Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-31
&eadiuq tar the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
THE PRODIGAL SON..Luke Is: 25..32.

lgal son CONSISTS OF Two parLs LUG uIsI pal
illustrates the ways of the sinner toward God,
and the way of God toward the sinner. The
second part, which begins with the twenty.
fifth and ends with the thirty.second verse of
the fifteenth chapter of Luke, illustrates the
thoughts and actions of the self righteous to-
ward God on account of his mercy extended
to repenting sinners The three parallels con-
tanned in the chapter are an anewer to the
words, This man receiveth sinners and eateth
with them," uttered by the Scribes and Phar.
isees. The "elder son" in the parable of the
prodigal son, is Scribe and Pharisee of the
purest type. The Pharisees we're, at the time
of our Saviour, a powerful religious party
among the Jews, and the Scribes were class
of persons originally employed in transcribing
the law. To this they added various other
duties, and claimed for themselves very great
honor. Both the Scribes and Pharisees we're
called, by our Saviour, hypocrites. The "elder
son" in this parable, gives US a most vivid
picture of these selfrighteous Scrbes and
Pharisees. We are not. however, to limit, in
its application, this part Of the parable to the
Scribes and Pharsees. There are not few
in the visible church of the present day, who
have all the distinctive features of this "elder
son." They do, say and think on all matters
pertaining to the kingdom of heaven as he
did. In fact, this part of the parable, al
though less frequently referred to, is of equal
importance with the first part. In the visible
church of the present day, there are more
self-righteous Scribes and Pharisees than
many of US suppose. In this part of the par
able, as in every parable, We are not to give
an Importance to every word, nor even every
sentence. In all the parallels, some particu.
lar doctrine or duty is set forth. The thing
brought prominently to view in that part of
the parable of the prodigal son, which we
are now considering, is the way of the self:
righteous toward God as God of mercy.
1t seems strange that any sensible man would
he dissatisfied with Gods merciful acts but
such is the case. This fact is illustrated most
strikingly, by what this "elder son. did and
said.
When the humble and peniteut prodigal
returned home, this "elder son" was in the
field. The FIRST jntimation he had of the fact
was the joyful sound which filed the common
home of both. He did not 60 into the house
that he might learn the cause of the joy, but
sent servant to inquire into the matter.
No doubt this is designed to give us an insight
into the thoughts and feelings of this ''elder
son." He thus thought within himself, Il
control the affairs of this house. What right
has any one to do anything about this place
without first consulting me? Father has, in
his dotage, engaged in this silly rejoicing, and
is disgracing US ALL"
When the servant reported that his brother
had returned, and his father was making mer-
ry on account of his return, "safe and sound"
this "elder son" "was angry and would not 60
in." This certainly was strange course of
procedure, but it graphically illustrates all the
self righteous in the world. Look at it for q
moment. A brother who had long been gone
from home, and about whom the family, es
pecially the father, were greatly concerned,
returns home. No matter what he had done.
he was still son-still brother. Who can
wonder at the manifestations of tender affec
ton displayed by the father, and who does
not wonder at the opposite display made by
this "elder son p
Because his kind and forgiving father is
glad on account of the return of his long
lost son, he will not 60 into the house. He is
angry. All the mean and groveling passions
of his mean and selfish nature exhibit them
selves in horrid and repulsive deformity. He
does not treat his brother with decent respect.
The father went out and entreated him to
come in, but this "elder son" that he might
more plainly exhibit the sefrighteous spirit
that was within him, began to abuse his faith
er, by placing in contrast the manner in which
his father had treated him, and the manner in
which he was treating his returned brother.
He began by paradiug his unremunerated
services. "I," says he, to his father, "never
left you j have always been here and have
served you from my youth up to the present
moment. never transgressed your COM
mands. Notwithstanding all this, you have
never done anything for me. You never gave
me even kid, that might make feast for
my friends. have served you faithfully, and
you have never done for me what you are
now doing for this vile, renegade son of yours,
who devoured all you gave him with harlots.
You need not ask me to 90 in. I will leave
the premises rather than join in the foolish
display which you are making over this prod
igal."
To this the father replied "Son, accord.
ing to your notion, you have always been with
me, and you think that all that have belongs
to you but tell you, positively, it is meet,
6t and proper that we should rejoice and be
glad, for this, thy brother, was dead and is
alive again and was lost, and is found"
This "elder son." by his words and actions,
represents all that large class of professed
Christians who think that they and theirs are
of Abraham's seed and were never in bond
age to any man. They are displeased when
God, by his providence and grace, enables