242 THE FAMINE

what the servant could not see; a
wonderful and beautiful sight which
comforted him, and made him feel
safe. Then Elisha prayed that the
servant might be able to see this
wonderful sight too; and God
heard Elisha’s prayer, and opened
the young man’s eyes; and then he
saw that the mountain was full of
horses and chariots of fire round
about Elisha.” 'These chariots and
horses were sent to protect Elisha
from his enemies. Who sent them?
God Himself. His holy angels in
Heaven are always ready to help
and protect His people on earth.
Elisha’s enemies could not see this
heavenly host; but God gave Elisha
and his servant power to see them.
Elisha had indeed no need to fear;
for his wicked enemies could not
resist the power of God’s messengers.

If we are the people of God, He

rN,
Nena

IN SAMARIA.

sends his holy angels to protect us,
“The angels of the Lord encamp
round about them that fear Him,
and deliver them.” We cannot see
these bright, holy angels. They
are spirits; they are not made of
flesh and blood as we are. But
they are always by us. When we
are in danger, they are near to pro-
tect us. When we are asleep in the
dark night, they watch around our
beds; and when we die they will be
near us, and carry our happy souls
to Heaven to be with God for ever,
The holy angels love to be sent to
God’s people, to help and comfort
them; and they are never tired of
obeying God, and doing His work.
“Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of salva-
tion?” Hebrews i. 14.

 

CLXVII.

JHE f AMINE

SOUT what did Elisha do
\ /} when his enemies came
b

  
 
  

to take him prisoner ?
O=n45| Again he asked help of

God: he asked Him to
smite his enemies with blindness;
and God did so. The Syrians be-
came blind and helpless; and then
they had no power to hurt Elisha.
So Elisha came to them, and said,
“Follow me, and I will bring you
to the man you seek.” Then he
led them into Samaria. The poor
blind men did not know where
they were going; but when they
were come to Samaria, Elisha asked
God to open their eyes again; and

 

IN PAMARIA.,

God gave sight to the Syrians.
What did they see? They saw
themselves surrounded by their
enemies. The king of Israel was
there, and all his army. Elisha was
close to them; but they were afraid
to take him now. Then the king
said to Elisha, “Shall I smite
them? Shall I smite them ?”
But Elisha did not want revenge;
he had used his power only to pro-
tect himself from his enemies; and
he did not wish to punish them
any more. He was willing to for-
give all their unkindness to him.
So he said to the king of Israel,
“No, we must not kill them. God