Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11
for SUNDAY Scboo@.
STAR LESSON FOR AUGUST II.
By Rev. ]. E. Gilbert. DID,.


INTRODUCTION.-The passage for
| today's lesson forms part OF the ADDRESS
made by Jesus to the Pharisees and scribes.
The learned DIR. French, professor IN King
College, London, justly says: rnls para
BILE. If 1t be permitted to compare things
divine with one another, might be called the
pearl and crown of all the parallels OF
Scriptures. It is also the most elaborate, II
again we might venture to use WORD
which has an evident unf1tness wnen ap-
piled to the spontaneous and the free, put
which the completeness of all the minor de-
tails seems to suggest" In all the centuries
| it has yielded material for the preacher, the
essayist and the artist, and Its detalis nave
awakened the tender emotions OF the hearI
within itself it contains a circle of doctrine
20 abundant as to justify the title EVAN
gelium in Evangelio,' which some have ap-
nlied TO IT. We shall endeavor first to make
theastory vivid, and then to draw instruc-
ton therefrom.
PORTION-The parable opens with
family scene, sketched in a single sentence
"a man had two sons" Happy and honored
was he In the estimation of friends Gen.
Xviii ~. Americans build estates; hebrews
like all orientalists. sought to raise Tan thnir
lies If this man can keep his sons, their
wives and children, he may die among
them a rich patriarch Gen., xlix:D. BUT a
change came. The younger son grew weary
of home. His discomfort may nave ueen
caused by some disagreeable circumstances
The relations of the brothers because o! tue
selfshness of the older (verse 2s), as a1teI-
ward displayed, may have been unpleasant
The father may may nav have re oeen
failed to meet the needs of the earnest
youth. It is no easy matter to adJust the
parts Of household to each other Gen.
xvii :4D. Whatever may have been the
cause the Young man was in a bad state OF
mind. He went to his father demanding
division Of property, an act of very great
improperly. He might have suggested or
requested, but otherwise he could present
no claim. The father complied, giving to the
sons their respective portions. Under the
law of Moses, that meant two-thirds to the
older and one-third to the younger Oeut.'
xxi:15-1D. But there was this difference
that the latter obtained his portion 1mmedi-
ately, while the other remained with MIS-
father.
perhaps converting 1t into money, the
younger son went into a far country. Soon
he found himself under influence that led
to ruin. There was an elation of spirit. re-
sulting from the consideration that he was
his own master freed from the discipline Of
home, possessed of ample means to supply
his necessities. Joined to this was that
strange buoyancy never experienced BEFORE
duty and the excitement and pleasure occa-
stoned by looking upon new scenes and new
faces in the large world into which he ha
gone. And then he was the recipient OF
many attentions that were particularly
agreeable from those who sought him be-
cause Of his money and introduced him to
places Of pleasure. Yielding himself to such
companions. he entered into the ways OF the
dissolute prov. i:1O). Having no employ
ment he gave his time to amusement, and
gradually wasted his substance. What
father had gathered by labor and economy.
the product of many years OF wise and pa
~ hi coll tho h fot
a short time ago had been bestowed upon
the young man by that generous father as
an outfit in life, and might have been an
untold blessing in his hands. all this quickly
disappeared spent for drink and other sim
full indulgences. for those unholy things
that enfeeble the body and enslave the
soul Oh Peter, ii:1O).
FAM!NE.-The young man had fallen
into a pitiable condition. His property, 50
eagerly sought and so highly priced. was
gone. His health. through excessive use OF
stimulants and other evil practices, was
broken. His companions, unable to obtain
what they desired. forsook him to find new
associations prov. xxviii:D. Then came a
calamity that affected the whole face Of So
ciety. The heavens did not yield their usual
rains. and a period of drought set In. The
corn did not grow and the seed dried in the
earth. Vegetables persisted and the fields
were uncultfvated. Soon the gathered stores
began to fail. and the poor in their distress
cried for bread. A mighty and terrible fam
Inc swept over the land ruth, I'D, one of
those visitations so common in the east
(Gen.. XII: 1O). Thousands suffered the pangs
of hunger, depending on the scanty gifts of
the rich. The troubles bore heavily on the
young man. He who a short time ago had
abundance now came to want. The memory
of better davs increased the SORROWS of the
what he had once possessed he might not
only live In comfort. but he might become
a minister to others. experiencing the salts
faction known only to benevolent soul.
Alas. he had not learned to forecast, to lay
up for times of need prov. vi8).
FEEDING.-At last the young mans
case became desperate. He must find relief
or die. Three courses were opened to him
he could beg. or steal. or work. The first
would be Hsgraceful. affording but doubtful
relief. SO many were there who had adopted
this mode of livelihood. from which one
might not easily rise duke, xvi:2O) But
stealing would make him an outlaw, even If
it were to satisfy hunger! prov, vi :3O-3D.
There was one mark Of nobility left in him
worthy of imttation-he resolved to work
QI Thess., iiii:1O). In many respects that
was the best day Of his life. If he held to
this resolve he might retrieve his fortunes
Industry Is a cardinal virtue Unfortunate
ly 1t was not easy to find employment. AS
last resort he Joined himself to q wealthy
citizens-he became kind Of servant, not
hireling for wages. more nearly a slave. It
seems that the master did not much esteem
him. probably had no need of him, but took
him as favor. He therefore sent him into
the field to feed swine. the most ignoble oc-
oupation These animals were raised and
priced by the Gentiles. but were abhorred
by the Jews as unclean and abominable
(Lev.. N:0. But while thus employed no
one gave him food. and he was left to eat
of the husks that the swine ate. Behold
him nova rich mans son. a pauper
slave feeding the swine and eating with
them! DEGRADATION completed
RELENT1NG.-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 favored lot of
his fathers hired servants, contrasted with
his unfortunate state. These reflections
aroused his conscience, which smote him
vigorously for his folly and his sin. He
came thus to his right mind. He had vio-
lated the law Of filial duty, an ofrense
against high heaven eek, kip, the
greatest crime in the oriental world Qsa..
i-2). He made no attempt to extenuate his
fault. His course had been premeditated.