The Wilmingtonian., 1888-09-01
A Sermon ON the ssEIder BrOther'' by
Dr. Taimage.

1t is said that the Rev Dir. Dewitt Tai
mage's recent visit to the Southern Chau-
tauqua, near Atlanta, Ca, netted hin 81, 300
He delievered one lecture and preached one
sermon, for which he got 5000 each. 1t is
also said that President Kiser offered Mr..
Talmage $500 TO remain over and preach
next day but that he declined the offer as he
had engagements to fill in the west His
text for the above mentioned sermon was
from the parable of the Prodigal Son
''And he was angry anG would not go in. ?"
The discourse : was devoted to the elder
brother and the following is an extract.
Once more have to tell you that this
senior brother of my text stands for the
pouting Christian, While there is SO much
congratulatiJn within doors the. hero of my
text stands out side, the corners of his
mouth drawn down, looking as he felt-ms-
cradle. | am glad that his lugubrious
physiognomy did not spoil the festivity
within. How many pouting Christians are
there to-day-Christian who do not like
the music of our churches, Christians who
uO uUG ilhe .tue HlldIltits VI bHo JoubS-
pouting, pouting; poutiug at society, pout-
ing at th9 fashions, pouting at the newspa-
pers. pouting at the church, poutiDg at the
government, poutng at the high heavens |!
Their spleen is to large, their liver does not
work, their digestion is broken down. There
are two cruits in ther'caster always sure to
be well supplied-vinegar and red pepper
Oh come away from that mood Stir a
little saceharine into your disposition.
While you avoid the dissoluteness of the
younger son, avoid also the iracibillty and
petulance and the pouting spirit of the elder
son, and immitate the father who had en-
braces for the returned prodigal and coaxpg
wold DIS for the spenetc malcontent.
ALI the face of the pouting elder son is
put before us in order that we might better
see the radiant and forgivpg face of.the
father. Contrasts are mighty The artists,
in sketching the field of Waterloo, years af-
ter the battle, put dove in the mouth of
the cannon. Raphael, in one of his car
toons, beside the face Of wretch put the
face of happy and innocent child, And
SO the sour face of this iracible and dis
gusted elder brother is brought out in order
that, in the contrast, we may better under
stand the forgiying and radiant face of God.
That is the meaning OF it-that God is
lcsdy 10 lake Uildk ans 3s1 It is sorry, to
take him clear back; to X " him back for
ever and forever and forever; to take him
back with loving hug; to put kiss on his
parched lip, ring on his bloated hand, an
easy shoe on his chafted foot, a garland Oh
his bleeding temples and Heaven in his
soul. Oh fall flat on that mercy Come,
my brother, and let us get down into the
dust, resolved never to rise until the
Fathers forgiving hand shall lift us.
Oh! what God we have Bring youI
doxologies. Come, earth and Heaven and
join in the worship Cry aloud, Lift the
palm branches. Do you not feel the Fathers
arm around your neck ? Do you not feel
the warm breath of your Father against
your check? Surrender, younger son! Sur
render, elder son Surrender, all ! Oh! &C
in to-day and sit down at the banquet
Take slice of the fatted calf, and after
| ward, when You are seated with one hanc
in the hand of the returned brother and the
other hand in the hand of the rejoicing Fa
4her, let your heart beat time to the clap
pling of the cymbal and the mellow voice
of the flute. "It is meet that we shoult
make merry, and be glad, for this thy
brother was dead aud is alive again; and
was lost, and is found" -....