RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Elijah Elisha
age was adorned with the simplicity and artlessness of a little child, with wonderful humility, and a charity that never failed.
Eliot's work excited much interest in England, and funds for carrying it on were supplied by a " Corporation for the Promoting and Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New England," instituted by ordinance of parliament in July, 1649, and reestablished after the Restoration by the exertions of Robert Boyle (q.v.)- He also had support in the colonies and gave liberally of his own property. In 1674 the number of " praying Indians " was estimated at 3,600; they fought with the English during King Philip's War (1675-76), but received a blow at this time from which they never recovered; after Eliot's death their extinction proceeded rapidly.
Eliot kept his friends in England informed of the progress of his work by letters (cf. Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , Nov., 1879), and a detailed history of his labors and those of his assistants is given in a series of " Indian tracts," issued between 1624 and 1705. A list of these tracts may be found in the article Other " Eliot, John," by H. R. Tedder in
Publica- DXB, xvii. 189-194, where Eliot's tions. publications are also enumerated. The more important not already mentioned were The Christian Commonwealth (London, 1659), which the authorities in New England found "full of seditious principles and notions"; Eliot recanted and the book was suppressed; Communion of Churches, or the divine Management of Gospel Churches by the Ordinance of Councils, constituted in order according to the Scriptures (Cambridge, 1665) the first book privately printed in America; The Harmony of the Gospels (Boston, 1678).
Bibliography: A number of the publications of Eliot have been republished in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, 1792, sqq. The most complete life is by Convers Francis in Sparks's Library of American Biography, vol. v., Boston, 1836; there are later sketches by H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, 1850, J. S. Stevens, Cheshunt, 1874, R. B. Caverly, Boston," 1882. Consult also G. Fritschel, Geschichte der christlichen Mission unter den Indianern Nord Amerikas, Nuremberg, 1870; J. Winsor's Memorial History of Boston, vol. i., Boston, 1880; W. Eames, Bibliographic Notes on Eliot's Indian Bible and on his other Translations and Works in the Indian Language of Massachusetts, Washington, 1890.
ELIPANDUS: Bishop of Toledo. See Adop-
TIONISM, § 2.
ELISHA.
His Call, Length of His Activity (§ 1).
His Character Compared with Elijah's (§ 2).
His Patriotism (§ 3).
His Miracles and Prophecy (§ 4).
Elisha (" My God is Salvation ") was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom, and succcessor of Elijah. According to I Kings xix. 16, 19, he was born at Abelmeholah and was the son of a wealthy landowner. He was called by Elijah from the plow to the prophetical work, and willingly left his home, requesting only to be allowed to take leave of his family. He then followed his master, whom he accompanied some time as an attendant (II Kings iii. 11), whose faithful and active disciple he proved
himself until the latter's death. Thereafter he was
the leader of the companies of prophets and was
universally acknowledged as heir of the dignity of
Elijah. His activity lasted for more than half
a century; for according to II Kings
i. His Call, ii.-ix., xiii. he was active from the be-
Length ginning of the reign of Jehoram
of His to the beginning of that of Joash of
Activity. Israel (895-840 or 855-798). The stories of Elisha's work are largely involved in the history of King Jehoram, and this period seems to have been the palmy days of his activity. But even if his labors began in the first year of that king, not all of his deeds recorded up to II Kings viii. 6 find room in that reign. Moreover, that Elisha was inactive during the twenty-eight years of Jehu's reign and the seventeen years of that of Jehoahaz is precluded by II Kings xiii. 14. The time of some events, however, can not be fixed with certainty.
The powerful championship of Elijah had effected a great change in the disposition of the people; the God whom he worshiped became again generally honored. True, Jezebel was still alive and had surrounded herself with priests of Baal, and the companions of Jehoram, the so-called Yahwehprophets, were still less filled with God's spirit. But Jehoram had forbidden the worship of Baal (iii. 2) and treated Elisha with respect (II Kings iv. 13). Thus the prophet could await the issue till he became certain that the execution of the divine judgment on Ahab's house enjoined on him by his master could be accomplished. That dpne, Elisha's relation to Jehu, the avenger appointed by him,, and to his son and grandson, could be more friendly (II Kings xiii. 14). In some places
2. His the soil had become fit for the divine
Character gifts of grace, and Elisha, in keeping
Compared with his name, could appear as a mediwith ator of divine salvation and blessing.
Elijah's. Severity was indeed one trait of his character (cf. II Kings ii. 23, v. 26, ix. 2 sqq.). But as compared with the militant Elijah, Elisha had the more peaceful mission as mediator to the faithful in Israel to bring to them the assistance and blessing of their God. This difference between the activities of Elijah and Elisha depended in part upon the changed attitude of the people and also upon the personalities of the two men. Elisha dwelt more among the people and was more intimate with them than was Elijah. Though he sometimes lived in the solitude of Carmel, he was often in the colonies of the young prophets near Jericho and by the Jordan, at Gilgal and Bethel, and even had a permanent residence in Samaria.
He appeared as a philanthropist, a benefactor of the poor, a helper in distress, manifesting a tender solicitude for even the little needs of domestic life. As a healer of the sick, so the story goes, he became known even in Syria, and the Syrian captain Naaman, suffering from leprosy, came to Israel where he was healed by the prophet. The punishment of Gehazi, servant of Elisha, represents the penalty due to covetousness, and belongs with the lastnamed episode.
Elisha Elizabeth, Saint