Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-09-15

ings did no know this. Had they
loved Elijah AS he did they would AVE
been Il little more silent.
WHEN HEART SPEAKS TO HEART.
Thrice Elijah ~endeavored to go on
alone. but ~unavailingly. until the Jor-
dan was reached. AT each point they
met the sons of the prophets also; and
these We're beholding when Elijah took
his rough mantle OF skins. and. wrap
ping it together. smote the waters. even
as Moses had done, so hat they were
divided, and the two men crossed over
dry shod to the other side. Ills put
the river, etwee them and the other
prophets: they were now In the Wild
, erneSs.
Free from inharnonious and unsym-
pathetic associates. the hearts of the
friends grew warmer opened 10
each othe4. and they began to speak
J of the deep things, as a man occasion
ally does to his best friend. Indeed,
this is II seal of finest friendship--the
complete unwilling OF heart to heart.
ana communion upon the most sacred
themes.
Each knew what was the others
deepest thought. Elijah, still the teach
er, and perhaps Withholding the reward
until the 1inal tests had been met by
his dear pupil. said. Ask what l shall
do for thee. before l am taken from
thee" Had Elisha remained in Gilgal
he WOULD have never heard that offer.
We cannot know the blessings we miss
by stopping short of all that we might
have done.
"WHAT DID HE LEAvE"
1t was Il dangerous proposition that
the senior prophet made: doubtless he
would not have uttered 1t had he not
first thoroughly proved his companion.
The character of the latter was re-
vealed by his request. Like Solomon.
he might have asked for riches. honor,
life, but still like Solomon, he chose the
better part. He had not associated
with Elijah in vain. Elisha asked for
authority and power. that he might be
fitted to be his successor. He asked
for no external position. but for in
ternal power; not for wealth, but fol
wisdom: not for a worldly crown, but
for heavenly character" By his very
measure the thing for which he asked
Il pray thee" was his reply, let
double portion of thy spirit be upor
me'-not manifestly twice the spirit
which Elijah possessed. for a man can.
moi give away that which he has not
but double the portion of the othel
disciples. or the inheritance of the first.
born. But he shall acknowledge the
%f1rst-born, the son of the hated. by Civ
ing a double portion Of all that. he hath
for he is the beginning of his strength.
the right of the first-born is his"
Thou hast asked a hard thing" re-
joined Elijah. 1t is HARD TIC bequeatf
spiritual gifts. A mar may leave
million to his sons, but not the courage
resourcefulness and industry by which
he acquired it. The world has plent,
OF descendants of illustrious men wh'
have entered into possession of thei
names. fame, wealth and position, blu
not of their spirit. And the leas
worthy these heirs are. the liklier the.
are to boast Of their inheritance.
We hear this question on every side
when a rich man dies from relative
gathered like vultures. and from
If it was only money, pity him; bette
to have die barren as a naked savage
How infinitely nobler to be like Eli
jah who never a money enough t
buy himself Il decent suit of clothes
and bequeath the world a spirit. whic;
inheritance mankind is still enjoying
A life, a character, a commission-thes
are the gifts which alone enrich tn
race; and they may be left even by on
so poor as Elijah.
A TRiUMPHAL ENTRY.
Even to the two expectant prophet
the end came as a surprise: it Away
does; heaven is only a short chariot
journey removed from earth. LAS the
still went on and talked" Gods chart
otry of fire appeared and parted ther
aeunder, and Elijah ven up by
whirlwind into heaven. The c~elestis
!, cavalcade found congenisl duty this
day as they escorted this man Of fir,
= riding the whirlwind as a charger. u
: to the presence of the Master to whor
: he had been q true ervant.