The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-05-12
TALMAGE ON PRoDIGAL SONS.

"Luke 18th chapter aid 14th verse,
'He began 10 be in want That is |
my text this morning" said Mr.. Tai |
mage. "When / want to lay my |
hand on good text" continued the |
preacher, after starting as if to get |
Ione from the other end Of the plat |
form and suddenly stopping, II turn
to the parallels. There are fifty good
ones in, this single parable. of the
prodigal son. But we do not need
to go away back to the times Of the
Bible for prodigal SONS. Why, while
was Oh the way to the church this
very morning passed man going
into q saloon. In form and feature
he was typical prodigal son. tHe
began to be in want u long time ago,
should think, 80 wretched was his
condition. And yet he was only a
prodigal son, and if that man had
from his youth been thrown under
the influences which surrounded
Mr.. Talmage and Mr.. Talmage's life,
in its main features had been his 1
have no doubt to-day would be
leaning over the bar of some drink
ing place and he would be occupy
ing pulpit. Yet there is always
hope for such men. get letters al
most every week from fond parents
in distant towns and villages and
countries" They say please look
after my boy. He was a very good
boy at home, but we are afraid he
may not be able to understand the
temptation of city life. See him,
talk with him, encourage him.
While looking for such one have
often seen him pulled away by vile
companions out of the safe path,
aud living just long enough to break
the hearts of all his loving parents.
On what fearful chances those boys
run among the haunts of Brooklyn
and New York; To them, If
they have fallen in with evil
companions, l say, go home, go
home. In middle life l have seen
prodigsl sons reform-sign the
pledge. Their children were then
better clad, the wife happy, the
piano was opened and the family
circle joined around it in cheerful
song. What q change, everybody
says. A year passes, and the man is
picked up dead drunk and hurled
into his doorway. His wife is
crushed, his children again neg
lected, the piano closed and ON top
of it comes the sheriff7s mallet, GO
ing-going-gone. He tried to cope
with earth and hell alone. That's
why he failed. Again, you prodi-
| gal, you want, a hope of heaven.
To-day you are in the midst OF
life. Tomorrow your shutters are
closed at MONDAY and Grape hangs
at the door. Have you hope OfheaY-
en-? How strange how many die here
in Christian world without hope |
A. full, deep sigh aD2 all is over.
No, Pll take that Lack. All is not
over. 1t has just begun. Thou imi-
tator of the young man of the text,
go home, go to thy father. Ne
father ever received = prodigal son
so gladly as God will receive your
soul to-day. Rejoice in thy heart
young man, but remember that for
/ all these things God will bring you
to account. Middle-aged man, if
your child were dying and should
ask you to pray, could you do it?
Old man, not one in a thousand of
your age finds Christ. L pray you
may be. that one. To-day may be
your last chance. Obi how ! would
like TO take each one of you blythe
hand and beseech you to accept the
tender mercies of God"
After Mr.. Talmage had closed this
sermon thirty-twO persons applied
for baptism.