Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11

oAAN Ao Adu De0n overwhelmed with It's
consequences. Genuine repentance came
into his heart. But one hope remained;
Notwithstanding his ill-desert he had faith
IN MS fathers goodness, a proof that his
rather was not at fault when he was at
home. He was not worthy. He had re-
celVed sons portion and squandered it.
he could not again ask for a sons place
He was willing to be a hired servant. He
proposed, therefore, to seek the paternal
mansion with this only plea Games iv:1O).
WELCOME.-The Imagination might
easily follow the penitent prodigal son on
nus return journey. afoot, alone. weary. sad
nope1ui. Along the way he must have
framed his sentences many times to ex-
press his feelings, fearing that words would
ran him, but confident of the result. A
long time before his arrival his father saw
MIN Probably the heart had yearned for
the son during all his absence. A maynard
chiid can never be forgotten Oh Sam,
xvin:SS). A life of sin and shame may
. nhock us, but 1t cannot destroy love. On
Tue contrary, 1t mollifies and intensifes af-
tectlon: Toward a good child there flows
from the parent a stream of complaeency,
t put toward the erring child pity and solici-
and leads dse % iaeter is. II possible, stronger
into the distance, the father discerned the
form OF his long absent and wandering bow.
ana att at the sight his heart melted with ten
got the fmperious demand the appronriated
property, the hasty leave-taking. with ali
dlsrespect involved. and he ran to meet his
SON The spectacle Of poverty presented
at the near approach did not repel him. He
fell on his neck and kissed him, after the
custom of those days Gen., xiii A. It
was most cordial welcome, proof of a
iathers love. support of a sons fainting
heart Qsa., lxv:21.
REJOICING:-With tremulous voice
the son attempted his confession, pursuant
to the VOW formed while feeding the swine.
Father, he began. The word meant more
than ever before. Aff1iction had thrown a
halo around 1t. II have sinned" he cried
full, unhesftating acknowledgment essen
tial to reconciliation and peace. There was
no other way out Of his sin, even though
already fathers welcome had been given.
That father must know the sons sorrow.
Forgiveness without confession is impossi-
BILE (Rom., x:1O). The young man proceed
cd. declaring that he had sinned against
heaven, and that he was unworthy to be
called a son. There he paused, perhaps
overcome with emotions, or perhaps his
rather interrupted him. At any rate, he
did not propose, as he had intended, to take
a servants place. There was no need for
1t now. BY confessing himself unworthy
ne had made himself worthy duke xiv:1D.
His father did the rest, giving orders to the
servants to displace the old garments with
the best robe, to put a ring on his finger.
and shoes on his feet, to restore the son
to the place in the family which he occu-
pied before. Nor was this all. The fatted
calf was ordered to be slain, and season
of merry-making was proclaimed. The Sc
cret was told by the rejoicing father. sThfs
my son was dead, and is alive again: he
was lost. and is found" The broken fam
lily is restored.
MURMURING.-The conduct of the
elder brother is remarkable. He should
nave re1oiced with all because of the prodi-
CARS return: There was doubtless some
tmng OF jealousy that prompted his com
plant 1t seemed to him unfair to take
back into the home one who had dfsgraced
the family. suuandered his fortune and in
suited his father. There was a slight rround
Tor the murmuring that he had never re-
ceived expressions of approval while re-
naming at home, unstained by the vices
that had polluted the wanderer The faith
ers reply was generous, condonng the Of
tense and seeking to pacify the complainer.
vading this parable are many ethical
ideals and truths immensely valuable to the
FAMILY The duty and character of a father.
ane place and spirit of a son, the relation
and quality Of brothers, the danger of in.
herited wealth. the greater danger of evil
companions and idleness the reformatory
power OF adversely psalm, cxix 80, set over
and comforting memory of a good homeN
these points are not elaborated, but thew
are assumed. Jesus did not intend here to
Illustrate or inculcate domestic virtues. His
primary purpose was to show the method
ana consequences of sin, the mode of re.
turn and the surety of pardon. Living
without reference to Gods will while accenf
ing ms bounty Is the essence of all wicked
ness tPsalm. x:4 Such attempt to satisfy
the soul with material things must end in
want ana sorrow duke. xii:20). There is no
ca nifty like spiritual famine. If. under
its distresses. conscience awakes psalm
xxx1l:5) and confession is made q John
I;s), God Will forgive. Restoration to the
D t,1t Iavor brings one into the heavenly
FAMILY (Rom.. viii: 15), with promise of
blessing. But that does not mean that no
loss has been sustained by the wanderer.
that prodfgal brought back and received
can ever become what he would have been
had he remained at home Verse az
sinner restored must be inferior to one who
aDides In righteousness (Eph. Wig.