The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
-Between SoO-Ss4 r. c.

Time.-Between s9O-Ss4 B. c.
Place.-Shunem, no Solam, three miles
and half north of Jezree, and seventeen
from Mt. Carmel, where Elisha was at
this time. probably holding meetings for
instruction and worship. The place was
probably where Elijah bad his victory
over the prophets Of Baal.
Rulers-Jehoram, son of Ahab, king of
Israel; Jehoshaphat, or his son Jehoram,
king of Judah.
Elisha-He made his home at Sumaria
I'll Kings, ii, %. etc. J, but he made circuits
or tours over the country, ''rousing and
instructing the people"
TheShunammite.-T wife of a wealthy
inhabitant OF Shunem entertained Elisha,
as he frequently passed through her town
In the course of his labors. She persuaded
her husband to build him a little room
upon the house, and furnish it for his use.
She was intelligent, wise, religious, hospit-
able, benevolent. Aga reward God gave
her a son. One morning, when he was
old enough, he went into the fields to his
father, was smitten with a sunstroke and
died at noon. His mother laid him in
the prophets chamber.
Helps Over Hard Places.-(25) So she
went: From Shunem to Carmel, twenty
seven miles. 1867 Is it well? Is il peace?
And she answered with one word, Peace"
the common salutation. 1t meant, "All
right, never you mind" (2S) Did desire
son? Did | ask you for the gift? Why
then does God take back his free gift? (29)
Take my staff: the symbol of the prophet,
making the bearer his representative, as a
kings seal or sceptre makes the bearer
the kings representative. Salute him not:
the Oriental salutations were long, and
there was no time now TO stop for them.
(30) And he arose: Elisha sent Gehazi,
probably because he was engaged
in religious services; but he yields
to the mothers preserving prayer. OIL
The child is not awaked; the staff in
Gehazi's was of no avail. He was a bad
man. tits probable that Elisha sent Ge-
hazi with the expectation that the child
would be restored. But when he set out
himself, there was no reason for GehaZi's
success. 1t would be better for all Tor the
prophet himself to accomp ish his work.
1887 And PRAYED: Gods best gifts come
through prayer. (34.) He lay upon the
child; he used the best means possible,
but of no avail in itself The personal
contact of a living spiritual heart and life
brings spiritual life to others.
A Story of Faith.-Just before the ac-
count of the Shunamniite is another story
of a widows faith. She was poor, in debt,
her son. Elisha babe the woman borrow
empty vessels from her neighhors, and
bringing them into her house, with closed
doors, to pour out from her own jar of oil
till every dish and jar was full. The oil
she was to sell and pay her debt.
This method of aid was test of her
iaith, and an aid to more faith. The aid
was given in such way as to benefit her
and her sons in character and spiritual
life. The number of the vessels she bor-
rowed would be the measure of her faith
in the prophets word, and in the God he
served. AS each vessel was brought home
by her sons, the question would arise as
to whether they should go after n ore.
The Results According to Her Faith
Every vessel she borrowed was filled with
the miraculous oil. Then the flow stopped.
She put her own limit to the amount she
received So it is with us, ever according
to our faith as shown by our works God
loves to give. He has measureless spirit
ual and temporal blessings for the world,
for the church. for each individual, wait
ing for their faithful asking and their fit
ness to receive.
The Shunammite showed her faith-(l)
BY setting out Immediately to find the
prophet. 90 BY doing it contrary to sur
rounding influences. 81 BY long jour
ney. (4) BY her earnest appeal TO- BY
perseverance till she succeeded.
Elisha showed his faith-(l) By trust
ing God, even when he knew not Gods
will. (2) BY his sympathy and kindness.
81 By sending his stat by Gehazi, so that
one duty might not interfere with another.
(4) BY going with the Shunammite to the
house of sorrow. (5) BY his earnest
prayer joined with works.
And still what miracles OF grace are wrought
In many a lowly chamber with shut door,
Where God. our Father. is in secret sought
And shows Him elf in mercy more and morel
Dim upper rooms with God's own glory shine
And souls are lifted 10 the life divine
TIE REv. r. WILroS.