The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-22
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(BY WILLIAM T. IGLLIS.l
Spies and secret agents have bulk
cd large in the present war; but the
| sunday School Lesson which. we are
now studying tells a more dramatic
tale of an intelligence department
than any of them. Also it narrates
capture more spectacular th-n any
incident or the days world war. MOS1
important of all the lesson is a timely
| reminder that when conditions seem
hopeless, when force and evil appear
10 pc having their ruthless way, GOO
still has unexpected resources. who :
turn seeming evil into great good. In
| this day, when there is added to world
war the worst persecution of Christ
lans that has been witnessed for a
thousand years, with atrocities rivall-
comfort of this Old Testament story
is precious.
The Bible episode which forms the
lesson deals with the invasion of Is
rael by the King of Syria, and how
they were thwarted by the watchful-
ness and knowledge of the Prophet
Elisha, until at last, in a climax. the
man of God, with his heavenly help
ers, led the whole Syrian army cap
tive.
Who Is the Spy?
Somebody was revealing all the
military secrets of Syria concerning
Israel. Whenever the HI l.y pl .nned a
foray into the territory of the Jews he
found that they were forewarned of it.
SO he suspected q spy in his councils.
He was in the plight of more than one
of the great military commanders of
our own day, whose plans have been
revealed prematurely by the secret
service of the enemy. Baffled again
and again, the King of Syria demand
ed that the spy be pointed out.
Whereupon one of his shrewdest
lieutenants reported that the inform
er was no spy at all, but Elisha, the
prophet and seer, who was able to I'M
derstand even the secret whispered in
the kings harem. Knowing no other
argument than force, the Syrian king
Joined that large company of men in
all ages who have sought to combat
spiritual things by material might. and
ne ordered an army sent against
Elisha in the little town of Dothan.
Hunting the Preacher With Chariots.
Then followed a great spectacle
a host of soldiers, with horses and
chariots, sent out to hunt down one
man of Cod That was a compliment
worth having, brother Elisha. And
you, too. Mr.. Present-Day Preacher
when the liquor men defame you and
try to blow up your house or waylay
you on a dark night-count it far
more of a tribute than anything the
mothers in Israel may say about your
sermons. Let us net pity the man
who has made the forces of UPRIGHT
er, the Christian minister who has
never raised a growl or a yelp from
the evil pack. Elisha was unruffled by
the army he knew to be advancing.
Not so his servant. When that
young man arose early one m~rnJng
and, with the sleep scarcely out of his
eyes, saw the city aof. Dothan entirely
surrounded by syrian soldiers he IL
apsed in panic. ALIAS, my mast r
how shall we dot"
Right in the midst of alarms with
he Syrian cohorts on every hand |
Elisha took time to preach to his
helper a Sermon-the sermon which |
most of us need to hear. Fear not:
,or they that be with US are more
han they that be with them" The |
PROPHETS servant was in the plight
If many a person today who seems |
wholly surrounded by evil men, ard |
Who can scarcely believe that God has |
| majority anywhere.
Eyes and No Eyes.
Poor eyesight was the cause. |
Iltsha's servant suffered from that |
.ommonest of all defects cf vision, in-
Lbility to see spiritual realities, and |
n their due proportion. Because we
annot see Alright we spend our lives
n pursuit of second-rate gains and
econd-rate pleasures; and we fill our
loUrs with second-rate deeds, second
ate books, and second-rate thoughts. |
his young Israelite had the ,rn of
blindness which ST. Peter later de-
crfbed as seeing only that which is
ear."
Open eyes would solv e most of our
erpleXities and soothe most of our
ears. So Elisha prayed that the SER
ants eyes might be opened, and
hey were, land, behold, the noun
ain was full of horses end chariots
f fire about Elisha"
weary ones, We may not see
Your helpers in their downward flight,
Tor hear the sound of silver wings
Slow beating through the hush of night!
here are who like the Seer of old
Can see the helpers God has sent,
nd how Life's rugged mountain side
Is white with many an angel tent.
Blinded by the dazzling light of
eaven, the Syrian host was capt r ed
" Elisha, and led to san ria, where,
1stead of Staying them. as was the
sage of the time. the prophet re-
tored their sight fed them, and sent
hem back to Syria, as messengers of
1agnanimity.
The Preacher as Prophet.
What Elisha did for his fatherland
what a legion of preachers and
RESTS are doing on the battlefields of
Europe today. He gave his best to his
ountry. He served his own time. No
loistered recluse was H.. Whatever
ouched the welfare of his people
oncerned him The king on the
lroue of Isreal was not a M TN of ac-
Ording to Elisha's taste, but ne was
ing, and 50 the prophet upheld him,
ven at the risk of his own head.
Out of this, and the other Old Test
ment stories which We are studying,
lere should come afresh the message .
the high and holy character of
atriotism. There never was a better
me than now for intoxicating into
outh the truth that loyalty to country !
the second highest obligation of :
lortal only loyalty TO God Himself
king precedent of it. In every Sum s
ay school class, and in every church !
nd school, there should be a cult of