The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-09-01

c.-Treas. ..Chas. *. Meyers. Denison
superintendents
Elementary Grades .....,.. ........
Miss Susie Craft, Denison
Secondary Grade ...................
-. Miss Florence Johnson. kiron
Adult Department ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Mrs. T.. L.. Hoffman, Denison
Teacher Training Observation-Disclosures. ,
Rev. a. E. Adams, Dow City
Temperance Observation-Disclosures.
Miss Minetta Jorgensen. vail
Missions Mrs. Anna Williams, Denison
Home Department NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
Mrs L. w. Pierce, Denison
Executive Committee
F. l.. Hoffman, Denison; VIM. Lindberg,
Kiron: A. M. Mcintosh, Manila: II. j.
Cook, Denison: Frank Woolston, Deni-
son: Seth Calderwood, West Side.
Sept. 5--Elijah and the Prophets OF
BAIL. Kings, IS, 1910.
We have for our lesson today one Of
the great events in the religious life
of the Children of Israel. The record
again brings into prominence that re-
markable man of the olden times-Eli-
iah, 1t will be remembered that the
Israelites living in the ten tribes
which revolted against the son of Sol
ONION had in time for their king one
Ahab, very wicked, weak man who
was dominated over by heather wife
Jezebel. The people were fast drift
ing away into the grossest of idolatry
and to counteract this required some
thing to be done which should for all
time show the superior power OF the
living God, and the utter failure OF the
worship of Baal.
Shaping up to the magnificent eli
max which will be spoken OF in the
lesson of today, Elijah, the prophet OF
God, told the king there should be no
rain or dew until such time as he,
the prophet said. The fact stood out
plain that the words of Elijah were
true, and there was no rain. This
brought the conviction to all that Eli
jah represented power more than
human, that what he might say an
do was worthy of note. The man OF
achievement always attracts and com
nands attention.
When the eyes of all Israel were up
on him in Thought, Elijah came before
the king with the startling proposition
that he was ready to have puDllc
test as to the relative powers OF the
God he served and Baal to accom-
plish visible results. King Ahab took
the steps requested to have such test
made. Elijah asked that the four hun
dred and fifty prophets of Baal be d.
rected to come to the lofty mountain
of Carmel and there give full eXhibl-
ton of their powers to influence their
deity to answer their prayers. With
them were also to be gathered as many
of the common people as could be
reached. 5000 -'"'
The great day at last came and
there was mighty host OF people to
see and hear. Elijah proposed that
he and the prophets prepare each an
ok which, when dressed, be placed on
wood. laid to burn, and when this was
done the representatives OF each form
Of religion be given time to ask that
fire. not lit by human hands, light up
the wood and burn it and the meat.
Tliiah gave the priest of Baal the first
chance to act. Thus challenged they
could not refuse as there was great
witness of people and their religion
And their lives were at stake. The
record states that all was done as out
lined. and then the priests OF Baal De'
gan their prayers and ceremonies 70
cause fire to come and burn up the
wood and meat. When much time had
nassed and there was no sign OF hre
the priests acted with desperation,
cutting themselves and acting in a
way to attract attention. Elijah call
ed out for them to make thorough
test. suggested louder cries as Baai
might be sleeping. All this made more
plain to the assembled people the, TACT
of failure which in time became EVIL
dent.
There must have been intense ex-
element when Elijah. the lone pro-
phet of the living God came forward
to make the showing on behalf OF Je-
hoyah, We often experience such
times when contestants on behalt OF
colleges, cities, countries step forth
for victory or defeat, and multitudes
stand breathless to see the results.
The record does not say that ELI
had been told by God what to d9, ana
Il would seem as If he were acting on
his own Judgment, feeling that what
ever he might do to show the people
which was the power which could an.
swer prayer would result in favor OF
the one he represented.
Prior to the beginning OF the ties!
Elijah had addressed the people say
Ing: "How long halt We between two
opinions? II the Lord be God follow
Him; but if Baal, follow him.. Ell
iah with confidence began his prepare
tions. He took twelve large stones
one for each of the great tribes OF Is
arel, and made an altar with them
and laid thereon the wood and meat
from a slain bullock. Then plentiful
supply of water was poured on the
wood and meat so that all might see
there was fair trial and nothing IN
the nature of a trick to be played
Now came the beginning OF the SUI
preme moments OF the entire aHalr
Elijah made short but magnificent
prayer to God, calling for such snow
ing that all might see the power OF Je
hoyah and the fact that the speaker
was His prophet on earth. The pray
er ended Fire fell at once and not
only burned up the wood and meat
Int the stones of the altar. The peo
ME fell on their faces crying out, Tile
lord he is God" To make the trl.
umph complete Elijah orders that al!
.....A, or Rool whn had hp1Dp0