works are truth, and his ways judgment," or righteousness. But, possibly, a satisfactory reason may be given. "The widow, we may believe," says Krummacher, "was a person of real piety, but acquainted with God in a partial and too superficial manner. She knew something of God's loving kindness, but not enough of his grace. In short, while wellaffected to godliness in general, she was too far off from God; ignorant of a Mediator and Intercessor; and not enough broken and contrite in heart."

The design of God, then, was the improvement of this woman in piety. It was by afflicting her, that he designed to show her more of her heart; and, in the sequel, to exalt and confirm her faith.

The grief of the widowed mother affects the heart of the prophet. Perhaps he understood the reason of the affliction, and blessed God for it, while he was touched with a heartfelt compassion and sympathy. At length, under a divine impulse, he asks for the child. She yields it, and he retires with it to his chamber, lays it on his own bed, and applies himself in prayer to God..

66 And now, listen! What a prayer it is which he pours forth! It is a prayer that certainly would not pass uncensured by us; that certainly would not escape the criticism and the condemnation of our wisdom, had we heard it from the mouth of any other than such a one as Elijah. 'O Lord, my God,' cries he; 'hast thou also brought evil upon the widow, with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?' What does Elijah speak before the living God of bringing evil? and does he venture to approach Jehovah's throne with such a question, and with such a complaint? Yes; he speaks as his heart dictates. And if he speaks foolishly, he does it in simplicity, and in faith. And if he pleads too familiarly with God, he does so, encouraged by the blood of the Lamb, and the promises of God! It is not for us to censure him, for his prayer was accepted of the Lord. Yet,

what was its purport? Lord! didst thou care to slay this child? Impossible! Thy purpose was to lead this mother through affliction to repentance. This, O Lord, having been accomplished, must the child continue dead? Look, O Lord God, upon this widow graciously, and remember that I am her guest. She has shown much kindness unto thy servant. I would gladly recompense her. Do thou recompense her, for I am poor, and have nothing. And O, remember, also, that I am thy prophet. If I am reproached, thou art reproached also. Therefore, that thy name may be hallowed, and thy praise magnified upon earth, now, O Lord, hear my prayer.'

"Having thus expostulated, as it were, with Jehovah, Elijah arose, threw himself upon the dead child, and stretched himself upon it three times, as though he would say, 'I will not leave the child, but will await God's answer to my prayer.' And he cried unto Jehovah, and said, 'O Jehovah, my God! I pray thee let this child's soul come into it again;' a prayer, you perceive, quite positive and unconditional. And what followed upon this holy boldness in prayer? 'The Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into it again, and he revived.'

"But how does this agree with our notions and maxims concerning acceptable prayer? Here we have, as I have said, an unconditional prayer; a prayer, too, for something temporal; a prayer for a miracle; a prayer without limitations; yet the Lord heard and answered it. Yes, our gracious God does not bind himself to our maxims, nor suffer himself to be limited by our rules." *

See, thy son liveth!" said the joyful prophet, as he took down the child to its mother. He added nothing more, but left the holy Spirit to say the rest. And that Spirit did speak; he enlightened her understanding as much as he warmed her heart. "Now by this I know," she exclaimed,

Elijah, the Tishbite, by Krummacher.

"that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth." The word of the Lord! What word of the Lord was it that Elijah had spoken to her? This may be easily conjectured. We find here, at the close of the narrative, a new key to the whole. Elijah had probably said something to her, during their acquaintance, which she had been unable to comprehend or believe. It is not difficult to suppose what it may have been. The widow was a woman of piety, but still sadly ignorant of many important religious truths-particularly of the doctrine of a promised Messiah. In respect to this doctrine, Elijah is supposed to have attempted her instruction: how the sinner might be pardoned; how, through the atonement of a Mediator, she might stand justified before God. This great truth now shone into her soul; and, to the faith of it, she yielded herself with joy. Henceforth, she stood upon solid ground; for, being a devout person, she was now evinced to be a daughter of Abraham's faith; and, at the moment when Elijah said to her, "See, thy son liveth," her heart was fitted to say something greater still: "I know that my Redeemer liveth !"

God takes strange methods, by which to accomplish his plans; strange means, by which to dispel the ignorance of his children; to confirm their faith; to establish them upon a sure foundation. This widow needed instruction in regard to important truths; and in no way, perhaps, so well could it be imparted, as by the method which God adopted. Afflictions often enlighten and reform; correct and purify, better than it can be done by any other process.

I. KINGS.

ELIJAH'S PRAYER AT MOUNT CARMEL.

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, &c.-1 Kings xviii. 36-40

ELIJAH had been concealed for nearly three years and six months, during which the famine had prevailed throughout Judea. Meanwhile, Ahab had been intent upon apprehending him; and with that intent had made diligent search through his own, as well as all the neighboring states, and had taken an oath from the different tribes and governments, that they knew not the place of his concealment.

The time, however, had arrived for a change of operations; and God says to the prophet, "Go, show thyself to Ahab."

What a strange command! As well, seemingly, might he be directed to enter a lion's den. Present himself to Ahab! His resentment was originally great; but, now, it is aggravated by more than a three years' famine, and a three years' unavailing search.

But God had given the word, and it was enough. Elijah, therefore, bids adieu to the widow of Zarephath, and to that chamber where he had restored her son to life, and where he had held high and holy communion with God. He commences his journey, and, at length, enters Samaria.

• At this very time, Ahab was setting out on a journey through the land. He had in his employment a man, by the name of Obadiah; who, strange to say, was a pious man,

and who, under a commission from the king, was making search in one portion of Judea, while he did in another, for herbage and water for their horses and mules.

While Obadiah was fulfilling his commission, he is met one day by a venerable personage, girded as a traveler, and covered with a mantle. In the stranger, Obadiah recognizes Elijah, and prostrates himself before him. "Art thou that my lord Elijah?" he asks. "I am," replies Elijah.—" Go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here!"

Obadiah objects. He forebodes that while he is gone to deliver the message, the spirit of the Lord may remove the prophet to some unknown region; upon which Ahab, thinking himself mocked by Obadiah, would deprive him of his office, and probably of life itself. His apprehensions, however, are allayed by the solemn assurance of Elijah, that he designed to show himself to Ahab that very day. Thus certified, Obadiah set forth in search of the tyrant, to whom he has the boldness to say, "Behold, Elijah is here!"

With what sentiments Ahab receives the intelligence, we are not informed. But he turns to meet Elijah. Perhaps that heart, in its malignity, was plotting vengeance upon the prophet. But when, at length, he sees Elijah, neither curse nor menace does he utter; only, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" "No," replied the prophet. "No, I have not troubled Israel; but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou has followed Baalim."

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Thus fearlessly does Elijah meet Ahab, and thus faithfully does he charge his wickedness upon him. And, now, let this question be settled," says he; let it be known, before all Israel, who is the great troubler of the land; Ahab, or Elijah; the worshipers of Baal, or the servants of the living God; and, therefore, send and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves, four hundred, which eat