The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-04-04

the 18th chapter Of Luke This illustration OF di-
vine mercy and forgiveness always appeals to the
heart; and. though it may have been heard many
times, 1t Is always welcome theme. for it brings
to many of vivid picture of our own lives.
We give below a synopsis Of the sermon:
after this prodigal had spent his substance
and returned to his father. find spirit of hum.
bleness and penitence. Not simply sorrow for the
results Of the sin. but for the sin commit ted He
feels a real repentance; offers excuse, pal
liations; he says, Make me one Of thy hired
servants
1.-The home OF this young man one of plenty;
but the son, like many of the present day.
was not satisfied. He was impatient Of the
straining influences Of home and wished to be per-
fectly independent. 1t is an Eastern custom
when the SONS become of age, to bestow upon
them their portion of the parental estate; and
when this young man asked for his portion, the
father complied with the request. The son took
possession Of his property though he did not leave
home at once. But the time comes when he
wishes to go far away where his father cannot
check him by his inauence-where he might do
he would, and enjoy life in his own sinful way.
$50 he went forth into strange country. Was
he going to establish himself in business; or to
spread the truths Of the blessed gospel; or to do
good to others? No, it is written that he spent
his means in rotous living. How quickly q
young man spend all that father has gathered,
and at last with body shattered by sin and dissi-
patton, if the whole world was given into his hand
it could not crafty him.
when this prodigal had spent his all, great
famine came upon the land; he had no means Of
buying even the necessities of life. What does he
do? Does he return to his father and ask his for
giveness? No, he joins himself to man of that
country as servant. AS common servant in
the mans house? No, he is sent out to feed the
swine. Being Jew, this was the most degrading
of all employments. Servingmen in this country
expect to receive at least their food, but
gave this man even permission to eat Of the husks
he feeding to the swine. All hope is gone;
he is not we'll cared for as the beasts of the
field.
''Ah! Now he awakes. He not only feels that
he has sinned, but is truly repentant; all sinful
ness is gone. Now, what does he do? Does he
say, will go home tomorrow? Too many people
do this. If you wait till to morrow, you may never
go. Some say, will reform sometime, but not
yet. Reform this day. this hour this moment.
Turn without hesitancy from evil to good This
young man turned at once and started for that
far-off home. He not only resolved to return, but
acted at once upon that resolution.
And now, what of the father who had sorrow
fully babe farewell to the son; what of him
through all these waiting weeks and years? Does
he put him away from his thoughts, and say. He
is gone, will never see him again? No, he lives
in the hope that his son will return. At morning
at MONDAY, and at evening you may see him at
the gate, looking eagerly for the return of his boy
He is reaching out for HIM with his whole soul
One day. as he stands watching, he sees some one
coming up the road. He eXcams: Can that be
my son in those tatters who went away clad in
bright garments? AS the son draws near, the
father does not coldly draw back waiting for the
son to ask his forgiveness. No, he runs forth to
meet him, and falls upon his neck and kisses him.
Not any coldness, not any doubt he freely for
gives him. He shows the son all confidence. He
commands the servants to bring forth the best
robe and put it on him. and orders the fatted calf
to be killed, saying. for this my son was dead
and is alive again, he was lost and is found
Thus is the heavenly Father always watching and
reaching out for his lost prodigals, Like as a
father piteth his children so is his tender heart
ever yearning for those who have gone astray.
This world is full of prodigal sons. Young men
go from home into "a far country How many
there are all over the land! They go to see some
thing of the world, and sink deeper and deeper
int sin. You have wandered far from your
earthly father; but how far have you wandered
from your heavenly Father? No matter how far
you have gone He is still watching and longing
for your return. All! think a moment. In the
still hours of night. have not the memories of
childhood and home come back to you? That is
the spirit of the Father recalling you home. He
comes to you each Sunday morning. He comes
to you to-day especially in this story of the Prod
igal Son. reaching down into your hearts
Though hayward and Prodigal Son He stands
waiting to throw you the robe of Christ's
righteousness, if you will only 60 to Him and say
4 have sinned in Thy sight The Father reaches
out to you 10 matter where you are-reaches out