Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-09-01
WHEN COURAGE Is GONE

"'N vi nv 'isP Nv AS NsNht
his next meal is coming, who h over
taken by a spirit of depression. but the
strong man, busy about many great
responsibilities. Anomalous though IT
may seem, 1t is the men who nave done
things who become cast down. II is
the Elijahs who have been on Carmel
who become the Elijahs under the juni-
per tree.
The stories If last weeks lesson and
this are in strange contrast. Elijah,
u majestic figure. unabashcG In the
presence of q hostile multitude taunt-
Ing the priests of the state religion
and daring to command wen h king,
bears little resemblance to this de-
jccted figure in the desert, pining for
death. The change is easily explained,
however. There were three reasons
for ii; the prophets spirit vas over
wrought and his body was exhausted
and thus he was mad sensitive to the
persecution Of Il powerful and wicked
m
A WoMAN's HATE.
Elijah had subjugated Ahab. The
king had been turned from an enemy
into Il friend. BY witnessing the won
derful duel between the false gods and
the true he had become enthusiastic
Over the religion OF Jehovah and over
the breaking of the three years
drought. But once he entered the
presence of Jezebel his enthusiasm
shriveled up as a tender plant at the
first touch of winters frost. Truth to
tell, Ahab was very much of a hem
pecked husband. The shrewd and
strong minded Jezebel had him in
complete control.
1t seems eve to IA occurred to
him that the went on Mount Carmel
pointed out a duty to him AS head
Of his household as we'll as head of the
NATHAN ynctnnd ~ cvotnrr HrrNa 70 dnal
faithfully with his wife for her part In
promoting and protecting idolatry, he
ineekly entered her presence and told
her what n happened. He let slip
his chance to grasp his opportunity,
to ssum his rightful place In his own
house. While he told his story, anxious
to please his consort. we may see her
listening with scornful mien and with
an uncOncealed contempt for his enthu-
siasm. which grew INTO raging. storm
Ing fury when she learned of the de-
feat OF her priests. 1t a an uncom-
Portable half hour for King Ahab when
the domestic storm broke over the pal
ice. Jezebel naturally sought some
outlet for her anger after having. no
doubt, soundly berated her husband.
But what could she do? The priests
were dead; the people were oused to
q high pitch of excitement against
Baalism. Only Elijah was left to re-
ceive the Walls of her wrath. A man
might seek vengeance against the
prophet. but it was a distinctly femi-
nine touch to threaten him first. The
message, $50 let the gods do to me,
and more also. II l make not thy life
an the life of one of them by tomorrow
about this time." was not very saga
ciOus.
The returned prophet, himself. happy
and exalted in spirit over his Victory
md nVnr yahnVohpu 1,lrdtOokf0v1 20 hfsx,
self. was outside the palace, loyalty
awaiting the kings will. Suddenly
hte -0latl0n Was turned to panic by the
message from Jexebel. The reaction
sudden and complete. The pro-
phets courage which had borne such
extraordinary tests collapsed utterly.
His overwrOught spirit gave way to
corresponding detection. and he incon-
tinently fled. Elijah, running away
with all speed from one woman Is in
complete contrast with the Elijah who
= been defiant in the face of an en-
tire nation and It's hostile priests.
Such are the contradictions of human
hours.
A HEART CAST DOWN.
INTERESTINGLY, the prophet went al
most one hundred miles south to Beer
sheba, which marked the border of the
southern kingdom where he was we'll
outside the kings reach. Here he left
his servant. Fancy likes to think that
the latter was none other than the son
Of the Zarcphath widow whom Elijan
had restored to life. For where else
could this poverty stricken and exilcd
prophet md one willing to become his
servant or to share his fortunes? The
deepest experiences Of life must be
undergone alone, however, and as Eli
JAN had come to one such. he left the
boy at Beersheba while he pushed on
into the sympathetic wilderness. Moth
Ing but isolation and d~esclation could
meet his mood Ct this hour. He wanted
70 oct away from men. all men: he was
utck OF the faces OF his kind and weary
OF serving them. Out in the desert
he found q juniper tree and under its
friendly shade he rat down and prayed
Utssr discour.rsment usually aug
rests thoughts Of death. This doubt
Ieee u humanity and unworthy OF q,
brave spirit. nevertheless Il 10 q fact
teat IN ~increasing numbers hundreds
OF pernonn are yearly seeking this wa
Y Of LIES troubles. Something must
be wrong with men or with the times
thou9hts but push them to ultimate
deeds.
WHgM TROUBLE COMES.
There 10 Z breaking point for most
lives and q L. moi 20 strange a It
would at INST appear. to go this vtrile
character who had borne axlOnR oieee
os greater trouble utterly collapse be-
;fofe IN hate Of one woman, The ex-
ineet sreat rasn, Ike. fcr instance. John
me BAptiek and Martin RATHER. though
noWAAre ~ Il to be found n the career
~ that Ireate0t Man Who dared 70 face
I~lncreeaang ~Oppooitlon until Il cullnln.