The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-02-05
WHAT DID HE DO?

We all know this story so Thoroughly
well that it would seem almost unnccss,
sary to emphasize things the father, dld
when the meeting between himself and his
son occurred, but for the sake OF the story
let Inc say:
First. ''he kissed him." You will notice
that he did not wait until the boys gar:
ments had been changed, or the signs OF
his wanderirgS removed. There would
have been no grace in this. Bat cad IN all
his rags he threw his arms about him and
drew him close against his heart, and gave
him the kiss which was the sign or COM
plete reconciliation. This is what Jesus
Christ waits to give to every wandering
soul The Old hymn says, MY God is
reconciled," and this is the teaching OF the
Scriptures. it is not necessary that l
should work myself W, inton, fever OF ex- ;
citement, nor weep and wall III the depths
OF nv despair. bat it is necessary only that
| should receive what God offers me IN
Jesus Ch,.St The first step III the Chris
tian llic Is all acceptance OF that winch
comes from above.
We had in Philadelphia 4 young man be-
longing to one Of the better families, So
called. who By his wayward actions dis
graccd his father aud finally broke his
hear. After little he lett his home,
went to Baltimore, from there to Wash
ington. and after months OF wandering de-
termiacd to return. He was ashamed TO
meet the members OF his family, but, he
knew that if he made a peculiar sound at
the door at the midnight hour there was
one who would hear and understand, ana
when he stood before that door. 1t was
swung open and without word OF re-
proach his mother bade him welcome. The
next morning he did not come down from
his room, the second morning ne was
ashamed to come. but the third morning
as he descended the stairway his brother,
a physician, met him and said, EDWARD,
mother is dying" She had been suddenly
stricken down and was anxious to see nm.
He made his way into her room. knelt be-
side her bed and sobbed out, "Oh, mother,
| besecch you, forgive me-! and with her
last departing strength she drew close to
him, placed her lips close. to his ear and
said. my dear boy, would have forgiven
YOU long ago if you had only accepted 1t. ~
This is picture of God. With q love that
is infinite, and a pity beyond description,
He waits to save every one who Will but
simply receive His gift OF life.
Second. / have always imagined that
! when the father started out from the house
! running to meet his boy, that the servants
must have noticed him, and possibly they
| ran after him. When the father saw the
condition of the son can hear him as he
turned to the approaching servants to say,
run, bring the best robe and put 1t on
| him" and It is beautiful thing to me to
know that when they brought the robe the
| father wrapped it round about him, thus
| covering over all the signs of his wander
ing. This is what God does for me and
for YOU. The moment we believe the
robe of Christ's righteousness Is placed
| about us, and God looks upon US as with
out spot or blemish, for we are at once ac
cepted in the beloved.
I remember that when Jonathan wa:
| dead and David wanted to do something
| for some one that belonged to him, the
| only one he could find upon whom ht
might lavish his affection was poor, little
lame Mephbosheth He was lame on bott
his feet. YOU will remember This nurse hat
dropped him as she was fleeing away from
the enemy, but when David found him n
placed him at the kings table and in suci
a position that his lameness was hidden
and if you had been on the opposite sid
from him you never would have known
that he had a mark Of deformity abou
him. This is what God does for ever.
moor. wandering, lost one that comes t
Him "I, even /, am He that blotteth ou
all thy transgressions, and l will remem
Der them against you no more forever.
Third, he put the nng on his hand. Ih
ring is always the emblem for complete
ness. And this was beautiful illustration
of the fact that the fathers love was per
feet. and that his love had not been al