The Elbert County tribune., 1911-02-24

TIME-Probably about B. c. 800. sig
years after the AFFAIR of Naboth's Vine
yard. our last lesson (Assyrian SD the
s3d year OF the divided kingdom.
PLAcE-Across the Jordan, opposite
Jericho. from whence Elijah was trans
lated.
Elijah's public life extended over not
more than 20 years. The first IL
were strenuous and heroic, with crises
like thunderstorms. The Methodist
minister. who was complained Of 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 1t in gentler
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 Elijah's attend
ant and companion, student and friend.
OF these years 1t is recorded only that
the young man "ministered" to Elijah,
"and poured water on his hands" And
Elijah said unto Elisha. Tarry here,
pray thee. Elijah, Elisha, and evex
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. Its object was
two-fold: natural desire on the part
of the great leader to revisit the
scenes 80 dear to him, and his pur-
pose to fix upon his disciples minds
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 on
foot a journey of more than 80
miles, his kindling glances, his ring
ing voice, must have remained with
them a precious memory, nerving them
to greater holiness in the cause of Je-
hovah
And so sons of the prophets went,
AID stood to view afar of The ab-
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 dis
tance. but 1t was fitting they should be
Witnesses OF the scene. to testify aft
erwards throughout the land to ELL
jah's favor with God and to the real
ity OF Immortality. For similar rea-
sons the IL witnessed the ascension of
our Lord.
Elijah said: ASK what l shall do
for thee, before be taken away from
thee" So God asked Solomon at the
beginning of his reign. This was
Elijah's last opportunity to do any
thing for his friend and successor,
and he wanted to 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
He wanted the same spirit of God
which had made Elijah so powerful, so
useful. What he wished was the
virtues OF his friend. He was seized
with All irresistible desire to possess
those glorious characteristics of devo-
ton to duty, courage in danger 10y
atty to God. This is the longing Of
all noble souls, to catch and retain
something Of the spirit of heroes and
saints. 1t was not request of pride,
or It would not have been granted
There appeared a chariot of fire and
horses of fire. 1t was a glorious body
guard; but Elijah did not go up in
chariot, he went up by a whirlwind
into heaven. The marvellous effects
of electric light through prisms and
fountains. might give us some idea of
the scene. 1t was in this ascent, as
in the ascension of Christ, that his
physical body was changed into glo-
rious spiritual body.
And Elisha saw it. The ascension
of Elijah, which was the sign given
him by which he might know that he
was to 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. 1t was the cry of orphanhood.
These words, too, may fairly be con-
strued as suggesting an aspect of Eli
jah's character which is generally
overlooked. Those who are most ter
rible in their denunciations of sin are
often the fullest of tenderness and
love.
Elijah was not dead. He lived In the
record of his life. He lived in the ef-