The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-02-07

ION 1Of TtU. L. Is ILsLJGH - ~
over the Prophets of Baal,' i
Kings, IS.
BY WILLIAM I. FILLS.
This is one Of the most interest
ing stories in all literature. illusions
to it abound in the speech and writ
joes of cultivated people,; for it is
instinct with that anna element
which makes quick appeal to the ele-
mental nature Of humanity. 1t is one
man fighting against huge odds; a
great struggle and a complete VIC
tory: the triumph Of truth over CIR
ror. For the sam reason that the
world loves the story Of Davies duei
with Goliah it cherishes this wonder
fnl scene-a Veritable duel Of the false
gods against the true-on the south
EN- plateau of Nouns Carmel.
The nerves Of the nation had been
prepared for this ordeal by the three
wears Of famine, which Elijah had
prophesied. Psychological conditions
were now right for the test they
would not have been before the fam
inc. InstinctiSely, as always, the
people traced d supernatural slgnlfl-
canoe in this great calamity which
had befallen them. TheS were lileo
with uncertainty about the attitude
of the Higher Powers toward themz
selves.
Only the king was inplacable. Ahab
laid the blame for the consequences
Of his own misdeeds upon the man
who had possessed the terInity to re-
veal them to him. SO when he saw
the prophet-note that the king came
to the simpiy-clad hermit, and not
The hermit to the Eing-he cried, is
il thou. thou troubler Of Israel -
Doubtless the courtiers' eyes sparkled
As they looked Onward TO an excoria-
ton, and perhaps the death ofEllJah,
They had yet to learn that the man
who is true need fear or endure no
insult from the mighty.
Swift and biting came back the I'M
abashed rctort, I have not troubled
Israel. but thou. and thy fathers
house, Diplomacy does not say dis
agreeable things to kings; but pro-
phets Of God may. There is no man
in higher station than he Who has a
message of truth.
The Prophets Challenge
Then Elijah challenged Allah to
GATHER together the false prophets
Who enjoyed royal favor; eating at
the queens table. while the man Of
God dWelt in q cave and ate food
brought by the birds Of the air. -Four
hundred and fifty priests of the god
called Baal. and four hundred priests
Of the groves-probably Of the Phoe-
nicjan Nenus-ca1ne together in their
fine robes, while all Isreal 0 on
10 see what strange thing would hap
pen. The very courage Of Elijah 8
sudden reappearance and the audac-
ity of his defiance, stirred the primal
instinct in the heart Of the people.
The scene of the contest is to this
day q commentary upon the story.
The Palace of Burning as it is
called locally, is at the southern
point + Mt. Carmel-and the mount
ain that bears that name is really
d range, ten or twelve miles long,
with many deep valleys, ravines and
plateaus stretching sontheastward
from the city ofHaifa along the Med
i~terranean. There are two monster
les upon it; the larger one commonly
VISITED by tourists is less than an
hours ride from the Haifa hotel. The
other is small and poor, with only
Nhree monks and seven pupils, and
lmeagre equipment. Only ten foreign
efS nave visited it in q year, I was
told by the monks whose hospitality
IS or the unspoiled order. They posed
Tor d photograph with all the eager
ness Of children. All authorities
agree that this monastery is on the
site of the wonderful duel between
'Ae true faith. and the false.
II hts the story perfectly. Here
: a plateau, at the point OF the
mountain where five or ten thousand
persons could gather. On the slopes
"eioW-lot TO mention the plain be-
nea'h-thcre is room for hundreds OF
'nouNdlds OF spectators. Stretching
81 TO The East ana the South Is the
great Plain OF Esdrae lon. eIoauent
Win memories OF great events in Is
IoeIS history. AT the foot Of the
mountains runs the Brook Kishon
Practically dry at the time Of my
Nl"l'- Under the brow Of the hill
an unfailing spring. surrounded
that day by a flock OF the familiar
plack goats Of Syria. This spring is
rnuouptedly the source from which
"Jah obtained the water he used in
~ PREPARATION OF his sacrifice. TIC
49, cast stands symmetrical Tabor,
""li iierTnOn towering north of If.
lie village Of Main l. in sigh.. ~az,.