The National tribune., 1896-04-09

DR.. Talmage declares: "When want to lay
my hand on good text, / turn to the parallels.
There are 80 good ones in -thiSsingle parable of
the prodigal son."
tions as to the Bible First, whieh left on her
mind tho most forceful impression and, sec
ondly from which she 4dsriEed tho greatest
profit. She answered "That which does all
men good-the story. of the prodigal son. 1t is
so pleasant and so plain. There stands the
father with his arms outstfetched to receive
his son. 1t is wonderful, this love of Christ for
the sinner."
We have only the ono account, st. Luke,
| Is: 11-24 If for no other reason, we would re-
| give Us this beautiful parable. The author
wrote in A. d. 81, at Achaia, Greece.
Time
Christ spoke the parable, "A. d. 90, probably
early in March This was mot far from the
| time of his death.
The parable was spoken in tPerea. Christ
was on way to Jerusalem BY May Of Jericho.
Hearers.
We see from St. Lu., Is ~, shat Christ spoke
to publicans and sinners, Phsrisees and aeribes.
The Parable
This is ordinarily called the, Parableof the
Prodigal Son. More properly it is the Parable
of the Restored Prodigal, or the Parable of the
the Penitent Prodigal. 1t is the prodgal re-
pentant and on the way to reformation.
| The parable is part OF Ghrists reply to the
Pharisees and Scribes who "ssarmured, saying
| This man [Christ] receiveth and eateth with
them" St. Luke, j. ThatGomplaintorig
mated the three ,parablss---th0se of the Lost
Sheep, the Lost Coin, aud the Lost Son. BY as
ISOLATION with Roman ta1-gatherers (publicans)
and sinners [heathenl Jesus did violence to
the principles which govern d the jewish
teachers (Rabbis).
To set forth in full Chrfst's relation to lost
souls there was a call for this third parable.
The sheep was lost and could not restore itself
to the fold. 1t was glad to be found. The
prodigal went off on purpose, and did not want
to be found. Until he had reached certain
| point of experience the ~prodiga would not
have responded to efforts of his father to have
him return home. The lost coin could not re-
store itself to the wallet, and all anxiety was
| on the side OF the woman who lost 1t. 1t
could not respond TO any sentiment; could not
be uneasy nor happy. It wassimply lost and
then found, being unconscious Of any feeling.
The parable of the prodigal gives place for the
operation of the human will and affections.
The son was lost, consciously and guiltiy self
| lost. Feeling was not all on one side, to wit,
the side of the father, but wss mutual, respon-
dent. Ownership is conspicuous in the para.
| bles of the sheep and coin, Btrelationship is
uppermost in the parable Of the prodigal. The
image on the coin was purely mechanical, but
the prodgal son bore physical and mental
likeness to the father Thesomcould be sensi-
BILE of obligation. The son e0nld be party to
| the JOY over restoration. Hence, the parable
| Of the prodigal was O necessary addition to
| Christ's answer to tho Pharisee5. giving, as it
does, play TO human reflection, action of will
aud affection, participation in joy, etc.
The Three Stages of The Parable.
]. The son at home. He was the younger
brother. He became impatient of restraint.
He wanted to see the world to 60 abroad to
take journey into far country. At home
| he could not be as free in expenditure of
money in association with fast youth; in in
diligence of bad habits He had some respect
and possibly some fear of his father He re-
| quested his portion of the goods, the part which
lie could expect as an heir. The law gave to
the Oldest son two parts OF the fathers posses
sions, and the younger one part the property
| being practically divided into two parts, two
| thirds to the elder brother and one-third to
the younger. Deu., 81 II. The law did not
! provide for division prior TO the death of the
| father, nor did the law forbid such apportion-
ment. We might suppose the younger son had
some precedent, since the suggestion was made
| apparently as matter of course. Theophrastus,
such an instance of division of property by
| father The act of the son WIS perfectly de-
| liberate. lie remained at home several days
after securing his portion, and could have
changed his mind.
| 9. The son in the "far fcountry." Money
goes fast. A fortune will not last long if the
owner be dissipated and Idle. Verse 80 shows
how the money was spent. Friends forsake
one when financial resources fail. Famine
adds to the distress of the youth. In plentiful
| times one might get on quite respectfully. The
far country" WAS occupied by Gentiles, who
did not observe Jewish laws. Money gone,
something must bc done for food. 1t is evident
the youth had not worked=msnuslly at home,
and was not used to toll. But.hunger Is impera-
tive and will not wait He sought work. His
employer set him to feeding FswiDe. This was
an humiiiating vocation for anybody, but
especially for jew. lie had q hard master.
His board was poor, and so serimping as to
amount, that he envied the'suine their carob-
pods (husks). On some of the Greek islands
these pods are yet eaten. Tho scarob fruit
grows on tree in pods, the seeds within being
tender and sweetish. But the master would
not permit the youth share the pods with
the swine. The swine-herder had cbance to
think. His mind often went back tOhis home
in the land flowing with milk and honey.
Three courses lay before him. He could con-
tinue, but the vocation was 80 degrading, his
raiment so foul, his appetitego poorly supplied,
that death would be preferable to such life.
He might commit suicide. MANY man in
such circumstances has tfsken that course.
The third plan was, returnatO.shis home. But
in what spirit would he so4baekP Trusting to
the father.feeling bearingwithhtni, he could re-
turn in brow-beating attitude, las though he
had had an advantage overtherest of the family
by foreign travel, make himaei { at home and act
as though he were trying to relieve the men,
hers of the family from embarrassment at his
presence. The prodigal had nothing of this
spirit. He was thoroughly hun,iliatsd, and we
think genuinely repentaht. He realized he
had outraged justice and sfliiaiuess. lie is will
ing to acknowledge his wropg sand to accept
deserved punishment HsviAg been un-
worthy son, he is glad to beceme even a waged
servant He is conscious, too, that his conduct
has done violence to Gods iinws--that he had
sinned against Heaven And his mental pro-
cesses do not stop at mereisubjectiveness He
Is thoroughly aroused and acts in the line Of
his resolutions.