The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-10
AMMoMNa THE CHURCHES.

ANIMoMNG THE CHURCHES.
At the Methodist church Sunday even
| ing the Rev. Or. Bushong preached to a
large congregation. The following is
a synopsis of the sermon:
"a Royal Archer or a Preachers In
1uence in a Kings Court" I'd Kings
1917.
If you had been in the then great city
of Jerusalem $50 years B. G. you could
have found a lone, humble abode, In it
you could have seen a rude cot Of coarse
material, place where there were no
signs Of solid comfort, even, much less
that of luxury.
Another look would have revealed to you
a venerable seer lying upon this rude cot
he is old, wornout and sick.
Soon the door swings open and royal
visitor enters, without a word he kneels
beside this couch: "My father my father
the chariot of Israel and the horseman
thereofv What Is wanting now, my
Lord, the king?
Has he come, do you suppose. to render
assistance to the aged and needy SER
want Of God? On, no, not that, but for
a. last interview, for council. help and
comfort.
The gross sins of the people had again
brought them into sore trouble, strong
force of an old enemy had again invaded
the land, and now threatened the capital
city itself
Elisha, who had ever been the faithful
servant of God and counsellor of the rul-
ers, both In times of peace and war, waS
now old and sick, and had retired from
the busy scenes OF tempe, camp and
court to the humble abode just mentioned
to die.
From the day ne left his pillow in the
fGrrow to follow the returning Elijah,
who had received such an inspiration
while upon the mount with God, Elisha's
life had been characterized by fidelity and
activity No sacrifice seemed too great
| for him, when duty presented itself. He
never seemed to be wanting where duty
and opportunity called, whether In temple,
camp or court whether in palace or in
the hurlblest abode of the poor and suf-
ferlng to counsel, reprove or render
ccnsoatlon, ever ready with the word
most needed to meet the needs Of the
hour
But now he is old, sick and has retired
for rest and to die. But he could not be
spared. They thougas they could gel
along without him without any trouble
at all while he was still with them.
only needed him, but most OF all missed
him. lie felt the need of his encouraging
presence, his counsels and his prayers.
Hence this visit of his royal hlghness
to this humble abode of the aged and
now dying man of God. Have you 4
last word of counsel? We are in sore
trouble again and we find, after al, you
are to the Kingdom rs father, chariot
and horsemen thereof!'
Josiah, do you see that bow and culver
full of arrows hanging up there on the
walf? Yes, well, take the bow, put an
arrow upon the string, open that window
in the east and shoot eastward. Now,
smlte the ground with the remainder OF
the arrows etc"
In order to encourage the royal archer
the dying man of God put his hand upon
the hand Of the king and said "The
arrows of the Lords deliverance,"
But, alas the king did everything with
such little spirit and faith that the pro-
phet was disguised with him. "Why did
| you not shoot with more energy and why
| did you not strike the ground five or
| six times instead of only three timAs?
If you had you would have conquered and
driven the enemy from your land but now
| you vii only gain three victories over
him.
TITS was not only the kings last inter-
view with this unappreclative friend and
counselor, but II was short and replete
with stirring interest The king returned
to the palace court of the kingdom
wiser and more thoughtful man than
when he went filed with strlnge
thoughts at the words of the old prophet,
and of what might take place In the near
future
The Old prophet died In a few days
after and was buried in a cave. The war
went on the predictions of the man OF
God Were alt fulfilled. During the war
an incident OF interest and instruction es-
CURED: A squad of soldiers were carry
ing dead comrade from the field, but
were set upon by a band OF scouts, who
pressed them so hard that they were com
peeled to dispose of their comrade, they
were Just passing the tomb of Elisha at
the time and they laid the body in his
tomb and intended to return and bury 1t
after peace was restored, but just as soon
as 1t touched the bones of the prophet
he sprang into life and followed them to
help fight the enemy.
| viii now close with a few reflections
drawn from this Scripture narrative:
|. Sin and sinners are the enemies
of the individual of the home, and OF
Heritage" Sin Is the most expensive
thing these have to contend with, For
Illustration. the cost of criminals police
force, the arrest, maintenance, trials ana
now and then the execution of the Grim
inals, costs the state immense sums OF
the peoples money.
2. II rulers and those in authority only
knew It they can little afford TO do
without the presence and counseis of good
men. The wlsest rulers Of the day are
waking up to the appreciation Of this fact
Ten good peop,e would have saved the
sreat cities of Sodom and Gomorah dur
Ing the dark days Of the rebellion. Abra.
ham Lincoln and others were only 100
glad to Invoke the prayers and wise coun-
sells OF such men as Bishop Simpson,
Henry Ward Beecher aud others OF Gods
people.
8. Good men and faithful ministers are
often not appreciated by those for whom
they hpye done most and often suffered
most, but in most cases, as OF King Jo-
siah they come TO Il. sometimes after
severe chastlsements and the heavy hand j
OF God.
4. The shooting OF an arrow was the |
sign OF a declaration OF war. This was |
the significance OF the arrow Elisha had /,
King Josiah shoot. Much depends upon /