The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-14
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
Is 1T WELL WITH THETA THREE.
FOLD APPLICATION OF THE QUERY.
A ForcefuI Discourse by Archdeacon
BueI. Rector of Emmanuel Episco-
pal Church. Cumberland, Md.


husband? Is it well with the child?-u
Kings, ~ 20.
Il does not occur to us that there was
anything unusual in this form of salutation
which the prophet Elisha instructed his
servant TO employ in addressing the Shuna-
mite woman as she on her way TO seek
his aid.
on the contrary, IL reminds us strongly
OF the customary greetings now employed
by ourselves: How do you do? How are
the wife and children" or How are all
al homer" To inquire after one another's
health has become so natural and common
place. by force Of habit. perhaps to lack
significance often, though sincere; yet on
examination these forms of salutation seem
TO convey the idea that We are all, like
soldiers i'm battle exposed TO constant DAN
ger: and that hence as we meet each other
in the daily changes of this earthly war
fare our friendly greetings shape them
selves into questions as TO how IL Is going
with us-each in his own especial portion or
the field.
But our text suggests a three-fold APP
plication TO every human being to whom
il is addressed: First, as il may be con-
sidered i'm reference 10 the individual him.
self; second. in reference to his relation to-
ward others: and. third, in reference TO the
hfe-record which he will hand down to
posterity.
Hence ii is asked. first OF all. rs IL well
with thee?" 1t is question which goes at
once TO the very center Of all well-being. as
ii is aimed at the conscience of every child
of man. For while-as evidenced by the
woman's answer. 1T Is well" when her
only son lay dead and she had come i'm dis
tress TO the prophet for help-this takes
!, Of
tion which may be never so bad; yet, on
the other hand. though this may leave moth
ing to desire. it is quite possible that i'm
all which is most essential the case may be
very bad.
The world, indeed. esteems that man
happy who. with the possession OF abun-
dant means. has also the vigorous health
which enables him TO enjoy il. Happy
fellow" it says of him; 'his portion I'm life
is an easy one" Andfhe is envied by null
titudes who are heavily overweighted as
they toll up the road which is for them so
steep and hard. But IL is not possible for
any human being to look beneath the sur
face and see whether it is really well with
those who seem TO be such favorites OF for
tune. For the question is one which adj
dresses itself to the individual himself. and
the answer is seldom given in words. But
which will not admit OF either silence or
evasion. The life indeed may refuse to
speak but the response will, nevertheless.
be made. and il is recorded in the book
of life so will 1t be either we'll or i'll with
him against whom II is written.
Consider that the signs by which the
| spiritual state may be determined are not
unlike those which guide the skilled ply
stefan in determining the condition OF the
patient for whom he is 10 prescribe. And
| as He comes to thee, the Good Physician,
with or without thy call, and asks 10 ten
derest tone, lis it we'll with thee. my
child?" do not forbear TO confess to Him
all the symptoms of the spiritual malady
which is consuming thy Utmost life, fan
TO seek from Him the remedy which only
| can restore thee to health.
For at His gracious touch the sin-dimmed
eye shall again be bright and clear. And
when the fever of thy soul has been al
iayed thy spiritual pulse shall beat once
more in harmonious measure with the
will of God; and then, even IL thy visible
| life be one of sorrow. thou shalt still be
able 10 reply with JOY, Yea. Lord. il is
we'll"
But, again. us II well with thy hus-
.band?" The question as thus asked touches
| upon the relation in which every human
| being stands toward all others. OF which
the marriage bond may be regarded the
highest expression. For as no man liveth
TO himself or dieth to himself. so. too is
his influence factor for good or evil TO
all who are brought within its sphe-e.
How is it, then, with thy husband or thy
wife? With thy friend or neighbor? How
| is IL with him to whom thou art either mas
ter or servant? Or how with those 10
whom thou art Joined in the absorbing ties
| OF worldly business? Yea, how is il with
all these and others-not. indeed. as thou
| wouldst be their judge and censor, but only
as they have been made better or. worse
| by reason Of their relation 10 myself? You
dare not say with Cain. Am ( my broth
er's keeper" Nor can you avoid RESPONSE
bility for the influence. which whether you
will no. goes out from yourself &c all
with whom you come in contact Thank
God. If. looking down into your heart you
can again make true reply, Yea, Lord,
it is we'll
But finally. How is IL with the chiId?''
This question, as it is being now regarded
is one which goes TO the whole completed
record which shall follow thee from earth.
For this, thy child, what is il other than
the reproduction of myself? What else
than the annals OF thy life written up in
letters which cannot be ended?
Thy child, man Of genius n is the
impress of thy spirit upon what thou hast
wrought I'm poetry or art: and as it either
teaches what is pure and true or what is
only vile and hurtful. so does IT carry
thee down 10 posterity as an enduring agen-
cy for good evil.
Thy child, o. guide of souls or guard
ian of youth, il is the enduring essence OF
what thou hast lived and preached or
taught, il has been gathered up into the
hearts and minds OF those over whom thou
has. been placed the servant OF thy
Lord.
Thy child, o. man OF business or OF
daily toll: il is the silent impress OF thy
whole life as 1t has been marked by integ-
rity and truth or IL has achieved unmerited
success by any unworthy means.
How is IL then with this thy child? For
once brought forth and left behind. thine
offspring will live when thou hast gone
TO thine account. And then with all thy
yearning and willing. thou canst not either
change or disown IL. For Il il not what
thou hast thought proposed. but what
thou hast said and done. or left unsaid and
unaccomplished. Nay. IL is what thou art
now saying and doing negIecting. and
thus modng. by positive or negative I'M
fiuence, into an existence which shall ten