The National tribune., 1891-02-12

and as those shall be whom the Judgment Day
finds alive on earth changed so as to meet the
conditions Of Paradise and Heaven into neither
Of which flesh and blood can enter In a sort
Of frantic, semi-conscious CONFUSION OF wonder
and grief Elisha seizes his apparel and tears 10
in two pieces
As Elijah assembled. his mantle fell on Elisha.
Thus invested, the Prophet returned TO the
Jor'ion and repeated the miracle OF his master.
lie was filed with the spirit Of Elijah. so much
so that when the pupils from the school at Jeri-
ehO met him they were conscious Of bis addi-
tiOnal power and recognized him at once as
their President in place Of Elijah.
4 Critical Notes.
/. Double portion" (V.9)
Views: o. some believe he asked for a
spirit which wouId enable him 20 be twice as
effective az Elijah had been or BIO felt that
with his inferior capacities, be would need
double the amount OF Eljah's ability in order
20 equal Eljah's effectiveness. But, grant he
was ambitious to accomplish twice as much as
Elijah completed, shall we criticize him? Is
10 no. right 10 be anxious % 0utstrip everyone
else in doing good, providing your ambition
originate not from pride but from genuine
desire To be effective as possible for God glory
and mans good? And. indeed, Elisha did more
than Elijah accomplished. Even bis very skeI-
ct0n raised % life "a corpse. u XII, 10 30, 2I.J
Our Savior declared his disciples would do
greater things than he effected o. The origi-
nal words Hebrew mean rather two parts
than double the quantity. In ancient times
the Oldest son Of a family received two parts
Of his fathers posse ssiOHs while the other sous
received each only one part. lDcu., u IL
Elisha eraved twice as much divine power
prophetic ability as any other follower Of
Elijah should share. Notice, Elisha calls Eli
JAN father" tN. To- Then, as a son, Elisha
wishes the part due the Grstborn. One might
object 10 this view that 10 would hardly be the
proper thing 10 want 30 Outdo I'm ability and
qualification and effectiveness every other
Prophet. AL however, depends on the spirit
Of the request. t3.J The Douay translates
" j bcseech thee that in me may be thy double
spirit ri. e., Elijah had double measure Of
the spirit as compared with other Prophets,
had. a. The simple thought Of Elisha may
have been, i wish q large bestOwment Of pro-
phctic power
Elijah assured Elisha the request would DO
granted, providing Elisha remained true 10 his
master till the last moment. The endowment
OF such powers would accompany the gift Of
ElIiah's mantle. and Elisha MIST be on hand
to receive it at the moment Elijah departed.
2. By the granting OF such a request being
a hard thing" tho Prophet meant the bestow-
ment Of a double spirit was beyond thSpower
of himself or any man, a something which
only God could give.
3. "Whirlwind." (V.II.) It seems the pur-
pose OF the chariot was TO separate Elijah and
Elisha, and, If so, it was not intended to fur
nish a conveyance for ElJahs ascension. Did
Elisha see Elijah 60 up? There seems to have
been some doubt about his ascent, and hence
great effort was made to discover his where
abouts. (Ys. l615.l Elisha, however, seemed
satisfied Elijah had departed for good. He
probably was quite fixed in bis mind from the
fact the Prophets mantle was left.
5. Practical Thoughts
I. The dying should remember and plan for
the living.
2. Choose best things-the spiritual in pref
erence to the material.
3. Pray. Elijah petitiOued for Elisha.
T. Be aspiring Elisha went from the plow
to be successor of the greatest Prophet who
ever lived.
3. Christianity is better than an army. Every
man should be as a chariot and horses in the
interest Of morals and society.
8. Do not despair il great men die. God can
fill their places. No man is absolutely neees-
sary. Says Bulwer: Leave your place in the
world for 10 minutes, and when you come
back somebody else has taken it; but when
you leave the world for good, who remembers
that you ever had place even in the parish
register2"
:. Take comfort as to the dead. Souls live
beyond this world. Elijah re-appeared 900
years after our lesson, az Christ's Transfgura-
ton.
8. Make no long pause from work at death of
any friend.