CHAPTER XVI 

 PUBLIC SPIRIT 



IN an old Jewish chronicle there is de- 

 picted a beautiful scene which suggests 

 a deal of gospel for our day. The great 

 prophet of Israel, Elijah's successor, lies 

 upon his deathbed. King Joash bends over 

 him, and, mindful of the eminent and un- 

 remitting service of the man, who will have 

 no successor in this, cries out in agony that 

 Israel's central hope, the main defense of 

 the state, is departing, its standing army as 

 it were for the war chariot was in Israel 

 now the chief arm of military strength 

 "My father, my father, the chariots of 

 Israel and the horsemen thereof vanish in 

 thy death! Our army is no more. We are 

 a prey to our foes soon as thou, with thy 

 wise counsels and thy patriotic heart, art 

 gone." 



Elisha was worthy of this tribute. Un- 

 like Elijah, he was no monk. With him 

 duty meant not meditation, still less moping, 



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