Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1878-08-20


At this point Mr.. Beecher drew very vivi'
picture of the dreadful poverty of the Jew
and the hard system of taxation under thei
Roman conquerors. He dwelt upon the sig
nifcance of that passage in the Lords Prayer
"Give US this day our daily bread" This
he maintained, was the prayer of starving
people.) The common people, the lower
classes of the Jews, at this time were dread
fully afflicted with opthalmia and leprosy
Also they were ignorant and besotted Christ
sought to awaken true religion in the heart OF
the upper class.
THE PRoDIGAL SON
Was an ebulient boy-one of whom all the
neighbors said che will surely be hanged. "
Probably he was full of life and courage and
independence. 1t is likely he did not quite
relish his elder brothers advice and his
sermonizing So he said, "Come father, let
me have my share of thy property and l will
go and seek my fortune" And SO he went
away, with his little fortune in his possession,
bent upon having good time. When young
men get away from home and restraint they
| begin to do great many things they would
not have dared to do at home. The man
who can stand up and be true and virtuous
and sober when without these restraining in
huences of home, is man indeed. Did this
young man go into business? No. He went
away to have "a good time" There is a
good time that works up and one that works
n To Il J. -
roads and was left to choose which path he
should take. He turned toward the good
time" that works down. Now Joy is a duty;
Pleasure is one of Gods ordinances Man
was built to be happy. Religion does not
demand long face. But in such contest
as that which was waged between the animal
and the spiritual parts of this young man,
the spiritual man gets thrown. The man
who surrenderes himself to the purely animal
pleasures surrenders himself to his grossest
part 1t is the body, the body, the body to
which he is a slave. This young man was on
his way to the hogs. Gambling, drinking
and harlotry are the Devils trinity. This |
foolish young man had no interest in the |
had taken himself When his money had
been wasted in 'riotous living" he began to
be in want, He was ''shyster." Excuse
the plain English" said Mr. Beecher; ''if
there was more of it in the pulpit it would
be the better for US all, no doubt" This
prodigal had begun so high that he doubtless
thought he always would have enough Now
he was in sore want; and SO he hired himself
out to do the most mental service known to
the Jews-to feed swine When Christ cast
out devil from man, the evil spirit en-
tered herd of swine; and the Jews believed
that these beasts had never yet got rid of his
Satanic Majesty. ''My Godr' exclaimed the
preacher, perhaps l am come to save some
poor fellow who is sent here to-day" (This
was said with great feeling and in the most
impressive manner.) There is often
good spot in the hearts of the very worst
men. l have had experience of these After
many attempts, all unsuccessful | have
ouched this tender spot with the name of
lead wife, child lost, mother laid away in
he earth l have found in almost every
nan place and time when the eye would
luiver and the lids gather tears" At this
ooint the misguided youth exclaimed, 81 will c
rise and go to my father. This was con-
'ersion! Conversion means not change of
character but change of purpose. Here is I
Illustrated the beauty of humility. (Here j
Ir. Beecher illustrated with great apt C
less the process of bringing out from the [
mass of mans grossness and sin the pure ore Q
f humility and repentance illustrated it :
y a happy allusion to the extraction and t
of our gold and silver ores.) The r
tring of mothers and a fathers love is so
lastic that it never breaks however far away q
he wandering, SHINING child may go. He !;
ictured the reformation wrought by
lothers's love. Love makes no conditions
When this erring son was afar off, his
ather knew him. What his eyes could not :.
ee his heart felt. (The scene of the meeting U
etween the doting father and the repentent, +,
sturning son, was full of pathos as presented
l Mr.. Beecher's own touching terms). This
the strength which enables a man to arise &c
nd go toward purity. God feels toward his II
lildren as this father toward his returning III
oy. He does not watt He goes out to meet p
is children! There is no harbor in creation 'e
ito which ship may go as man may 60 into st
l.. IzcC o. L j