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Similar to the call that came to Elisha was the answer given by Christ to the young ruler who asked Him the question； 〃What good thing shall I do； that I may have eternal life？〃 〃If thou wilt be perfect；〃 Christ replied； 〃go and sell that thou hast； and give to the poor； and thou shalt have treasure in heaven： and come and follow Me。〃 Matthew 19：16； 21。
Elisha accepted the call to service； casting no backward glance at the pleasures and comforts he was leaving。 The young ruler； when he heard the Saviour's words； 〃went away sorrowful： for he had great possessions。〃 Verse 22。 He was not willing to make the sacrifice。 His love for his possessions was greater than his love for God。 By his refusal to renounce all for Christ； he proved himself unworthy of a place in the Master's service。
The call to place all on the altar of service comes to each one。 We are not all asked to serve as Elisha served； nor are we all bidden to sell everything we have； but God asks us to give His service the first place in our lives； to allow no day to pass without doing something to advance His work in the earth。 He does not expect from all the same kind of service。 One may be called to ministry in a foreign land； another may be asked to give of his means for the support of gospel work。 God accepts the offering of each。 It is the consecration of the life and all its interests； that is necessary。 Those who make this consecration will hear and obey the call of Heaven。
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To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace； the Lord appoints a work for others。 Individually we are to stand in our lot； saying； 〃Here am I； send me。〃 Whether a man be a minister of the Word or a physician； whether he be merchant or farmer； professional man or mechanic； the responsibility rests upon him。 It is his work to reveal to others the gospel of their salvation。 Every enterprise is which he engages should be a means to this end。
It was no great work that was at first required of Elisha； commonplace duties still constituted his discipline。 He is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah； his master。 He was willing to do anything that the Lord directed； and at every step he learned lessons of humility and service。 As the prophet's personal attendant； he continued to prove faithful in little things； while with daily strengthening purpose he devoted himself to the mission appointed him by God。
Elisha's life after uniting with Elijah was not without temptations。 Trials he had in abundance； but in every emergency he relied on God。 He was tempted to think of the home that he had left； but to this temptation he gave no heed。 Having put his hand to the plow； he was resolved not to turn back； and through test and trial he proved true to his trust。
Ministry comprehends far more than preaching the word。 It means training young men as Elijah trained Elisha； taking them from their ordinary duties； and giving them responsibilities to bear in God's worksmall responsibilities at first； and larger ones as they gain strength and experience。 There are in the ministry men of faith and prayer； men who can
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say； 〃That which was from the beginning； which we have heard； which we have seen with our eyes； which we have looked upon； and our hands have handled； of the Word of life； 。 。 。 that 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
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know what is truth。 Onward 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 gigantic 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 Elijah'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 Ahab seized Naboth's vineyard； it was the voice of Elijah that prophesied his doom and the doom of all his house。 And when Ahaziah； after the death of his father Ahab； turned from the living God to Baal…zebub； the god of Ekron； it was Elijah's voice that was heard once more in earnest protest。
The schools of the prophets； established by Samuel； had fallen into decay during the years of Israel's apostasy。 Elijah re…established these schools； making provision for young men to gain an education that would lead them to magnify the law and make it honorable。 Three of these schools； one at Gilgal； one at Bethel； and one at Jericho； are mentioned
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in the record。 Just before Elijah was taken to heaven； he and Elisha visited these centers of training。 The lessons that the prophet of God had given them on former visits； he now repeated。 Especially did he instruct them concerning their high privilege of loyally maintaining their allegiance to the God of heaven。 He also impressed upon their minds the importance of letting simplicity mark every feature of their education。 Only in this way could they receive the mold of heaven and go forth to work in the ways of the Lord。
The heart of Elijah was cheered as he saw what was being accomplished by means of these schools。 The work of reformation was not complete； but