The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-01

pact not only were y
they to receive bless EaM%&A
ings if faithful, but
equally they were sure H'''u" Ieu Og TdoehS.
TO receive stripes. punishments If they
were disobcdient and forsook the Lord
and their share of the Covenant. The
three and a half years famine described
In this study was, therefore, In IsraeIs
case, specifically a rebuke from the Lord
This is the signifcation Of the Lords
Statement through the Prophet, lis there
evil In the city and the Lord hath not
done IT, Sme have mistakenly inter-
preted this TO mean that God holds him
self responsible for all the moral evils of
mankind. Quite to the contrary the Lord
declares respecting his own Government
that His way is perfect" The word
erft In this text is old style English, sig
nifying any disaster or trouble or afflic-
tion. With the Israelites God wished it
to be clearly understood that he was re-
sponsible. both for their blessings and for
their tribulations. all of which were in
tended to purify them.
Elijah the Prophet
Under Divine guidance. Elijah at the
appropriate time. presented himself to
King Ahab, clothed according to his Gus
tom, in exceedingly plain garments In
the name Of the Lord he reproved the
king for the idolatries practised in his
kingdom and announced what the king
doubtless considered a vain boast; name
ly. that there would be neither rain nor
dew in the land of Israel until Elijah
would command it. And the drouth came
as the Prophet of the Lord predicted.
AS months grew into years and the
drouth continued. the king caused search
to be made for Elijah. with a view to
either entreating or threatening him, to
the intent that the drouth might be
hrrAl TDy,k
rection, secreted himself near the Brook
Cherith, where the ravens brought him
food morning and evening until the brook
dried up and, under the Lords direction
Elijah went elsewhere
While this story that the ravens fed
Elijah sounds mythical, 1t has its paral-
lels. The raven is a wise bird A story
is told of a young man sick In prison, to
whom a raven brought food. Bishop STAN
ley's History Of Birds tells Of another in
cident thus: Coming into the inn yard
my chaise ran over and bruised the leg
Of a favorite Newfoundland dog and
while we were examining the injury.
Ralph, the raven, looked on also. That
night the dog was tied up under the man
ger with my horse and the raven not only
visited him, but brought him bones and
attended him with particular marks OF
kindness
Nor is it wonderful case
The wonder is to be renewed;
And many can say, to his praise,
He sends them by ravens their food.
Thus worldlings, though ravens indeed.
Though greedy and selfish their mind.
If God has a servant TO feed,
Against their own Wills can be kind"
The Widow of Zarephath
Divine providence guided Elijah to the
home of a poor widow, to whom the
drouth and continued scarcity had proved
a great trial. She had little coarse flour
left, which alone stood between herself
and her son and starvation, so far as she
could discern. The Prophet, meeting her,
asked for a drink of water and a small
cake Of bread. This was severe test to
the woman's faith and generosity. She
explained the situation. indicating her de-
sire to accede to the Prophets wishes,
yet loath to part with her all. Elijah re-
piled. Fear not. Bake for yourself and
for your son but the first cake make for
me and bring 10 me. Then he explained
to her the Lords message: THE barrel Of
meal shall not waste. neither shall the
cruise OF oil fail until the day that the
Lord sendeth rain upon the earth" The
word of the Lord was fulfilled. Miracu-
lously the supplies were increased little
by little, just as required for use
There is a lesson for the Lords people
In ths-a lesson that, even in our own
eXtremities we should exercise sympathy
tow o..ls- 1. l..