The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-11
BY WILLIAM It. ELLIs.)


Literature is full of dramatic con-
trasts, because it is a reflection. even
though inadequate, of real life. An
up-to-date writer of scenarios for the
movies could scarcely devise a more
unlikely situation than that in which
this weeks lesson finds Elijah, the
hero of last weeks study; the man
who had bent king to his will, filled
the eye of a nation, and, in the most
dramatic religious combat of all his
tory had defeated the heather priests.
His prayer had brought fire from
heaven, and his prayer had ended the
long and bitter dropth of three years.
The accolade of God had been on his
shoulder.
Now we see him running away from
a vin6ictive wOmant
In the mood of spiritual exaltation
which had followed the spectacular
victory of Mount Carmel, Elijah, rec
onciled to the convinced and convert
ed king, had run before his chariot all
the way to Jezebel, feat possible only
to such a hardy and conditioned ply
sique as that of this desert-dWeller.
Doubtless, in a vague way, Elijah as
sumed that now the worship of Je-
hovaI would be restored at the pal
ace. What great plans of re-establish,
ing the honor of God in Israel
thronged his brain he ran toward
Jezebel
Both king and prophet, however.
had reekoned without the woman In
the case. If Ahab had thought that
his wife would be converted by the
dramatic trial by fire, he little knew
Jezebel. More than most women tina.
tigress was dominated by personal
preiudices, and not by principles of
reason. She CRASHED in fury over the
fate of her pet priests. AS for her
arch-enemy. Elijah, she could not
withhold the threat that, LAS surely
as you are Elijah and 1 am Jezebel,
he do IA will
if l do not make your life as the life
of one of them by tomorrow about this
time" A nice, ladylike sentiment
thati
The prophet who had confronted
hostile king and nation, with jeers and
taunts and easy assurance, collapsed at
this Woman'S fury. The narrative sue
cinctly says He was afraid and arose
and went for his life
Under the Juniper Tree.
Discourag ed, despairing and SEEM
ingIy defeated, Elijah resumed his
exile life, and fled south across coun-
try to far Beersheba. Public speak
ers can understand his mood. Often
a man has swayed a great audience,
and then returned to the loneliness of
his hotel to "eat bitterness as the
Chinese say, in the full assurance that
life is not worth living This was for
Elijah the preachers blue Monday"
1t was opera singers nerves.; the
athletes day after"
Out from Beersheba the prophet
went, taking to the desert in all his
troubles as naturally as a bird fees
to it's nest or fox to its hole, and
sitting down under juniper tree
(probably the broom plant) prayed
that he might die The blue devils
run. 1T is enough" he cried; he
was ready to quit What success
sion of Elijahs have sat under that
juniper tree; it is one of the most |
rfh
although no place is worse for the
health.
Now what Elijah thought was
spiritual experience was primarily a
matter of physical health. He need
ed sleep and a square meal, which
God gave him rather than lecture
on unbelief. Many a minister since
has had his blues cured in the same
way, though the wise angel that pro-
vided the food was his wife. Happy
is the leader who can find refresh
ing trip, a golf course, or a tramp
through the woods. Elijah needed
relaxation for his nerve strain, and
he needed to go apart where his
clearer. Cheer up, Elijah; you are
not a coward because you have let
your body get the whip hand this
once; but you should sequester your
the mind of God.
In an ideal state of Christian or
ganization we shall take better care
of our prophets. Some saints will pur
sue n day after ministry, providing
cheer for the lonely man who the
night before inspired a multitude.
Every convention might have a conf
Dental "cheer-up committee" to show
appreciation to speakers. 1t is rare
for man to receive even the news
paper reports of his address, as he
of thanks are almost as unusual. Once
in Baltimore a man spoke to a meet
ing of laymen; and the next day he
received long telegram signed by doz-
ems OF men, thanking him for his ad-
dress. know OF no parallel for that
however. Such thoughtfulness would
soon depopulate the juniper tree.
On the Road Again.
With a hearty meal under his
leather girdle, and with his frazzled
nerves soothed by long and repeated
sleep, the prophet turned his back
on the juniper tree and started on a
had departed. Instead. he wanted to
be up and doing. So he set forth to
the southeast, for the mountains of
Sinai: This Transforming experience
Carmel turned his thoughts to that
other mountain of Gods presence.
Horeb, or Sinai, where the law had
been given. He would go and fell
lowship in spirit with that other dis
couraged servant of God, Moses.
Leisurely, and with many excur-
SONS, EnJah Travelled to HOreb,
spending forty days in the trip How
he could enjoy such desolate sur
roundings only lovers of the desert
know. This was his native air. Here
rather than in palaces, was his home
In the wilderness, if anywhere, Elijah
must get his messages from God. To
him the sparse camel thorn, the f1inty
gray desert, the distant red rocks, were
beautiful. He was at home in the
Businesses. With real relief he took up
his lodging in cave in the holy
mountain.
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