The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-24
THE PARABLE,

A ROYAL MARRIAGE FEAST.-JEsUs de-
clares that the kingdom of heaven resembles
q man who was a king, who prepared mar
riage feast for his son. 1t appears to have
been the custom upon such occasions to pre-
viously invite the guests, and afterward to
notify them when the banquet was ready.
The king in the parable is represented as
having prepared his feast, and sent his mes
sengers to call the royal guests, who had
been previously invited, to come and partake
of his Inequalities, and engage in the festiv-
tiles celebrating the occasion of his sons
marriage.
THE INVITATION sLIGHTED.-Butt those
who were invited refused to come to the feast
when they were notified that all things were
in readiness. The king is represented as
kindly renewing the summons, sending other
messengers to urge them to come, on the
ground that his dinner is already prepared
for a grand and sumptuous entertainment.
The dinner corresponds with the modern
wedding breakfast. signifying meal par
taken in the forenoon. But the invitation
was still sighted and the renewed call un-
needed. Though it was royal wedding fes-
tival to which they were invited, the honored
subjects of the king, instead of responding
gladly to his summons disregarded bis wish
and went about their own usual business,
some even assaulting and killing the kings
servants (slayes) who were sent to urge their
attendance upon the wedding festivities In
honor of their masters (the king's) son.
Such contemptuous treatment of the kings
wishes by his subjects manifested deter
mined spirit of disloyalty and rebellion
against his administration. The royal mar
riage may have had political significance
offensive to the kings servants.
THE INDIGNANT KING-The persons
whom the king invited to his wedding feast
revealed themselves to be ungracious, wicked
rebels, instead of the respectful, loyal sub
jects which he may have supposed them to
be. His wrath was kindled against them,
and he sent an army to destroy the murder
GUS rebels, and to burn their city, which may
be conceived of as suburb of the capital
where the wedding festival was held.
THE WEDDING GUEsTs.-Those first in
vited to the wedding having proven unwor-
thy of the kings hospitality and beneficence,
and having commanded that they and the
city in which they dwelt should be destroyed,
the feast being already prepared for guests,
he sent his messengers into the 'partings of
the highways" or forks of the roads," as
we might say, leading ont of the city; to in-
vite all they met there, irrespective of their
character, or circumstances, or standing, to
come to the marriage feast at the kings pal
ace. In this way the bridal-hall was filled
with guests who reclined at the royal ban
quoting table. A similar parable to this
point in the story was spoken by JESUS at an
earlier period of his ministry, and recorded
by Luke xiv. 1924.
THE GUEST WITHOUT A WEDDING
GARMENT.-When the guests had assem-
bled, the king is represented as having en-
tered the Banquet ball to view the spectacle.
He observed one present who was not prop
erly dressed for the OCCASION" had not
wedding garment" We assume that some
style of dress easily obtained was required
by the court regulations for such occasions.
A prescribed dress for wedding occasions
may have been imposed by the forms of So
cial etiquette, and provided for all guests by
the host, or master of ceremonies. Among
the Orientals many and costly garments
were anciently included in the treasures of
the rich and princely, and it is generally I'M
derstood to have been the custom to provide
suitable garments for the guests who we're
invited to royal festival. The guest who
had accepted the invitation to the wedding,
but who had entered the assembly without
the proper dress for the occasion, had offered
an insult to the king whose hospitality he had
accepted, and was not worthy to participate
in the festivities of the occasion. When
questioned courteously concerning his ap-
pearance, he was silent. His neglect of
proper courtesy was wilful and inexcusable.
He was a lawless intruder. The king COM
manded the servants (waiters) to bind him
and cast him into the darkness outside. We
may assume that the marriage feast was de-
layed till evening because of the refusal of
the invited guests to attend the dinner which
was prepared for them. "The weeping and
the crashing of teeth" describes the sorrow-
full effect of being forcibly elected from the
festive hall into the darkness and chilliness
of the night.