The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-22
SUNDAY SERMONS.
Two Able Discourses.
Rev. Reads "Prodigal Son" Series.
Rev. Cryer's Idea Of the ChHrei's
Attitude Toward the Labor
Question.
THE "P1ODIGAL son.

THE "PaoDIGAL son.
At the first Baptist church last evening
Rev. /. W. Read preached the seventh of
his series of interesting sermons on The
Prodigal Son." The following is syn
opsis of the discourse;
During the late war many hearts were
made sad. and many homes were made
desolate, by having family ties severed,
and the son march away to the held OF
carnage and bloodshed. TIE day came
when mang hearts beat with unusual ra-
pidty in consequence of peace and the
consequent return of loved ones. Gray
haired fathers and mothers began 10 plan
for a reception for the boys upon their
return from the conflicts of war. The
days drew their weary lengths along, and
it seemed AS if the time would never ar
rive when the son would be welcomed.
When the day did come it was one OF JOY
such as only those know who had the eX>
perience. 1t was similar al the return oil
the Prodigal. Such reception as he did
not expect to receive The father did not
even allow him TO finish his prepared
speech. He received him so heartily that
he checked his utterance before he had
said anything about being hired servant
1t is such a reception that every one has
who comes to God in the same spirit. lie
welcomes every Proc igal with the greatest
demonstrations Of affection.
First: THERE'S great love and affection
indicated in this reception. This is a
thing worthy of your notice, for 1t IS the
true spirit of God in his reception OF
every one who comes to him with bro>
ken and conirite spirit. a. Love gave
ouickness of vision. THIS is sten from
the fact that when he Yves great way of
the father saw him. He had evidently
been looking for his return, and was cx
pecting him home. knew father once
who had been separated from his Oldest
son for some years. He received word
that that boy would be at home at GER
| tain time Love gave him intense desire.
| and he saw him when he was away of and
went to meet him, and with quiyering
lips said: Il am glad to see YOU, That
boy knew be was welcome. Oar heav-
enly Father watches for the return of the
wanderer and sees him great way off.
| Ii is love for the soul that makes him
anxious. (2) Love brings mercy. He
had compassion upon the wayward son
| He wanted to receive him gracIously and
therefore had compassion upon him.
knew mother once who had son who
wa de Sperately wicked, and who forte t 4
all claim to that mothers love, by hi:
abuse of that love. But she never forgo
him. and in time OF need would protec
him and administer to his vents. Ou
Father. God, loves us in our waywardnes!
and when we come like the Prodigal. hi
love is such that he has compassion AM
receives us gladly. 81 Love gives
swiftness TO the feet He ran 70 NEE
him indicating forgiveness. That youn!
man needed no words to assure him o
forgiveness when he saw his father run
ming. The one forgave and the other Wa
forgiven. Love produced the first anC
repentance and faith secured the last
God comes in Jesus Christ and is readl
to forgive every one here tonight, and l
YOU have the spirit of the Prodigal yol
may 90 home knowing what it is to b.
forgiven. a. Love carries with 1t arm
of affection. When the father reached
the son he "fell on his neck, shown!
that he had all the affection for him Of
father Dayid's love for Absalom Wa
remarkable, as il was bestowed upon sucI
an unworthy son Notwithstanding al
that the son had tried to do in overthrow
ing his father, that father had a stron;
affection for him which wrung from hi
lips those agOnizilg words: 20 Absa
lom, my son, would to God had died 70
thee" Now God loves each of you, aH
is ready to show his affection for You il
granting you salvation if you will onl
! permit him (5) Love was here ex
pressed bv the lips When the father cam
to him he not only ''fell on his neck but b
kissed him" If that boJ had had an
doubts as to the meaning Of his father
: actions before this, the kiss removes
every doubt. 1t assured him Of his wei
come, and sealed his pardon. In this h
realized that all of his shortcomings ha
e been blotted out. God ia Just rs anXiou
! as this man was, to forgive you ever
trespass Of your life. His lips are read
to speak words OF love to every one 0
9 you, and to seal forever your pardon o
!, all sin. Love has wonderful power t
suhdue heart in rebellion. When it i
thought of it melts and softeDs, and whe
it is manifested it overwhelms with fee
: ings of guilt aud ruin May Gods Low
D reach your hearts tonight
r Second: The Prodigals JOY at such
reception. OF course it would give hir
great pleasure after the experience
which he had passed through. Starvin
t was not a desirable condition of affair.
4 and when the change came 1t would Gel
tainly be delightful one. a. This 10
came from the inner peace of pardon
e Any one who has had experience know
= what this is. A child forgiven for an
Il misconduct is filled with JOY at such rea
ization. A soldier had been sentenced I
be shot. All arrangements had been mad
x for the execution. The day arrived an
everything was in readiness for the fat
command which would send soul I'M
eternity. At this critical moment a pal
y don is produced from the president, an
: the soldier is freed from the penalty {
b death. Do you suppose anything coul
have given that man so much happine
Z as the assurance OF pardon? Never; fl
J. that was the very thing he needed. No
e it is this peace of pardon which comes
I soul forgiven by the Lord. 1t pr
duces a Joy that nothing else can Civ
u Sentenced to eternal death and when tt
IS sentence is about to be executed, &c
= gives pardon and sets the captive fret
y (3) This JOY came from an overwheln
ing assurance of permanent home. I