ould try id really; $ Ser -63w : the Jus« : ke open % instead d to find 1 a little wi clay. er, with nearest , yen, and ed wine . iry had of tle gift. to make wages? y.I She v Ss sleep= e heard = e sweet nd Bet- zat the 1 robes "falling il. “Why power? ineyvard : wicked f ways.” ind fol- into the } ie vine- purple covered every nd thew - 1 Your-~ accom- > ina did it trou- . casants were cd ‘old « | tawmped *| “Lame oo. isage ) weep, im, for nybody - m. and tched shine ut i enough ] you re- romise eifilled 3 reaIned away! ned for = move, ee —g—— AE 2 . “those varmints. N luck # # RdUentdre. TN 333333355%4 Ti j FED BEAR MATCHES. I He.was a venerable and intelligent man and had been a great traveler, and he kindly nundertook to while away an idle hour {by telling a reporter of the true inwardwess of California life in the foothills of the Sierra. “As to your question about grizzlies,” he said, “I'll {ell you my first and rath- er remarkable experience with one of I.was a kid, not yet twenty, and new to the region of the Sierras, having come from the East but a few months betore.>-On a moon- light night early in April I was gently meandering home on muleback. I was unarmed with tlhe exception of a pocket knife, for I had foolishly lent my pistol fo a friend early in the day. I had almost reached the ranch, hav- ing only a short stretch of ground to pass. I had heard’ the settlers allude respectfully to oid Ephraim. They said ihe was the fiercest in the spring, after his winter's .siesta. - He's always an mgly customer, and after a man has had a wipe or two from his talons there is .seldom enough left of that man to tell the tale, { “On this evening IT speak of I was dead tired, as I had been riding all dayv.. I had almost fallen asleep on my mule, when—my word! how that mule did jump! Standing ahead, as § large as life, on the bank of a little brook, ‘was a big grizzly. He grinned at me and growled in a way calculat- ed to agitate the nerves of Ajax, the follow who defied the lightning, much more those of a tenderfoot, as 1 was then. “1 had heard enough to know that if 1 turned tail, that is, the mules tail, 1 conld leave Ephraim behind me; but on the other side of him was home, and I had my share of grit even then. ¥ had heard of the notion entertained by some people that a man ¢an masier the most ferocious wild crezuure by ooking him in the eyes and advanc- ing straight upon him. Even a green- horn would back out of such an ex- periment with Ephraim, the most fero- cious of all wild creatures. Suddenly 1 vemembered I had in my pocket a large box filled with fric- tion matches, those made with plenty of brimstone for use in a strong wind. ‘An idea occurred to me, and 1 patted and encouraged the mule, who trem- bled so that I thought she would drop down under me, and urged her boldly right in the face of old Burin. When within a few feet 1 suddenly struck a dozen matches and threw them right into his open jaws. Never was there a more sudden change from malignant ferocity to the most abject cowardice. = Phe huge brute actually cowered and shook with terror equal to that of the mule herself. “rphis was something altogether out- side of his experience. I suppose he thought lie had struck a prairie fire on muleback. Even the mule saw the situation and gained courage. She ad- “wanced, and I kept a continnous show- er of burning matches. Luckily a rather strong wind blew from me and carried away the fumes. In fact, this js what brought the varmint to Ie. To cut things short, old Eph turned tail and ignominiously fled. . “Now, stranger, 1 might proceed to relate further how I stuck to the heels of that old grizzly. and kept setting five to his fur until he was entirely burned ap, but in this skeptical age it way be well to suppress some of the facts of the case, for fear of being doubted.” — Liverpool (Eng.) Mercury, RETURN OF THE DESERTERS. Back of the fact that nine enlisted men of the Fourteenth Cavalry have recently been proved not guilty of the charge of desertion, which involves dis- honorable discharge and imprisonment, and have been found guilty of being «aphsent without leave,” which involves a fine and a short term in the euard- house, there is an example of what an ‘Araerican soldier will endure for the sake of active service, and what he can't endure stationed in barracks. When the Fourteenth Cavairy was or- ganized some two years ago, meil rushed to enlist because they thought the regiment would be sent *o the Phil- ippines. Two years rolled by, and for those two years a battalion of . the Fourteenth was stationed at Fort Du- chesne, Utah, the most forsaken post on the army map—a station “ninety miles ff the map and 200 miles from anywhere.” While the men were eat- ing their hearts out there word came last spring that