Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/312

 long do  you  halt  between  two  sides ? If the  Lord  be  God, follow Him;  but  if  Baal,  then  follow  him.”

The people,  feeling  the  justice  of  his  reproach,  made  no answer. They were  ashamed  and  afraid. Elias then  added: “I only  remain  a prophet  of  the  Lord,  but  the  prophets  of  Baal are four  hundred  and  fifty  men. Let two  bullocks  be  given  us; and let  them  choose  one  bullock  for  themselves,  and  cut  it  in pieces,  but  put  no  fire  under;  and  I will  dress  the  other  bullock, and lay  it  on  wood,  and  put  no  fire  under  it. Call ye  on  the names of  your  gods,  and  I will  call  on  the  name  of  my  Lord; and the  God  that  shall  answer  by  fire,  let  him  be  the  God.”  All the people  answered:  “A  very  good  proposal”.

Then the  priests  of  Baal,  clad  in  their  richest  garments  and crowned with  laurel,  took  an  ox  and  slew  him. They erected  an altar,  placed  the  dead  ox  upon  it,  and  danced  around  it  crying out: “Baal,  hear  us.”  This  they  did  from  morning  until  noon, but no  fire  came  to  consume  their  sacrifice. Then Elias,  mocking them, called  out:  “Cry  with  a louder  voice:  for  he  is  a god,  and perhaps he  is  talking  with  some  one,  or  on  a journey,  or  he  is asleep  and  must  be  awaked.”

Then they  began  to  cry  louder  than  ever,  hacking  their bodies with  knives,  as  they  were  accustomed  to  do,  until  they were covered  with  blood. This they  kept  up  till  evening,  but  all in vain. Then Elias  told  the  people  to  come  to  him. And he erected  an  altar  to  the  Lord;  took  twelve  stones  and  laid  the wood in  order  upon  them,  then  placed  the  ox  which  had  been cut in  pieces  on  the  wood.