Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-04-29
RISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
EopIc For the Week BEGINNING May
3-COmment by Rev. =. II. Doyle.

3-COmment by Rev. =. II. Doyle.
Topic-v-hat does the parable OF the
prodigal son teach us?-Luke XIV, u-32.
II is strange that no playwright has
ever dramatized this pearl Of parallels.
Dit contains a plot" of surprising in
kerest. which would be always true in
every age and exceedingly realistic.
Ut has four scenes-the departure from
Abe old home. the fast life in a far
country. the sudden fall and poverty
and the joyous return to the fathers
house.
The Saviour, believe, had three les
sons to teach from this parable. These
nre embodied in the three prominent
characteristic elder brother, the prod
agal son and the father.
First LesSon.-The story was told
that Christians who are in the Fathers
house might take warning from the
selfshness and jealousy and anger of
the elder brother. There is danger
khat. like the elder brother, we are in
the Fathers house simply for what we
can get out of it. He showed himself
to be unkind. devoid of sympathy and
charity and intensely selfish. 1t is
possible that we may act in such a
manner to the hayward men and wom-
EN- who are out in the world, far from
our Heavenly Fathers house. There
Is too much of the elder brothers spirit
in the church of today. We should
eradicate it.
Second Lesson.-The prodigal himself
teaches the evil of sin, but the POSSIBLE
aU of forgiveness and pardon. This is
shown in six steps.
First Step, Alienation.-The father
with his two sons was living pleasant
1y in the home. This is a picture of
the ideal relation between God and his
human children - projection on one
side and obedience on the other. Some
evt spirit crept into this younger sons
heart and alienated his affection and
obedience. How frequently it hap
pens that we begin to get cold and in
different to God and the church, and
this feeling grows until we are alienat-
ed from our Heavenly Father. We
should nip these feelings in the bud.
Second Step, Degeneration. - Evil
thoughts cannot remain in the heart
without producing evil deeds. He
went into far country" We think we
can get away from God and then be
free to do evil. He spent his sub
Stance in riotous living" He gambled,
drank, drove fine horses, attended thea
tiers and card parties, played billiards,
treated his friends and got to the bot
tom of his pocket in short time
Third Step, Degradation.-"He began
to be in want" Sin is the most expen-
sive thing possible. Everything goes
virtue, honor, character, even his gay
friends. "There arose a mighty famine
In the land" OF course. Did you ever
know it to fail? So long as you had
plenty of money everybody else had
plenty. Wake up some morning with
out a dollar and try to borrow, and
you will find money famine.
Fourth Step, Reflection. - Poverty,
want and hunger lead man to reflect.
Sin is insanity. Reflection restores
sanity. He came back to his former
self. Reflection is the first step to re-
pentance.
Fifth Step, Resolution.-"1 will arise
and go to my father" The Il will'
was the taproot of his resolution. His
will had taken him away from home;
now it must bring him back.
Sixth Step, Reconciliation boy
Acknowledged his sin and took the
blame on himself. His father gladly
received him and forgave him. and a
complete reconciliation was made. In
this story hope is held up for all.
Third Lesson.-This parable was told
that we might fasten our eyes upon
the Father and in Him get a glimpse
Of loving, tender and compassionate
God. The sweetest. grandest character
Of the parable is the father, and he is
picture of our Heavenly Father.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps cxix, 50, 60; Ps. Ii, 4; Ps. CHI, 2,
3: Eph. ii, /; Ps. CHI, 10; Eph. V, IA;
Acts ii, SO; Eph. ii. Is.