if they wanted to re- enlist they could get their discharees at once and re-enter the army for an other three years. The news flew like wildfire, and, as it was generally un- derstood that this meant the regiment was going to the islands, almost every man renewed his oath. In August the long wished for but will-o’-the-wisp order came for the Tourteenth to start for the railroad station enroute for the . Philippines. “They didn’t stop for dinner that night. but began breaking camp that hour, and in a short time the battalion was started on its two days’ “hike” to the railroad. But when it had covered a little more than half the journey a dusty, perspiring courier overtook it with a telegram stating that the regi- ment’s sailing orders had been revoked and the battalion ordered to return to camp. That night two of the men bought horses and disappeared, and for days following man after man si- Jently faded away. Some were caught, but others remained out of reach. Then, when the battalion seemed threatened with disintegration, from Washington there flashed across the wires the word that the War Depart. ment Lad exercised is prerogative and the troops would proceed to the islands. As siléntly and mysteriously as they had disappeared, the self-absent sol- diers begun to dispose themselves at points where their officers could not aygoid seeing them ‘under arrest. Nine of them were tried by a court martial-upon their arrival at Presidio with the Fourteenth en route to the Philippines. But when their chaplain told his story the court reduced the charge to absence withent leave and sent them along with their regiment on the last transport. Gen- eral MacArthur reviewed the case and agreed with the court.—San Ifrancisco “Chronicle, - FIRST GORILLA. DU CHAILLE'S Suddenly an immense ‘gorilla ads vanced out of the wood straight /fo- ward us, and gave vewt, as lie came up, to a terrible howl of rage, as much as to say, “I am tired of being pursued, and will face You,” Tt was a lone male, the kind which are always the niost ferocious. This fellow made the Woods resound with his roar, which is really an awful sound, resembling tlie rolling and muttering of distant thunder. He was about twenty yards off- when we first saw him. We at once gathered together, and I was about to take aim and bring him down where he stood, when my most trusted man, Malao- nen, stopped me, saying in a whisper, “Not time yet.” We stood, therefore, in silence, gun in hand. The gorilla looked at us for a minute or so out of his evil eyes, then beat his breast with his gigantic arms—and what arms he had:—then gave another howl of defiance and ad- vanced upon us. How terrible he looked! I shall never forget it. Again he stopped, not more than fifteen yards away. Still Malaonen said, “Not yet.” Good gracious! What is to become of us if our guns miss fire, or if we omly wound the great beast? Again the gorilla made an advance ups us. Now he was not twelve yards oft. 1 could see plainly his fero- cious face. It was distorted with rage; his huge teeth were ground against each other, so that we could hear the sound: the skin of the forehead was drawn forward and back rapidly, which made his hair move up and down and gave a truly devilish expres- his hideous face. Once more the most horrible monster ever creat- ed by Almighty God. gave a roar, which seemed to shake the woods: like thunder. 1 could really feel the earth trembling under my feet. The goril- la, looking us in the eye, and beating his breast, advanced again. “Don't tire too soon,” said Malaonen: “if you don’t kill him he will kill you.” This time he came within eight yards of us before he stopped. I was breath- ing fast with excitement as I watched the huge beast. Malaonen only said, “Steady,” as the gorilla came up. When lie stopped, Malaonen said, “Now!” And before he could utter the roar for which he was opening his mouth three musket balls were in his body. He fell dead almost without a struggle.— Adventures in Equatorial Africa. sion to A DISTINGUISHED 'M. P. An M. P. who distinguished himself greatly during the late war in South Africa is Major J. E. B. Seely. who represents the Isle of Wight at St. Ntephen's. Major Seely gained the D. SO. during the campaign, and the manner in which he and a handful of yeomanry covered the retreat of their comrades, who had suddenly come up- on a large party of concealed Boers, won them unstinted praise. Major Seely is also one of the crew of the Tolland Bay lifeboat, and it is not strange that in the Isle of Wight they think highly of his courage. Some time back he swam with a line from the lifeboat to a sinking French ship, and was thus instrumental in saving nine lives. For this act of gallantry he received the thanks of the French Government, and he enjoys the dis- in Parliament. John Burns, however, has saved a man from drowning. In his younger days the member for Bat- terses wis engineer on board a steamer in the Niger, and on the cry of “Man overboard!” being raised, ke jumped into the river and effected a rescuc.