The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-04-06

| TIME-Accordlng 10 most scholars, this
event occurred in tho reign OF Jchoram
I (B. c. s0i-s9i Beecher, S6l-S9, Hastlngs).
Mrs, Ioughton. however, holds that the
/ Syrian king OF this story was Hazael and
tho king OF Israel was Jehu
PLACE-Dothan. n small town about
ten miles north OF Samaria situated on
remarkable isolated bill, surrounded on
three sides by hills. Traces OF walls may
still be seen all around the hilltop Also
Samaria the capital Of the Northern
! Kingdom.
How did Elisha show himself to be
a true patriot? BY using for his coun.
try his supernatural knowledge, as we
should use for our country our lesser
knowledge, and all our powers. Assy.
ria was not at the time pressing upon
Syria, so that Syria could attack her
hereditary enemy to the south. But
the plans of Benhadad H. were frus.
trated over and over Elisha was
then living IN Dothan, about ten miles
lorth of Samaria. Dothan was "a small
town, Of which some ruins and a well
still mark the site" The caravan route
from beyond Jordan passes, from tho
Plain Of Esdraelon, close 10 IT, Prob.
ably Benhadads route on hts preda-
tory expeditions lay through this pass,
which was narrow and easily defend
ed Therefore when the Syrians COM
Ing was revealed TO Elisha and told by
him 10 King Jehoram comparatively
small body OF Israelites, posted little
north of Dothan, would effectually
check their progress
How can we apply TO ourselves Eli
shas advice, Beware that thou pass
not such a place. BY recognizing all
places Of special temptation, and being
on our guard there. Think OF the
men who cannot get past any gam.
bling resort TO save their souls! There
are certain stores and hay-lofts and
street corners and vacant lots that
are more dangerous TO boys than pest
houses. There is absolutely no pos
sibe safety except In avoiding them"
Boys. and men. too, beware!
How did Benhadad plan to cIrcum-
vent Elisha? Sending spies, and learn.
ing that the prophet was living at
Dotham he sent a large body OF cav
airy and chariots to capture him. To
eecure such a man was vital II would
at once deprive Jehoram of one who
was inspired by the gods and put him at
the service Of Syria, for II would be as
sumed that he could be bribed to help
either side.
How did Elisha. I'm the knowledge
of his heavenly helpers, meet the
Syrians? Our version, the Hebrew
implies that Elisha and his servant
boldly went down from Dothan into
the valley and that the leaders of the
Syrians came down from the heights
on which they were encamped. to par
ley with the prophet He prayed; for
prayer Is the recourse of all the strong
est men In the time when they need TO
be strongest Prayer is a powerful
thing, for God has bound and tied him
self thereto. lie prayed that blindness F.
might fall upon the Syrians, and at .
once his prayer was granted Not III. .
eral blindness Is meant. probably, for .
they were able to follow Elisha to Sa.
maria, but a confusion OF vision or Of .
mind, so that they were readily de-
luded Perhaps only the leaders were
affected
Why did Elisha lead the Syrians ten
miles to Samaria? To show them, and
also to show the Israelltes, how power
less they were before Jehovah. Elisha
made the pompous and confident inva-
ders appear ridiculous, which IS the
most thorough defeat that can be
given to any enemy. Besides, one rea.
son why Elisha had led the Syrians to
the capital was that they might be
kindly treated, feasted and sent back
TO Benhadad with Goals of fire heap
ed upon their heads.
What is the great teaching Of our
lesson for modern people The real
ity of the invisible world, and its pow
er to help and comfort. To have no
sense of the invisible is the ruin Of
art. 1t is the ruin Of all life also Many
will believe only what their uninstruct-
ed eyes can see
Christians should be continually up.
held by the realization OF their angel
c helpers The brave man need not
see any celestial form with spear and
helmet by his side, yet he may know
rs he goes out to the battle that the
spirits of Justice everywhere are sym
with him and helping him in
Unknown ways The mother may
lot discern an angel bending over the
,ed on which her child is laid. but
ilill she may know that there are other
by its bed beside herself, spir.
is whom God has sent TO see that
zone of his little ones take any harm.
The soul in its bereavement may not
ook TO see here again the very pres
nee and feature Of the friend whom
iod has taken, yet still may be sure
hat even now, in such unknown ways
IS soul may present itself to soul, his
riend is with him, for encouragement
md strength. Pity we cannot now
'ractice Elisha's plan OF ending war.
When the comet of October. 1858,
ppeared, lecturer made a tour of
ONE country villages in Devonshire
Nth view to telling the country peo.
lie some facts about the beautiful OBJ .
ect; and among other points he touch
d upon the calculations which astron.
mers had made as to the enormous
ength of the tail of the comet A
ountryman treated this part of his !.
'cture with contemptuous incredulity. :
saw the comet myself" said the +