The Raymer enterprise., 1911-02-23

| IOLDEN TEAI-'EnoCn walked Win
| God: and he was not: for God took him."
Gen. 5:A.
TIME-Probably about B. c. 800. six
years after the affair Of Naboth's vine
yard. our last lesson (Assyrian SO the
SD 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 II
were strenuous and heroic, with crises
like thunderstorms. The Methodist
minister. who was complained Of for
shouting so loud In his pulpit, replied:
Il am not singing lullabies; I 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.
or 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 ever
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 SO 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 journey Of more than 30
miles, his kindling glsnces, his ring.
ing voice, must have remained with
them precious memory. nerving them
to greater boldress In the cause OF Je.
hoyah.
And 80 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 delicate sense of pro.
priety, the young men kept at a dis.
lance, but It 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 II witnessed the ascension OF
our Lord.
Elijah said: ASK what shall dc
; 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 o.
the eldest son according to Jewisf
law-he received double share OF th'
inheritance. Elisha did not ask to be
. come an Elijah, but to succeed him
He wanted the same spirit OF Go,
. which had made Elijah so powerful. S,
: useful. What he wished was tn,
virtues Of his friend. He was seize,
with ali irresistible desire to possess
those glorious characteristics OF devo
tion to duty. courage In danger. 10y
atty to God. This is the longing O
all noble souls, to catch and retail
something OF the spirit Of heroes an,
saints. 1t was not a request of pride
. or 1t would not have been granted
;, There appeared chariot of fire an,
:, horses OF fire. 1t was glorious bod
. guard; but Elijah did not 60 up in
= chariot, he went up by whirlwIn
into heaven. The marvellous effect
Of electric light through prisms an
fountains, might give US some idea @
the scene. 1t was In this ascent, a
In the ascension Of Christ, that hi
physical body was changed into glc
rious spiritual body.
And Elisha saw 1t. The ascension
Of Elijah, which was the sign give
- 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 hi
- care and training, In love, and Il
legacy. 1t was the cry Of orphanhoot
= These words, too, may fairly be cor
i, strued as suggesting an aspect of Ell
jah's character which Is general
l overlooked. Those who are most tel
rible In their denunciations Of sin ar
often the fullest Of tenderness an
love.
Elijah was not dead. He lived in th