The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-03-02


yard, our last lesson (Assyrian $50 the
SOD year Of the divided kingdom
PLACE-Across the Jordan. opposite
Jericho. from whence Elijah was trans
lated.
Elijah's public life ex ended over not
more than 30 years. The first IA
were strenuous and heroic, with crises
like thunderstorms. The Methodist
minister, who was complained Of for
shouting so loud in his pulpit, replied.
81 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 lie
had been training his successor Elisha
who was full of Elijah's spirit of re-
ligion, but manifested II 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 even
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. Its 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.
rose 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 journey of more than 30
miles, his kindling glances, his ring
| ng 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 off. 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.
tance, but 1t was fitting they should be
witnesses Of the scene, to testify aft
erwards throughout the land TO Eli
| jah's favor with God and to the real.
| lty of Immortality. For similar rea-
\ sons the II 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
lcginnins of his reign This was
hliiah's last opportunity to do any.
thing for his friend and successor
and he wanted to make an expression
10 him of his fatherly love.
Elishas answer was: Let 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
| Uhich had nnada L'liiah an nouarfuI 90
useful. What he wished was the
virtues of his friend. He was seized
with an 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 1t would not have been granted
There appeared a chariot of fire and
horses of fire. II was glorious body
guard; but Elijah did not go up in q
chariot he went up by a whirlwinC
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 a glo
rious spiritual body,
And Elisha saw II. The ascension
of Elijah, which was the sign giver
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 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 anG
love.
Elijah was not dead. He lived in the
record of his life. He lived In the eff
fects OF his life. He lived In Elisha's
work He with Moses, returning tc
speak with Jesus on the Mount OF
TRANSPORTATION, gives a new proof
that diving is only transferring on