Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-03-03

FOR about ten years after the death Of
Naboth Elijah continued his quiet work
in Israel. Schools OF prophets were es-
tablished in Bethel. Jericho. GIlgal and
possibly other POINTS Only two Incidents
are given US in the last Is years of his
work. but the quiet work that he did in
the schools was far more potent in ef-
fecting his object than the spectacular
and dramatic incidents on Carmel and
on the road to Edron- He had prohted BY
the revelation God had given him on
Horeb; he found the voice singing in the
silence better than the earthquake or wind
or fire A good part Of his time was Civ
en- 20 directing the study Of these young
men who should stand for God IN the
homes ezd cities OF Israel How much
actual teaching he did. we have no means
Of learning He had them learn the law
of Moses, for this lack OF the knowledge
II this was at once the result and the
cause OF Israers apostasy.
ELIJAH'S LAST VISIT.
II would have seemed that Elijah's work
vas Just at tho point where he was most
needed and could do the most good; but
God knew better. He revealed TO Elijah
IN some way that the end was near. IN
known to Elijah. probably. II had also
been revealed 10 Elisha and TO the sehol-
airs in the schools OF the prophets. Pos
sfbIy each was In ignorance OF the others
knowledge.
Elijah desired to visit the schools before
his departure. We can imagine what his
last messages would have been He prob
ably wanted to impress upon them the i'm
uorfance OF sticking true TO Jehovah and
his law, in spite Of all the temptations TO
laxfty that they were confronted with
every day; and also to urge them to in
Huence as many as they could IN the quiet
way he had learned at Horeb and had
taught them I think he said nothing TO
them in the nature OF a farewell; but the
unusual earnestness with which he spoke
10 them on this visit may have been the
way God revealed 10 them the fact that
he was soon to leave them
There has been a good deal OF con-
lecture as TO why he should have in
sisted so upon Elisha's remaining be-
hind. Some have thought IL was hu-
mIlity on his part. desiring 10 be alone
n the GROWING hour OF his life: others
have thought II was TO spare Elisha the
pain OF parting: while still others have
felt Il was TO test Elisha He had anoint-
ed Elisha Is years before as his success
OF During all these years Elisha had
been associated with him in the quiet
work he had been doing He had de-
pended upon Elijah. however, all this
time. and the latter wished 20 know that
he would be faithful in a crisis when
left to his own responsibility. 1t was
10 test Elisha think. that he so often
suggested to him TO remain behind
Elisha. however. was faithful. At Gilgal
he declined 70 leave his master in the
time OF his departure. He walked with
him the ten miles 10 Bethel Here he
also refused and walked with him the
twenty odd miles 20 Jericho. At Jericho
ne also declined TO forsake him. and fol-
lowed the few miles to the Jordan
The students in the schools were evil
IDENTIFY very proud OF their knowledge;
but Elisha rebuhed them sharply. II was
q time OF great distress to him, TO
know that he was so soon 10 lose his
companion and master. II was not
matter he cared 20 discuss with a lot
OF curious students Fifty OF them at
the college at Jericho followed the old
leader and his understudy TO the river
Jordan and witnessed the signs there.
Tehey were allowed TO be present and see
these things that the facts might be es-
fabiished at the mouth Of more than one
witness.
ELIJAHS DEPARTURE AND. ELI
SHA'S VICTORY.
Elisha had stood the test so far, TO
the entire satisfaction OF Elijah. He
thought he would, ] know, and would
have been greatly disappointed had he
failed him Elisha would not have
shrlnk from the responsibilities that
were soon to be thrust upon him That
be felt this, that this was what con-
cerned him more than the personal loss
which he should sustain in the removal
OF his friend. is shown by the request
he made. For Elijah, seeing that he had
stood faithful. asked what he desired Of
him as a parting gift Elisha's request
was not q selfish one: he did not ask
that he be twice as powerful as Elijah
had been; but simply that he might in
herft the gifts necessary 20 do the work
before him. He asked for the portion OF
the first born. He recognized that with
Elijah absent. the responsibility OF lead
inx Israel back 20 Jehovah must devolve
upon him-there were the colleges to be
maintained. the students TO be trained,
sin TO be fought. spiritual enemies 20 be
overcome-he must lead the tight he