ing no change, until David from the care of his father's sheep went to the distracted army. And hearing the armies of Israel defied, he advanced in defence of that name. Though a simple youth, he there appeared the absolute representative of Israel's God, and boldly reproved the daring agent of unrighteousness. The two armies had paused, stood transfixed and rapt in amazement. Goliah the Great, burdened with his armor, inflated with the breath of the false spirit, and inspired with the pompous song of the Philistine hosts, descended behind his shieldbearer, and drew near to David. David, strong in the Lord, proceeded to decide the conflict. In the name and fear of Jehovah he submitted himself and the cause in whose defence he was engaged, to the Spirit thus inspiring him. "The battle," he said; and his words echoed along the armies, "The battle is the Lord's: this day will he give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his vessel, drew thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in the forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine, and slew him." I. Sam. xviii.

At the fall of their chieftain, the Philistines

fled. Again Israel was delivered, and victory fully obtained over the enemy of God's chosen people. Do not modern Harmonialists defy the God of Israel, in presuming to overcome the influence of the Christian Faith, and break in pieces the power of Bible Religion. Like Goliah, the proud media advance and challenge the external Church to meet them in combat.

Goliah was a man inspired with the spirit of defiance. He mocked Israel, day after day, and vainly supposed the victory won, when in an unexpected manner, and by means in themselves unimportant, God, who was thus defied, removed Goliah, the external agent of the opposing power, and set his people free.

The church, the external representative of the Spirit of Life, this modern Ism is mocking, and challenging to combat daily. But God will deliver the true Israel, and exalt his Name. He who saveth not by the sword or spear knoweth the means: he provideth for the emergency, and in the day appointed will bring salvation.

CHAPTER V.

ELIJAH AND THE FALSE PROPHETS.

"AND it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now, 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 at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the people together unto Mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

"Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only remain a prophet to the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them, therefore, give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and

lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and call 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 God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." 1 Kings, 18.

Here again, the opposing principles met: but the order was changed. The prophet of the Lord called upon Baal's prophets to demonstrate the truth of their claims by manifestations indicative of the character of a God. Claiming that the Lord of hosts could send fire and consume the sacrifice. Meantime he said that the God who answered by fire should be acknowledged the true God.

"And they took the bullock that was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even unto noon, saying, O, Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

"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 mid day was past, and they prophesied until the time of

the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded."

Those prophets of Baal could produce wonders in the plane of human life; but when required to secure an answer from their gods which should supercede the power of the finite they failed; thus proving their want of harmony with superior spheres, and devotion to the Lord of hosts. Even so with the modern prophets. They can unfold from unfamiliar realms; can disclose the hidden mysteries of the earth sphere. Can demonstrate their theory to the satisfaction of the amazed spectator, but when have they drawn water from a deeper fountain than known before, or than what springs from the recesses of the human soul.

The prophets of Baal, when successfully opposed, became enraged, leaped upon the altar, and afflicted themselves. Manifestations somewhat similar have been developed in modern times. Media when confronted and charged with falsehood, have leaped upon the accusers, beat them with their fist, gnashed upon them with their teeth; raged and blasphemed. And when the christian in the name of Jesus has rebuked the foul and Bible-opposing spirit, the medium has been thrown into convulsions, and raved as if possessed with the demon of mad