Jesus Saves。 He had stared to this； an awful bitterness in his heart； wanting to curse—and the Spiritspoke； and spoke in him。 Yes： there was Elisha； speaking from the floor； and his father； silent； athis back。 In his heart there was a sudden yearning tenderness for holy Elisha； desire； sharp andawful as a reflecting knife； to usurp the body of Elisha； and lie where Elisha lay； to speak intongues； as Elisha spoke； and； with that authority； to confound his father。 Yet this had not been themoment； it was as far back as he could go； but the secret； the turning； the abysmal drop was fartherback； in darkness。 As he cursed his father； as he loved Elisha； he had； even then； been weeping； hehad already passed his moment； was already under the power； had been struck； and was goingdownAh； down！—and to what purpose； where？ To the bottom of the sea； the bowels of the earth；to the heart of the fiery furnace？ Into a dungeon deeper than Hell； into a madness louder than thegrave？ What trumpet sound would awaken him； what hand would lift him up？ For he knew； as hewas struck again； and screamed again； his throat like burning ashes； and as he turned again； hisbody hanging from him like a useless weight； a heavy； rotting carcass； that if he were not lifted hewould never rise。
His father； his mother； his aunt； Elisha—all were far above him； waiting； watching historment in the pit。 They hung over the golden barrier； singing behind them； light around theirheads； weeping； perhaps； for John； struck down so early。 And； no； they could not help him anymore—nothing could help him any more。 He struggled； struggle to rise up； and meet them—hewanted wings to fly upward and meet them in that morning； that morning where they were。 But hisstruggles only thrust him downward； his cries did not go