The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-26
THE PRODIGAL son.
Lesson of Penitence Drawn
From the Parable.
HISTORY OF SEATTLE MISSION.
4he Aggressive Work OF the Methodist
Protesfants-Rev. Mr.. Read Resigns
Oldest Woman Preacher.

At the Brooklyn Congregational church Rev.
w. W. Terrier preached yesterday morning con-
corning the "ProdigaI Son." He spoke in part
rs follows:
When we read this parable of the prodigal
sou we read one of the most beautiful, as well
as one of the mos. important, passages in the
sacred writings 1t contains in the interpreted
or applied sense the essence OF human conduct,
setting forth in epitome the actions OF mankind
those of man as sim aud as penitent, and
over and above al there Is the allf0rgiv1ng love
OF a merciful heavenly father.
The Pharisees and Scribes had murmured at
Christ receiving sinners; aud to justify himself
he spoke this parable. The son was disslpated,
unworthy, almost unlovable in his want: and
yet erring, but repentant, the father received
him into all the JOY OF the home from which he
had wandered. In that home all was comfort,
and many were the beauties that surrounded il.
There was all that was calculated 10 make life
pleasant and happy; and yet IN restlessness the
younger son longed for the things of the more
busy and care-burdened world: and after the
manner of that ancient time the father gave
unto him, as he longed TO go forth, his
share of the pa,ernal estate in movable property;
and out into the wide world went this young, in
experienced son, mingling in all the evils that
tend 70 degrade humanity. The affairs at the
old home were his no longer; but alone in the
strife and turmoil of life he squandered the
gifts of that loving, provident father, until
pressed by want, in pain and hunger, feeding
swine for bare daily sustenance thoughts of
that PARKWAY home filled his mind. With mem
ory's aid bright pictures OF peace and happiness,
view. Doubtless such thoughts of home had
never before stirred in his brain, and they came
then, In circumstances of keenest want surging
with triple power. Penitent and humble, the
prodigal wandered back to the loved home, in
tent on asking only the place OF servant, for all
unknown TO him was the depth OF that fathers
love-
But during all the time Of his wanderings
there had existed In his fathers heart that love
ea4 a as Of se IN noble
qualities OF being asserted themselves, and in
holiness of purpose and goodness of heart the
father acted act all who deny not the pure
and heavenly yearnings and principles of the
soul.
That divine and vital principle-love: that
power which gilds the world opened up the
doors OF the old home and let the wanderer in.
The pain and want and hunger of his wander
ing life were now things OF the past, and once
again in his fathers house, the home of his
purer and better days, new life was begun.
Place now alongside the natural truths the
spiritual, and thus learn some of the lessons
winch Christ meant to teach us in this grand
story. To this end bear in mind the fact that
the son represents the sinner and the father our
merctful heavenly Father.
All we are prodigals. All have wandered from
God. Long ago, in Eden's days, the tempter
came between God and man. Away from limo
cence and holiness the ancestors OF our race
wandered when they yielded to the wiles of the
adversary. With our human nature thus cor
rupted, the course OF each individual OF the
race was thereafter downward. But through
faith III a coming atonement, revealed, many of
old walked steadfastiy in the ways leading back
toward that holiness which was lost IN Eden.
And in the fullness OF time there camesone from
the heavenly manstons-one through whom
every seeking heart was to find the bright light
and the surer hope for which many walt
ing aud longing. Through the centuries since
then millions of wanderers have turned toward
tue Fathers house; aud these me millions
have finally gone down into the valley and
shadow of death unconscious that this was but
stepping into the glory and splendor OF the Inf-
mite Fathers house.
Notwithstanding the fact that the heavenly
places OF earth and time open into the better
and grander mansions of eternity and of heaven
beyond, out of these places and ways there are
many wanderings: and in these wanderings are
abused and sQuandered the gifts of the loving
Infinite Father. Needless of the surrounding
dangers, men and women wander far away from
our Fathers house, seeking in the world of sin
a happiness that the things of the world can
never give. In all such wanderings, however
satisfactory, there remains in the heart an I'M
filled yearning for real happiness and peace.
