His Selection by Elijah-Immense Influence of Elisha -His Numerous Miracles-His Vitality-His Leaving His Father and Mother-His Youthful Modesty Hardening Into the Pride of Office-Dangers of Ecclesiastical Snobbery-The Purifying of the City Water Plant at Jericho-Elisha's Cruelty in Murdering Little Children-The War with Moab-The Three Kings-War's Destruction-The Widow's Debt-Hospitality of a Prominent Society Woman-The Pleasant Study and Bedroom of Elisha-His Restoration of the Sun-struck Boy-Browning's Allusion-Story of Naaman-Religious Etiquette-Fate of Gehazi-Raising of the Axe-Imponderable Allies in Battle-The Famine at the Siege-Degradation and Approaching Destruction of Israel-Elisha's Brand of Patriotism— His Weeping-Hazael the Dog-The Revolution of Jehu-Assassination of Two Kings-Defiant JezebelBloody Days-Athaliah and the New King-The Arrow at the Window-Death of Elisha-His Influence.

VIII

THE PROPHET ELISHA

Four years before the death of King Ahab, Elijah appointed Elisha, the son of Shaphat, to be his successor; until the translation of the prophet, the younger man acted as a kind of private secretary and body-servant, accompanying the man of God on his pilgrimages hither and thither; but after the flaming exit of his master, Elisha became Prophet of Israel and held this exalted and dangerous post fifty-five years. He is one of the grandest figures in Hebrew history. His importance and influence are marked by the extraordinary number of miracles he performed; his career was filled with amazing adventures. He must have found life tremendously interesting, for there was scarcely a day without excitement. Although his personality lacks the romantic gloom enveloping the lonely figure of Elijah, the disciple became more powerful than his teacher, exerting a deep influence on both Israelites and aliens. He kept the faith with unswerving passion; the consciousness of his divine mission was so paramount that he spoke to kings and nobles as a plenipotentiary speaks to a vassal.

The name Elisha means God is Saviour. During his life he saved many, and his vitality was so astounding that even after his death and burial, his dry bones had more force than radium.

Seldom has so distinguished a career been told in so few words; the sayings and deeds of Elisha are immortal both in literature and in their moral influence; yet his entire biography covers only a dozen chapters in the Bible.

The first meeting of Elijah and Elisha is charming. The former had left the cave where he had listened to the still small voice, and had walked directly to a great farm. There he found Elisha, the son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Does this mean that the young man was driving twenty-four oxen in pairs before the plow? If so, he must have been a more skillful driver than Ben-Hur, and the soil must have been tougher than the Puritans found in New England.

However this may be, Elijah silently cast his mantle upon him, significant of the day of wonder when he should receive it in perpetuity; Elisha knew instantly that his work as a farmer had ended forever. But he was an affectionate son; he ran after the man of God, and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." Elijah must have smiled, perhaps for the only time in his life. He looked on the young man and loved him, and answered softly, “Go back

again: for what have I done to thee?" Elisha ran to the farmhouse, kissed old Shaphat and his wife, hurried back to where Elijah was waiting, slew two oxen, built a fire with the wooden harness, and there was a solemn farewell feast, in which the family and all the farm-hands participated. Then Elisha followed Elijah, and ministered unto him, leaving Shaphat solitary but proud-proud as only a religious old farmer can be, when his son becomes a clergyman.

It is perhaps unfortunate that the sweet and unaffected humility which characterised the young Elisha should have left him on his assumption of office. But such is the way of all flesh; the frank young prince may become the domineering king; the humble priest may become the haughty cardinal; the unassuming parson may grow into the arrogant bishop. Not even God's holy servants can all stand prosperity; but are to their own past as the Trust Magnate is to his distant clerkship. Early modesty sometimes disappears in the pride of office and the smother of flattery accompanying it. Some goldenhearted village preachers become ecclesiastical snobs. It is especially necessary that all professional religious teachers should pray every day, Lead us not into temptation.

Whatever may be the necessity or the desirability in hierarchical forms of religion, I think it is fortunate that the ordinary Christian minister has lost the social prestige and authority that formerly envel

oped his person. It is well that there should be respect toward the Servants of God, as toward the Servants of the Nation; but the respect should be to the man rather than to the office. In Puritan days, the minister walked the street as a captain treads the quarter-deck; people doffed their hats, and spoke to him with deference. I am sure this was not always good for these religious chieftains. Pride establishes an insuperable barrier between human hearts. If I were a minister, I should feel insulted if men changed their ordinary conversation as I entered the room; or if on the train some commercial traveller swore, adding, "Beg your pardon, parson,' as if I were a woman. As in the days of chivalry, such thin courtesy fails to conceal the real contempt.

It is impossible that all men who hold high office in the church should, in the beauty of their character, equal the marvellous bishop in Les Misérables, who yet was drawn from the life; but there is no greater tragedy than by becoming a leader to cease being a Christian.

Have we misjudged here, over-armed our knight,
Given gold and silk where plain hard steel serves best,
Enfeebled whom we sought to fortify,

Made an archbishop and undone a saint?

As soon as the last trace of flame that marked the ascending Elijah had vanished from the sky, Elisha seized the mantle, and returned toward the river Jordan. As he stood on the edge of the flow