The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-05

securing a national return of the people to the worship of Jehovah. A famine of three years and of lmmeasurable pro- portions was sent upon the land which doubtless slew thousands Elijah was raised up and set before the people for the express purpose of recovering the people from idolatry The famine the test upon Carmel and the staying of the prophets were all acts in the programme of Jehovah executed through his proph- ct Elijah.
 Later Incident.
 Before we condemn Elijah for the kill ing and pronounce him murderer, let us call to mind later incident in which at his word fire came down from heaven and consumed two companies of men who came to him in behalf of the sickness of King Ahajiah. Surely Jehovah had not so far turned over to Elijah the resources of heaven that he could, to satisfy pass ing whim, push the button and shut u the heavens for three years or bring doz fire at will upon his personal foes.
 Surely the facts do not justifan1 charge thatNElijah was a murderer
 Second Objection.
 A second and stranger objection God commanded this thing to be done Elijah, 1t violates the New Testama conception of God and Of the duty man. Let us not forget the national char-V acter of this act which we are considering It is not a private contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal Under theo- cratic form of government, icolatry, in so far as it might prevail. was treason. Un- der such circumstances the country was considered to be In a state of rebellion.
 Now we recognize in our own time the right of any country to conserve It's honor and integrity at almost any price, and that no enemy so richly deserves death as the traitor. That those who do the exc cutting are not murderers. A Christia...s man could be the executioner and be guilt less So also as to executions for any of the crimes for which capital punishment Is the penalty.
 Now in the instance before us, Elijah Is but the instrument of the law of the land. which laws God has Himself given. and was acting not In a private tut public capacity. God had borne with the rebellion long and patiently, and had sent token after token of His displeasure, and come to the extreme expedient only as a final i resort.
 In New Testament.
 But we must remember also that the | New Testament Is not devoid of sugges- tions which, when considered, might make | US view this matter In a new light. John Baptist came preaching the king | dom at hand. and announced the coming of the Lamb of God that should take away | the sin of the world, but he also pointed out that the axe was lying at the root | of the tree, and that continuance of | bad fruit would result in landing Into the fire The gospel gave new view of Gods mercy, but 1t at the same time gave new view of Gods justice. If Jesus spoke the parables of the good shepherd and the father waiting for the return of ths | last son. He also spoke the parables of the rich fool, the barren fig tree and point ed the doom of dives. If He healed the sick, raised the dead, soothed the sor- rowing and spoke words of hope to the discouraged. He also said, Woe unto you Pharisees! Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish" and with scourge drove the defamers of the temple in rout and confusion from the court of His Fathers house. Furthermore the progress of the gospel as seen in the Epistles ana In subsequent times has been accompanied by instances of divine wrath quite as de- cided as the one which Is giving us trouble today.
 In Conclusion. Our decision is, therefore. that the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal were executed by the hand of Elijah at the command of Jehovah. 'fWill not God avenge his elect that cry unto Him day and night? tell you that He will and that right speedily"
 In conclusion permit me to mention two or three lessons which may be found in this incident which we have just been , considering.
 , 1. That a servant of God acting in pub lie capacity may and must do things which he could not think of doing as a private citizen. (a-) In the risk or ms life, as a soldier or as an officer of the law he must risk his life which to do , in a privte capacity would be criminal. (b) in infiicting punishment even to the | taking of life, as a soldier or an officer of the law He may shoot spy or hang a murderer when condemned by proper | authority.
 2. God. in His providence, provides special proofs and warnings to the apos- tate and wicked, but seeing the limit | reached cuts the incorrigibls of.
 8. Even those harsh acts of justice arc not unmixed with mercy.
 Twas a mercy to those who were slain-they, If allowed to livs/ longer. would have gone on adding unto this con | demnation.
 Twas also mercy to the people who were yet within the bounds of redemp- ton.