Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-06-18

Here vas a point which troubled the
lad. and the mother patiently tried tc
show him how God had revealed 70
the prophet the victory he was going
10 give the army % Israel. but that
his father had spoken % his return
not from the certainty of revelation
from God. but rather as the wish oi
his heart tha, he might b back with
her and his boy again
During the anxious weeks that fol
lowed Jonahs aetive brain was busy
studying over this problem Of the at.
ference between what his father had
said aud what the prophet had said.
Tie couldn't Just grasp the idea that
the prophet could know more than
bis papa. or that what he said would
more surely come 10 pass than that
which his father had spoken And
when he had gone back 20 his mother
With his purzling questions and she
had explained to him that the prophet
lived close 10 God and God told him
What to say. he had asked why God
could not tell bis papa what TO say.
And then she had xon. on In try and
show him the difference between Gods
dealings With a nation and his deal
ings With an individual. and that often
he spoke his special message 10 the
nation. when be did no, to the indi-
vtdusl
Such vas the early incident in the
life ~ Jonah which made lifelong
impress upon his life His father never
came hack. and into his heart there
vas burning not only the sense ~
selfsacrircs and loyalty 20 his coun-
try. but a deep consciousness q the
oyer.ruling Providence of Ged in the
Affairs % his nation.
Naturally of deep religious nature.
the early Impressions intensified his
desire to know and serve God Il
seemed n wonderful thing a. him that
Elisha should have known the mind ~
God concerning the future victories
which Israel vas 60 win over Syria.
and when this prophecy had been ful-
filed 20 the letter and King Joash
had won the three victories. he re-
solved that he would serve God and
his nation
Why should I ros live close 70 God.
too. 50 that he can tell me u things
which he Is going 20 DO for my ua-
tom
Such was the question whicn he had
often asked himself In secret. and IL
vas the question be finally asked his
mother As he expressed To her his
wish TO go TO one Of the schools d
the prophets.
He never knew all that II cost her
TO part with him for the long season.
but he did see tha; same look of sor-
row aud anguish in her face which hat
come when his father had gone OF
years before TO battle and had never
returned
But will return he quickly
spoke up. with reassurinE smile
Yea. as God WILL responded the
mother. ferveatly.
And again he felt that overpoWeri1g
sense Of Gods control in the Affairs OF
men and OF nations which be had
felt as a little boy when he had ques-
toned his mother concerning the
/ prophet Elisha's word
As God WILL be repeated. and was
gone
The years passed. and the thought
ful youth had developed into the
| quiet, meditative man The intense
/ love OF his country has made him
close student Of the political events. and
he has watched with growing inter
est the coming OF Jereboam to the
throne What would b. the effect of
his reign upon the kingdom. Would
II be for veal or woe And when
be noted the apparent disposition of
the young king To rest easy in the
victories his father Joash had won aad
20 yield to the corrupting Influences
earnestly in prayer. crying over and
over again. that as God had revealed
10 Elisha the plans for the kingdom.
So might he reveal TO him the things
he would do concerning the nation.
They that wait on the Lord shall
not be ashamed" he repeated one day.
recalling one Of the passages from the
Psalms OF David 4 will wait
No one ever knew what that vigil
cost him. OF the heart -yearning for his
nation. Of the faith Godward and the
hope manward-ths world never
knows what the victories of God ,
saints cost-but the nation did know
his wonderful message and reiolceJi.
saying. Surely the Lord hath
spoken by the mouth Of Jonah the
prophet. and will restore unto US the
borders o, the land which our fathers
possessed"
MIGHT HAVE WRECKED LIVES