Connecticut western news., 1891-06-24


 home, went out to find this prodigal brother and son, and he came where he was, and saw the young man wander ing up and down in front of the place where he had been staying, and the young man who had kept his integrity said to the older brother: Here, what does all this mean9 What is the matter with youi Why do you act in this way9" The prodigal looked at him and said: Who am I2 Who do you take me to be9" He said, You are my brother" No, I am not; am brute. Have you seen anything of my wife and children9 Are they deada l drove them out last night in the storm. am brute, John; do you think there is any help for mel Do you think will ever get over this life of dissipationr' He said, Brother, there is just one thing that will stop this" The prodigal ran his finger across his throat and said: That will stop it, and I'll stop it before night. Oh, my brainl can stand it no longer" That prodigal never got home. But will tell you of prodigal that did get home.
 THE CRIMINAL PAIDONED.
 In England two young men started from their fathers house and went down to Portsmouth. The father could not pursue his children; for some req son he could not leave home and 30 he wrote letter down to Mr. Griffin. say ing: ''Mr. Griffin, wish you would go and see my two sons. They have ar rived in Portsmouth, and they are going to take ship and going away from home wish you would persuade them back" Mir. Griffin went and he tried to persuade them back. He per suaded one to go. He went with very easy persuasion because he was very homesick already The other young man said: II will not go. Ihave had enough of home I'll never go home" Well" said Mir. Griffin, then if you won't go home I'll get you respecta- ble position on a respectable ship" "No, you won't" said the prodigal "No, you won't. am going as com mon sailor. That will plague my father most, and what will do most to tanta- lize and worry him will please me best. " Years passed on and MT. Griffin was seated in bis study one day when mes- sage came to him that there was a young man in irons on a ship at the dock--a young man condemned to death-wh wished to see this clergy man. MT. Griffin went down to the dock and went on shipboard. The young man said to him, ''you don't know me, do your "No," he said, 'T don't know you" Why. don't you remember that young man you tried to persuade to go home and he wouldn't -go9" "Oh, yes" said MT. Griffin, ''are you that man3" Yes I am that man." said the other. II would like to have you pray for me- have committed murder and I must die, but l don't want to go out of this world until some one prays for me- You are my fathers friend, and I would like to have you pray for me-"
 MT. Griffin went from judicial author ity to judicial authority to get the young mans pardon. He slept not night nor day. He went from influential person to influential person until in some way he got that young mans pardon. He came down on the dock, and as he ar rived on the dock with the pardon the father came. He had heard that his son, under disguised name. had been committing crime and was going to be put to death. So Mir. Griffin and the father went on the ships deck, and at the very moment MT. Griffin offered the pardon to the young man, the old father threw his arms around the sons neck, and the son said: Father, have done very wrong and l am very sorry { wish had never broken your heart. am very sorry" "Ohi" said the fa- ther, ''don't mention it; it don't make ny difference now. It is all over. I forgive you, my son." and he kissed him and kissed him and kissed him.
 Today I offer you the pardon of the Gospel-full pardon, free pardon. do not care what your sin has been. Though you say you have committed .rime against God, against your own ,oul. against your fellow man, against your family, against the day of jndg nent, against the cross of Christ whatever your crime has been, here is pardon, full pardon, and the very Mo aent that you take that pardon your Heavenly Father throws his arms around about you and says My son, for give you It is all right. You are as much in my favor now as If you had never sinned." Ohl there Is joy on earth and joy in heaven Who will take the fathers enbracef
 rHR coNTRAsTED THREE.
 There was gentleman ip rail car who saw in that sa,ne car three passep gers of very different circumstances. Tine first was a maniac He was care fully guarded by bis attendants; his mind, like a ship dis,nasted, was beat ing against dark, desolate coast, from which no help could come. The train stopped, and the man was taken out into the asylum, to waste away, perhaps, through years of gloom. Tiae second passenger was a culprit. The out ragged law had seized on him As the cars jolted, the chains rattied. On hi, face were crime, depravity and despair The train halted, and he was taken out to the penitentiary, to which he hat been condemned. There was the third passenger, under far different circum stances She was a bride. Ever, hour was gay as marriage bell Lift glittered and beckoned. Her cclnpan ion was taking her to his fathers house The train halted The oh man wa there to welcome her to her new home