The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-10-26

% And bring hither the fatted calf. and
kill IL: and let US eat and be merry.
"a. For this my son was dead. and Is alive
again: he was lost. and is found. And
they began to be merry.
GOLDEN TEXT will arise and 20
To my father.-Luke 1918.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The parable of the prodigal son 10
one OF group of parallels uttered by
Jesus, showing why ana when it was
. duty TO receive sinners. But it is
of the fatherhood of God, ana His un-
changing love for the beings He has
created.
LESSON ANALYSIS.
The Prodigal Son. ...............-vs. u-iz.
A Disastrous Experience. ..........vs. l5-l6.
A Sensible Resolution........... 11-l9.
His Return Home and Welcome. VS.. 2o-2t
The Elder Son. .......................vs. 25-32-
The Prodigal Son. - The eleventh
verse gives us a picture o. happy
home, with father and his two sons
as the central figures. The father was
Q prosperous m.n. The elder son ac-
cepted his place in the home and set
tied down to its routine OF work and
pleasure. The younger son was rest
less and discontented. He wanted ito
see the world"
His Wandering Shortly the young
er son went away from home, and
for a time lost himself in riotous liv-
ing.
A Disastrous Experience.-The cur
tain is bound 10 fall, and when 1t fell
after the riotous time in far coun-
try the prodlgal found all the lights
gone out, the good fellows" gone,
none of the cheer left. and famine
facing him. so that he was glad to Sc
cure the most me nial employment, and
would have eaten even the stuff with
which he fed the swine.
a Sensible Resolution. - Misfortune
and suffering are the only things that
bring some people TO a sober view OF
life. When the young man came to
take this sober view, came to his real
self, and saw things as they were, he
knew something had to be done. The
contrast between his fathers lux
urious home and this swine pen came
to him. He had been son in the
home. now he would gladly be a serv-
ant there. J he thought no sooner
self. We cannot but think of the
struggle that must have taken place
within him on the way back. He
would have to acknowledge defeat.
meet tire criticisms and censorious
glances Of his old-time friends, and
even the anger, perhaps, Of his own
father.
His Return Home and Welcome
What must have been the surprise OF
the prodigai not 10 have met the recep-
ton he expected. His father showed
no anger. but recognized him a great
way off, land ran and fell on his neck
and kissed him" This is picture of the
Heavenly Father. We may know that
we merit rebuke. but once the decision
Is made 10 return to Him. He shows
His boundless love, He utters no CEN
sure. but is even more glad to receive
rs than we are to turn from the way
OF sin to the paths OF life and righteous
ness.
The Elder Son.-There are many OF
him in the world. Note that his GEN
eral course was right one. But he
spoiled il all by one little, mean act.
He refused to rejoice for the return of
his brother. He lacked that love which
makes every service JOY. The right
way had been TO him the best way. be-
cause il had been the most expeditions.
There is nothing to show that he
stayed at home because he loved the
old place or TO be with his father His
feeling was no better than had been
the younger sons. But he profited by
his foresight while his brother lost all
he had. The younger gained in its place
love for his home and his father.
Note, too, that the fathers attitude
had changed toward neither son. lie
welcomed the younger because he
had been a long time absent. but for
the ungraciousness Of the elder son he
had only words Of kindness. He sim
ply said: "All that is mine Is thine"
Rams Horn Blasts.
There is room in Gods sympathy
for all our SORROWS.
Gods power is given only for God's
purposes.
The lights of the world ought TO be
the leaders OF men.
The word must Judge the kingdom
OF heaven by its citizens.
There Is no faith without the CO.