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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
and the victim, and then begin their incantations, their chanting and
bawling, characteristics of pagan worship. Their shrill cries re-echo
through forests and mountains: “O Baal, hear us.” The priests gather
in an army about their altars, and with leaping, and writhing, and
screaming, and stamping, and with unnatural gestures, and tearing
their hair, and cutting their flesh, they manifest apparent sincerity.
The morning passes and noon comes, and yet there is no move of
their gods in pity to Baal’s priests, the deluded worshipers of idols. No
voice answers their frantic cries. The priests are continually devising
how, by deception, they can kindle a fire upon the altars and give
the glory to Baal. But the firm eye of Elijah watches every motion.
Eight hundred voices become hoarse. Their garments are covered with
blood, and yet their frantic excitement does not abate. Their pleadings
are mingled with cursings to their sun-god that he does not send fire
for their altars. Elijah stands by, watching with eagle eye lest any
deception should be practiced; for he knows that if, by any device,
they could kindle their altar fire, he would be torn in pieces upon the
spot. He wishes to show the people the folly of their doubting and
halting between two opinions when they have the wonderful works
of God’s majestic power in their behalf and innumerable evidences of
His infinite mercies and loving-kindness toward them.
“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said,
Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he
is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And
they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and
lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when
midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of
the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer,
nor any that regarded.”
How gladly would Satan, who fell like lightning from heaven,
come to the help of those whom he has deceived, whose minds he has
controlled, and who are fully devoted to his service. Gladly would
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he send the lightning and kindle their sacrifices; but Jehovah has set
Satan’s bounds. He has restrained his power, and all his devices cannot
convey one spark to Baal’s altars. Evening draws on. The prophets
of Baal are weary, faint, and confused. One suggests one thing, and
one another, until they cease their efforts. Their shrieks and curses no