BY ELD. A. S. HUTCHINS.
A SHORT time previous to the translation of Elijah, he received commandment to anoint Elisha prophet in his room. When Elijah found this man of God, he was not in a college preparing for his mission, nor arranging a class of objections with which to meet Elijah, nor was he standing idle in the market-place.
It is evident that he was a business man, and that he had quite an estate. He was “ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him.” He was not simply superintending his business, for he was ploughing with the twelfth yoke himself.
The mantle of Elijah falls upon him, from which he evidently understands that he is called to the prophetic office. He “conferred not with flesh and blood.” “Obedience” seemed to have been his motto. An affectionate but brief farewell to father and mother, a hasty repast with the loved ones at home, and anon he ministers to the faithful servant of God, whose mantle had been cast upon him.
Putnam, under somewhat similar circumstances, left his agricultural interests at his country’s call, over one hundred years since, to enlist in the bloody struggle for America’s rights. But who does this to carry the last message of mercy to men ? Who, to go out into the whitening fields as missionaries ? Who, to act as canvassers for some of the best and most important books ever written ?
Was Elisha’s course a wise and prudent one in the matter under consideration? Did his parents act wisely? There is not an intimation that they tried to dissuade him from obeying the divine call. Nor does it appear that his father subsequently offered him alluring inducements, promising great financial returns, if he would abandon his calling and return home to lighten the cares and burdens of the parents, as they sunk downward to the tomb.
It is further evident that Elisha did not allow earthly interests to divert his attention nor divide his time at all during nearly sixty years of his life as a prophet of God. He did not see matters of uncommon interest at home to call him from his work. And may we not justly conclude that if he were alive to-day, publishing the third angel’s message, he would not leave his work amidst a good interest for minor temporal considerations at home? As his master was about to be taken from him, he expressed the most longing desire of his heart thus, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” On conditions of watchfulness, he could have it — he obtained it. From this time his life was a series of miracles, beautifying and enriching his history. Who will be profited by moral reflections drawn from the life of this faithful man?
The Advent Review and Herald March 20, 1883