— Montreal Star. ee » RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. r William Allan, the veteran mem- ber of the British Parliament for (Gateshead, once made the acquaint- ance of the inside of a prison as a re- sult of his love for adventure. When a young man, Sir William, then a ma- rine engineer, saw a good deal of the world and faced many perils of the sea. During the war between the Northern and Southern States, the voung Scot engaged in the exciting vet dangerous pursuit of blockade run- but on one eventful night the ing, steamer of which he was chief engi neer fell a prey to a Federal cruiser. The engine room, where Sir William re- mained awaiting his fate, was invad- ed by a Union officer. who, hearing an ominous rush of water, jumped to the erroneous conclusion that the voung engineer was sinking the ves- sel. With a fierce gesture the Federal leveled his revolver at the head of the Scot, but it was not fated that the lat- ter should die that day, though he suf- fered imprisonment his blockads running exploits, he was ultimately lit tle the worse for the experience. for Paris Dwellings, It is rumored that the Rothschilds propose to spend 10,000,000 [francs in the setting up in Paris of dwellings for wage earners, in which the rentals shall be extremely moderate and out of which the owners do not intend to make any profits. Similar work has been done in the Peabody buildings in London and in various extensive enters prises of the sort in a number of lead. ing cities. and putting them | with ‘a few bold touches. A SERMON. FOR SUNDAY AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE BY THE REV. C. L. PALMER. Subject: What the Creation Means=—Only the Almighty Could Make Such a World=There is No Riddle of the Umni- verse—The Answer is Immortality. KixgstoN, N. Y.— In the Reformed Church of the Comforter, at this place; on Sunday morning, tlie Rev. C. L. Palmer preached the following” Sermon, “entitled “What the Creation Means.”. He toolghis text from Psalm 104:24, “O Lord. how manifold are Thy works, in” wisdom lasts Thou made them all, the earth is full of Thy riches.” REE 2 Von Humboldt says: “That this Psalm represents the image of the whole cosmos. . Tt is astonishing to find in a lyrical poem’ of such limited compass the entire uni- verse, the heavens and the earth, sketched. The calm ¢and toilsome ‘labor of man from the’ rising of the sun to the setting of the same. ithen’ his daily work is done, is here contrasted with the moving life of the elements of nature. This contrast and generalization is the conception of the mutual action of natural phénomena, and this retrospection of an omnipotent and omnipresent invisi- ble power which can renew the earth or crumble it to dust, constitute a solemn and exalted, rather than a glowing and gentle form of poetic creation.” Tt is thus a hymn of creation, written by whom we know mot. Im the Sept itis ascribed to David, but is anonymous in the Hebrew psalter. The. phraseology and spirit are not unlike David, and the sub: ject matter may have been arranged in his day as well as at any time. In the author- ized edition of the English Bible the au- thorship is accredited to David. The Iing- lish and American editions of the Revised Version made no mention of its writer, but many and potent are the reasons which lead us to the conclusion that the hymn- nlogist of Israel composed this song for the people of God. Tt was fitting that it should be used in the temple, and it is still consistent to employ it, since it ex- presses a truth that time cannot change. Unlike many of the Psalms this one is capable of analysis. the natural and logi- cal plan being a reproduction of the six ereative periods. This is not only evident to the careful reader, but is confirmed by the most reliable sonrces. And this is not unimportant, since it is another argument in favor of the unanimity of opinion con- cerning the plan that God followed when He created the universe. The work of the first and second days, light, the sky, clouds, winds, lightning, occupy verses 1-4. The original chaotic state, and the separation of land from water on the third day, verses 5-9. The third creative day continued that which had been commented on the preced- ing. ‘The growth of plants and trees. which implies irrigation by clouds and streams. Here the poef introduces hirds and creatures of the field and forest, which do not appear in the Mosaic narrative un- til much later, verses 14-18. The work of the fourth day, the sun and moon, but with special