The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-11

him great desires toward the Worlo OF
mankind. He blandly believed that he
could conquer the world; that he could.
by the exercise of the talents which had
caused him to be the favorite on his
fathers farm and his neighborhood,
make the great, rich, splendid world
bring its best tribute to his feet.
His observant father saw that discon
tent was working in his heart. Was it
to the father matter for regret? But
how could the father know that there
was not in this an indication that his
younger son, who at home would be al
ways second to his firstborn, was called
to larger career and better fortune
in the wider field of the world?
When, therefore, the younger son came
to him and asked his permission to try
his fortune in great city, and to ad-
vance to him the portion Of his estate
which would in due time fall to him.
that portion being only one half as much
as would come to his older brother,-for
reasons which have been effective in
many similar case, the father con-
sented. He anticipated the final dis
position of his property. He divided
unto them has hving.
The younger son soon afterwards. with
his entire fortune, journeyed to luxur-
ious city of foreign nation. He started
with jubilant spirit and romantic hope
While he could see at the parting, that
his going brought pang of bereave-
ment to his fathers heart, he made light
of it. Would he not make his father
correspondingly glad when he, after
achieving fame and riches, returned to
the old home? Another character of
this story is obscured by the purpose
which Jesus designed the narrative to
serve; yet it is character second to
none other: we mean the boys mother.
He babe her good bye. He left father,
mother, his sedate and just elder brother;
he babe farewell to all the friends and
scenes of his youth.
He took his journey into q far coun-
trg, and there aUasted has substance in
riotous ivinQ. A long and very sad
story is here told. He went to the lux
urious city; he there fell into evil COM
pany and had no power to resist the evil
influences which surrounded him. He
lost his moral integrity. He forgot his
home and his God. He squandered his
money. He sought the oblivion of
thought and the paradise Of the senses
in dissipation. The end soon came. He
was one day cruelty thrust out of his
FOOLS paradise. His money was all gone;
his credit was all gone. He was an out
cast, penniless and disgraced. in far
city.
He Learns a Hard Lesson by
Bitter Experience,-vs. 14-19.
The condition of the ruined spend
thrift became yet more pitiable when a
famine invaded the country to which he
had with such glowing hopes journeyed.
He now learned by experience what
hunger is. He wandered from the city
and sought employment of a farmer.
He who could not endure farm work at
home was now an applicant for whatever
farm work would save him from starva
ton. The farmer to whom he applied
the only one who showed him the least
friendlinees,-had nothing better for him
to do than to feed his swine; at least
this was the only work he offered him.
A swinehe card! A young Jew. to whom
all swine were religiously execrable, set
to be the servant and companion Of hogs!
He rebelled against his humiliation. He
even made an essay at begging. But no
man qaue unto him. He was forced to
turn again to his debasing task. He
reduced to such straits Of physical need
that when he fed his swine with pods of
the carob tree,-the locust beans which
are to the human stomach as husks,-
he devoured them like the filthy ami
mails He acould fain haze been filled
aDith the husks that the sacine did eat.
But one day, in the lonely field, he
came to himself. He was delivered from
his delusion. He saw what he had
been; he saw what he was. He then
keenly remembered that the hired day
laborers on his fathers farm had super
abundance of wholesome bread, while
he was literally starving.
But he would not, he could not. go
back to his father as son. He had
squandered his entire inheritance. He
no longer had a sons claim. He would,
he must, go back, and plead for place
among his fathers hired servants. He
resolved to tell his father all; he will
make no appeal for further division Of
his elder brothers dover.
3. He is by his Father We'll
coined Home Again,-vs. 20-A.
And he arose, and came to has father.
The scene of the story is shifted. We
behold now the waiting and longing
father. Grief and agony in the old home
had been as intense, because Of his moral
ruin, as his misery had been to him.
The father was waiting and watching
for the return of his son. He often
scanned the horizon. trying to catch a
glimpse of him in the distance. And
when one day he disceIned far away a
ragged and timid wayfarer approaching,
Il I i L