A BUSINESS SERMON.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4472, 27 September 1922, Page 3

A BUSINESS SERMON.

In a recent serfran to men of business a well-known preacher staged that Naaman was a captain in the Syrian army and was induced to visit Elisha, the prophet of Israel, to be .healed of an illness. The Syrian captain offered lavish; gifts to Elisha which were promptly refused, but Gehazi, the prophet’s servant, was standing by and coveted some of the rich gifts from which Elisfia had refrained. When Naaman started back to Syria Gehazi'allowed him to get well out on the road and then followed him. . "As the Lord liveth', I will run after him and take somewhat of him.” He overtook him and told Naaman that Elisha had sept him to receive some silver and raiment, as two young guests had arrived at the house. The captain gladly and generously complied and gave Gehazi so much that two of the donor's servants had to help carry them. Gehazi, however, dismissed the servants at the last hill, and, taking the gifts in the house hid them, and appeared before his master. . "Whence comeist thou, Gehazi ? asked Elisha. "Thy servant went no whither,” answered Gehazi. , _ * But Elisha knew the mischief and said : "Went hot thine heart with thee? Is it a time to take money and receive garments ?” , I do not believe that the old days of our fathers were better than these, in most respeqts, but there are some things which have gone out' of life which Wolild have better refrained in it One of these is the spirit of generous service. Time was when many things were done for one another just for the joy of doing a flavour and rendering a service. . In 'bay-making time on the farm, with a harvest ready fop tihe bam and a shower threatening, neighbours came from every direction with their teams to help get the hay in dry. They used to come for corn-huskihgs, barn raisings, and other activities, and the spirit of life was big and neighbourly. But' now we have no more neighbours. Everything is changed. Now "every man’s hand” is not against you, but it is stretched out in your direction and the palm is conveniently turned upward so that you can easily put the expected compensation into it. Workers used to be interested enough in their occupations to forget the clock and see thipgs through. In a rush or a pinch an extra hour, earlier or later, made little difference to them, wlwi it made a good deal of difference to the boss or the firm. But today that interest is rare. Now we have bonuses, fees, tips, overtime, and extras.

Every move yon frake to-day yon pay "somewhat." You realise what a large secret order this Gehazi Association is—these Knights of the Covetous Dye; this brotherhood pf the itejiing palm,, this "Somewhat Society." It may 'be said they are ever, on hand. The sign of the times begins to look- more and more like a dollar sign, and in some places even the old familiar sign,of the cross is being ivery badly bent in that direction. It "is not "As the Lord liveth, I will run after Him and take something of him,” but "As the Lord, liyeth,' I am expecting to get something for this out of Him.” No, we have iw more old-fashioned neighbours; no more old-fashioned helpfulness. We have far less Interest dn paid-for service, we have fewer favours for favour's sake, we have less doing for the love of! doing, and we have more character on the cash liHsis ' The tribe of Elisha is fast going into extinction, and the tribe of Gehazi has multiplied in the land. Covetousness has come with selflsh-i ness and selfl-seeklng. Time is grudged. Many are saying “What dp I get out of it,” and “Where do I come in?” Tips have ’ tainted and fees have frozen the milk of neighbourly human kindness and its nourishing power of free favours. If you wish to keep life eager, fresh, and free, if you want to make friendship sincere and lovable, ami keep service unmixed with suspicion of motive, shun that palm-presentipg spirit of the “Somewhat order,” of which Gehazi is the glittering and ancient patron saint.