The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-20

REJOICING (Yerses and 6).-That tfe search
for the lost would be continued until il was
| successful, no one would doubt, andtso the story
OF Jesus led up 60 that happy result and pol
traycd the outcome. ''When he had found it he
layeth on his shoulders" carrying it homeward,
not suffering the weary one to walk, so tender
was the regard, so happy was his heart. and
as the man went out he reioiced. It is said
that shepherds sang under such circumstances,
and that their voices rang out full and clear
along the valleys, echoing among the hills, dis.
turbing the quiet OF the way, and telling to all
the Joy experienced. And on reaching home the
man gathered his household, his servants, his
neighbors and friends, announced his success and
invited them to unite with him in expressions OF
gladness. This might seem to us an overdrawn
statement, but 1t is true to the pastoral life Of
the east Travellers inform us that similar
scenes may be witnessed in our day. A lost
sheep, rescued from the wolves and from death,
brought back to the fold, causes much merry.
making among the simple minded folks Of those
distant lands.
REPENTING Verse 1).-The illustration being
complete was applied in q very beautiful and
delicate way. Jesus did not attempt 10 trace
any parallel between a lost sheep and q lost
soul. although it is evident that he intended one
should represent the other. Neither did he refer
to the efforts made to bring back the wayward
and reclaim him to God, although these efforts
are earnest and protracted, the result OF Divine
love for the erring. Under some circumstances
the parable might have brought out both these
points, but to do so in this case would have
detracted somewhat from the force Of the nara.
tive and might have defeated its purpose. But
Jesus holds his hearers to the fact that God
and the angels rejoice at the conversion OF the
sinner. This was intended ss a contrast with
the narrow bigotry si the Pharisees Would
they dare In their legal Righteousness TO refuse
what the holy inhabitants Of heaven had granted9
May they keep at distance those who have
been accepted by the Almighty? 1t Is worthy of
note that the rejoicing was on account of re-
pentance. This presented the philosophy OF the
spiritual life, the condition Of pardon Il John,
i:9). One penitent is esteemed above ninety y.nine
self-righteous.
SWEEPING Verse s)-The last parable touched
only one side OF the great principle which
Jesus intended to set forth. The change in the
heart OF the sinner was the occasion for joy
A spiritual being sorry for its evil, turning away
from it and thereby retracing his steps toward
purity was accepted with gladness, because the
life would thereafter be governed by new mo.
tiyes and every right thinking person who
knows this Transformation ought to rejoice. But
there was another aspect OF the case deserving
attention, brought out in the parable of the
coin. A woman had ten pieces. one.tenth as
many as the man had sheep. One was lost, ana
she lighted candle and swept the house to find
1t. The point here Is the value Of the thing lost
1t has purchasing power and 1t bears the
image of the emperor. So the soul OF the sin
uer, made In the Divine likeness (Gsn.. i:26),
may be employed in high and noble pursuits
and Its rescue Is therefore to be sought. On
account OF its worth the church, represented by