Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-07
WHAT DID lie Do?

We all know this story so Thoroughly
we'll that it would seem almost unneees
sary TO emphasize things the father did
when the meeting between himself and his
son occurred, but FOR the sake o. the story
let me say:
First, The kissed him" You will notice
that he did not wait until the boy gar
ments had been changed, or the signs OF
his wanderings removed. There would
have been no grace in this. But 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 OF com.
plete reconciliation. This is what jesus
Christ waits to give to every wandering
soul. The old hymn says. My God Is
reconcilcd," and this is the teaching OF thu
Scriptures. 1t is not necessary that
should work myself up into a fever - eX.
element. nor weep and wall in the depthi
OF my despair, bat it is necessary only that
] should receive what God offers me III
Jesus CHRIST. The first step in the Chris.
tian life Is an acceptance OF that winch
comes from above.
We had in Philadelphia young man he.
longing to one of the better families, So
called. who by his hayward actions dis.
graced his father and finally broke his
heart. After little he left his home,
went to Baltimore. from there TO Wash
ington, and after months OF wandering de-
termined to return. He was ashamed 10
knew that if he made n peculiar sound at
the door at the midnight hour there was
one who would hear and understand, and
when he stood before that door it was
swung open aud without word OF re-
proach his mother babe him welcome. The
next morning he did no. come down from
his room, the second morning he was
ashamed TO come. bat the third morning
as he descended the stairway his brother,
n physician. met him and said. Edward.
mother is dying" She had been suddenly
stricken down and was anxious TO see him.
He made his way into her room. kneit be-
side her bed and sobbed out, ''Oh, mother.
] beseech 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 hoy, l would have forgiven
YOU long ago if you had only accepted it,"
is infinite, and 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 he house
running to meet his hoy, that the servants
must have noticed MIN, 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 it 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 Chrlsts Righteousness is placed
about US. and God locks upon us as with
out spot or b.emish. for we are at once ac-
cepted in the beloved.
l remember that when Jonathan was
dead and David wanted to do something
for some one that belonged TO him. the
only one he could find upon whom he
might lavish his affection was poor little,
lame Mephibosheth. He was lame on both
his feet. YOU will remember This nurse had
dropped him as she was fleeing away from
the enemy, but when David found him he
placed him at the kings table and in such
a position that his lameness was hidden,
and l. Won had been on the opposite side
from him yoo never would have known
that he had a mark OF deformity about
him. This is what God does for every
poor, wandering, lost one that comes to
Him: Il, even /, am He that blotteth out
all thy tIansyressions, and | will remem-
Der them aga nst you no more forever"
Thira. he put the ring on his hand. The
ring is always the emblem for complete.
ness. And this was a BEAUTIFUL illustration
of the fact that the fathers love was per.
!iect. and THAI his love lad not been af.
fectsa by the wanderings OF the boy. This
is certainly true of God. aud | know no
better figure TO give Il thought OF His love
than that of the ring.
For the love OF Cod is broader than the
measure OF mans mind.
And the heart of the Eternal is most
wonderfully kind"
Fourth ne put shoes on his feet. / can
the poor how as he hobbies on TO meet
his father. his feet bleeding at every step.
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 to his home. One of the
commoneSt excuses presented by men for
not yielding To Christ * the fear that tkc-
may no. hold out but to me 1t Is comfort.
ing to know that the moment we arc saved
He nuts shoes on our feet. and that we are
shod with the preparation Of the go-2cl 81
peace.
V.
"-AND THEY KILLED For HIM THE
FATTED CALF