The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-13

sleeper and bid him live again. John XII:
25) Entering the chamber of death and
closing the doors to exclude all others,
he prayed unto the Lord. Verse 23.)
There was a similar occurrence in the
history of Elijah. Il Kings xvii: 19) It
appears then to have been understood
what our Lord taught, (Matt. vi: g. that
the highest form of prayer is in secret.
Reliance upon Divine help Is most COM
plete when other help is removed After
prayer Elisha stretched himself upon the
dead boy Cverse 3D until the flesh of the
latter was warmed. This act of the prov
phet has been variously interpreted, as
expressive of deep earnestness and SYM
pathy, as impartirg some restorative Nir-
tue. mark v: 30) as an indication Of
superstition, (Acts V: 49, as being an
oriental custom the outgrowth of views
concerning the dead. (See Rabbi Jona-
thanD After walking through the house
the prophet repeated the act, and the
work was done. Verse 35.) 1t is inter-
esting to note the difference between Eli
sha and Jesus in working miracles, the
former dependent, the latter authorita-
tive. John XII: 43.)
WORSHIP.-At the prophets command
Gehazi summoned the mother who re-
ceived her son alive. (Verse So Her
faith had triumphed GIcb Xi: So From
| claiming, 'It shall be we'll" she had not
| doubted On the journey in the answer
| to Gohazi, in her resolve before Elisha
| on the return trip, during the unsuccess-
| full attempt of the servant, during the
| delay and suspense attending the prayer
| her confidence remained mistaken. She
! had anticipated the conditions of spiritual
! victory set forth in plain terms under the
| new dispensation. mark tx: 23.) The
| first act of the glad mother was to pay
| something of her debt to her benefactor.
Verse 36) She fell at Elisha's feet and
| bowed herself to the ground in token of
| her humiliation and reverence. (Gen.
| NXXiii: 81 This was highly proper. The
| expression was hue to herself--it is a
| cold and hard heart that makes no return
! for favors received And the expression
was due the man-t is the least, and yet
| perhaps the hest, reward when one Is
| grateful to another for a blessing con-
| fCrred This act of gratitude performed,
| she lifted her child in her arms, pressed
it to her bre asst. 'hastened from the room,
| to rejoice in her restored household, pro-
| bably to greet her husband and make
| glad his heart.
| REFLECTIONS-Th house at Shu-
| men was a tabernacle of God among men.
| There dwelt faith and love. Among those
whose lot 1t is to have wealth there are
| many who do not trust in riches who do
| not forget God. In the house of such the
| minister will always find welcome and
| he will always have a blessing. And
when trouble always comes to such a
| home the hearts of those who sorrow will
| seek for comfort where il may be best
| found among holy men who minister in
| sacred things A good man in the cham
ber of death is always ground for hope.
| His payers are of untold value, for tn ey
, bring God near and He will do what to
| Him seems to be best. If our dead
| are not restored 1t is according to the
| pleasure of a. good Father. In ancient
| times, when little was known of life and
| the future, unusual evidence OF Divine
| love was needed. But now we have the
| accumulated proof of centuries as well MS
| the complete revelation to make us know
the goodness of God. And we may trust
Him and wait until that good time when
| death shall be swallowed up in victory.
| Il Cor. XIV 54)