Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1907-09-05
where Is the Lord,
The God Of Elijah?"
II Kings, 2:14.

1t is my intention in this article, to
consider Gods mode of dealing with
men OF old, that by it, we may arrive
at some conclusion as to what God re-
quires of us, and what we may expect
from Him.
Certainly we may not expect in this
day OF Christian enlightenment, for
God to deal with US precisely as He did
with Elijah and others of his day. but
that the hand of providence is over US,
that the farm of the Lord is round
about u.s., Christians fail too often to
realize.
1t was but natural for Elisha, on his
return from the scene of that memoir
able vision OF the "chariot of fire., to
lift the mantle of the "double portion
from his shoulder, smite the waters of
Jordan, and boldly inquire of jehovah:
"Where is the Lord, the zoe of
Elijah?"
In this, there seems no fearful stroke
of the mantle, nor timid petition for
God to come to his aid. 1t was a de-
cisive act, expecting God to fulfil His
promise.
Just previous to this, Elisha had 81
Iently looked on while Elijah smote
the waters and passed over the Jordan.
Now returning with this same mantle,
clashed with power, according to prom
Use, 1 repeat, it was but natural to use
the mantle as he had seen it used.
Abundant evidence had reduced it to a
certainty.
In the present age, as I have already
intimated, we need not expert to di-
vide the waters as Elijah and Elisha
did, or heal the sick and raise the dead
as Jesus and the apostles did. We have
no assurance of such power But asso-
citation with Cody men, and a close
study of the New Testament will reveal
to US promises of spiritual strength
that few of US possess. Elisha was the
constant and reVerent companion of
Elijah. His whole min was given to
the attainment of Goodness. The
world, with all its alluring promises,
had no charm for him. Like David, he
would rather be a door-keeper in the
house of the Lord, than to dwell in the
tents of the wicked''. Or like Moses,
he would rather suffer atfliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin tor d season.. Some,
disposed TO be critical, might pick
flaws in Elisha's life and thus attempt
to ridicule the idea of his power Very
well, point out a man today, whose
life, in some great way, has blest hui
manity, and L will, it necessary, point
to imperfections in the same mans
life. Hence, our theme from the test:
not the miracle that Elisha wrought
but the life that produced the miracle
But the old question will assert itsel
it men wrought miracles in the pas
ages, why the absence OF miracles now.
A glance at the history of nations con
temporary with Israel Will reveal the
key to the situation Every nation o
antiquity had their magicians- Won
der working had become an art. Kins
and people relied implicitly upon tn,
oracle. 1t became necessary for Goo
to meet this superstition with real mir
acle working power. That the mira
cles wrought by Jehovah's servant
were superior to those Ot others, W.
have only to refer to Moses in Egypt
or Elijah at Carmel
These outward manifestations wer'
only superficial and were used b.
Jehovah as a means of education
"God looketh upon the heart, ant
He means that men shall seek thi
deeper source The thinking mind n
longer calls for a Sign. but rejoice
in the miracle of hearts redeemed. Ho
We that can speak to the hearts of men
or lend a helping hand, cries the world
Are we, then, bereft of spiritual pow,
er? By no means. "God is spirit, an
they that worship Him, must worship
in spirit and truth. What q lessor
for all time is that given by the Master
recorded in Mark 1O:17-3O. The ricl
young man of this passage, no doubt
considered himself almost the ideal @
the "Good Master. But when the on
thing lacking was told him, "his coun
tenance fell at the saying, and he wen
away sorrowfuI, for he was one tina
had great POSSESSIONS"
The Masters treatment of this yOunI
man did not meet with the approva
of the disciples. They met the Saviour
arguments with the grave question
"Then who can be saved?" The match
less teacher was ready with the answer
with men it is impossible, but no
with Sod. There was a CLEAN of hop
in this, for even the poor disciple Nigh
rely pon the "arm of fesh". "Bu
Master we want more Instructions
ITO Lauo Lot oil and Gollouuod Ihaa,l