144
Prophets and Kings
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.”
1 John 1:1-3
.
Young, inexperienced workers should be trained by actual labor in
connection with these experienced servants of God. Thus they will
learn how to bear burdens.
Those who undertake this training of young workers are doing
noble service. The Lord Himself co-operates with their efforts. And
the young men to whom the word of consecration has been spoken,
whose privilege it is to be brought into close association with earnest,
godly workers, should make the most of their opportunity. God has
honored them by choosing them for His service and by placing them
where they can gain greater fitness for it, and they should be humble,
faithful, obedient, and willing to sacrifice. If they submit to God’s
discipline, carrying out His directions and choosing His servants as
their counselors, they will develop into righteous, high-principled,
steadfast men, whom God can entrust with responsibilities.
As the gospel is proclaimed in its purity, men will be called from
the plow and from the common commercial business vocations that
largely occupy the mind and will be educated in connection with men
of experience. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim
the truth with power. Through most wonderful workings of divine
providence, mountains of difficulty will be removed and cast into the
sea. The message that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth
will be heard and understood. Men will know what is truth. Onward
[224]
and still onward the work will advance until the whole earth shall have
been warned, and then shall the end come.
For several years after the call of Elisha, Elijah and Elisha labored
together, the younger man daily gaining greater preparedness for his
work. Elijah had been God’s instrument for the overthrow of gigan-
tic evils. The idolatry which, supported by Ahab and the heathen
Jezebel, had seduced the nation, had been given a decided check.
Baal’s prophets had been slain. The whole people of Israel had been
deeply stirred, and many were returning to the worship of God. As Eli-
jah’s successor, Elisha, by careful, patient instruction, must endeavor
to guide Israel in safe paths. His association with Elijah, the greatest
prophet since the days of Moses, prepared him for the work that he
was soon to take up alone.
During these years of united ministry, Elijah from time to time was
called upon to meet flagrant evils with stern rebuke. When wicked