National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-05
ASSEMBLIES PRESBYTERL4N.
REV. GEORGE O. LIrTLE's SERMON.

KEW. tEUHGE u. LlTILE'S SEhMON.
There was large congregation yesterday, tn
first Sabbath of the New Year. After some ad
mirab1e music by Professor Fairlamb's choir, tn
pastor preached TO IN attentive audience from tn
following text:
II Kings iv:26: Run now pray thee to NEE
her. and say unto her. is II we'll with thee: Is |
well with thy husband? is Il we'll with the child
And she answered, It is we'll"
These questions are in consonancc with tn
..r:. ~ New Year. that has fallen from go man,
liz ring the last week, and will help as to de
GU. hat are the prospects for tho accomplish
hrut Of the wish in cure own cas-.
1t il not accidental that We say 'Merry Christ
mas" but 'Happy New Year" for merriment i
responsibility and care, and is depenient on favor
able surroundings, and is thus possible only fol
4 day or week; but happiness is continuous, Is co
thrives in spite Of surrounding cvle, and Is THU
possible for year or o series of years, whatever
may be their history:
this year, troubles beyond your control, that can
not be fcresecn, is it we'll with you?
The history Of this woman to whom the
answer. It teaches us: LIST. Preparation FOL
trouble should be made before it comes. After II
comes the time is too short. As Q rule troubles
are sudden in their nature, paraIszins by their
shock, instead of stimulating by Their presence.
Again. the time, short rs IL IL. is all occupied.
sassty SH an ~ Ws
fer self preservation, or wasted In unconscious
ness Of disease, CT the stnpor OF restorativcs.
Whatever tue ;rouSs Il brings with II Us own
ard these leave no time for preparation. A. when
the sleet and snow fall upon and cling 10 the
branches of the trees bending them to the ground,
it! For there is no time to OBTAIN strength.
So when trouble comes the question If, are you
prepared for IL? The chapter shows that this
woiaan Tes prepared. She knew what to do and
where to 70, and she did it while her dead boy
We s sns RssaRs i seeona place that as
troubles are known only to God, and are only
make for them is to be 90 reLtcd to him, and have
such claims 10 offer that We can go to him ct once,
and with confidence.
made the man Of God her friend. Their acquaint-
ance had begun through her kindness; It had
ripened into q demonstrative friendship which
was mutual. In acknowledgment Of her fav0rs
Elisha had promised her son, who had grown
up lad who could now go alono to the fields to
his father. She had tried, allpowerful friend
handed-she pleads Is q claim her service rem.
dcred to him as man Of God:
She had not only entertained him, but she had
him, and kept it always ready. Again. she pleads
for that son which 10 given her Of God, and
therefore Gods blessing and care are due to IT.
Lordf" she ciinss TO the thought that a God
gave the child, he will care for his gin. Her fa!th
was not mieplaced-"ft was we'll with her." In
stead Of the '.man Of God" We have God in
related to Christ and have such claims upon him
that We can 20 TO him at once and with confidence
in the day Of trouble.
In this respect IL It well with thee:
Sd, We are taught in the third place that when
trouble comes We should 60 to Christ ut once, and
with psompsncss. Notice how she checked her
yeamfng Tor human Sympathy; did not even tell
her husband lest she might be delayed. Notice
again how quickly she leaves her dcad child. She
did not stop to wash or dress tho body. or even
smoothe It's little locks but simply laid It on the
Elisha's servant, and will be satisfied only when
he goes himself Notice again, how, on her re-
turn, she stiles all human yearning or curiosity,
and closes the door on the prophet and tho dead
body. Notice how calmly she waits until Elisha
bids her come and take up her son.
The whole incident teaches us how to prepare
for trouble, and how to act when trouble comes,
and has beautiful sequel framed Of the prophet
Of the famine which would last seven years; she
returns % gIk98 stranger y Claim n as ta No.
King called upon 9ehaIi to tell him some CT the
wonderful things that Elisha had done. In re-
sponse he told linn how he had restored q boy to
life. And while he was telling, behold, the We
man came TO the king. And Gchazi said, My
Lord, thu 30 the woman, and this is her son"
Promptly the king sends an officer, who secures
the return Of her land and all its gains.
Thus may it be cell with you..
Aud should the owery path SscS sS path Of pain
erty Impair