The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-18
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
"THIs NAN RECEIYETH SiNNEhS
AND EATETH WITH THEM"
DIR. Edward l.. Peii's Interpretation ofthe
International Sunday-Schooi Lesson
for Tomorrow.

April 1s-The Lost Found.-Luke XIV, liza
This man receiyeth sinners and eateth
with them" This was a puzzle 10 the
Pharisees; they either could not or would
not understand II. People who think
themselves the special favorites OF heaven
cannot understand it, Christian AmeT-
cans who think they ought 10 weigh a
great deal more in Gods scales than
heather Chinese, cannot understand IL
Why cast pearls before swine? Why
not reserve the gospel for people VINO
are worthy OF II?
Three parallels point out tho absurdity
Of the Pharisaic argument and provide
a world OF comfort for the poor Publican
standing afar of.
you think 1t strange that should as
sociate with sinners" said Jesus. If
you had hundred sheep, and one OF
them went astray. would you not leave
the ninety and nine and so after that
which was lost? And would your going
indicate that you thought less OF the
ninety and nine? Would you not 90 the
same for any one OF them that might
wander away?
cor" said ne ito present another view:
II a woman who has ten pieces OF sill
yer lose one piece will not all her thought
DO given to that lost piece I'LL she ma
it?"
But these Illustrations give only
partial view OF the attitude OF Jesus to-
ward the lost He was not content to
seek the poor sheep that had wandered
of ANONYMOUSLY, but he was ready to
receive the wilifui some who had deiiber-
atey turned his back upon him. Such
is the teaching OF the parable which fol-
lows-the parable of the prodgal son, or.
as IL has been called. the parable of the
bereaved father.
A certain man had two sons. Here is
the picture OF a home In which all are
at home-just what God wants. But the
next sentence tells OF disturbing infiu-
ence entering tho home and destroying
its unity and happiness. a thoughtess
youth, tlfed OF restraint insists on hav-
ing his own way. and the property his
father intends 10 give him. The rather
accedes to the request, and the son soon
gathers all together and takes his jour
ney into far country lie wants TO have
a good time, and he cannot have such
time as he wants in his fathers sight.
When a man wants TO have a good time
he puts as great a distance as he posi-
bly, can between himself and his Fathers
house.
In a far country, with tho reins and
the cash in his own hands, II does not
take long to run through with his SUD
stance. When a man separates himselt
from God and all cody restraint, how
ever rich he may be In body, nina or
goods, Il takes but little while 10 run
through with all that he has, and TO pres
ent the appearance or dlsnahtied snip
stranded on the beach.
1t never rains, but It pours. Just as the
young mans funds give out famine
comes on. and all his friends begin TO
talk about the hard times and 10 tie up
their pocket books. And In little while
his friends give him nothing but cold
shoulder 10 live on. 1t is the usual re-
ward laid up on earth for the man who
wastes his money In filtration with the
world
The poor fellow, now completely run
down at the heel, becomes a hanger-oh
around a rich heathen's farm, ana inc
farmer, unable 10 get rid OF him, SENDS
him into the fields to feed swine. Ana
he a Jewl Standing In the midst Of the
field. surrounded by unclean swine, when
he hal been taught to abhor from In
fancy hungry enough to eat the dry
locust pods in his basket, without a friend
10 give him SO much as a breakfast. the
wretched youth comes to his senses.
"Oh. fool. fool that | am" we can hear
him saving. How many hired servants
I'm my fathers house have bread enough
and 10 spare. and I perish with hunger
A sense OF humiliation sweeps over MIN,
and for the moment he Is overwhelmed.
Pitlable object that he Is, he IS now IN
the best plight he has been IN Tor years.
lie has struck bottom and the bottom
has not dropped out, and he viii now
begin 70 rise. The long road mas iouhu
its turning point. The thought OF the
fathers loving heart takes possession OF
him and a raw of hope lights up his
soul. "Pn go back md offer myself
as a servant" re says. He who had
found home restraint too much as a son
was now ready to be restrained as a ser
want
And he throws the last handful OF
mods to the last companions OF his pro-
digal days and hurries across the helds
10 the nearest road leading toward nome.
To the travellers who pass him on the
INV he is a distressing looking OBJECT,
but he IS no longer TO be pitied; he Is
going home. one fancies the angels OF
heaven pausing in their employment ana
looking out of the window upon the
homewafd bound prodigal. The very
birds stretch their threats 70 sing louue,
and sweeter TO keep his courage up ana
,ho sun tenpers It's RAYS that he may not
faint by the way. Now and then ne raj
ters. and once wo can imagine he turns
10 GO back, but the thought OF the rain
er's loving heart keeps coming PACK 70
spur him 10 the journey
No artists brush can paint the meeting
scene, but who cannot see ~ NO preaeh.
or can adequately present It's lessons, out
Who that looks upon the picture needs 10
ro taught it's meaning? The prodigal
re,urns hoping for mercy; he finds well
aor,a nayron. reservation; a new robe. a
rI ing a feast. lie comes Offering himself
as servant; he is received IN the arms
If his father as dead son restored TO
And vet tho prodgal who reads ms
and returns will find that the halt mas
never been told" n,,,r