The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-29
CIT Is WELL"



Sermon by Rev. ID. ". w. Chandler in
North Seattle.
Services were held at the Second Methodist
Protestant church, North Seattle, yesterday
morning at the usual hour, IL o'clock, the regu-
lar pastor, the Rev. d. v. w. Chaadler, oficiat-
ing. His text was taken from the 26th verse,
4th chapter OF I'd Kings. where the prophet
Elisha, on seeing woman who had befriended
him coming, said to his servant: "Run now, I
pray thee, to her. and say unto her: Is it well
with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it
well with thy child3 And she answered: 1t is
we'll"
The speaker said in substance: The circum-
stance suggested by and connected with the
text is happy home in a little village at the
foot OF Mount Tabor in which lived father,
mother and one child, and where love, peace
and religion reigned. In those days, as now,
these were the main springs of true happiness,
and without which there could be no genuine
happiness. Elijah was accustomed to pass that
home frequently in the discharge of his duties.
The wife wanted room prepared and
set apart for the sole use of the prophet.
This woman Is not spoken OF as great,
talented or highly educated, but her faith
in God and submission to His authority were
strong, and her hatred of sin great. Her hus-
band Yves not a religious man but he could not
have been a wicked one, or he would have con-
his wifes request. Worldly men are frequently
jealous and complain bitterly at the wife's ex-
travagance in church affairs, and yet think
nothing Of spending twenty times that amount
per week for cigars and such like frivoltiss.
The husband thought il wise to have the man of
God as friend and guest, and complied with the
wish by preparing a coy little room with bed,
table and candle, which the prophet used when
it pleased him.
1t proved o blessing, for that home was then
childless, and In that lacked material element
OF happiness. For the pleasures and blessings
which children bring to home far exceed their
trouble, care and responsibilities. In answer to
Elijahs prayer God blessed them with child.
Yet with this sunshine, the shadows followed.
When five years of age, the child was in the
field with the father, when he was stricken and
died. Though the heaviest family affection
that could befall her and her husband had now
taken place, yet, believing that it was dispen-
sstion OF Providence, which was in itself neither
unwise nor unkind, she said, 1T is well with me,
with my husband, and with my child"
She went to Elijah at once, and on her ap-
proach, was accosted with the words of the
text That was and is the custom of the day.
When we meet friends we inquire of their
health and that OF their family. 1t is right and
proper to be solicitous of their physical con-
dition, but not to be also of their spiritual, is
selfshness personiied and wrong. man who
ignores the spiritual entirely is not fit to live or
die. But 1t 10 too true in the rush of worldly
affairs the soul is too often the last considera-
ton. Too often it Is thought of too late On
one occasion the pastor was summoned to
the death bed of an aged man who
had been paralyZed. His goddess children
wanted him baptised He could not speak
This could not be done. But insisted the daugh-
tiers you baptize infants True, for God says
suffer little children to come unto me. Here the
opportunities during sixty years have presented
themselves to him. and during these long years
you, his children, have cared well for his ply
steal wants but neglected the spiritual Too
latel II would have been moekery then. The
time had passed. Do not delay of your own or
those of your friends. The text is q spiritual
salutation. God deals with families as he did
with Noah and with Lot, when warned of the
coming danger TO the city. What blessing in
this life of trouble to be well spiritually! When
thus diseased Christ is the only physician, and
he has but one prescription. Repentance of
sins, confession Of faith-true believing. II a
man sins Christ is his only advocate. A family
may be physically healthy, but not spiritually
unless He be made their friend. adviser and
comforter, as he was to Mary, Lazarus and
Matthew.
1t frequently happens that only part of the
family is religious. When the pastor was q boy
only his mother was religious Her prayers
were answered and it was indeed beautiful to
see the happy band gathered in family worship
and the aged father, long . worldly man.
leading in prayer. How important for wife and
mother to be always ready TO say "Au is wellp'
Men come more in contact with sin, and in
the struggle for existence or the race for fame
or fortune, they are prone TO believe that the
laws Of business and the principals of Christian
ity are totally Inconsistent That is the logic of
the devil and the philosophy of hell Better
desert such business and have the heart at
easel
Is il well? You must answer. Is il well with
the child? Parents must answer. All strive to
provide health, education and property for
them, but how many ever think OF the other
Some object to children joining the church.
This is q great mistake. An instance occurred
where a child 10 years old anxious TO join,
but the mother forbade because of youth.
When the child became of age all the supplica-
tons of the mother were futile and the taunt
reply was given that permission was not given
when desired--the poor mother died without
seeing her child saved.
When ruin reaks its terrible scourge upon the
child, then the parent begins to think. 1t is
dangerous 10 wait. In order TO save the child
rem of Israel in Egypt. God told each TO sprinkle
the blood of lambs on their doors as a distin-
gushing mark. An only child that terrible
night was nervous aud restless and asked fire.
quently il the blood was ON the front door. The
father said yes, he had ordered the servant to
put II there. Atmidnight the child awoke and
could not sleep. To satisfy her the father car
ried her 10 the front door. No blood could DC
found. The servant had neglected the duty.
The blood was smeared on the door and the
child slept sweeily. Had not the door had the
distinguishing mark the child would have per
ished from the fathers leaving so important
duty 20 the servant 1t is not safe TO leave the
welfare OF children TO others; parents should
see TO it themselves.
Is il well with thee? When the woman started
to see the prophet the husband said, "why go?
Our darling boy Is dead II is not the new
moon nor holy day" She said no matter viii
go and all viii be well. She chung 10 her faith
in God like the shipwreeked mariner, when the
storm and tempest is upon him, does TO the
drift wood. She felt and knew God would make
ali well Anchor on that promise and all will
work well. Pain and affection will be alleyi
ated in this life. Some here today have lost
children. we say IL is well because of faith
father was teiegraphed for, bat before his
arrival his little child, years old, died. The
strong man tremhled. The burden placed upon
him was not greater than he could bear. he