Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04

courtesies OF social life and exposed him 10
ridfcuie. Instead OF making recognition
OF the more honorable portion OF the COM
munity he proposed to convert 1t into q
charity AFFAIR, to invite the poor, the naim-
ed, the halt ana the blind Such a feast
was by no means common In the pre-Chris-
tian centuries. for men had not learned the
nobier lessons OF dtsinterested good will
toward the unfortunate. But here and there
among the Jews, and occasionally among
the heather. man would condescend TO
this praiseworthy act, deriving satisfaction
and honor therefrom. By this change In
the spirit OF the host, Jesus intended to IL
luetrate the free grace of God in making q
tender of undeserved blessings through the
Gospel OF His son. The proclamation OF
salvation 10 to all who are In need. Not the
prophets only. but Jesus as well (datt XII,
2S) and the apostles after Him flames H.
D. all directed their chief thought and eff
fort toward those who were in trouble.
COMPULSION-The servant went out
into the streets and lanes of the city. bear
ing the new instructions A glad response
might be expected to this invitation. Sure
~ the beggars at the street corners half
fed and half clad (Matt.xxvi, ID could de-
sire nothing more than table bountifuliy
supplied with food. The manned, and halt,
summed by all as divinely afflicted, and the
blind popularity esteemed John TX, . to
be sinners or the sons OF sinners, denied
recognition, outcast and forsaken, would
regard themselves highly favored by this
call to the house of the rich. But even
these were measurably Indifferent, when ac-
costed and invited to the supper. The serv-
ant returned to say that he had been only
partially successful, that while some came
the great chamber was not full. 1t became
necessary for the host to resort to the most
earnest efforts. go out quickly into the
highways and hedges and compel them to
come in, he said Use every proper and
reasonable method in the most urgent man
ner to obtain guests. This was the extreme
aspect of the parable. 1t shows that men
were reluctant to accept Christ, even when
by SO doing they might obtain the very
things which they longed most of all to pos
sess. It represented that protracted. dill
gent psalm cxxyi, 81, and self-saerificing
effort which ministers must make If they
would win the souls of men Q4am. it, 49,.
REJECTION-Th climax OF the par
able was reached in the last feature The
character of the feast had been changed.
From a social recognition of those entitled
to honor, 1t had become a gratultous offer
to those who had no claim for attention:
from mark of regard for equals and
friends 1t was converted into a display of
kindness to interiors. And those interiors
were on such a low plane that they were
scarcely able to appreciate the proffered
favor. The rich man had gone begging
among beggerS for guests. Now comes the
his servant that because of the shameful
treatment which he has received none of
those will be admitted who were frst In
vited They were to be totally and perma-
fact was made the ground for urging the
servant to diligence The exclusion of one
class made 1t more necessary to seek an
other class. Primarily this part of the mar
rative refers to the rejection of the Jews,
and the bringing In of the Gentiles (Acts
Kill 46). 1t is susceptible, however Of a
more extended application. All who have
heard the Gospel and turned a deaf ear may
remember that the day of mercy will end,
and that a permanent rejection awaits them
CMatt. XIV, Al.
CONCLUSION-Thi parable exhibits
the range and intensity of divine love. Be-
ginning with the highest and noblest, 1t
sweeps downward along all the grades of
basest. For each and for all He has amply
provided, and to each He sends most cor
dial invitation Rev. iii. 20). None are ex-
cluded except those who refuse His call.
But knowing the hardness of mems hearts,
the deceitfulness of riches and the allure
ments of pleasure, He lays upon His min
listers the solemn task of soul-seeking. He
requires them to be very diligent and inn
Fortunate, using holy eompulsion In the
performance of their mission. go quickly,
is His command. No time is to be lost. Go
everywhere, wherever souls are to be found,
In the highways and in the byways. To
words hot with consuming zeal, to awaken
the lethargy of those who are In carnal Sc
curity, He lifts up a warning The awful
fact must be kept in mind that rejected
invitation means a rejected heaven Matt
XIV, 46). OH how tamely men preach!
How carelessly men hear! How wickedly
men procrastinate! How foolishly multi
tudes refuse Him that speaketh (Heb. xiii
2O.