The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-21
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
A SHORT DISCOURSE CONCERNING
THE PRoDIGAL's BROTHER.
BY Rev. Marion ID. shutter, ID. D.,
Church of the Redeemer First Unl-
versalisD, minneapolis, Mimi.

just WheFe ne ought TO nave been. And
just where his young reprobate of brother
ought to have been all the while he was
away wasting his substance in riotous liv-
ing
These words speak volumes for the elder
SON. We have altogether overlooked great
many things that the story suggests in re-
gard to that man. Wiser and better than
the prodigal thousand times over, was
this elder brother. who stuck to the home
and the farm and to the old father and
mother-though nobody seems 10 have
thanked him for it.
The prodigal has been so much talked
about, SO much sentiment has been lavished
upon him, that want to say good word
for his brother, who has been quite neg
lected
1t has been uniformly assumed that this
elder brother was a sneering pharisee. and
ne has had hard time of it. 1t is generally
SAID that he ought to have been ashamed
OF himself for speaking out his mind so
Ireeiy when his frayed and raveled brother
came back He is called self-righteous and
supercilious and hard-hearted, while the
prodigal is so caressed and handled as to
give the impression that God has far
greater liking for converted scaneeraea
tnan He has for a man who has lived a
good, honest life day by day, who has
never soaked himself with drink or steeped
himself in moral cesspools.
This is surely mistake What higher
commentator could be given than that
which the poor old father gives the eldest
brother: Son, thou art ever with men-thou
mast never deserted me, never gone into
paths or wlckedness-' all that have is
thlne said some one recently: Search the
Scriptures through, and there shall be
found no surer tribute to goodness no
heartier acknowledgment of loyal duty.
steadfastly rendered"
Do not misunderstood me. This parable
IS intended to show the divine mercy and
Its method, tender, sweet; but it must not
De used in such way as to put a premium
upon transgression, and make men UNDER
Value common honesty and integrity. If the
young man could be- restored, let us he
grateIul. lie was restored and we are CRATE
ful He tried the ways of vice and had his
fill. No doubt he was advised and warned
and demonstrated with before he started: no
doubt his elder brother old all that he could
to prevent that ill-omened journey. But
the younger son probably said, as thousands
OF raw and headstrong youths have said
since MS day: 20 never fear for me. Don't
worry; III take care of myself" and then
Went on and made the whole vile pilgrims
age, from the drink and the dancehouse to
INC swine pen, rags and remorse
MAKING A NEW START.
When ne got back his money was gone.
and If the father did kill the fatted calf and
give good supper, he had to begin life all
over again, just where he left off when he
went away from home; and he had to make
the new beginning with serious disadvan-
tages Money, health and youth were gone.
But let US be glad he made the start
On the other hand, the elder brother
seems like a model man. 1t is worth while
to study his character, his modesty. pa
thence and perseverance. Such men are the
ones IN whom we put confidence. They ara
the very pillars of society.
You knew just where to find this man. and
when you did find him it was always at the
post of duty. Call and inquire fog him, they
could always tell you where he was: .Out
there at work in the field!' Father and
mother could depend upon him when there
was anything to be done, could go to him
When they were in t1ouble-he was so
thoughtful AMI careful and faithful! So.
he was the mainstay of the family and
respected by all the neighbors.
Ihe answer made by General Havelocks
wife when her husband was with the army
in India is recalled by the words of our
text. Asked where her husband was. she
replied: Il do not know but I know that
wherever he is he is trusting in God and
doing lbs duty" We need more such men
as the elder brother to-day. Younger sons.
with many of the traits of the prodigaI.
abound; but the world is not anxious to
hand over to them the combinations of its
safes. Put one like the elder brother into
Office and he will be faithful to his trust
E.rf hi ;,-ko
on the quality of work he will turn out
Put him into bank and you need not spend
much of your time looking up the coun-
tries that are without extradition treaties.
Give US more of these elder brothers in the
state and in the church! They do more to
glorify God than restored prodigaI. There
is not much ado made over them, but their
light shines.
Do you wonder that he was somewhat
hurt and angry when he saw how much was
made of the prodigal? The very calf that
was killed he had raised. And they had
never thought of him when the banquet was
ready-or, IL they did. 20 never mind him.
he's hard at work, he don't care for music
and dancing!" But the father was not to
blame for his joy. The one "black sheep
in the fold usually gets more affection than
the ninety and nine white ones.
When prodigal comes back, good peo-
pie say, why, this is a wonderful thingG
We must put him up to speak about 1t.
he must tell his experiencer Something
too much of this. Let US rejoice that the
prodigal has got back, but it is just as
we'll for him to be modest for awhile and
go quietly to work. A steady life will be
better for a while than platform or pulpit.
But the more wonderful thing in the story
is that the elder brother never went away
at all: not that the prodigaI should get up.
but that his brother should not fall we
should therefore rejoice over the elder
brother also, and IL either of the two ought
to go upon the platform, he is the one to go
first. The great question is, How can such
careers as that of the prodigal be pre-
vented?' We want to know, not How can
get back from the swinefeld?' but How
can I stay away from it?''
WASTED OPPORTUNITIES.
Think Of the awful wastes--time,
strength. opportunities. The verdict upon
the prodigal must ever be: Fool! fool 10
do IT." We rejoice that the door is never
shut; that the wings of Gods good angels
are never furled. But ii is base to presume
upon this mercy: it is demoraiizIng to ones