reference to men and animals, verses 19-26. The poet having already wo- ven into his song part of the work of the fifth and sixth days, now returns to it, and describes the sea with its living creatures, these with all else, the whole visible crea- tion in absolute dependence upon God, verses 24-30. In verses 31-3) the Psalmist describes his longing to see the bright orig: inal restored. The text being the 24th verse is a part of the division including verses 19-26, which treat of the fourth day's work when the sun and moon ‘were made, but referring particularly to men and animals. There ran be no doubt respecting the interpreta- tion, because the literal translation reads: “0 Lord, how manifold are Thy works, in wisdom hast Thou made them all, the earth is full of Thy creatures The Psalmist Recognizes God as the Ereator—“0 Lord Thy works.” Writing by inspiration does not necessarily pre- aiude the use of provineialism, provided that such correctly describe facts. And they may be enlarged or modified in order to be accurate. The doctrine taught in this Psalm is in strict accord with notions prevailing at the time of its composition and since that there was a time when only God existed, and that there came a time when the universe was formed. It is the teaching of all the ancient faiths that the universe did not spring into existence of its own volition, but was made out of noth- ing by Almighty God. Often, however, the conception is vague and confused and even meaningless, because destitute of that light which lighteth every man coming into the world, It is the clear implication of the Scriptures that there was a time when God was alone, and that the time came when He employed His power to fashion the heavens and the earth. : nly the great God could conceive such a compilation and- complication, of organic and inorganic matter. Sircé creation many wonderful thoughts have occupied the minds of men. but none have suggested | themselves, They have been wafted. into and born through the channel of human thinking by the appearance of some 'sug- gestive occurrence. We think our thoughts after God. Tt thus follows that we could not think of the universe without seeing something to suggest it. Only the Almighty could design the uni- verse. Architecture is a science to be ac- quired under the instruction of one who has mastered this branch of learning and is therefore able to impart it to others. Designing a dwelling is possible because there are those who have been instructed in the art. Designing the universe is pos- sible only to God, since no other has been: or is able to suggest a plan of such scope and grandeur. He holds the key which un- locks the mysteries of this sublime concep- tion. Granting for the sake of argument that there are minds of adequate scope to com- prehend the fact of a universe, we cannot see any advantage, since a conception with- oui ability to execute must remain dor- mant. ‘¥or a Moses who could smite a rock, and a Joshua who could arrest the sun, would be baffled in attempting to create a universe. Men have done great things, but (God has done greater. Man can no more make designs for nature than he can cause the grass to grow and the flowers to bloom. It is all within the abil- ity of God and of Him alone. ‘O Lord Thy works.” . TI. The Variety of God's Creation—“0 Lord how manifold are Thy works,” which is. simplyvgthe biblical form of expressing the many 8rgahized types of the Creator's handiwork. [hese are denominated king- doms. The mineral kingdom is constituted of inorganic species. It has ever enlisted the labors of the most brilliant intellects and devoted students. Every decade of research has disclosed some relic of the ages, while even greater fields remain un- explored. What will be disclosed in the {future no one can tell. We cannot but be- lieve that more remains concealed than has been discovered. “0 Lord how mani- fold are Thy works.” The vegetable kingdom is filled with life. From the smallest plant to the largest tree are varieties innumerable. This is another field in which investigation has not been wanting. Great numbers of grasses, flow- ers and herbs of all kinds are being dis- covered. The massive collection is a surety to ever greater discoveries. And we be- lieve that every coming century will dis- close some new form of life. ““O Lord how manifold are Thy works.” } The animal kingdom possesses” species without number. The most minute insect as well as the human family belong to ‘it. Certain forms have become extinct, others are passing away. It is in this field that evolution has made some of its greatest strides and met its most discomforting de- feats. Evolution is not to be a set aside | without due consideration, for it holds a position ‘in/the minds of thinking men that cannot “be ignored without serious’ loss. But it is only as evolution recognizes God, His character and work, that it can give any light to a doctrine so mysterious. “O Tord how manifold -are Thy works.” There is still another kingdom. It is the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven. It is one in name, but occupies more territory than all the other kingdomg “combined: It includes all the redeemed orf earth and multitude of saved in heaven. Nor is the variety less than in other king- doms, for within it are young and old, rich and poor, black and white, peasant and k kings educated and ignorant. : Vastly dif- ferent in condition of life, but one in char- acter and reward.’ "All sinners by nature and practice. all exposed to temptation. all saved by the one Christ. All pardoned by the oné Cfeator, all re-created in the image of the trye God. * Lord how manifold are" Thy wbrks.” =." 3 111. ite Wisdom of Creation—"In wis- dom hasty Thou made all.” Each kingdom is compjete in itself. How natural to think of the spiritual as being perfected, and of the material as unperfected. This is true or not according to our understanding of “the word “perfected.” It is wrong if by it “we understand that God has completed one and not the other. He has perfected both, cue for our life here, the other for that - life which follows this. There is a most glorious display of the wisdom of (tod in the most minute of all His work. No one is capable of making any improve- ment. He has made everything beautiful in its season. A skilful artificer when he has finished his work makes a thorough ex- amination to satisfy himself that it is well done. Often it is found that some serious defect exists. But when Jehovah had com- pleted the universe and inspected it divine wisdom pronounced it good. There was no higher power to which appeal could be made. The ages confirm the wisdom’ of the decision then rendered. It is impossible to think of any improvement that would be in harmbny with existing laws. In crea- tion we can make no suggestion. in preser- vation we are silent, and in the divine gov- ernment amazed at the goodness and love of God. “In wisdom hast Thou made them 4 3 all.’ 1V. The Extent of Creation—"The earth is full of Thy riches or creatures,” each kingdom being filled to overflowing with its own kind. No room for more animals, for that kingdom is full. Nothing to adc to the vegetable kingdom, for it supplies the needs of all living creatures. The kingdom of God is also filled. Filled with L those who once knew nothing of its joys, yut were re-created by the grace and power of its founder. Its dimensions increase as more room is required. It is not a poor- house, but a palace. The Creator has not placed His creatures where the necessaries of life are wanting, but where plenty ob- tains. Behold, the provisions of the chil- dren ofyf#od are within our reach. with necessaries only, but with , dainties. luxuries, beauties and treasures. In the earth are hidden mines of wealth, and on her surface are teeming harvests of plenty. All these are the Lord’s.. “The earth iz full of Thy riches.” We should not think of them as the prop- erty of nations. of the possessions of indi- viduals, but as the wealth of God. Not in one clime are these to be had, but every- where. The cold Arctic has its precious things, which it requires great hardship to obtain. The burning sun of the equator furnishes food that cannot be grown else- where. They all belong to God. but are given ug tb use and enjoy for the givers glory. : The other translation of the word, name- ly, that of “creatures,” is too significant to ignore. - Not only is the earth filled with the riches of God. but it is filled with His creatures. All belong to Him as His chil- dren. Some are obedient, some are not. Some iove to serve Him, others not. They are His and He loves them, though they mav be disloyal to Him. The conclusion of our interpretation of the text is that God Almighty created all things, that the great variety of His handi- work was imperative to display His power, that fresh evidence of His wisdom is con- stantly being disclosed, and that the whole human family belong to God, to be saved, prepared for life and for immortality—to whom be all praise. a True Success. The man whose life, outwardly all de- feat, is steadily expanding in its interest and sympathies, steadily growing in power to bear and suffer and be strong: has the blessed consciousness of coming into his kingdom. No outward disaster, no exter- nal obstacle or limitation, can ever defeat a true, Jife;. the soul can escape all these things ag, the bird escapes the perils of the snare and the net by flying above them. This highest success lies within the grasp of every earnest man or woman, and it is rarely without attestation of its presence and value. even in the eyes of those who take small account of spiritual things. There is a force which streams {rom a no- ble nature which is irresistible and perva- sive as the sunlight. The warmth and vi- tality of-such natures, while they invigor- ate the strongest men and women about them. penetrate to the heart of clouded and obscure lives and minister to their needs. There is no success so satisfying as that which is embodied in one’s character, and being so embodied, cannot be taken from him, and the influence of which, re- acting on the character of others, is also indestructable.