The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-03-02

| - uhNVl mining luuldlly.
Elijah went with Elisha, as Pail tool
Mark with him on his first missionary
journey. Elisha was Elijahs attend
ant and companion, student and friend
OF these years 1t is recorded only thai
the young man "ministered' to Elijah
"and poured water on his hands" Ant
Elijah said unto Elisha Tarry here, !
pray thee. Elijah, Elisha. and ever
the sons of the prophets, evidently
knew that Elijah's departure was al
hand
Elijah's last journey was clear
ly laid out for him. It's object wal
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 TX upon his disciples mindi
the principles and precepts he held
most important. Last words are best
remembered, and the sight of the
sturdy old man still able to make or
foot journey OF more than &c
miles, his Hndling glances, his ring
ing voice, must have remained with
them precious memory, nerying their
to greater boldness in the cause of Je
hoyah.
And so sons of the prophets went
and stood to view afar off. The ab
rupt heights behind the town command
ed an extensive view Of the river, tn,
nearest bend of which was five miles
away With n delicate sense Of pro
priety, the young men kept at dis
tance, but it was ltting they should be
Witnesses Of the scene, to testify aft
orwards throughout the land to EI
jah's favor with God and to the real
| ity OF Immortality For similar rea
sons the II witnessed the ascension OF
our Lord.
Elijah said: ASK what I shall dc
for thee, before / be taken away from
thee" So God asked Solomon at tn,
beginning Of his reign This was
I Elilahs last opportunity to do any
thing for his friend and successor
and he wanted to make an expression
to him Of his latherly love.
Elisha's answer was. Let a double
portion Of thy spirit be upon me-" IN,
double portion" was the portion o
the eldest son according to Jewish
law-ho received q double share Of the
inheritance. Elisha did not ask TO bo
come an Elijah, but to succeed him
He wanted the same spirit of GOs
which had made Elijah so powerful, 81,
useful. What he wished was tdt
virtues Of his friend. lie was SEIZED
with an Irresistible desire to possesi
those glorious characteristics of devo
liou to duty, courage i'm danger. 10y
atty to God This IS the longing o,
all noble souls, to catch and retair
something of the spirit Of heroes ant
saints. It was not a request of pride
or il would not have been granted, bui
a request for service; not ambiuousb
seeking Elijah's position but humbb
desiring to be his successor and dc
his work Of guiding Israel back u
God.
Choosing Is Test of Character
It is not what we get, but what w,
choose, not money or poverty, but tn,
love Of money; not success In gaining
pleasure, but what we seek first, thai
tests us as to what we really are
What we have and what we do OTTER
depend on many things outside of our
selves. What we choose is the worl
of our hearts and Wills.
There appeared a chariot Of fire ant
horses Of fire. It was a glorious bod,
guard but Elijah did not go up in
chariot, he went up by a whirlwlnt
into heaven. The marvellous effectl
of electric light through prisms ant
fountains, might give us some idea o.
the scene. 1t was in this ascent, al
In the ascension of Christ, that hii
physical body was changed into a glo
rious spiritual body
And Elisha saw It. The ascension
of Elijah. which was the sign glver
him by which he might know that h,
was to succeed to his masters office
And he cried. MY father, my father
| Elijah had been father to him, in hin
care and training, in love, and ir
legacy. It was the cry Of orphanhood
These words, too, may fairly be con
strued as suggesting an aspect of Ell
jah's character which is generally
overlooked. Those who are most ter
rIble in their denunciauons Of sin ar,
often the fullest of tenderness and
| love.
Elijah was not dead. He lived in ths
record of his life He lived In tho Of
fects of his life. He lived In Elishas
work He with Moses, returning te
speak with Jesus ON the Mount Of
TRANSPORTATION. gives new proof
that dying Is only transferring oui
existence to another field of service.
where all we have gained in this life
will find ample scope. We are not te
be forever harplng and singing, except
as our lives are songs, and our hearts
make music, But there as here we
shall "all be ministering spirits sent
forth to do service for them who shall
be heirs Of salvation"