The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-01
"THE PRODIGAL SON."
Ninth and List OF Mr.. Reads Series OF
Interesting Diseourses--.sllis
Happiness"

~Prodigal Son" at the First Baptist hurch
las, evening. dwelling ON this occasion
more particularly on His Happiness.
These sermons have proved very inter-
esting, have bespoken the ability of Mr..
Read, and have attracted considerable
attention outside of the congregation OF
the Baptist church. Following is syn
opsis of last evenings discourse:
Every one needs happiness. aud each
one seeks for 1t. All do not look at il in
the same light or seek for 1t in the same
way. There are none who do not have in
view this very thing, but some only seek
that happiness which is temporary and
superficial, while others are seeking that
which is permanent and substantial. The
Prodigal in his wanderings had the TEN
porary, but now he is in possession of
that which is permanent. Every one in
rebellion against God may enjoy tempo
rary happiness but can not have that
which is permanent until God is sought,
and his presence reached.
First: The happiness of the Prodigal
came from the fact that he was clothed
as a son and adorned as prince. Before
he was in rags, but when his father gives
him welcome he is clothed in the best
robe. 1t was robe not worn by servants
but by one of rank. Q) This robe in
dictates sonship. What wonderful
change has been wrought in his condition,
Surely 1t is enough to make him exceed
ingly happy How different he feels and
looks now He would not now be taken
for beggar, but the son of his loving
father. Christ's righteousness is tue
robe to cover every one who believes in
him. The filthy rags OF sin proving moral
beggary. are covered by the robe of the
perfection of loving Savior (2) The
ring which the falh-r ordered put upon
the sons finger indicates princeIy adorn>
ment. Ii WAS a signet ring. The rich
only wore rings, and therefore it showed
beyond question the young mans c0ndi'
ton and 50 gave happiness. II was q
seal and At the same time a memorial.
He would look at the ring and have
brought to his mind his former life and
his present state So the rich in Christ
are sealed to tae day OF redemption. Hi,
grace comes TO the returning PrOdigal in
all Of its richness. and seals him al
heir of God an iuheTitor OF an eternsI
estate Oh the JOY Of such a realization
| g } He had shoes put upon his feet, show.
| ing the ease ana comfort which Vas his &c
enjoy. His feet were sore and blistered
no doubt from his tramp life. Shoe:
ably. 1t was like coming from misery to
a state of absolute rest. A young mar
was taken prisoner during the last wal
| and was compelled to walk with his bart
feet upon the frozen ground until they
were bleeding and sore After q few day.
he was recaptured and given shoes and
comfortable quarters. The Change Va.
great, and gave great happiness. Sit
sinks to suffering and woe, and the Cos
pei Of Christ gives ease and rest.
Second: The Proaisal was happy be.
cause he was not only fed, but u feas
Vas prepared for him. He had neve
seen anything like it before. 1t was new
feature in his experience. He was mad
to understand that his present surround
ings were TO continue. a. He was hon
ored by having supper made IN his be
half. Friends came in to express their jo
al his return, and TO assure him OF hi
welcome Now hungry man may b
fed snd then sent out on his way to agai
suffer the pangs of hunger, but not :
with the Prodigal. He was at home, an
would ever after enjoy the comforts o
home A man away from Christ will sui
fer the pangs of spiritual hunger eter
nally if he does not come and enjoy th
gospel feast richly provided for ever
one. This feast is made in honor Of eac
one who will accept of the invitation t
its enjoyment. (2) The best of every
thing was provided. The father ha
spared no pains. The fatted calf wa
killed and all things were ready for
time Of merry making. suppose thi
was very different from anything th
Prodigal had imagined His fondes
hopes had been nothing to the realiza
ton of the provisions made for him an
therefore his great happiness. He ms
felt that a servants fare was good enoug
for him, and If that could be secured b
would be content, but when he saw whs
was done he was, no doubt, overwhelme
By his fsthees love, which was so won
derfully expressed 1t is thus with ever
soul who has resolved to go to God 70
safety. When one feels that be is sir
ner before God, and needs help and
tome, he realizes that he is nc
worthy of crest blessings, and whe
be receives such free pardon an
hearty welcome, he is filled with happi
ness and gratitude at such riches OF grac
in Christ Jesus.
Third. He was made happy in conse
quence Of the fact that his return CAV
others JOY. There was rejoicing in this
home, and so the feast prepared for hir
was also festal occasion to the family
How could he be otherwise than happy
when be saw such joy. ~. There Wa
Joy because the dead had been brougt
to life; do not mean physical death, bu
be had been dead to his father He We
now alive. 1t was certainly an occasio
| lOI ICJOlClbS u NDuuE iHdu WAS StCh
and given up 10 die. His friends ha
come to say the last good bye; but /
some turn Of the disease he recovered
1t was like receiving one back from IL
dead. and created great joy. We are a
dead in trespassss and sin. God wan
; to bring us TO spiritual life. When "
decide for him and come home from OF
condition of death, there is rejoicin
with the angels over soul saved (2)
There was JOY because the lost had bee
found. He was lost to virtue and every
} thing pure. When one has lost thi
, which to him is valuable and receives
again, it gives JOY. The Prodigal ha
lost himself. He had just been foun
and this was shown by his return to h
: father. When one is in sin he is lost
himself lost to the best interest of me
and lost to God. He is lost to etern
happiness, and it must be found to enjc
it.
, A boy was once lost in great sno
storm, and when be understood his Sit
alton he began to cry aloud, and just oil
word he uttered. That word was, 10: