The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-14


COETExT.-yve are to continue our.
|}studies OF Elisha as he entered into the.
domestic life OF his time. Last week We
saw him rs helper Of a widow who
was in debt. incurred by her deceased
husband The incident was struck off in
a few verses In a mastery way, convey
Ing Wholesome instruction on many I'M
portant subjects, valuable In al lands
and ages. With greater detail Is related
the relationEof Elisha with another wo-s
man in Shunem. q town in Issachar. In
his itincrant ministry no n ttracted tho
attention OF a wealthy and influential ~o-
manin that place, whose namc Is unknown,
but who lis mentioned as the Shunammite..
Perceiving his godly character, she, With
airoonl. a veritable 4'prophet's $chnmber.''s
where at his pleasure he came to lodge
|4(verse S).> In return for this hospitality
hold. one blessing was priced more than
any other, for a sons ca meStO GLADDEN. the
hearts Of the childless couple. \ But the
tender Years when he siickened and died.
APFROACH.-1n this hour OF berenye-t
, rlent the mother naturally sought els ma.
It.r confidence in him y h0.s nit' her
acoua intancc with him as an occasional
guest, and her knowledge OF his wonder
ful deeds, were sufficient reason for be-
fevinE that he. more han any, other,
fort or OF help. Besides, the son had
been G od's gift, promised by the prophet
Verse 16), and she. must desire 10 knoW,
"a all mothers do. the Significance OF the
providence BY which the young life was
aiken. Who could explain 50 well 4 as rs.
Elisha? Withsrapld driving she came to
Mount Carmel verse 9). where. :, !. that ma
c: Kings. IL: 30 AS SHE was approaching;
Elisha, looking down#the 5way rccognized8
her IN the distance, and announced tho
or orr eu r s IKE mountain was 4 retired
and stony place frequented but seldom,
save for religious purposes. There Ahabs
had cstab lished heather worship. and
Yah and sacrificed. Why has the S hu.
namn,ite come? What does she seek?
ills not the season for religious deyo-
iSiNQ u1RY.-1 Il was with becoming cour-.
tcsy nd gratitude. the one due to a per-
son OF her sta ton. and the! her a re-
cutTwuitjng for the won,an's arrival. sent
his servant to meet her (vcrsc 26). This
act was characteristic Of all genuine
souls ip Oriental lands, and IN AZ lands.
They who have generous natures are
ger to hestoW blessings, and will not
walt to be asked. The servant was in
structed to run MS II the GRAND re-
servants question sought Information
concerning the welfare Of all \ the mem
bers OF her household. her health, the
F fa'1 tme ei memorai these naares
have been the first when two friends
meet. Life and health are the chief ie
EARTHLY 6eS Sabss boa nc d1srfa
stance 1t was & he same as to ask whether
there was any sickness or misfortune IN
the family. Had the woman 2 q, come be.
evasive. cit is WE'LL" founded evidently
upon her. faith whichshe had expressed
0h sa. fSSfss "a advanced into the
p, esence OF elisha, the woman was over-
come by the grief which She had re-
he easp S e hsn 1na f fea dSw
thew thew; aaviil; sJ nils act Action was deemed
an offense agalnst..t the dignity o. .slns
rebuked him Mark s; ls) :, very much
as the .say our rebuked The disciples Ihe
greatly distressed over some matter of
which he was. not informed. and he az; ,
termined to give her opportunity. to tell
sio % ks ear Sly
desire to do good, such as all true nllniS,,
tiers, feel. such MS the Master J, himself
aspayed nany sy propets
favor the Woman Spoke for the first time.
Verse $50. On the Hrst reading her words
HPreH - DC an SpOSlulslltoH &sCrfaCpl9-s
plant. More careful study will show
that they We're intended .assaN arglmen
She ha d not been greatly DESTROYS for y
child. The son was not given because
OF her lnodinate Importantly. Why,
then. after ,er motherly affection had
been Weakened, was IT taken from !er!
RE IIlGF,-It Elisha did not a TEMPT
to, explain what had occurred he
did What WAS far better Slo.
proposed to restore the dead to life and
thus to assuage the mothers grief. Turn
Ing 10 Gehazl he gave orders to take
his staff (Illlshn's) and TO hasten to the
home. Of the Shunammite, to so Lutte no
one. by the way, which would consume
time Huke, III and TO lay the. st q
order. Evidently there was supposed 10
rod OF Moses (EIx. VII; 40 2O). and IN the
mantle of Elijah III Kings ~; s. So Some
Ithink they SEQ here a remnant OF feti-
| chlsm; others suppose that by certain OBJ
| jects God condescended to help tho faith
| of men In an earlier day. (ESx.f ": 2-3)
But the mother OF the child Was not
at's1ed With this mode OF relief She
| refused the .proxy, even with the stan.
and declared that she would not leave
| Elisha until he put forth his persona ef,
fort in her behalf, (Yerse 30 Her spirit