The Washington herald., 1922-01-21
A4INAEA WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN'S BIBLE TALK
Elisha Worthy Successor
to Elijah, Says ". J. Bryan
symbol q Power N Propbef. Mantle Dele
gated to Servant Prepared to Wear
5. 1t Successfully.
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN

BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
oqr talk. today. deals with the
taking up of the prophet Elijah
into heaven In a chariot Of fire
a Biblical account that has exer-
ted a mighty Influence through
out the Christian world.
Heres too, we have presented
one OF the most beautiful lessons
in history--s friendship between
two great men.
They were prophets Of God and
were much alike in manner and
in method. Elijah was devoted
to the man who was TO succeed
him, and Elisha was not ashamed
to take up the work that Elijah
laid down.
The account given in the sec
ond chapter of II Kings is mark
ed with great simplicity:
And IL came to pass, when the
Lord would take up Elijah into
heaven by a whirlwind, that Eli
jah went with Elisha from Gil
VAL"
No strained language; no words
of introduction; just a simple
statement. There was nothing
to emphasize the unusual honor
to be accorded the great prophet.
Three Tests Of Loyalty.
Elijah tested the loyalty of the
younger man: "Tarry here. l
pray thee" he said. for the Lord
hath sent me to Bethel" Elisha's
answer must have pleased Elijah
for II throbbed with devotion:
AS the Lord .iiveth, and as thy
soul liveth. I will not leave thee"
So they journeyed on together
toward Bethel.
The sons of the prophet who
were there had been informed Of
what was about to take place.
and asked Elijah. "Knowest thou
that the Lord will take away thy
master from thy head today?"
Yea, ! know it." said Elisha;
hold We your peace"
Again Elijah tried the faith OF
the young man and asked him
to tarry in Bethel while he went
to Jericho. Again Elisha re-
fused. So they went on to
Jericho.
A third time Elijah urged him
to stay behind while he went To
Jordan. and a third time Elisha
renewed the declaration of his
purpose not TO leave him
1t is a wonderful picture that
these two present as they left
the sons of the prophets who
were at Jericho and approached
the Jordan. Taking his mantle.
Elijah wrapped II together ano
smote the water: the water
divided and the two passed. over
to the other side.
Asks Difficult Question.
Elijah then probed the heart
of his companion, and this test
presented a more difflcult prom
lem to Elisha than the three pre-
cecding ones. 1t was much
easier for Elisha to ceciare his
intention to follow Elijah--much
easier to refuse to be separated
the question now put TO him:
ASK what ! shall do for thee"
We may well ask ourselves
what our answer would be IL we
were permitted to nave the thing
that the heart most desired.
There are many false gods
that are worshipped today-gods
upon whose 2ltars we lay our
offerings. We do not always
know what is uppermost in the
minds of those about US; only
such a question az that asked
by Elijah brings the paramount
wish to the surface. The reai
longings of the heart may be
suppressed on ordinary occa-
sions, but when an opportunity
for qualification comes, the ruiz
ing passion finds expression.
What would we ask IL given our
choice by one with power to
grant any request?
If Elijah had himself framed
the answer. 1t could not have de-
lighted him more. Elisha poured
his heart into his words when
he answered: Il pray thee, let a
double portion Of thy spirit be
upon me-"
Justines His Confidence.
It was a hard request to grant,
but il was just the thing that
Irliiah uynnId lil-a to or,nt