The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-14

tested in his efforts to save that one. In its
wider application. this parable, at - this
point throws light on what has been
called an astronomical difficulty Men look out
into the heavens and see myriads of bright
worlds, some of them like our sun, a million
times the size of the earth. They behold through
telescope nebulae at incalculable distances, GER
tain unnumbered suns, and all is but a part of
GODS universe. They ask would the Almighty
Creator and Ruler of such immensely send His
only begotten Son to die for beings on this small
earth2 There is no positive proof that any of
these orbs in the range of our vision are inhab-
tied There is no relation at all between the
physical magnitude and moral greatness. A
mountain is immense in bulk, but single ration
al urdying human soul in an insignificant body
is worth whole range of mountains But the best
answer to the question is suggested in the para
Bile. AS the shepherd showed the depths of his
love more by going out after the one sheep than
he would If all had strayed, so the amazing love
of God is seen to be wonderful when
we stand in the full light of all the astronomy of
the nineteenth century teaches US concerning
the magnitude of the physical universe. We see
Him come forth to make this one world stage
upon which His mercy shall be displayed. But
we are not to forget the specific truth in this
parable that Gods love is not affection for
sinners in general but for each one in particular
The love of God for sinful is love for
His own 1t was the shepherd, not hreling,
who went out into the wilderness. We are chill
dren of God by BIRTH and belong to a fallen
race, but we have wondrous parentage. Some
have their family trees, and trace back lineage
through men whose names they are proud to
bear. But they do not 90 very far before the
chain is lost Their ancestors were prob
ably half-naked savages, wandering about
the Angles, Danish Saxon
tribes did The Good Shepherd found their
fathers in the wilderness, and brought them up
out of darkness into the light and warmth of the
fold of Christian civilization But their pedigree
is not lost. The beginning of it is at least clear
for Adam was Gods son, and Adams blood runs
in their veins. Jesus came, therefore, to save
his kindred. We are His children, and, though
we may have wandered ever so far away and
forfeited our birth right, we are His children
still.
The love of God, in Christ, is marked by
marvellous spirit of selfsacrifce, and selfrenun-
citation lies very the heart of ali love that is
noble
The last characteristic Of the love of God, in
Christas portrayed in this parable isits rejoicing
love- The joy of the shepherd breaks forth not
after he has got back to the fold, but at the
moment he has found the sheep. The joy of
angels is not over a sinner when he enters home,
but when he repents Thus the love of God, in
Christ, transcends all visions of the ancents, all
dreams of the poets. 1t is love for US person
ally; love like that of the father for his
child, rich in the spirit of self sacrifice and ioy
If cur hope of Gods mercy is founded
own goodness, it is false hope. We must be-
lieve that his love is gratuitous The secret of
happy and successful Christian life is found
in simple believing and close walking.