The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Aug. 14-II Kings iv, 25-37.

Shunem, of the tribe of Issachar, and lying
between Samaria and Carmel was in the heart of
the wheat belt of Palestine, and on the highway
of travel Here, on his own estate. lived indie
pendent farmer, whose wife was characterized by
thrift, piety and contentment. She recognized
Elisha as servant of the Lord, and as SUCH
extended her hospitality to him. The room she
made for him the wall has passed into a
proverb, THE prophets chamber as has also
her response to the prophet, when he asked her
if he should name her husband for preferment
IT dwell among mine own people" She might
have said:
INV crown is in my heart, not on my head
Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones,
Nor to be seen my crown is called content
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy"
Another jewel shines out in the dark hour of
son given to her under such unusual conditions.
and taken from her in such an inexpcable man
ner, could be restored to her. . The prophet
from his eyrie on Mt Carmel, saw the Shunamite
approaching. The unusual hour toward evening,
speed with which she travelled. excited his appre-
hension. But he failed not in courtesy. His
ment later the bereaved mother clasping the
feet of the man of God Gehaz self-appointed
was for thrusting the woman aside. Sympathy is
penetrative. and Elisha had
"A tear for pity. and a hand
Open day for melting charity
He said to his officious servant, Let her alone;
for her soul is vexed within her. and the Lord
The outcome of the incident is familiar The
prophets expedient of sending his staff to be laid
on the face of the dead child; the mothers i'm
portunity. expressing itself in the asseveration
"As the Lord lveth and thy soul liveth 1 will
the staff; the night journey to Shunem the
restoration of the child; the announcement take
up thy son. brief, pathetic, beautiful.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Run now: A mark of courtesy. showing his
great esteem.-Lange.
Is it well? Hebrew: 'Is it peace to thee?" 1t
is we'll 1t not with the servant but the
master that she had to do.-Pentecost Caught
him by feet: Attitude of humblest suppcation.
-Lumby.
Lord hath hid: Discernment of spirits and gift
of prophecy influences God gave and sus-
pended.-Clarke.
will not leave thee: Sacred vestments and holy
commission will not command the confidence of
earnest souls unless they be associated with a
child: The dead boy. the race fallen under death
on account of sim Gehazi's STAFF: The law which
incarnation, put himself in connection with our
flesh. and impaired life to humanity.-Orgen
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
First-The world was surprised and delighted
when Layard uncovered the bas-reiefs which de-
pict scenes of an extinct civilization But all the
while we had in the Bible authentic pictures
which vivify the common life of thirty centuries
ago.
Second-This little domestic incident is en-
ambitious title of the Book of the Kings
Third-The hospitality which is inspired and
graced by piety will not fail of its reward. Need
of more religion in the social functions of our
day
familiar to the church since the days of Origen.
STAFF of formal religion cannot awaken the dead
soul, though It were a gold and jeweled croser.
Only the breath of the divine Spirit can quicken
into life.