The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-13

world. (Isn., 4. 81. lie made no attempt
to exte1itiate his fault. His course had
W Wheimed With it's consequences. qenuiheI
repentance chno into his heart. Blit one
hope II g ~ ms III
desert he had faith N llis fath her goou..
fault while lie was ut home. 10 rcaoll,yed
to return. But tho spirit ". humility
seized him. lie was not worthy. He had
received II sons portion ind squardered
place. He was willing to be q hired
servant. He proposed therefore, TO seek
the raternal mansion with this only pea
W1ILCo Ml1. .,--'rhe In,ag inat!on might
easily follow the pentent prodlgal " Ills
return Journey nfoot, alone weary, sad
oneind hlong NE way o must nave
would fall him, but confident Of the re-
suit. A long time before his arrival hts
yearned for tie son during ali his ab-e
Forgotten. III Sam, xviii: sa). 4 life of
Sin and shame may shock u.s. but J. i t. cai,t
modifics and intensies affection. Toward
n good child there flows from the parent
q stream Of coemplacency, but toward The
frng Gs'd p{y ' snlctu aa ne at
tho distance, the father dlscerned tho
form Of his long absent and. wandering
boy. md at The sight his heart ,p I, melted
lie forgot the mperous demand. the app
nroprlated property the hasly eaye-ta *
Ing. with all the disrospect involved, ana
poverty, presented at the near a.pproach.
did not rcpel him. He fell on Ills peck
and kissed him, after the custom Of those
cordial welcome, proof Of u fathers love,
support Of sons fainting heart. dsa..
ri RRinino}ic1NG.-with tronulous voice the
to the vow, formed while feeding the
swine. Father he began The word
meant more than ever before. Afllctton
had thrown a halo around It.. "l have
acknowledgment essential to reconcile
ntiongsand peace. There was no other
way out of his sin. even though already a
fathers welcome had been given. THAT
v, -. Forgiveness without confession IS
impossible tRomoS: lW. The young, man
proceeded, declaring that che had sinncd
worthy to, be called q SON; There ho
paused perhaps overcome With emotions
or, perhaps his father INTERRUPTED him:
At any rate he did not propose IS he had
There was no need Of it now. BY con-
fesslng himself unworthy, he made him
self worthy (Luke xiv: H. His father
to displace the Old garments with TIC,
best robe, to put5a ring on his finger. and
shoes on his feet to restore the son to.
the place iii the family which he occupied
before. Nor was this all. The fatted calf
was ordered to be slain. and a season Of
merry-making was proclaimed. Tho
secret was told BY the rejoicing father.
This. my son was dead. and is, alvc
again; lie was lost and is found" The
broken family is restored,
CONCLTIS1oN.--ll underlying and per.
vading This parable are many ethical
ideals and truth, immensely valuable tor
the family The duty and character Of a
relation and quality of brothers. the dan
ger of Inherited wealth. the greater dan
ger Of evil companions and ideness, the
reformatory power Of adversely Qosalms
cxix; 3D. set over against the peril OF
memory Of a good home-these points are
not elaborated, but they are assumed.
Jesus did not intend here to illustrate or
inculcatc domestic virtues His primary
consequences of sin. the mode of return
and the surety of pardon. Living with
out reference to Gods will while accept
ing His bounty is the essence of all wick
satisfy the soul with material things
must ond in want and sorrow (Lukc, Xii.
2o). There is no calamity like spiritual
damne y under It's d lk consfience
made q John, I: o. God will forgive.
ono into the heavenly family (Rom. Wilt
| 10y with promise of all blessing (Rom.,
| Wilt 2S. But thatydocs not mean that no
loss has been sustained by the wanderer,
| that a prodigal brought back ana re-
ceiyed can ever become what he would
have been, had he remained at home
ever be inferior to one who abdcs in
righteousness (Eph.. Viz 1D.