The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-07

Jews as unclear and abominabIe Gcv.
xi. - But while thus employed no one
gave him food, and lie was left to eat Of
the husks that the swine ate. Behold him
nova rich mans son. a pauper. a slave.
feeding the swine: and eating with them.
Degradation complete
RELENTING-The young man was
brought to his senses by the most serious
reflections. He thought of home. of his
father. OF the plenty there enjoyed in the
days gone by. of the more favorable lot
OF his father $ hired servants. contrasted
with his unfortunate state: These re-
smote him vigorously for his folly and his
sin. He came thus to his right mind. He
had violated the law Of flial duty. an
the greatest crime known to the Oriental
world. lisa 1. - He made no attempt
to extenuate his fault His course hsd
been premeditated- and he had been over
wheimed with its consequences. Genuine
repentance came into his heart. But one
hope remained-notwithstan nding his Hide
ness. a proof that his father was not at
to return. But the spirit Of humility
received sons portion and squandered II.
He could not again ask for a sons place.
He was willing 20 be a. hired servant. He
mansion with this only plea. flames
MELcoMELThe Imagination might
easily follow the penitent prodigai on his
hopeful. Along the way he must have
framed his sPhences many times to e!-
would faiI bh but confident Of fss n. resGis wSnHs
saw him, Probably the heart had yearned
for the ss,,s dusnE all his aessnss
Sam. xviii. 49,. A life Of sin and shame
may shock US. but It cannot destroy love.
On the contrary. IT modifies and intensi
fies affection; Toward a good child there
flows from the parent a stream Of COM
placency. but toward the erring child pity
and eolicitude: The latter is. II possible
stronger. and leads to sacrifices. John ILL.,
16I PeerinE into the distance the father
dscefned the form Of his long absent and
wandering boy. and at the sight mis- heart
melted with tender compassion. For the
moment he forgot the imperious demand.
Appropriated property. the hasty leave
taking, with all the. disrespect involved.
Of poverty. presented at the near ap-
proach. did not repel him. He - on his
neck and kissed him. after the dOktom of
cordial welcome. proof of n fathers love-
support CT sons fainting heart. Qsa.
REJoICrNs-witht tremendous voice the
son ATTEMPTED his confession. pursuant to
the VOW formed while feeding the swine;
Fat athe5 st he began; The ,s,n,,,I T1rd meant ant
thrown a halo around It. IT have sinned."
he cried. q full unnesitatinR acknowledge
ment essential to reconciliation and peace.
even though already fathers welcome
had been given. That father must know
the sons sorrow. uev. v. 81 Forgiveness
io) The young man proceeded. declaring
that he had sinned against heaven. and
that he was unworthy 10 be called son
emotions. or perhaps his father inter
rupted him. At any rate, he did not pro-
pose as he he'd intended. to take serv-
ants place. There was no need OF II now.
BY confessing himself unworthy he made
himself worthy. duke xiv, i1) His father
did the rest. giving orders to the servants
robe. to put 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 or
dered to be slain. and a season Of merry
making was proclaimed. The secret was
told hv the rejoicing father. This. my
lost. lost snd md IS % fosnd." a. The broken family is
restored.
coNcLUsIoN-Under and pervad-
ing this parable are many ethical Ideals
family. The duty and character of
father. the place and spirit of son. the
relation and quality of brothers. the dan
ger M Of evil compsnions ana idleness. the
reformatory power of adversely Psalms
cxix. 6n. set over again the peril of pros-
Of a good home-these points are not elah-
GRATED. but they are assumed. Jesus did
not intend here TO illustrate or incuicate
domestic virtues. His primary purpose
was to show the method and consequences
Of 81. the mode Of return and the surety
OF pardon. Living without reference to
Gods will while accepting his bounty Is
the essence Of all wickedness. Psalms <.
~ Such attempt TO satisfy the soul with
material thinss must end In want and sor-
row. Guke XII. 2o) There is no calamity
ike spiritual famine. II u'der Its dis
tre~ses. conscience awaken ,Psalns II. ~.
and confession is made q; John I; 81. God
will forgive. Restoration to the divine IA
voc brines me into the heavenly family
Rom viii. l9. with promise Of all bless
ing rom viIi 2S) But that does not
mean that no loss has been sustained bv
the wanderer. that prodiRal brought back
and received can ever become what he
would have been had he remained at home.
Verse ~ A sinner restored must foever
be Inferior to one who abides In righteous
ness. Eph. vi, H.