Some who thus as prodigals waste even all the
best years OF life in paths daily leading away
from all that can satisfy these heart yearnings,
come 10 realize at last, when worn, weary aud
wasted, that true happiness is found in the
little moses by the wayside of the paths lead
ing straight up to the Fathers house.
This prodigal son returned not to his old
home until he was most sorely pressed, until he
had experienced the greatest want and humilia-
ton. Wanderers from Goa often act in like
manner. The light from the Fathers mouse
streams ever along their pathway. However
by the enticement of the evil one they are lured
on and ere many turn at all il is necessary that
afietion's heavy hand sweep away all earthly
idols. In this We see the Divine Hand ruling
aud overruling for the good of erring humanity.
The cares and troubles and sorrows of life serve
often TO turn the thoughts toward God, just as
they turned those of the prodigal son toward
that earthly home.
The loving welcome on the part of the father
was specially noticed. And the speaker con-
tinued Thus it is when the sinner returns to
God. The Father 10 ever ready TO accept. No
one ever had sincere desire for the religion OF
Jesus Christ, desire resulting in king, with
out realizing all the fullness and richness of
divine grace. God is always watching for the
RETURNING pro Il, and every return is celebrated
in the mansions beyond.
The action OF the father In this parable shows
that his love for the son was as deep as ever.
But in sill probability the sons capablity OF en-
joyment was in some respects lessened. And
there must have come up at times unpleasant
memories of his life of dissipation.
Very often do we find something like this after
the sinner has returned TO God. sometimes IL is
poss BILE to reform the lips as TO feel but little
the disastrous consequences OF sin. But rarely
j. this the case. The wages of sin is indeed
death. Generally the years spent in sin
thereafter all earthly enjoyment; the body is
left a mere wreck aud the happiness Of life
manning is but the happiness arising in hope OF
q better beyond.
While the blood of Christ may wash away en-
trely the spiritual sears, certain II is that it
never in the years of time removes either these
or the physical scars.
1t is indeed a sorry thing TO be a prodigal, to
Wild oats But blessed thOught-grand
truth of the parable-let 1t not escape us:
Though We may never again be what we once
were, back 10 the paths of righteousness we are
welcomed, and out toward Us in all our wander
ings goes an infinite love.
Emphasizing the fact that il was peuitence
that opened up the joys of the old home 10
the prodigai son, reference was made 10 Moore's
story OF the peri At the gates OF paradise, weep
ing because her recreant race al lost that glo
rious place.
Told there that she could be forgiven II she
brought to those eternal gates the git most dear
10 heaven the peri bore up from earth 1.-The last
lbaton liberty drew from heart that had eied
in her cause
"sweet," said the sngel. as she gave
The gift into the radiant hand,
'Sweet 10 our welcome of the brave
Who die thus for their native land;
But see--alaS the crystal bar
OF Eden moves not-holier TAR
Than cen this drop. the boon must be
That opss the gates OF heaven for thee.
And whe II the peri bore aloft the precious
sigh OF pure, self-sacrihclng love
"Not vet"
The angel said AZ with regret
He shut from her that glimpse of glory.
precious boon that Tor the peri turned the gates
OF heaven.
The patriotic sacrifice, the selfsacrifce Of love
In every relation IN lie, are things demanded of
every one who would dwell with God only by
these is snch a dwelling possible. But thew are
secondary. they are OutgrOwths OF something
which precedes. The primary thing is peni,
tence. Only through this may We become one
with the Father, and some time be able to ex.
claim in enrsptured words:
"Joy. JOY forever, my task is done;
The gates passed aud heaven is won"
METHODIST PRoTESTANTs.
Their Aggressive and Successful Work