The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-02-23

yard. our last lesson (Assyrian SD the
SD year OF the divided kingdom.
PtACE-Across the Jordan. opposite
Jericho. from whence Elijah was trans
lated.
Elijah's public life extended over not
more than 20 years. The first IA
were strenuous and heroic, with crises
like thunderstorms The Methodist
minister, who was complained VI for
shouting so loud in his pulpit, replied:
II am not singing lullabies; am
blasting rocks" Elijah was blasting
rocks.
But for the last six years since the
vision of God. Elijah had been work
ing more on the plan OF "the still small
voice" Once only did his fierce woe
unto you" blaze forth, when King
Ahaziah. Ahab's son, sought aid from
Baal instead OF the God Of Israel. He
had been training his successor Elisha
who was full Of Elijah's spirit Of re-
ligion, but manifested II In genrler
ways. Moreover, Elijah was the head
of the several schools OF the prophets,
where he could train and confirm the
members In their work OF living and
teaching the true religion, thus quiet.
ly undermining idolatry.
Elijah went with Elisha, as Paul took
Mark with him on his first missionary
Journey. Elisha was Elljah's attend
ant and companion, student and friend.
or these years II is recorded only that
the young man "ministered" to KRjah,
and poured water on his hands" And
Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, ]
pray thee. Elijah, Elisha, and even
the sons of the prophets, evidently
knew that Elijah's departure was at
hand.
Elijah's last journey was clear
ly laid out for him. It's object was
two-fold; a natural desire on the part
of the great leader TO revisit The
scenes so dear to him, and his pur
pose TO fix upon his disciples minds
the principles sad 'precepts he held
most important. Last words are best
remembered, and the sight OF the
sturdy old man still able TO make on
foot a journey of more than 80
miles, his kindling glances, his ring
ing voice. must have remained with
them precious memory, nerving them
to greater boldness in the cause Of Je-
hovah.
And so sons OF the prophets went,
and stood TO view afar of. The alb
rupt heights behind the town command
ed an extensive view OF the river, the
nearest bend of which was five miles
away. With a delicate sense of pro-
priety. the young men kept at a dis
lance, but 1t was fitting they should be
witnesses of the scene, TO testify aft
erwards throughout the land 20 Eli
jah's favor with God and 70 the real
ity of immortality. For similar rea-
sons the IL witnessed the ascension of
our Lord.
Elijah said: ASK what ] shall do
for thee, before / be taken away from
thee" So God asked Solomon at the
beginning of his reign. This was
Elijahs last opportunity TO do any
thing for his friend and successor.
and he wanted 10 make an expression
TO him of his fatherly love.
Elisha's answer was: Let a double
portion of thy spirit be upon me-" The
double portion" was the portion of
the eldest son according TO Jewish
law-he received double share of the
inheritance Elisha did not ask to be
come an Elijah, but TO succeed him.
lie wanted the same spirit OF God
which had made Elijah SO powerful, SO
useful. What he wished was the
virtues Of his friend. lie was seized
with an irresistible desire to possess
those glorious characteristics of deyo
ton 10 duty, courage in danger, 10y
atty 10 God. This is the longing Of
all noble souls, To catch and retain
of the spirit of heroes and
saints. II was not request of pride,
or il would not have been granted.
There appeared a chariot of FIRE and
horses OF fire. II was a glorious body
guard; but Elijah did not go up in a
he went up by a whirlwind
into heaven. The marvellous effects
Of electric light through prisms and
iouhtalhS, hilbhI give US SOME lued OF
the scene. II was in this ascent, as
in the ascension of. Christ. that his
physical body was changed into glo- !
rious spiritual body.
And Elisha saw II. The ascension
Of Elijah. which was the sign given !
him by which he might know that he
was 10 succeed TO his masters Office. |
And he cried, My father, my father"
Elijah had been a father to him, in his |
care and training, in love, and in |
legacy. II was the cry~of orphanhood |
These words, too, may fairly be con
trued as suggesting an aspect of 1li, |
abs character which is generally |
overlooked. Those who are most ter |
ible In their denunciations Of sin are I
)ften the fullest OF tenderness and /
owe.
Elijah was not dead. lie lived in the /
record Of his life lie lived in the ef |
ects of his life lie lived in Elisha's |
work. lie With Moses. returning 10
peak with Jesus on the Mount OF /
gives new proof
hat dying is only transferring our
existence To another field Of service:
where all we have gained in this life
will find ample scope. We are not 10
10 forever harping and singing, except
Il our lives are songs, and our hearts