The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-10-07
The international Sunday School
Lesson for Oct. 10 Is "EliJsh
Taken Up into t+easea-.-II-
Kings 2:i-12a.
(eY WILLIAM r. EILIs.)

(6Y WILLIAM r. ElliS.)
There is one short phrase that Is
found In the written or spoken rec
ord OF every life IL will be said.
sooner or later. OF every reader Of
these lines. That phrase is He
died" That inevitable record can
not be escaped Bu, It's meaning
can be enlarged, so that the He
died" OF one man is a. different from
the HE died" OF another man as
the great marble mansion Is differ
ent from the tin-can shanty on the
dump. as an Interpretation OF the
wCrd house
Here We have the moving story OF
man whose quitting OF life was
wholly sublime Elijah had lived
greatly, and SO he lied greatly, \
conqueror even in death. he had a
ferry chariot for hearse and a ret
inue Of singing angels who were
hoGored By the assignment TO be his
funeral corteSe.
This hsrried. hunted, hairy old
prophe, of the wilderness, a denizen
OF caves and deserts, vas SO heav-
enly in heart that when his hard
errand on earth was over. he swept
trimmphantly through the front door
Of his real home which was heaven.
Even the splendid escort that Mas
sent II bring him hack home was
NOT his highest honor; for when God
wanted messengers for the highest
service He ever asked His favoriies,
He chose Elijah and Moses, storm
battered heroes. TO go 10 earth 10
comfort His Son on the Mount OF
TRANSPORTATION And when God
wanted TO prepare the world for
that Sons advent, He sent before
Him man III the spirit and power
OF Elijah
Evidently the Most Highs opinion
OF this prophet was different from
that held by King Ahab and Queen
Jezebel. Heavens point OF view is
long rs one Is popular with God. he
may afford 10 get along without
mems praises.
The Last Test Of Greatness.
How did you die" That Is the
ultimate test OF character and faith.
A great soul cannot die ignobly. nor
can mean spirit pass away mag
nificently. Death Is the crown aud
climax life Only one who lad
lived as Elijah had done could come
to his end In Elijah fashion. A few
weeks ago New England minister
lest his life in rescuing some girls
from drowning; and straightway a
friend pointed out the beauty and
appropriateness OF IL; he died as he
bad lived. serving people. My bril-
liant young friend Mann. OF st.
Johns college. Shanghai, had made
real Suppression on the Chinese
students. but when. one summer
day. he plunged unhesitatingly 10
death in a vain effort TO save his
comrade Seabury, he brought his life
to a sublime climax of impressive
ness. The Chinese see that Great
er love hath no man than this, that
q man lay down his life for his
friend" There's nothing that equals
dying true 10 type.
Elijah was one of those fortunate
ones who saw his end as IL drew
near. Like Paul he could say, II
arr now ready to be offered, and the
time Of my departure is at hand. |
have fought good night, I have nm
ished my course. I have kept the
faith" How sweet the prospect of
heaven must have been TO that
weary old warrior, He went open
eyed toward what Charles Frohman.
as he faced death on the Lusitania,
called. The greatest adventure Of
all"
True 20 his past. with the Lords
work ever upperrnost In his mind,
Elijah used MS last hours for the
testing and training OF his dear dis
cipie and TREND. Elisha. Blessed is
ne who has friend BY his side for
lifes ultimate experience. Because
me- wanted only irresistible devotion
and friendship at this hour. the old
man bade The younger to remain a.
Gilgsl. while be went on To Bethel
He wanted. also. 10 spare Elisha the
pain Of parting.
But the friend saw through this
loving artince. and answered In.
stantiy. as the Lord liveth. and as