The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-29

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Rev. W, W. Smith. OF Berea, Ohio.
gave a splendid illustrated address, en-
titled THE Boy Pictured" at the mems
meeting al the Y. NJ, C. A. yesterday
afternoon, and his effort was greatly n
1oyed by the large audience present,
The parable of the Prodigal Son was il
Illustrated by several panoramic views,
That the prodlgal might be an old man
as well as a youth. was clearly set
forth in Mr.. Smiths Introductory re-
marks, The word prodIgal, meant lost,
and the soul could be lost In sin at n
part OF LIES journey.
The first picture represented the aged
father regretfully handing money 20 the
son TO leave his home. To the rear OF
THE father was another son, hut older
than the prodigal, and who was watch-
ing to see that the younger brother did
not get more than his share. The
speaker dfiated upon the temptations
tina. beset the youung man in a strange
city, incidentally giving illustrations of
the effects resulting from bad company,
He went on to show that men became
prodigals after reaching the fortieth
milestone of life, Ambition In business
or politics led them to work schemes
that drove religion OUT OF their hearts,
and they became lost, or prodigals. The
spectacle of the rise OF a politician or
business man induced other men to try
the same road-and that road, led to
moral ruin so often. Prodigals are
made by losing respect for the Sab
bath, but n great source Is the love for
money, and the desire to get money
without earning 1t, has filled the jails
and pe%nitentiarles. Mr.. Smith argued
against gambling in Its simplest form,
and dlscountenanced the habit of boys
playing marbles for keeps" He adj
vised goung men to save their money, a
small part, az least. OF their daily earn
ings. Another thing that makes a prod
igal Is the forgetting to pray, and an.
other is the midnight club
The second picture showed the prodi-
gal son, staft In hand, on foot, miles
from home. The picture was symbolical
of paths of sinful pleasure. The next
picture was n continuation of this. and
showed the young man drinking wine,
surrounded by voluptuous libertlnes.
The speaker used strong language in
d%enouncing the "masher." He advised
young men to be pure, and paid an elo-
quent tribute to woman.
The next picture shows the young
man soliciting work, and the next was
a companion picture showing him
among the swine, and his head Is cast
down. Many young men, said the
speaker. would then have become reck-
less, and plunged deeper into dissipa-
ton.
In the next picture. the father was
seen sitting bg the door of the old
home. peerlng out into the distance,
looking for sight OF his son. Sometimes
the father saw a young man advancing,
hut he was doomed to disappointment.
He never lost hope that of his son re-
turning.
That his hope was rewarded was
shown In the next picture. The son re-
turns and the father embraces him both
being moved to tears.
Succeeding pictures showed the
clothing and feasting Of the hungry,
naked prodigal Mr.. Smith asked the
boy, II he be the only son, to stay at
home. He should stay at home to COM
fort his mother and father In their old
age, and he drew a pretty word picture
OF the household, which contained the
old folks and happy romping grand
children. He spoke tenderly Of the
memories that cling around home, and
his description Of the tireside around
which the children Join with their faith
err and mother In innocent games ana
pastimes, was touching and made an
effective impression on the audience,
The next picture showed the father
sitting in his chair, with the prodigal
son on his knee, and amid a scene of
general rejoicing Mr.. Smith said he
thought the picture was too soft when
he first made It, and for some time 81
terward, he didn't show It but expert
once had taught him that there was
none too much sentiment.
The last view shown was Rock OF
Ages" and the hymn OF that title was
sung by the audience as a fitting