The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-02-06
HE HAD COMPASSION AND RAN"

l never knew until recently Wnat thAt
word Compassion" meant. l know now
that II indicates ones suffering with an
other, IL is this that makes the story of a
mans transgression 50 pathetic. Other
hearts are made 10 ache and almost break.
Other eyes are filled with tears and other
lives made desolate l can see this old
father going up to the outlook from his
home, gazing of IN the direction which his
boy had taken, coming down the steps
again like David of old crying out, oh,
nv son, my son, would God | had died tor
you,' lie had compassion.
We had IN our cily young man who
was more than ordinarily prosperous IN
has business, and his prosperity seemed 10
be the cause of his downfall, IL became
SO marked that his partners called him
into their office TO say that he must either
mend his ways or dispose oi his interests
in the concern. His promises were good,
and all went well for a little season, and
then when the failure was worse than ever
they insisted that he should dispose OF his
interests TO them, and with a great sum
OF money he began 10 slnk rapidly. lie
mad gone from bad TO worse until not long
ago they found him floating in the river,
for he had taken his own life. The story
is sad IN the extreme, but the saddest por-
tion of IL is found in the fact that there is
an old man to-day going about the streets
of the city mourning for his son. He
scarcely lifts his eyes from the ground as
he walks Sometimes you behold him
with the tears rolling down his checks He
has compassion. And II is fact that one
never sins, breaking even the least of
the great and loving Father does not yearn
over him and long for his return.
s.s,- Nv.
WHAT DID HE DO?
We all know this story so thoroughly
Ill =, al
sary to emphasize things the father did
when the meeting between himself and his
son occurred, but for the sake of the story
let me 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
bls wanderlngs removed. There would
have been no grace IN this. But clad 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 OF com
plete reconciliation. This is what Jesus
Christ waits to give to every wandering
soul The old hymn says, My God IL
reconcile1," and this IL the teaching of the
Scriptures. IL is not necessary that j
| should work myself up into fever OF ex'
crement, nor weep and wall IN the depths
OF my despair, but IL is necessary only that
| should receive what God offers me In
Jesus CHRIST. The first step IN the Chris.
comes from above.
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 j can hear him M he
| turned to the approaching servants to say,
| Run, bring the best robe and put II on
him," and II in n beautiful thing TO me 20
| know that when they brought the robe the
| father wrapped II round about him, thus
covering over oil the signs of his wander.
ing. This is what God does for me and
| for YOU. The moment we believe the
robe of Christs righteousness is placed
| about US. and God looks upon us as with.
| out spot or blcmsh for we are at once nc.
ceptcd in the beloved
Third. he put the ring on his hand The
ring IL always the emblem for complete.
| ness And this was a beautiful illustration
of the fact that the fathers love was per.
| feet, aud that his love had not been af-
| fected by the wanderings of the boy. This
| ~ certainly true Of God, and j know no
better figure TO give n thought OF His love
than that of the ring.
For the love Of God is broader than the
measure OF mans mind,
And the heart of the Eternal is most
wonderfully kind"
Fourth, he put shoes on his feet. ! can
see the poor boy as he hobbies on TO meet
| his father. his feet bleeding at every ptep,
| for the shoes were worn and he walked
with difficulty, but when he was well shod
with shoes from the kings house ] can see
him taking the hand Of the old father and
running back 10 his home. One of the
commonest excuses presented by men for
not yielding 10 Christ IL the fear that they
may not hold out. but 10 me Il is comfort
ing 10 know that the moment we are saved
| He puts shoes on our feet. and that we ape
shod with the preparation Of the gospel Of
peace.
V