—Christian Union: os! A Noble African Woman. A slave woman named Ogunro, living in the country west of the Niger, longed for freedom and worked hard until she secured 1t. ‘Then she traveled to another region to enjoy life. There she was converted to Christ. This gave heroa new longing. What she now longed, for was to tell the Ilale people, among whom she had been a slave, what good tilings she had learned. She went back to Ilale, worked hard, earned money, got a church built, and late in 1903 she placed the church at the disposal of the nearest Christian pastor. Fhe Church Missionary Intelligencer now reports that five voung men from llale have been baptized through these efforts of the cx-slave. It seems that Anglo-Saxons have no monopoly on the strenuous life. The Christian name given to Ogunro in baptism was the appropriate one of Dor- cas.—Christian Work and Evangelist, He Xanows Best. The outward features of our life may not be all that we should choose them to be; there may be things we wish for that never come to us; there may be much we wish away that we cannot part from. The per- sons with whom we live, the circamstanees by which we are surrounded, the duties we have to perform, the burdens we have ic bear, nmfay not only be other than what we should have selected for ourselves, but may even seem inconsistent with that forma tion and- discipline of character which we honestly wish to promote. Knowing us better than we know ourselves, fully un derstanding how greatly we are affected by the outward events and conditions of life, God has ordered them with a view to our entire and final, not only our 1m mediate, happiness; and whenever we can be safely trusted with pastures that are green, and waters that are still, in the way of earthly blessing, the Good Shepherd leads us there.—Arnold W. Thorold. Prayer For Power. No not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers! Pray for powers equal tc your tasks! Then the doing of your work will be no miracle. But you shall be a | miracle. Every day you shall wonder at | yourself, at the richness the life which | the grace of God.— has come in you by h 2 Phillips Brooks. SHBEATH SCHOOL LESSON. INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS SOR OCTOBER 16. Subject: Elisha and the. Shunamite, II Kings, ivi, 25-37—Golden Text, Rom, vi., 23=Memory Verses, 32-33=Com- mentary on the Day’s Lesson. I. Kindness rewarded (vs. 817). Elisha in his work as a prophet and religious leader of the people traveled from place to place, on foot, with Gehazi, his attend- ant. There seems to have been ‘public re- ligious services: on the Sabbath and first days of the month (v. 23). Elisha fre- quently passed by the village of Shunem, and was invited to the house of one of the leading families for refreshment and food. The lady of the house seems to have been r-uch more intelligent and religious than her husband, who was wise enough to know it and to trust lier, while she showed due deference to him. This woman as childless, which was a great sorrow in het life, and as a reward for her kindness Elisha® promised that within a year sha should “embrace a son.” II. Death in the home (vs. 18-24). Tn due time a son was born into the house. He grew up to be four or iive years old, He could not have been much older if thi part of the story took place during Jeho ram's reign. But the story may have be gun then, but run on to a later period One morning the boy went out into thé fields where his father was gathering in the harvest. ¥n this valley which is to-day ont of the richest wheat lands on the wide globe, he was taken suddenly sick. Con sidering the symptoms and the season d the year there is little doubt that a sur stroke was followed by inflammation o the brain. The boy was sent home to hit mother. who held him till noon, when he died. She took him up to the little cham ber by the roof and laid him on the pro phet’s bed. It was a strange affliction $i God should take away the child He had given as a reward for her kindness to the prophet, while her kindness had been cord tinued and increasing vear by year. IIT. Meeting the prophet (vs. 25-28), 25. “She went.” The mother immediately hastened across the plain to Mount Car mel, sixteen or seventeen miles distant, it search of Elisha. “Man of God.” That is (God’s representative. So called, 1. Be cause of the integrity of his character. 