The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-05

Rev. II. Il. Adriance. of New York
'ity, yesterday occupied the pulpit OF
he Green Ridge Presbyterian church.
During his stay here he and his wife,
/ sister of Miss Marion Holmes. of
Albany, who has frequently visited in
scranton. have been entertained at the
lOme of G. IL. Welles on Vine street.
Mr.. Adriance's evening sermon was
based upon the story of the poisoned
Jot of pottage and Elisha's publication
IF 1t. The discourse was essentially a
gospel effort and engaged the sympa-
LhetiC attention of the large congrega-
lion present. The text was III Kings,
v:S9 And one went out into the field
10 gather herbs and found a wild vine.
and gathered thereof wild gourds his
lap full and came and shred them into
the pot of pottage; for they knew
them not" Mr.. Adriance said:
1t seems to be the mission Of some in
this world to set things straight. \ mis-
sion of eXtrication is one for which the
world has a constant demand. Difficult
ties multiply amazingly unless they are
met and dissipated. People rise up and
call that man or that woman bleeed VINO
had led the way for them into the open.
Perhaps in all Old Testament history
there is no single character to whom 1t 50
often fell to straighten things out as
Elisha.
WATER WAS TAINTED.
Jericho had a tainted water supply. The
city was i'm a bad way. The municipal
had a problem on their hands
that was defying all solution. 1t was
Elisha that went forth from the citys
limits ana seeking out the spring, sweet
ened IT with the cruise of salt. His en-
dowment from on high filled him to cope
with municipal perpleXities. No less did
it give him adaptability in circumstances
at a far remote from these Financial
embarrassment confronted the wife of a
deceased minister. There was no board of
ministerial relief in Israel whence the
widow might turn. Elisha was in lieu of
such a board and the woman was happy
and at rest in her mind as she saw the
power of self-multiplication in her little
pot of OIL
And then, again, eschewing how the
great man fulfilled his mission i'm q small
er province, recall the looks of appre-
hension and dsmay that mantled the face
of the theological student as he stood
with an axe handle in his grasp, the head
being hidden beneath the murky waters
of the Jordan ALIAS, Master. for ii was
DOIl pNtN. T-llSIid hllt" uO" w ~ iiil'fh-
thize with the young mans solicitude.
He did not keep him on a tension. He re-
stored the missing head to its handle and
relieved the embarrassment that the loss
had occasoned. Thus Elisha acted the
part of the delverer. BE the difficulty
such as involved a city, a house, or an
individual, he was still ready TO reach
forth a helping hand Yea! no matte,
how the difficulty took its rise he accept
ed the condition that confronted him AM
then Gf need be) dealt with the causes
later on.
FULL OF GATHERERS.
In view of the fact that the field of life
is full of gatherers, and especially as
those who are hearty and eager and sup
pie are gone forth into it; it may not be
amiss to make the burden of this sermon
bear upon the thought of care Fore
warned is forearmed. 1t is easier to guart
and warn lives from danger than to at
tempt to act the part Of an Elisha attel
the evil is wrought by them. Laudabl,
mission, indeed, ii is to set the crooked
things straight. More laudable, though
is it to keep things from becoming
crooked. A word, then against reckless
gathering.
Note that gathering in the field of lf'
is in accord with natural prompting. i
Is with a certain sense of pride that on,
realizes for the first time that he is
contributor to the worlds work. Their
is no money in ones whole experience
like that which represents the frs
months toll in the shop or office. Tn
recipient feels that he has actually don
something that has a measured value
Even the child in the nursery appears t
have a sensation that is kindred to thi
of Ia uaIlx r.
its mother with certain sort of eXultan
glee, call attention to itself with tn
words "see what I've done to help you.
The help may mean destruction 0n som
form or other) yet to the childish min
there's sense of service. And this sens
of service makes the eyes sparkle
Abroad, then, into the field of life soul
go, and underneath all else there is to b
found the desire of doing something 70
the life, with which ones lot is cast. Th
desire is with you; the only question
what seems to you the chief thing tina
you would gather and cast into the com
| to share with you.
ARE MADE UNSOLICITED.
Most of the contributions that are mad
| by you or by any one else TO the commO
| life are, as this, unsolicited. Understan
| what | mean; no one comes to you before
| hand. You~a are waited upon by no con
mittees. No levy is made upon the poss
| bilities of your life. The spontaneous
| ever the true. Butter far II one has gor
forth and garnered evil that so he max
| it known in his acts. An evil influence
| best combatted when 1t masks under r
form of faith or purity. our contribution
| are unsolicited. Elisha never bade II
man go out into the field, he went of h
own accord and on his own responsibilit
| Advance now step further. Go ol
with the man in the Bible record. l.
| went out to gather herbs and found
| wild vine and gathered thereof his lapf
and came and shred them into the p,
of porrage. 1t was this mans purpose
do the right thing. When he started
proposed to secure something that wou
give delight to his fellows. The bro
was not very palatable by itself; her
would impart to 1t spiciuess, taste al
flavor Surely no one win deny that tn
motive is commendable which propos
something good for others, somethiI
, that brought in and introduced into Il
common life will brighten and gladd'
and sweeten IT. Blessed be those that
forth to gather herbs. But what of tho
who start with the fairest intentions al
never accomplish their purpose? Nothii
is 80 evident to the watchful eye as tn
many begin right, start right, only
be diverted and to become the occasion
harm.
CONSEQUENCES DISASTROUS.
How many resolutions have formulat
themselves in hearts to gather only I
herbs OF fair, sweet converse, but on
In the world the wild vine has caught [
| eve and the cOnsequnCes have been III