Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-10-20
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson W.-Fourth Quarter, For
Oct. n, 1915.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES,

Text Of the Lesson, n kin3s vi, s-17.
Memory vsrsss, rs, 17-Gsidsn Text,
Pa xxxiv. 7-commsntary Prepared
BY Rev. D. NJ. stearns.
In last weeks lesson the conduct Of
Elisha, the man of God, was truly
grand as he made 1t manifest that he
did indeed stand before the living
God, not cringing to nor fawning upon
any human greatness nor seeking any
thing from any one but the Lord alone.
His coyetous lying servant could not
understand It and brought upon him
self the leprosy Of Naaman- Take
heed. and beware of covetousness,
for -covetousness Is idolatry- luke
xii, Is: Col iii. 81.
The opening verses Of our lesson
chapter tell of Elisha going with the
sons of the prophets to Jordan to OBJ
tain material to enlarge their dwelling.
which had become too strait for them.
We are not told what school this was.
but probably the one at Jericho. for
that was nearest to Jordan. and per
haps the same young men who search
ed In vain three days for Elijah 1t
looks as If there was an increase in the
number OF students, and II so 1t may
have been because Of the translation
Of Elijah This l do know that the
truths concerning the coming Of Christ
and associated events always lead to
increase of interest In Bible study.
The lost az recovered by bit Of tree
cast into tine water. which made the
iron swim. makes me think Of the tree
which made the waters Of Marxh to
lose their bitterness OK. ". 25, and
Of Him who is the tree of life, who
alone can recover the lost or sweeten
bitter waters.
In our present lesson the king Of
Israel was delivered several times from
the king Of Syria because of the time
~ warnings Of Elisha. so that the king
Of Syria believed that he had a traitor
In his army who was a friend Of the
to inquire which of them 1t was who
revealed his plans to the king of Isra-
Ell. 1t was thus that be learned that
there was no traitor among his people,
but that there was prophet in Isra-
Ell who could tell his king everything.
even the words he spoke in secret
(verses S-12).
Then the king Of Syria determined
to capture Elisha and sent horses and
chariots, great host, who came by
night and compassed the city Of Do
than. where Elisha was (verses Is. IA.
In the morning Elisha's servant see
ing this great host. was filed with
fear. and said. ALAS, my master, how
shall we dor Elisha calmly replied,
Fear not, for they that be with us
are more than they that be with
them (verses Is. l6). Elisha could
make the words Of David bis own.
Though an host should encamp against
me my heart shall not fear Ps. XVII.
-. He could say with Paul. IF God
be tor q who can b against usT'
0om. wiz, 3D. Oh, the rest Of such
confidence In God. the victory Of such
q consciousness Of the unseen: Moses
endured - seeing Him who u invisi-
biz David also realized IN remark
able degree ~ presence Of the Lord
Our Lord Jesus when be was here
WAS m1nis1eesd 10 BY the angels and
said that He could have legi0ns Of
them for the asking. A. Elisha en-
deavored to quiet his servant he said.
Lord. pray thee. open his eyes that
he may see" And the young man saw
the mountain full OF horses and chair
or Of IRE round about Elisha (yerse
~ Oh. for such sight Of unseen
realities! But then comes the word.
Blessed are they that have not seen,
yet have believed" I'VE walk by
faith. not By sight" Uohn II. %; II
Cor. '. y. do believe that the an.
gels mot our friends who have died
are ministering to the redeemed on the
earth. the heirs Of salvation (Heb. l
ID. l often say to my people and tc
the classes that ! know that ! have
two congregations, those whom set
and the invisible angels who desire te
look into the things Of which We
speak Il Pet. /. 12l.
As the Syrians came to take Elisha
he said. Lord. pray Thee smite this
people with blindness" and He did 90
Then Elisha said TO them. Follow me
and l will bring you to the man whom
ye seek oversees IS. 19,. for it was
really the king of Israel whom they
were seeking. They only wanted the
prophet because he was hinderine
them from getting the king Of Israel
Having brought them to the man they
wanted. he said. Lord. open the eyes
Of these men that they may See" and
their eyes being opened. they found
themselves In Samaria in the presence
Of the king Of Israel. At the sugges
tion Of Elisha he prepared great pro
vision for them. and when they had
eaten and drunk he sent them away
to their master. So the bands Of Syria