ELIJAH AT HOREB.

quake. The ground shook where
Elijah stood, and he felt very much
frightened; but God was not in the
earthquake. After the earthquake
there was a fire. It burnt up all
the trees and grass; it was a very
fearful sight; but God was not in
the fire. Then all was quiet. God
had shown Elijah His great and
wonderful power; now, He spoke to
him in love. Elijah heard a voice, a
kind, gentle voice; it was the voice
of God. Elijah knew it, and he
covered his face, and went and stood

humbly before God, to hear what

He would say. Then the voice said
again, “What doest thou here?”
Ehjah answered, “I have been very
much troubled, because of the sin
of the people of Israel. They have
forsaken Thee, and killed Thy pro-
phets, and thrown down Thy altars.
I am left alone, and they seek my
life, to take it away.” Then God
said, “Go now to Damascus. Anoint
Hazael to be king of Syria; and
anoint Jehu to be king of Israel.
And I will raise up another prophet
to serve me when thou art gone.
His name is Elisha. Go and anoint
him too. And do not be troubled
about the people of Israel. ‘There
are many of them who still love and
worship me; 7000 who have not
bowed down to Baal.” Then Elijah

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was comforted. He had seen and
felt God’s power and God’s love:
and he knew he need not fear, if
this powerful and gracious God was
his friend.

Elijah went away from Horeb,
and soon found Elisha the new
prophet. Hhsha was ploughing
with his oxen; he was not thinking
of the honor of being God’s pro-
phet. But Elisha loved God, and
God knew his heart; and now he
sent Elijah to call him. Elyjah
passed by, and cast his mantle on
him. Elisha understood it, and ran
to Elijah, and said, “I will go and
kiss my father and mother, and
then I will follow thee” Eljah
said, “Go.” So Elisha went home,
and killed two oxen, and boiled the
flesh, and gave food to the people,
and they eat; and afterwards Elisha
followed Elijah, and waited on him.
Elisha was very glad to be with this
good master. Elijah could teach
him much about God and heavenly
things, and Hlisha loved to hear
of these things, and was very at-
tentive to all Elijah said. Elisha
had now given up all for God. He
had chosen Him for His friend: he
was to be his minister all his life.
This was a great honor and a great
blessing for Elisha.