The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-04

the minister to human souls. Press
your neighbours hand in his grief, and
run his errands for him. and do what
ever else tact may suggest, put 90 not
wound his sore spirit further with
clumsy words. Every theological sem
dents the case of these sons OF the
prophets as an evil example OF now
not to behave on occasions of funerals
The Last Long Walk.
Throughout the busy years that fol-
lowed, the younger mans thoushts
doubtless turned often in the night
watches to that memorable walk from
Gilgal to Bethel, and then down to
Jericho and Gilgal and across to the
east side of the Jordan. What was
said when at intervals the older man
broke the silence? Did he recall the
story of Jacob and his vision at Bethel,
and the wonderful persistence of Gods
providence in fulfilling through the
long centuries, the promise then
made?
Every foot of the way was full of
thoughts of Gods dealing with Israel.
and with Elijah himself. AS they
came down the rocky edge of the
Brook Cherith, did Elijah tell again
the story of the ravens, to hearten his
disciples faith. At Jericho was the
conversation all of the affairs of the
school of the prophets a few parting
admonitions and practical directions,
or did it go back to the wonderful
fall of Jericho before the trumpets of
faith? On the Slippery slopes of the
slime pits of the kings were there
stories of Abraham and his victory?
AS the Jordan was crossed. and Elijah
smote the waters, had he word con-
corning JoShua'S similar crossing? on
the other side did they journey up to
Mt Nebo, where Moses had his glori-
Gus exit, Elijah speaking the while
the great lesson of faith in the God
of unfailing promises? Much could
be talked about in that long walk of
thirty or forty miles Would that
more of the last works of the
prophet who was to come again. >on
the Mt. of olives, which they could see
clearly from the hills beyond Jordan,
to comfort the Greatest of the
Prophets.
In this instance we have the rare
combination of person with dis
cernment close to a great man. Elisha,
despite his nearness, had eyes to see
the real significance of Elijah Prob
ably some of the other sons of the
prophets gossiped about their masters
unconventional attire. his uncouth
mantle and leather girdle, his lack of
s'srnalI talk" and ease in conversa-
ton. Elisha saw the prophets soul,
and coveted it likewise in himself.
The Chariot of Fire.
Literature is full of stories of OPP
portunities of choice-the princess
three caskets, Aladdin in the cave,
etc, and this is one of the most dra-
matte of them. Elijah gave his friend
the liberty to make his choice of a
final bequest. What a chance for an
ambitious man! Elisha's love was
without alloy; he wanted his teacher $
self, and Lot his bestowals. He asked
for a double portion of the spirit of
Elijah; the passion that had con-
strained him to follow the master
burned undimmed in his breast Love
always asks for a personality. and not
for material gifts A bride reJoices
in her huband's gifts only because
they represent the giving of himself
to her.
The choice of Elisha who coveted
earnestly the best gifts, illustrates
Martineau's fine paragraph:
High hearts are never long without
hearing some new call. some distant
clarion of God, even in their dreams;
and soon they are observed to break
up the camp of ease, and start on some
fresh march of faithful service. And,
looking higher, still, we find those VINO
never wait till their moral work &C
cumulates, and who reward resolution
with no rest; with whom, therefore,
the alienation is instantaneous and
constant; who do the good only to see
the better, and see the better only to
achieve it; who are too meek for
TRANSPORT, too faithful for remorse,
too earnest for repose; whose worship
is action, and whose action ceaseless
aspiration"
AS teachers and pupil walked and
held converse together. perhaps up
one of the many steep and rocky ra-
vines of the transit Jordan mountains
or in one of the clefts in Mt Nebo.
there suddenly appeared chariot of
fire. with horses of fire and parted
them asunder. These were merely
the outriders of the whirlwind which
seized Elijah and carried him aloft.
Hear Elijah's cry of worshipful won.
der and human anguish, MY father!
NV father. the chariots of Israel
and the horsemen thereof"
God has special provinces for
special men; they who serve him
greatly are greatly honored; and a
iiveried equipage from the royal
stables of heaven was sent to escort
to the Kings presence this messenger
who had been true to him in caves
and deserts and hard and lonely
places. Loyalty had its fitting reward.