The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-11
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
Ibis is one of the most inter-
HI I'll esting stories in all htera-
ture. Allusions to it abound
in the speech and writings
of cultivated people; for it
- is instinct with that dramat-
,c element which makes quick appeal
70 the elem ntal nature of humanity
If is one man fighting against huse
odds; a great struggle and a complete
victory; the triumph of truth over
error. For the same reason that the
world loves the story of David duel
with Goliath it cherishes this wonder
fu1 scene-a veritable duel of the false
GODS against the true-on the south
ern plateau of Mount Carmel
The nerves of the nation had been
prepared for this ordeal by the three
years of famine which Elijah had
prophesied. Psychological conditions
were now right for the test; they
would not have been before the fam
Inc. Instinctively, as always, the peo-
pie traced supernatural significance
IN this great calamity which had pc
fallen them. They were filled with
uncertainty about the attitude OF the
Higher Powers toward themselves.
Only the king was implacable Ahab
laid the blame for the consequences
of his own misdeeds upon the man
who had possessed the temerity TO re-
veal them to him. SO when he saw
the prophet-note that the king came
10 the simply clad hermit and not
the hermit to the king-he cried, is
It thou, thou troubler of Israeli
Doubtless. the courtiers' eyes sparkled,
as they looked forward to an eXcoria-
ton, and perhaps the death of Elijah.
They had yet to learn that the man
who is true need fear or endure no
insults from the mighty.
Swift and biting came back the un-
retort. Il have not troubled
Israel; bvt thou anu thy fathers
house" Diplomacy does not say dis
agreeable things to kings; but proph-
cts of God may. There is no man in
higher station than he who has a mes
sage of truth.
The Prophets Challenge.
Then Elijah challenged Ahab to
gather together the false prophets who
enjoyed royal favor; eating at the
queens table, while the man of God
dWelt in a cave and ate food brought
by the birds of the air. Four hun
dred and fifty priests of the god called
Baal, and four hundred priests of the
NenuS-came together in their fine
robes, while all Israel looked on to see
what strange thing would happen. The
very courage of Elijah's sudden re-
a appearance, and the audacity of his
d defiance, stirred the primal instincts
IN the hearts OF the people.
The scene of the contest is to this
day a commentary upon the story.
The place of Burning" as it is
called locally, is at the southern
point of Mt. Carmel-ard the noun
tain that bears that name is really a |
range ten or twelve miles long, with
many deep valleys, raVfneS and pla- I
teaus stretching southwark from the |
city of Haifa along the Mediterranean. !
There are two monasterieS 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 three monks !
and seven pupils, and meagre equip |
ment. Only ten foreigners have Wis |
tied it in a year, I was told by the !
monks whose hospitality is of the I'M |
spoiled order. They posed for a pho |
with all the eagerness of chill |
dren. All authorities agree that this |
monastery is on the site of the wonder |
full duel between the true faith, and |
the false.
1t fits the story perfectly Here is
a plateau, at the point of the noun
tain where five or ten thousand per-
sons could gather On the slopes be- /
low-not to mention the plain be-
neath-there is room for hundreds of |
thousands of spectators. Stretching
off to the east and the south is the |
great Plain of E,sdraelon, eloquent !
with memories of great events in Is |
raels history. At the foot of the !
mountain runs the Brook Kfshon. |
practically dry at the time of my
visit. Under the brow of the hill |
is an unfailing spring. surrounded
that day by 2 flock OF the familiar !
black goats of Syria. This spring is !
the source from which |
Elijah obtained the water he used in |
the preparation of his sacrifice. To |
6T0 Hrn UuOIu0