The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-06
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Aug. :, 1sss-n Kings, III. els.

There is a moral grandeur in the close of Eli
jah's career. which cannot fail of recognition.
The end is unique and fitting The coming event
cast no shadow. but ray of glory before which
even the 'sons of the prophets could recognize.
The prophet made stately promenade from
Gilgal to Bethel, from Bethel to Jericho from
Jericho to the point beyond Jordan, where he
to make connection with the chariot of fire. Per-
haps Elijah entertained some misgivngs to
the legitimacy of Elisha's successorship. If so,
it from the opposite temperament and meth
cd of the latter. 1t is hard for us to learn that
God may have other ways than the in which
we may have been called to work But Elisha
proves the might and perseverance of his gentle
ness in his thrice-repeated observation. Il will
not leave thee" The question of successorshp
settled, Elijah. who to the worldly view had
companion to designate what portion OF his es-
tate he would select. Elisha again gives new evil
makes. 1t is that he may have an elder sons por-
ton of the Spirit that moved Elijah Not that he
pearance, temperament or deed but that the
same Spirit that operated in Elijah may work in
son of the prophets The thing asked was
hard" because it was beyond the prophets
sDd Of hs H. now 'ae
imminent, Elisha could with eye of penetrate
then he would be of such character as to receive
the Spirit that had Illuminated Elijah
No studied phrase could have been so appro-
pirate Elishas unprecedented ascrption to the
ascending prophet. 1t signi1ed that he was
greater than any chariot which even heaven itself
could afford him, and in addition, that he was
Immediately and by an indubitable token. he
was recognized and saluted as the successor of
the translated prophet.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Elijah said tarry: Why Elijah asked Elisha not
to accompany him is not certain.-Peloubet.
To Jordan: Which separated him from his
tive district.-Gray.
viii not leave: He refused with gentle, re-
spectful persistence.-Kitto.
Fifty We how large the
prophetica schools of Jericho.-Students CONNIE n
tary.
Stood to view: II forbidden personal convoy.
they come out to follow their master with loving
By Jordan: Elijah's last duty was to build for
himself. by an act of faith, the path to his gio-
His mantle: OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Ask: last acknowledgment of Elisha's faith
What: Great words. He speaks if all the
treasures of heaven were at his command
Elisha said: He made first things first, as
A double portion: The proper portion for EIijahs
first-born spiritual son-Gray.
Hard thing: Extraordinary blessing, which God
If thou see: The last test was his winning the
prophetic vision. enabling him to behold his
And talked: Probably of Elisha's future mis-
sion.-Krummacher
Whirlwind: symbol of the life thus ended.
Stanley
Elisha saw: This sight was the conditional sign
of Elisha's obtaining the double portion.-Whedon.
Spirit of Elijah Elisha: Natural conclusion
seeing him with the mantle and working the same
mirace.-Clarke
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
First-The Spirit may operate through
men of unlike temperament without destroying
, their individual dissimilarity. 1t is the same
steam that operates the different machines in the
factory. That fact however. does not make
lathe saw. or vice Each does its own
work SO OF men.
Second-rhe young men of Bethel failed TO APP
prehend this truth. They thought Elisha no
prophet, because he did not look and act like
Elijah; because, in fact, he his hair short.
Paul asserts that while there are diversities the
Spirit may be the same
Third-Education was of the silent but
mighty forces in the reformation of Israel in
progress. There were several well-attended
theological seminaries in existence.
Fourth-t is well said by Menken, that
Elijah last duty (the dividing of Jordan) was
a test of his spiritual strength. He was to build
for himself, by an act of faith. the path TO his
glorious end, and so impress indelibly upon the
hearts of his followers that other way than
faith in Gods promises leads to the inheritance