The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-18
Judgment Demanded.
Lamp Explosion.
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL,
Rev. DR.. Gibson Discourses on the
Journeys of the Manderer.

Journeys of the Wanderer.
At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bartlett
street, Rev. ]. George Gibson last evening
gave the first of five sermons on the
Parable of the Prodigal Son." Just be-
fore the sermon DR. Gibson sang tenor
solo-"O Lilies, So Fresh and So Fair" The
preacher said:
1--WE shall call the sermon tonight The
Two Journeys'-going from home and re-
turning home. First, there is the prod
igaPs home. This father represents God.
Jesus loved the idea of the fatherhood of
God. He told men they had wandered
from God, but he never did tell them that
their wandering had made God cease to be
their father. The younger son may repre-
sent the Jew or the Gentle. The point is
not worth discussing. The main idea is
that every wanderer may return to God
and find welcome.
Secondly, look at the boys departure.
He was younger son. Younger sons are
often spoiled. Parents lavish TOO much
kindness on them. They become restless.
The history of the race is just the history
! of the younger son. Man was the youngest
child OF Gods family. This is not the
story OF any particular man. but of every
man. He gathered all together He
wanted to be rich before he started. He
was foolish. He might have LETT something
behind as an excuse for returning if he did
not succeed. He left, mot many DAYS
after He had gotten his own way and
he was going 10 take his own time. He
was in fearful hurry to leave, vet for a
day or two he assumed an air of indiffer-
ence. Some young men can do this to
perfection. TO wander belongs to the
prodigaPs nature, and whether it is slow
or last depends upon the amount OF
pleasure it gives. Perhaps he nesitates.
He has come to the parting of the wavs.
W hlch way will he take? The way that
leads to license or to self-restraint? He
decides. He turns his back on his father.
he takes what he wanted-freedom. In
his excitement he went on and on. He
soon got to his journeys end.
hlrdly, look at his return. He arose.
lie had been dreaming. He started up.
a new motive comes TO him. He looks
around, shakes himself and ceases to be a
fool. He arose to be the devils master
instead OF his slave. He was wise. He
put his desires into action. There was
enough of manhood in him to carry out
his decision when. he made it. Oh, that
the men OF to-day were as wise Mere de-
sire does not count for anything till we
put 1t into action. 1t is the getting up and
going IN the right direction that proves we
are no longer prodigals. What shall 1 say
to get you TO arise? Arise and leave your
bad companions. Arise and throw aside
the evil and secret habits that are de-
grading your life. L plead with you Take
the first step now. The success or failure
of the future may be gathered up into your
present action. Arise, arisel Just make
one move. The greatest difficulty will be
conquered if you arise. Pull up the anchor
tonight. Better drift out to sea and be
wrecked seeking for the horizon than stay
In the MA fri IN rhnr Rotten IL
on the dusty road with your face toward
heaven than be buried among the riches
IN which swine delight. He'll wants you
to stay where you are; heaven wants you
to arise. Devils want you to be slave
angels want you to be free man.