The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-09
In the Religious World

Elijah to Elisha. 1t was gift OF
love and remembrance, to be CHOSEN
by Elisha himself, This was the
legacy that the passing prophet was
to bequeath to his successor. OF tands
and money he had none. Poverty hau
been his lifelong lot. Indeed, we an
feel a sense of shock and OF the unit
ness of things when we read OF MIN
ister's leaving a fortune. His real De-
quests should be spiritual
The request that Elisha made re-
vealed the sort of spirit that was
within him. 1t was even inner man
Solomon's prayer for wisdom. Whlle
by Implication it was the finest trlo-
ute that he could have paid to his de-
parting friend, it was also welcome
earnestly the best gifts. For MS re-
quest was 4 pray thee, let oouDlS
portion of thy spirit be upon me"
In the case of Elijah, that meant
boon. Would it mean that your sen
end mine were asking for the highest
and noblest inheritance, if they sought
a double portion of our spirit? In tire
candor which prevails at death, can
we wish for our sons more OF our
selves and our likeness? Would Il ne
a blessing or a curse If fathers coulo
pass on their personality, their donn-
| inant characteristics, to their nelrs
Certainly, this sort of inheritance is
not fashionable. Most men are bent
! on leaving goods, rather than HE 10
their children. We should be startled
were we to turn to the obituary notes
| in this paper and read, John Jones.
| who died yesterday, left an old coat
and a double portion of his spirit to
his only SON." Whether we shoul1
pity or congratulate the son would,
of course, depend on the sort of man
John Jones had been.
The Bankers Inheritance.
A two-fold bequest was left by
Elijah. To the world he left a sue
cessor. He had trained man n 20 oo 40
tinue The torch would be handeI
on. Thank God for the far-slghted
leaders who train somebody to step
| into their place and to do their WORK.
plus a new personality.
The other bequest of Elijah was TO
Elisha-equipment for service ae
gave the best thing he possessed TO
his successor busy banker rn,n
while a line of impatient visitors
waited at his door, that he pr1zeo
above all other possessions the au-
cestral farm on Cape Cod, with us
traditions of cody ancestors VINO
never lowered the flag of conscience;
This inheritance of fidelity to COG
had been his best equipment, he said
for service amid the temptations OF
business career in great CITY
The Chariots!
| Noodv used to preach a wonderful
sermon on this passage. AS l recall II
the great evangelist seemed to reach
his height as he portrayed the Watcn-
| fitness and eagerness with Whlch
ELISHA kept close his master lest ne
! should not see him when he departed
and so miss the promised boon. OF
all spiritual blessings are dependeh'
upon the solicitude of the recipient
| As the two walked, having crossed
the Jordan dry shod, Behold theIe
appeared a chariot of fire, winch part
ed them both asunder; and Ei11ah
went up by whirlwind into heaven
| And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My
father, my father, the charlots OF
Israel and the horsemen thereon
Swept to glory conqueror! we
| cannot resist a thought Of Ahab anc
of Jezebel and of the priests or Baai
all of whom had seemed to triumph
over this prophet. What of them now
Nothing can be judged until it il
finished. The inspired proverb wei
saws: There is a way that seemetf
7 right $500 but the end thereof are the
ways of DEATH Success" cannot be
measured by any yardstick yet devised
by man. We shall have to wait unit
we get to heaven to learn who are tine
real victors in the race of life. Bu
we have assurance that they are those
who, like Elijah, have been true tt
God and his word and His work.
The Price of Leadership.
Terse Comments the Uniform
Prayer Meeting Topic of the Yount
Peoples Societies-Christian En-