ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS

 OF BAAL.


 ELIJAH was a prophet of God, but many of the
people worshipped an idol named Baal. They had even
built temples for the idol, and had hundreds of prophets
to help in his service.
 Elijah wanted to show the people how\ vain was such
worship, and he asked the king to call all the people and
false prophets, and have them meet on a ridge on the
side of a great mountain close by the sea. They came,
soldiers with helmets and lances, crowds with banners,
and four hundred and fifty Baal priests in their gay robes.
Elijah said to the crowd, Now choose: if the Lord be
God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. Let us
take two bullocks; let the prophets choose one bullock
for themselves, and cut it in pieces and lay it on wood,
but put no fire under; and I will dress the other bullock
and lay it on wood, and put no fire under; and call ye on
the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the
Lord, and the God that answereth by fire, let him be
 T?