Newport daily independent., 1911-03-04
ELIJAH TAKEN UP
 TO HEAVEN Sunday School Lesson for Mar. 5, 1911 Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TExT-sEnoch walked with God: and he was not for God took him. Gen. 5:A.
 TIME-Probably about B. c. 900 six years after the affair of Naboth's vine yard our last lesson (Assyrian S5D the S3d 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 14 were strenuous and heroic, with crises like thunderstorms The Methodist minister, who was complained of for shouting so loud in his pulpit, replied:
 T 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, Ahabs 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. Of 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, l pray thee. Elijah, Elisha, and even 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. It's object was two-fold; natural desire on the part of .he great leader to revisit the scenes so dear to him, and his pur- 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 glances, his ring ing voice, must have remained with them precious memory, nerving them to greater boldness in the cause of Je- hovah.
 And 50 sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off The ab- rupt heights behind the town command ed an extensive view of the river, the nearest bend of which was five miles away. With a delicate sense of pro- priety, the young men kept at dis tance, but it was fitting they should be witnesses of the scene, to testify aft erwards throughout the land to Eli jah's favor with God and to the real ity of immortality. For similar req sons the II witnessed the ascension of our Lord.
 Elijah said Ask what shall do for thee, before I 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 double portion of thy spirit be upon me-" The double portion" was the portion of the eldest son according to Jewish law-he received double share of the inheritance Elisha did not ask to be. come an Elijah, but to succeed him. He wanted the same spirit of God which had made Elijah so powerful, so useful What he wished was the virtues of his friend He was seized with an irresistible desire to possess those glorious characteristics of devo- tion to duty, courage in danger, loy- atty to God. This is the longing of all noble souls, to catch and retain something of the spirit of heroes and saints. It was not request of pride, or it would not have been granted There appeared chariot of fire and horses of fire. It was glorious body guard; but Elijah did not go up in a CHdl iOS, HS WSlit up py d WuiTlW luu into heaven. The marvellous effects of electric light through prisms and fountains, might give us some idea of the scene. It was in this ascent, as in the ascension of Christ. that his physical body was changed into glo- rious spiritual body.
 And Elisha saw it. The ascension of Elijah, which was the sign given him by which he might know that he was to succeed to his masters office And he cried, My father, my father. " Elijah had been father to him, in his care and training. in love, and in legacy. It was the cry of orphanhood These words, too, may fairly be con strued as suggesting an aspect of Eli jah's character which is generally overlooked. Those who are most ter. rible in their denunciations of sin are often the fullest of tenderness and