Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-31

iest a. s.Est Gsr;ir now, II must Be- orossD 70
him by dezrres. yon n ust do IL
al sasu send for him, them ans Tered.
But WAS saved the rooole. by seeing Ar.
I-cckw ocd ehortIy afterwards pass tho house.
hailed him fIein the door, and invited him to
sntar my study. sa ...
bent,w his hin gray hair and wan featurs-,
that looked # they bad know aflfstion and
become GREATLY recpaciled 20 H. y... 80
He sat down IN the chair his son had sat in
t.1t a short tine b, fore. As watched the eX.
preston OF his stern, ,orrowful face, thought
how strange 1t was thst be copid sit there and
think and speak OF that son a. distant and lost,
unconscious thar he v even in the next room,
with but half closed doors b. tween th-m.
Yet Mr.. Lockwood must have felt the in
Guence Of tie drama that was rnactiug
Inn. He seemed to know that wished 10 talk
10 him about Martin.
IL have hem tola," said 7, "that your son
has written You letter. Is he coming ba:k p
II bad a presentiment when came in that
/ as 10 have my feelings wrung again." 40
responded Uneasiiy moving, and Knitting his
brow. "I'd rather not talk on that subject. 1t
causes useless pain" ...r
81 have heard from your SON." said
"Ahl'' He started, and his gray eyes fiick-
cred " iih emotion, a. he turned its questioning
glance u,-o:: me-. - He has WRITTEN to you ?''
al have n:ws OF him, and know that he is
peBit'nt. He would return 20 you If You would
T@cEiye him. A crisis In bis life has arrived;
bis whoi' fu;ure-perhars his souls sal vation,
brother ~ such tirpr-how much less sonl'
al is us 1Pts,'' cried the old man, shaken by
anger or gain, or both AZ have tried him. he
has failed IA" IL rything God forgive him
/ can't
"Has he sinned against you seventy times
seven" mildly inquired
don't forgive him wish him well-but he no
longer mas any claim he is no longer my son,
ard never me ntloA his name to me again.
He arose with violent emotion, his cane
trembling in his gra>p, and he was hurrying
away, " hen gently detained him.
"iear one word, and / will never importane
you again on this subject. have seen your
SON.
Without speaking he locked at me strange.
ly-pale, and shaking more and more-and
SUIT red himself 10 be led back to chair.
81 have sen HIM, and if know an. thing of
him, Martin is II changed creature. Not pow
erty only, but realization of his guilt toward
yOu, and yc;rning for forgiveness-for bat
ter life-has brought him back. Have we not
SnneG-hayc not--iiavc You uot-against our
Father, Brother Lockwood p
'SIod only knows what u sinner / am - ey-
claimed the old man, with his h ad bowed upon
his cane.
'And does God stand ont when YOU return
to him, and remind you of your many Offences,
which he refuses 10 forgivel or does he open
his merclful arms; and tenderly receive you
back!
"No more! more - he groaned aloud 81
tell you 1t is useless. You only agoniZe me-
My mind is made up. Gods wa, s are not our
ways L have done all ean lie will require
no more"
Forgive ms onr trespasses as we forgive those
who trespass against usn How will that
prayer be answered! q, dear Savior!' said,
"hoW long before we shall receive thy divine
lessons, notin our understanding merely, but
in our hearts and lives! We preach charity
and live for selfishness. We pray for love and
nourish hatred. We hope TO be forgiven, while
our hearts are heard with stony vindIctive-
ness. Are we uterly self deceived! Is our
religion al a vain show -
L opened the book and read the page to
IN rti i've Nv T1I
the parable OF the prodigal son. All the SIM
piclty, beauty, and pathoS of that divine story
opened up TO me with power and freshness
and ylvidness l had never felt before. NV
own soul was stirred to its depths; the spirit
OF alI-foTgiving love seemed to descend upon
US there; forgot all argument in the absorb
ing interest of that sWeetly convincing, over
powering narrative.
At the close, the old man was sobting
other sObs, too, were heard in the ad Joining
simultaneously mother and son came for
ward, and threw themselves at the old mans
side.
'.Here he is father. Here is Martin, our
child, our son!' 2rticulated Mrs. Lockwood,
dlstpgaging the fathers hand from his cane,
and pressing ii upon the bowed head of the re-
turned prodigal. The old man wept aloud
IL was some. lime before any spoke. Then Mr.
Lockw oOd faltered forth:
'iMarTln-my only SONNY child, forgive
you. u. may God bless YOU and make Won
his" And lie embraced him, while his tears
showered down Like ain upon the young mans
peEitent head.
And that evening the three walked home to-
gether; the young man with his father leaning
on his right arm, ard his mother on his left; he,
devoted son, all his wild, youthful strength
su6dued TO manly uprghtness, and tender
flial affection; they, patient, aged pair, NOV
ing calmly and unshrinkingly toward that final
goal, those dark gates of death, through which
all must pass.