, Elijah tenderly
asks his friend what he could do for him in
that last hour. Oh how often does a depart
ing spirit long to bless some dear one yet
once more, before the heavenly gates are
opened, and they are separated. And what
does the disciple ask Fame, power, treas
ures. of the earth Oh no in that hallowed
moment all such gifts seem worthless: he
longs for something better, nobler. He would
be filled with the heroic, Godlike spirit Of
his teacher. Thou hast asked hard thing
was the reply: nevertheless, if thou see
me when / am taken from thee, it shal, be SO
unto thee but if not, it shall not be So"
And " they stiU ueRt on and taLked."-
We should like to know what those words o.
holy communion were, words which were or
their lips when There appeared a chariot o
IRE, and horses OF fire, and parted them bott
asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlxin'
into heaven" That eager gaze which fol
lowed the ascending master, that thrillin,
1y ~ AashSt, II CudrlOt Oh israel, AM
the horsemen thereof" how have they com
down to US through all the centuries, kim
ling in myriads of listening souls a solem
sympathy with that mysterious scene. /
al ages since bereayed ones have gazed ur
ward calling with breaking hearts after th
friend who has gone to heaven; and theI
overpoxered, have sunk on the ground. an
given way like Elisha to an o~verwhelmin
burst Of grief.
But Elisha arose, and wrapping the mant
] of Elijah round him, went forth to find "tl
Lord God Of Elijah" girding him with ne
strength for life's conflicts and victories.
glorious career lay before him, and a doub
portion Of his masters spirit was found
him, even as he had wished. So the mour
err new, as he turns back into the world, m
find the Lord God of Elijah ready to fill !
soul with new strength and courage; rea
to guide him through all life's trials and Z
ties to the same heaven where Elijah a
Elisha went centuries ago; for their God
our God the same yesterday, to-day, q
for ever" A. B. G,