, 1877-03-11
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

The Sunday-school teachers meeting in Far
we'll Hall at noon yesterday Was we'll attended.
After singing hymn, Mr. N. G. Hazard led
in prayer, asking that they might get light from
the lesson, and good which would last for long
time, and that it might be taught efIectually on
the morrow.
"1 lore to think Of the heavenly land ~ was
sung.
The lesson, l. Kings, 9, 1-l2 Elijah's trans
lation1 was read respoosively.
Mr.. Hazard said he hesitated about taking up
SO simple and beautiful astory Tor fear Of mar
ring it. They should not cover up its beauty.
He suggested as An outline, first, the prophet
departed; second, the persistent disciple; third,
the waters divided; fourth, the wise decision ;
and, fifth, the sudden departure. All the facts
could be grouped underthose heads. The most
useful career must have its close; the longest
journey must have an end. Gods time was the
best time. It was a good thing not to know
the day or hour, because We might look
forward to it with too much pride or too
much fear. Elijah's taking away was
as remarkable as his coming. He presented
himself suddenly to Ahab. There was faith
full follower with him upon his last Journey
Various reasons we're given why he asked Elisha
to stay behind. The speaker thought the most
probable was that Elijah desired to test his tenn
per, and see whether the man who should sue
ceed him was worthy to be his successor or not.
It nowhere appeared in the record that Elisha
had any idea that he could obtain & blessing.
His experience taught us We should hot tarry at
Gi1eal when the blessing WIS beyond the Jor-
dan. What wonderful privilege Elisha had !!
He could have had great many things, but hc
asked for the greatest Of all. double portion
OF E'ijaf's splrit-a double OF the portion which
rested upon him. He had long coveted it. We
should .coyet earnestly the best gifts-dcsirc
spiritual gitts. AS the two were travelling along
the chariot Of fire separated them. - If thou
see Me-" was the Injunction; and nothing could
lure Elisha's attention from tho prophet. We
should keep our eyes fixed on Christ, and We
would receive double portion Of the spirit. The
text seemed to imply that he was carried bodily
up into heaven. Be that as itnight, the greater
fact Was that he was carried UP into heaven.
The speaker Ind thought how much better was
the Christians death, for when he came to the
Jordan, and walked orer dry-shod, he found not
q chariot OF tire, but the Lord Himself, waiting
Tor him.
sung.
4 gentleman in the audience said that Elijah
was followed By friends when in prosperity, hut
in adyersity theY forsook him. We should do
like Elisha, follow our friends during the whole
journey, and try to DO what re could for them
WN1le IF1nE. Inc WON Vi tOA sA1AM DE
rireted into the heart. Then it would remain;
otherwise not
Another remarked that when God was about
to do any great thing He made it known.
Translation might be nearer than they expected;
but God would tell them when it came.
Another said VIC should love the Lord
Jesus Christ. He was our best f1eDd. If the
whole world looked dark, He did not. The
Holy Ghost would enable US to fight against the
enemy.
Mr. Main said attention should be called to
Christ's taking up. The Holy Ghost which He
sent from Heaven. and which would be given to
every one, was OF far greater value than the
mantle which fell from Elijah and came to
Elisha
Another said they should give the children
such counsel as tney would not regret to give II
they knew that to-day they were to meet their
classes for the last time.
Another thought it should be impressed on the
little ones that no matter who they were
OF where they lived, all would see greater
sight than Elisha SAN.
ar, Covert said no great conversion followed
in Israel fr1m Elijahfs work, but he obeyed to
the last, and the fruit was seen IN after genera
tions..: So it might be with their work. God
took His own time for bringing forth fruits from
Mr. Hazard remarked that Elijah did not make
much Of the mantle, using it simply to get oTer
Jordan, and that was the last heard OF It. ana
In his death he accomplished more than IN all
bis lite
4 hymn WAS then sung, and the teachers dis
oersed.