2 Because he instructed the people in divin¢ things. Ten times in this chapter is Elishe called by this title. “Saw her.” From the hilltop Jooking down into the valley. 26. “Run now.” This was a mark ol courtesy. showing his great esteem. T= well?” | “Is it peace?’ “It is well.” Tu the Hebrew only the word “pe: ce” used. She gives this answer to guestion that she may avoid more words she has no thought of deception. 97. “Caught lim by the feet.” The atti tude of humblest supplication. She hum blv reasoned with him concerning her pres- ent affliction; she threw hevseli at his feed as one troubled and in grief; which she never showed until she came to Elisha, tha one whom she believed could help her “Thrust her away.” In his officious zeal; angry at the slight toward him. or deem: ing her touch defilement, or her importu nity excessive, or such liberties beneath his master’s dignity. “Let her alone.” A noble mind does not pass sentence before hearing the case. Elisha’s gentleness wai an evidence of his greatness. “Soul id vexed.” Sympathy is penetrative. Cult vate earnestly the Christ-like talent of dis cerning the sorrows of others. “Lord hath hid.” In reference: to this point he had not the discernment of spirits. This anc the gift of prophecy were influences God gave and suspended as in His infinate wis dom and love He was good. 98. “Did I desire a son?” She reminded him that she had not asked for the child, but that he had come to her as a free gili from God. Why should God, she arzued, give her the child of His own will, only to fake him away? Had she not besought the prophet not to mock her with a false hope? Thus did she reason. IV. The servant's failure (vs. 20-31). 29. “Gird up thy loins.” By tightening the girdle and tucking the mantle under so as to leave the legs free. “Staff.” The badge of the prophetical gift which he had re- ceived from God, of might and strength. “Salute him not.” In the East salutations a of form and consume much time. The command showed the urgency ol ine mission and the necessity for the exercise of faith and prayer. 20, “Will not leave thee.” After the heartless attempt of Ge- hazi to thrust her away she has no confi- dence in his ministry, even though he carry the staff. oi Elisha. ‘Sacred vest ments and a holy commission will not com- mand the confidence of earnest souls un- less they be associated with a true and ten- der heart. 31. “Neither voice. nor hearing.” Why was Elisha’s mission fruitle Evervthing goes to show that at first Elisha did not intend to go to Shunem, but when he saw the persistency of the mother he changed. his purpose. It was probably in conse- quence of this change of plan that no re- sponse was made to the first claim of faith by means of the staff. That appeal was in fact superseded the moment he resolved to go in person, the Lord thus reserving ror the personal intercession of His prophet the honor of this marvelous deed. V. A great miracle (vs. 32-37). az. “Child was dead.” This statement clear- ly forbids the supposition that the child had merely fainted or fallen into a france. He was really, not apparently, dead. 32. Shut the:door.” He prayed in secret anc his Father rewarded him openly. “Prayed.” The only remedy in such a case as this. The best things in life come through prayer. 34. “Lay upon the child.” Fe used what means were in his power. though the means alone could never have brought the child to life. So James tells tho cld- ers to pray with the sick and te anoint them with oil (James 5: 14, 15.) “Put ii mouth.” ete. Elisha followed the 2xam of Eliiah as nearly as possible (1 Ki 18-24). “Waxed warm.” Returning is slowly given, but the first si storation must have strengthened and given fervor to his prayers. 35. “Returned.” Left the bed. “Wa'ked to and fro.” His cwn animal ‘heat right have become much reduced by abzorption into the cold body of the child. Possibly, too, thers was a strugsle of h in the mind of the prophet. “Sneezed seven times.” When the nervous influence be- gan to u:t on the muscular ing would be a natural ‘consequence, as obstructions Taust have taken place in the head. the cause of the cisorder oi which the child died. 33. “Take up thy s Joyfully the child was returned al his mother. i Sec the power of Dr it has the key of the clouds, so if h he key of death. Sec tho power of faith. That fixed law of nature, death, shall be dis- pensed with rather than this believi Shunamite be disappointed.” 37. “F his feet.” In overwhelming When God has done great things should bow humbly and sav, not worthy.” Sce C 3