The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-27
BY
j. E. Gilbert, DID
Secretary of American
Society of Religious
Education.

result. long time before his arrival hi!
father saw him. Probably the heart haC
ycarned for the son during all his absence.
weyward child can never be forgotten e Sam
xviii: 3:D. life of sin and shame may shocl
US, but it cannot destroy love. On the contrary
it molifes and intensifcs affection. Toward
good child there flows from the parent a stream
of complacency but toward the erring child
pity and solicitude. The latter is, ii possible
stronger and leads to sacrifice (John iii: 6)
Pcering into the distance, the father discerned
the form OF his long absent and wandering boy
and at the sight his heart melted with tender
compassion For the moment he forgot the i'm
perious demand, the appropriated property. the
| hasty devastating, with all dsrespect involved
and he ran to meet his son. The spectacle oi
poverty, presented at the near approach did not
repel him. He fell on his neck and kissed him.
after the custom OF those days (Gen. xiii: A..
1t was mist cordial welcome, proof Of fa
theirs love, support Of sons fainting heart
Qsa. ky: 2G.
REJoICING-With tremuous voice the son
attempted his confession, pursuant to the vow
formed while feeding the swine. "Father," he
began. The word meant more than ever before.
Affection had thrown halo around it, ~
have sinned," he cried. FULL unhesitating &C.
acknowledgement essential to reconciliation and
peace. There was no other way out of his sin.
even though already fathers welcome had been
given. That father must know the sons sor.
row Uev. v: 1D. Forgiveness without confes.
sion is impossible (iom. Y: lO). The young
man proceeded, declaring that he had sinned
against heaven, and that he was unworthy to be
called son. There he paused, perhaps over
come with emotions or perhaps his father in
terrupted him. At any rate he did not pro-
pose. as he had intended, to take servants
place. There was no need for it now. BY
confessing himself unworthy he had made hint
self worthy luke xiv: ~, His father did the
rest, giving orders to the servants to displace
the old garments with the best robe, to put a
ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. to
restore the son to the place in the family which
he occupied before. Nor was this all. The
fatted calf was ordered to be slain, and sea.
son of merry making was proclaimed. The Sc
crct was told by the rejoicing father. "This
my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and Is found.' The broken family is re.
stored.
CONCLUSION. underlying and pervading this
parable are many ethical ideals and truths i'm.
mensely valuable to the family. The duty and
character of a father, the place and spirit OF .
son, the relation and quality OF brothers, the
danger of inherited wealth, the greater danger
of evil companions and idleness, the reforrnatory
power OF adversely psalm cxix: 67), set over
against the peril Of prosperity, the sweet and
comforting memory OF good home-these points
are not elaborated, but they are assumed. Jesus
did not intend here to illustrate or inoulcate
domestic virtues. His primary purpose was to
show the method and consequences of sin, the
mode OF return and the surety Of pardon. Liv.
ing without reference to Gods will while ac.
ccptng His bounty is the essence of all wicked.
ness psalm X: D. Such attempt to satisfy
the soul with material things must end In want
and sorrow (Luke xii: 20). There is no calamity
like spiritual famine IT, under its distresses,
conscience awake psalm lii - and confession
is made Il John 1: % God will forgive. Restor.
alton to the Divine favor brings one into the
heavenly family CRom viii: l5) with promise
of blessing (Rom. vii: 300. But that does not
mean that no loss has been sustained by the
wanderer, that prodigal brought back and
received can ever become what he would have
been had he remained at home Verse sI. A
sinner restored must be inferior to one who
abides in righteousness (Eph. vi: lD.