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While Israel on Carmel doubt and hesitate； the voice of Elijah again breaks the silence： 〃I； even I only； remain a prophet of 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 ye on the name of your gods； and
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I will call on the name of the Lord： and the God that answereth by fire； let him be God。〃
The proposal of Elijah is so reasonable that the people cannot well evade it； so they find courage to answer； 〃It is well spoken。〃 The prophets of Baal dare not lift their voices in dissent； and； addressing them； Elijah directs； 〃Choose you one bullock for yourselves； and dress it first； for ye are many； and call on the name of your gods； but put no fire under。〃
Outwardly bold and defiant； but with terror in their guilty hearts； the false priests prepare their altar； laying on the wood and the victim； and then they begin their incantations。 Their shrill cries echo and re…echo through the forests and the surrounding heights； as they call on the name of their god； saying； 〃O Baal； hear us。〃 The priests gather about their altar； and with leaping and writhing and screaming； with tearing of hair and cutting of flesh； they beseech their god to help them。
The morning passes； noon comes； and yet there is no evidence that Baal hears the cries of his deluded followers。 There is no voice； no reply to their frantic prayers。 The sacrifice remains unconsumed。
As they continue their frenzied devotions； the crafty priests are continually trying to devise some means by which they may kindle a fire upon the altar and lead the people to believe that the fire has come direct from Baal。 But Elijah watches every movement； and the priests； hoping against hope for some opportunity to deceive； continue to carry on their senseless ceremonies。
〃It came to pass at noon； that Elijah mocked them； and
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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 midday was past； and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice； that there was neither voice； nor any to answer； nor any that regarded。〃
Gladly would Satan have come to the help of those whom he had deceived； and who were devoted to his service。 Gladly would he have sent the lightning to kindle their sacrifice。 But Jehovah has set Satan's bounds； restrained his power； and not all the enemy's devices can convey one spark to Baal's altar。
At last； their voices hoarse with shouting； their garments stained with blood from self…inflicted wounds； the priests become desperate。 With unabated frenzy they now mingle with their pleading terrible cursings of their sun…god； and Elijah continues to watch intently； for he knows that if by any device the priests should succeed in kindling their altar fire； he would instantly be torn in pieces。
Evening draws on。 The prophets of Baal are weary； faint； confused。 One suggests one thing； and another something else； until finally they cease their efforts。 Their shrieks and curses no longer resound over Carmel。 In despair they retire from the contest。
All day long the people have witnessed the demonstrations of the baffled priests。 They have beheld their wild leaping round the altar； as if they would grasp the burning rays of the sun to serve their purpose。 They have looked
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with horror on the frightful； self…inflicted mutilations of the priests； and have had opportunity to reflect on the follies of idol worship。 Many in the throng are weary of the exhibitions of demonism； and they now await with deepest interest the movements of Elijah。
It is the hour of the evening sacrifice； and Elijah bids the people； 〃Come near unto me。〃 As they tremblingly draw near； he turns to the broken…down altar where once men worshiped the God of heaven； and repairs it。 To him this heap of ruins is more precious than all the magnificent altars of heathendom。
In the reconstruction of this ancient altar； Elijah revealed his respect for the covenant that the Lord made with Israel when they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land。 Choosing 〃twelve stones； according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob； 。 。 。 he built an altar in the name of the Lord。〃
The disappointed priests of Baal； exhausted by their vain efforts； wait to see what Elijah will do。 They hate the prophet for proposing a test that has exposed the weakness and inefficiency of their gods； yet they fear his power。 The people； fearful also； and almost breathless with expectancy； watch while Elijah continues his preparations。 The calm demeanor of the prophet stands out in sharp contrast with the fanatical； senseless frenzy of the followers of Baal。
The altar completed； the prophet makes a trench about it； and； having put the wood in order and prepared the bullock； he lays the victim on the altar and commands the people to flood the sacrifice and the altar with water。 〃Fill four barrels；〃 he directed； 〃and pour it on the burnt sacrifice；
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and on the wood。 And he said； Do it the second time。 And they did it the second time。 And he said； Do it the third time。 And they did it the third time。 And the water ran round about the altar； and he filled the trench also with water。〃
Reminding the people of the long…continued apostasy that has awakened the wrath of Jehovah； Elijah calls upon them to humble their hearts and turn to the God of their fathers； that the curse upon the land of Israel may be removed。 Then； bowing reverently before the unseen God； he raises his hands toward heaven and offers a simple prayer。 Baal's priests have screamed and foamed and leaped； from early morning until late in the afternoon； but as Elijah prays； no senseless shrieks resound over Carmel's height。 He prays as if he knows Jehovah is there； a witness to the scene； a listener to his appeal。 The prophets of Baal have prayed wildly； incoherently。 Elijah prays simply and fervently； asking God to show His superiority over Baal； that Israel may be led to turn to Him。
〃Lord God of Abraham； Isaac； and of Israel；〃 the prophet pleads； 〃let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel； and that I am Thy servant； and that I have done all these things at Thy word。 Hear me； O Lord； hear me； that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God； and that Thou hast turned their heart back again。〃
A silence； oppressive in its solemnity； rests upon all。 The priests of Baal tremble with terror。 Conscious of their guilt； they look for swift retribution。
No sooner is the prayer of Elijah ended than flames of
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fire； like brilliant flashes of lightning； descend from hea