The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-08-02
The Elder Brother.


"Who is this elder sonr The question was
nnce asked in an assembly Of ministers nt
Elberfeldt, and Daniel Krummacber mnde
answer: II know him very we'll; met him
only yesterday" "Who is hea" 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 very iliconditioned man, he had felt
not a little envy and irritation. That was
the true reading Of the story, and it is cap
able of manifold application. It fits the case
of the scribes and Pharisees to whom it was
addressed, and who sneered at Christ for
His reception OF sinners. 1t fits the Jews In
the Saviours day, and even in the early
church, who looked askance at the Gentiles,
and complained because unto them also the
gospel had been preached. 1t fits the dis
ciples at Jerusalem. who, Immediately after
Paurs 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-
probation Of it as have now presented 10
you. As was leaving the church for my
whom had seen frequently before, but who
was just then apparently about to pass within
the veil He had been for many years
careless and irreligious man; but as spoke
with him from time to time marked TINT 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 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 tue things
Of the kingdom, and after prayer took my
leave. His brother .in-law followed ME down
stairs, and said: II cannot understand this
at ALL Here have been serving Christ these
twenty years, and 1 have never experienced
the JOY he expresses and yet he has not been
Christian, if he be really one, for more
than a few weeks" Immediately 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 OF
his labors, and Is tempted to ask why God
makes young brother in the neighDorhood.
of little experience and less eminence, instru-
mental in bringing multitudes to Christ,
while he has no such results from his minis
trations; the Sabbath school teacher who
throws up his work in wounded f-love be-
cause another, who has no such qualifications
as he possesses, seems to be so much more
successful than he; the laborer in any de-
partment of beneficence, who, because he
thinks that more is made Of some one else
than himself gives way to personal pique,
and withdraws altogether from the enter
prise; the over sensitive, conceited man, who
Is always taking offence where none is meant,
and is so continually anxious for the due re-
cognition 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 SEQ himself.
But let not even these imsgine that they
are beyond Gods acceptance. The father
came out and entreate1 the elder brother to
go into the feast, and 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 self-con-
ceit, in love and not as hirelings, then they
too will rejoice, and the festival, instead of
aggravating them into misery, will be felt
by them TO be an appropriate expression of
their gladness. Nv illiam NJ. Taylor. d. d.