The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-15
The Elder Brother.

"Who is this elder son!' The question was
once asked in an assembly of ministers at
Elberfeldt, and Daniel Krummacher made
answer: 81 know him very we'll; met him
only yesterday" "Who is he2" they asked
eagerly; and he replied, solemnly: "My-
SELF" He then explained that on the pre-
vious day, hearing that very gracious Wis.
itation Of Gods goodness had been received
by a very ill.conditioned man, he had felt
not little envy and irritation. That was
the true reading Of the story, and it IS cap
able of manifold application. 1t fits the case
Of the scribes and Pharsees, to whom 1t was
addressed, and who sneered at Christ for
His reception Of sinners. 1t fits the Jews in
the Saviour's day, and even in the early
church, who looked askance at the Gentlles,
and complained because unto them also the
gospel had been preached. 1t tits the dls.
ciples at Jerusalem. who, Immediately after
Paul's conversion, were "afraid OF him, and
believed not that he was disciple"
The appropriateness Of this explanation
was very singularly impressed on my own
mind, in manner which can never forget.
Some nineteen years ago preached to my
congregation in Liverpool, one Lords Day
morning. from this episode to the parable OF
the Prodigal Son, and gave the same inter-
you. AS was leaving the church for my
home, was requested to visit dying man
whom had seen frequently before, but who
was just then apparently about to pass within
the veil He had b,en for many years
careless and irreligious man; but as l spoke
with him from time to time marked that q
great change had come over him. had
conversed earnestly and faithfully with
him Of Jesus and His salvation, and
he had turned in sincere penitence to
his Father, and was, as sincerely believe,
accepted by Him. When 1 entered his room
that morning found him in great happi-
ness, rejoicing in the near prospect OF being
with the LORD, ,and apparently perfectly hap
py. talked with him little on the things
of the kingdom, and after prayer took my
leave. His brother in law followed ME down
stairs. and said: 81 cannot understand this
at all. Here have been serving Christ these
twenty years, and have never experienced
the Joy he expresses, and yet he has not been
a Christian, il he be really one, for more
than q few weeks" Immediately I recog-
nized the elder brother, and staid long
enough to show him just how he looked in
the light Of this parable. The result was
that he saw his error, and was delivered
from his envy.
The pastor Of age and excellence, who is
mourning over the apparent fruitlessness or
his labors, and is tempted to ask why God
makes young brother in the neighborhood,
of little experience and less eminence instru.
mental in bringing multtudes to Christ,
while he has no such results from his minis
trations; the Sabbath school teacher who
throws UP his work in wounded self-love be-
cause another, who has no such gu ilifications
as he possesses, seems to be so much more
successful than he; the laborer in any de-
partment Of benefccnce, who, because he
thinks that more is made of some one else
than himself, gives way to personal pique,
and witndraws altogether from the enter.
prise; the oyer-sensitive, conceted man, who
is always taking offence where none is meant,
and is so continually anxious for the duo re-
cogniton of his dignity, that he manages to
exclude himself from every society with
which he is connected, may all look here, and
in the elder brother each will see himself.
But let not even these imagine that they
are beyond Gods acceptance: The father
came out and entreate1 the elder brother to
go into the feast, und so God is still appeal.
Ing to the envious. The door is open to
them if they will but enter; and when they
consent to do so in the spirit of sons and not
Of servants, in humility and not in seif-con-
ceit, in love and not as hirelings, then they
too will rejoice, and tho festival instead OF
aggravating them into misery, Will TO ieit
by them to he an appropriate expression Of
their gladness. NJ. Taylor,D. d.