Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-08-10
Parable of IL
Two Sons
School LessOniorA AUG. IL, 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TEXT.-Luke 15:11-S2. Mem
GOLDEN TEXT.-"Return unto me.
Lord NAL. 81.
TIME-January. A. D. 80, probably not
long after last lesson.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES. = Gods
expressed desire for the salvation of sim
ners: Eek. SAG, 4; Mum. 1~4:1s-2O; Deut.
Pfsas.. si:is; ics:s. s, iio,iS; 1904. 7. $. lisa.
Lam. S:22, 23; Hosea lis, 8; l4:1-S; Mic.
61.3; 7:1s. 10. Matt, 5:A5; 1~l;2S-SO;- 23:S7-S9;
Luke 14;17; 1912; John S;16; Rom. SIS; Eph-
1:6. Z: Rev. 1920. 22:17.
Comment and Suggestive Thought,
v. II. He" Jesus. "A certain man
had two sons" The father here rep
resents God. All men are his chill
dren.
V. II. "The portion of goods that
falleth to me-" This, according to law,
would be one-third Of the fathers es-
tate.
v. IL. Gathered all together" He ex-
changed all his property for jewels or
money, which could be easily carried.
Not many days after . . took a
Journey" TO some city-Corinth, Al
exandria or Rome. Wasted riot
Gus living" Spent all he had in seek
ing pleasure. The very abundance OF
Gods gifts leads many to forget the
Giver and wander off to 1.-THE far
country of forgetfulness of God"
v. IA. Spent all" This did not take
long. "a mighty famine" A season
when crops failed and great scarcity
of food ensued. Began to be in want"
He now wanted for friends, as well as
for food and shelter.
v. Is. Joined himself to a citizen"
He hired himself out to n of the in
habitants of that far country"
v. 16. mo mar gave unto him." No
one gave him proper food, hence he
cravad even the pods which the swine
ate.
v. II. Game to himself" He had
not hitherto been true to himself. Sir
is adne The sinner is much like
an insane man.
v. is. Il will arise and 60" Go is
the important word And the youth
added to his words, in thought at least,
to-day" Too many resolve to amend,
and do right, tomorrow. Father, ]
have sinned." This young man was
right in resolving to confess his sin,
rather than tell of his misery. Against
Heaven" Against the God of Heaven.
Sin Injuries ourselves and others, but
it is most bitterly to be regretted be-
cause i. is directed against God, against
boundless love.
v. 20. Game to his father" Came
toward his father. WAS a great way
off, He apparently halted when he
came III sight of home, as if he had
not courage to proceed. His father
saw him." The father had been anx-
iously looking for his sons return, and
spied him while he was still at a great
distance. Though the wanderer from
God does not know it, it is the Fathers
love which reaches out to him and
draws him to take the first step toward
return.
v. q. 1.-THE son said," etc. He made
his confession. We see that the ia
Tiers loving welcome gave his heart
courage to say anew: Father" (See
Gal. AS, ~
v. %. THE best robe" A rich gar
ment kept liz eastern households fol
honored guests. "A ring" This SHOULD
be worn only by a freeman. Shoes
These distinguished him from serv
ants, who wore no shoes.
V. Is. THE fatted calf" One KEEP
in the stall to be used ON some joy
GUS occasion. ITO be merry" See V
25. On Nhe sinners conversion Their
is Joy in the Fathers heart, 10,
throughout Heaven and among thu
earthly children of God, and joy in thu
heart OF the returned prodigal.
v. "a. WAS dead" Scripture reit
crates the fact that one who is in sill
is dead. Lost found" Another
figure expressive of the sinners state
v. 20. I'm the field" Attending t
his duties as overseer of the place
This elder son of the parable repre-
sents the Pharisees of Jesus day ant
all formal religionists of our day, boil
in the GOODNESS of his heart and hii
selfislness of temper.
v. 26, 81. Called one of the serv
ants" A loving, trustful son would
have fastened in to join in the festiv
tiles, feeling sure that whatever wa.
going on under the fathers eye wai
right.
V. 28. HE was angry" Not a pass
ing passion, but deep-seated wratl
filled his heart.
VS.. 20, 80. do | serve thee Hi
very words indicated that he hat
wrought with the spirit of a slave
not a son. "Never gavest me a kit
with my friends" 1t is by M
means probable he had ever wanted
to give a social feast. He was no
the KIND of man to have friends, o
care Tor social pleasures.
V. u. Son" A more tender worI
in the original; it might be rendere,
my dear SON." "AIl is thine"