The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-01


 It has been so sn the church from the beginning. Controversialists and re- formers have opened a way for the patient toilers of the kingdom to fol- low. Tho one class is as indispensa- ble as the other.
 The Teachers Lantern.
 Two pictorial incidents are recorded on the threshold of Elisha's propheti- cal career. Whether they are ideal- ized or literal is of comparatively small moment They at least symboi- ized. the one tho beginning the other the effect of his ministry. The open ing of the river by the stroke of Eli jah's mantle in the hand of Elisha proved the legitimacy of the latters successorship. and indicated that he was to have his way through the stream of events then transpiring. No wonder 1t was said. The spirit of Eli jah doth rest upon Elisha" He was at once saluted as the successor of the translated prophet.
 The sweetening of the spring at Jericho indicates the effect of Elisha's ministry. He was to heal his nation and his times. His was to be a saline and quieting influence in the bitter and turbulent stream of individual and
 
 spoke of him as the holy man of God, which passeth by us continually" For sixty years he continued faithful ly to discharge the duties of high of. flee
 Elijah was the "chariotry' of Israel. Good men in high of1ce are worth more than a park of artillery. Good men in or out of of1ce are the real ofo N~e
 Elijah was as different from Elisha as Mount Sinai from the Mount of Be- attitudes. Eight out of nine of Elisha's reputed miracles are benefcent. The exception proves the rule.
 The same Spirit may operate through men of unlike temperameuts without destroying their individual dissSnilar- ity. 1t is the same steam that oper- ates the different machines in the sac- tory. That fact, however, does not make lathe saw or vice versa. Each does its own work. So of men.
 The young men of Bethel failed to apprehend this truth. They thought Elisha no prophet, because he did not look and act like Elijah; because, iIc fact. he wore his hair short. Paul as-
 
 the Spirit may be the same.
 Education was one of the silent but mighty forces in the reformation Of Israel now in progress. There were several well-attended theological sem inaries in existence.
 It is we'll said that Elijah's 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 20 inn press indelibly upon the hearts of his followers that no other way than faith in Gods promises leads to the inheri- tance of light. Now follows loose collection of acts covering twelve chapters. They are the credentials of EIisha's prophetical calling. Some tradition of them was probably preserved in the schools of ing. and finally incorporated in the Book of Kings. They are evidently Ifragmentary. meteorological and pieced.
 Viewer to change'-that is the con- ceit of little mind. Elisha said, "No." to his doubting scholars when they in- sisted that search should be made for | the body of Elijah. But he put himself aside and said Yes" when he realized that if the concession was not made to their weakness they would probably always harbor a doubt of the transla- tion of Elijah. Mathesop says well, That saying Yes after having said No at first, Is one of the finest things"
 There is an Eastern story of A myth ical fountain, each drop of which, cast upon the ground caused a new foun- tain to spring up. Elisha was such a fountain. Each word. each deed of his. like the fabled drops. caused new fountains to spring by the wayside of his long career.