Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-08-25

W W
y IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD " y
Ny @ W
W What the Church Folk An Thinking Asot and Doing. w
W News From Vahous Lands Suggestive Words From Many Ma. M
W W
NJ NJ :..SyndAy School Les.on and Yovnl Peoples Topic... "
w Comments by William 7. Ella w
" r., r.r .. !. ~
A DUEL OF GyDs.
Comment by William T. Eua

A DUEL OF GODS.
The international Sunday school lesson
for August p is Elijah on Mount Car
MEL Kings. lS:a0-46.
AS the mountain top of Carmel uprears
itself above all it's environment, between
the Mediterranean sea on one hand and
the Plain OF EsdraeluA on the other, so
the event which is the subject of this
Sunday school study stands out as a
mountain top In the history of the Jews.
The contest between Jehovah and Bnal
was aud startling. 1t was time
ly, too. for the land lay smitten beneath IL
drought and famine. which the god Baal.
whom the people wor>hiped. had not re-
lfcved during its three years duration.
The very fact of it's being Il gigantic con-
test fixed attention upon il. for war Is
always interesting. Moreover. the ques-
ton to be decided was Il rcligious one, and
religion has in all ages appealed to the
deepest sentiment of the people. A re-
cent instance of this truth is found in the
widespread agitation of the people over
the action of an Episcopal bishop in dcdi-
eating Il New York liquor saloon. 1t is
not the spectacular but the religious as
pect of the latter instance which has set
so many tongues and pens in motion.
SPECTATORS FOR THE DUEL.
Returning from y three years exile. the
prophet Elijah met his royal prosecutor,
KIM Ahab. and so cowed that naughty
despot that he dared even issue a COM
mand to him. This was that Ahab should
gather all Israel to Mount Carmel, and
especially the $50 prophets of Eaal and
the 400 prophets of Ashcrah. These repre-
sented the idolatry imported from Phoe-
nicia with Jezcbcl. Ahab's wife. Because
of her cruel and relentless zeal. worship
OF Baal had become practically the ma
tional religion. AS a punishment. there
fore. Jehovah had sent three years of
drought upon the land.
Now the people were suddenly startled
from their lethargy of dependency by the
kings summons TO gather at Mount Car
mel. Linked with these tidings came an
other more wonderful. Elijah has re-
turned" From mouth to mouth the mes
sage ran through the land. Elijah was
the biggest figure of the time, and in the
popular mine he was invested with a
strange glamour and mystery. So all the
people came to Carmel, they knew not
for what, but were assured 1t was for
something important and interesting II
Elijah was concerned in 1t. Such was tho
prophets reputation, and such is reputa-
tons value.
Thus was provided the setting for this
greatest duel in history. A mountain peak
for the arena, a nation for the spectators
and Judges, and one man arrayed against
hundreds of priests as the participants.
A REeUKE AND A CHALLENGE.
When all things had been made ready
Elijah, who never for an instant had beer
out of the eye of the multitude, assumed
q favorable position for speaking. The
native grandeur OF his figure awed them.
His temerity in daring to appear before
Ahab astonished them. His willingness
to face the nation upon whom he had
caused such d sore visitation to descend
set them to wondering what he would say.
If they expected an apology they were
sadly mistaken, and knew not their man,
The first words of this brave prophet
who dared stand alone against a count
less multitude. were a singing rebuke
How long go We limping between the two
sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him
but II Baal, then follow him.
The terse Characterization was true to
life. The people had been limping, fol
trimmers can neither walk straight MOI
stand upright. Elijah's singing salutatior
expressed the Lord Almighty's opinion OF
a cowardly and two-faced people.
The case was simple and clear as hi
stated it. II Jehovah was GOO he should
be followed; If Baal. he should be fol
lowed. Everyone who heard the prophets
words already knew this. yet they were IN
the same misery as millions since, who
clearly see the light without the mora
courage to follow 1t In the face of UNI
popularity. Convicted, they stood silent,
as the condemned on the Judgment day
the justice of the divine verdict burning
In their hearts.
THE DUEL PLANNED.
There was a pathetic note in Elijah's
voice as he cried: II. even / alone, am lief,
q prophet of Jehovah" He knew he stood
Lava 40 lo oxnor, ,lco tl~A 10 .~o@I an,
the prophet Of God. So he dared propose
a conflict that seemed most unequal, sc
far as human powers were concerned. Or
the one side was himself and on the othel
side 40 prophets of Baal, with probably
400 prophets of the Asherah supporting
them. Each side should take a bullock
for even In famine time they could spare
What was most precious for the altar Of
religion-and 1t was to be prepared fol
sacrifice and the altar made completely
ready except the fire. Then the test was
THE God that answereth by fire, let hin
be Cod"
While the prophets of Baal may have
shrunk from the test, they could not
evade 1t, except by confessing themselves
defeated in the eyes of the people, who
had cried out, 1T Is well spoken"
God delights to meet proper tests pro
posed by his own. Sometimes he ever
deigns to meet the test of unbelief. A
strange, but perfectly attested, instance
Of this occurred a few weeks g in thu
middle west. A young man was sitting
through a game with some comrades ant
the question of religion arose. Lifting hi:
hand he cried. IF there be a God let hin
strike me deaf and dumb" At once h
fell stunned upon the floor. For week.
he lay stricken, though perfectly con
scious. The case baffed physicians. TIL
young mans first written request was fol
a Bible. He himself was convinced tina
God had accepted his challenge. and wher
later, in answer to prayer, his speech wa'
restored, his first words were Praise thu
Lord"
Proofs that Jehovah is God are every
where multiform and manifest. A peculiar
phrase Of S%purgeon's indicates a line O
thought here: 1.-THE God that answered.
by o~rphanages. let him be o
FIRST CHOICE FOR THE MAJORITY
In this unique duel all the advantage
were conceded by the lone prophet o
Jehovah to his numerous adversarfes
They should prepare the first sacrifice an
be tho FIRST to call upon their God. havini
ali the time they required. II an answe
should come to their prayer. Elijah woul'
have to confess himself defeated. for tn
people would never watt to put Jehoval
to the test.
The scene il described by the inspires
writer with wonderful vividneSs. We Sc