The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-11-07
Encouragement to Young Men to
Reform-Part Second.
LESSON 81.

in his freedom and in his strength
to the lofty dignity of a son of God.
,. | will arise and go to my IA
ther.. He, poor prodigal, makes a
good resolution. Amid fifth and
rags, amid swine and disgrace, amid
the utmost degradation and at
the very verge of death. be says. II
will arise Such must be the re-
solve OF every wanuerer that hopes
to return to God He must deter
mine. The conflict may be severe.
The trial may be great. Habits
may be Inveteratc; still he must
conquer or die. He mus resolve or
he must perish. Humanity affords
no grander sight than Is seen in the
struggle for virJue-in the battle
for right. Passion calls, appetite
clainors, shame depresses, pride for
bids, satan tempts, the world laughs,
cuWardice impedes, sluth hinder>,
procrastinatIon postpones, Tut he
says. Il will, yes, God being my
helper, | will. 1t is the last nope Of
salvation; it is the last struggle for
life, and | will arise and go
3. He went. He went alone. The
contrast was great between the de
parture and the return. He left
clothed III purple and fine linen; he
returned IN rags. He departed with
high hopes; he returned almost in
despair. Trained servants, in all
probability, attended his departure,
and wild companions sought his en-
tertainments. No friend, no Ser
want accompanies his sad return;
but without encouragement and al
most without hope, he returned "
his fathers house. You may i'm
ayine that he met with many trials
on the way. 1t seemed so long and
his fathers house was so distant.
Weary and worn, he often sank Elk
ha1sted; but the thought Of home
aroused him, and on he went until
at last he reached the old home
stead.
i. He says ''Father, | have sinned
against heaVen and IN thy sight,
and am no more worthy To be called
thy son. Make me as one of thy
hired servants Such must be the
return and such the confession of
every pcnitent sinner. Il am =
wretch uAdone. Nothing in my
hands bring; simply to Thy cross
| cling: | ain not worthy to be Il
chlld Of God. | am willing to be a
servant. ami feed from the crumbs
that fall rom The children's table
Such confession, such penitence. is
sure TO be met by IOrgiveLosa, aud
such return 10y welcome as warm
as heart could wish, Gr faith claim,
or hope expect. go. 80 ."'.
3. The 1pther gave q glorious re-
ception to the returniHg prodigal.
THIS reception is expressed with
great beauty and force. The father
sees his son. He recognizes him,
though in rags and punched with
poverty aud wasted with hunger
and ,g"rD by long travel. Then he
has Compassion. His soul yearns.
His heart Feieuts His old iOye re
tuin> Ills feelings gush out in
great streams. He runs, yes, tae
old nun runs to meet his boy. Old
eyes are dim, but his were quick TO
see his son. Old limbs are stiff,
but bis we're nimbIe to bear him to
meet his son. Ola feet were slow,
but his ran with the speed OF youth
that he might quickly embrace his
son that was lost. Then he fell on
uis neck aud kissed him. At this
moment he forgot the prohigacy
and Lac rags end the ruin OF his
boy, All Other feelings were lost
in love and JOY, | have found him
that was lost, aud the dead is re
stored to lite. Put on him the best
robe. Put shoes Oh his feet aud Il
ring on his finger. Prepare Il ban !
luet. Call in the neighbors and let
US have rejoicing together. Such
was tie reception OF the prodigal,
md such is sure to be tue reception /
IF the returning sinner. Our Heav-
emily Father meets him and gives
mn the kiss of love, the embrace Of |
warm affection He presses every |
Denitent u His heart, places His |
own great seal upon his brow,
clothes him in beauty, and calls |
lpOn all The angels to rejoice with
great and exceeding Joy oyer him
hat was lost and is found, over him
hat was dead and IS alive again.
| have said in the beginning of
his discussion that this parable is
10Th warning and an invitation
IN applying st to great truths |
would try to warn you against the
.uinuus effects of sin. would
make this application of the parable
specially for tue benefit of young
men.
To The young men Of my country
have been accustomed TO look
With Mingled hope and fear. 1t
hey n. II q the counsels OF wisdom
sd reject the aut' OrIty Of God, II
hcl h.mg ruin upon themselvt
nd a country, the grandest God
yer gave a Christian people.
1arn YOU then, young men, by the
career, against the seduc
lVe INFLUENCES of SIN. Guard you
ssociations. Follow NOT multi
ade 10 do evil. Seek no. the soci-
Is Il the prohiggSe. Shun, as you
-ould The scrpent's breath, the IN
uence OF the strauge woman Go
OF in the way OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. ,
ct not lascivioGs pictures, obscene
oBgs. psrnjciou~ novels, nor the
inning smiles Of the false and Csir
.ad YOU from the home of virtue,
ON the claims Of domestic life,
om the altar OF prayer aud from
le church oil God. Avoid infidel- !
y, End turn away ifUm ali thai j
u phcme the name OF God. Avoid
D. social glass and never enter Il 4
linking saloon Remember that O
lun kebn ness Is somew here between !,
ie first sip and death. No man /
Ipecrs 10 beCum, 81 ,.ruLkaTd when q,
r takes the iirst glass, aBu few are !,
Die To overcome the love of strong II,