Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-23
The ProdigaI Son.


FORSYTH. Monroe Co. Ca, jan ~.
fs0e-Dear Mrs. FELTON,: l write this let
ter for two reasons, namely; First, Wheh
a person Is highly appreciated. for their
real worth the people ought TO express
their appreciation OF them TO encourage
them. and also 20 make them feel happy
10 know that they are worth something
10 the world they live in AL good people
want TO make the world better for haN-
ing lived in IL. and in so doing We are
carrying out the purposes or Coo IN pun
ting Us here and letting US stay mere.
When the Lord calls you home you VIII
be greatly missed. Your place VIII De
hard TO m. There Is not another woman
on the stage OF life, TO my knowledge
that is doing the good that you are You
are so well posted on all questions ana
are always ready to take hold and can
give so much light on every question that
comes I'D pertaining TO the interest OF
mankind. Believe me when l say that
enjoy reading your space In The journal
and invariably read il every week. May
the Lord let you live long and preserve
your health. that, you may use your pen
for His glory In helping mankind!
My second reason for writing TINS Is
have seen several articles in The JourIlai
treating on the parable Of the prOdigal
good thoughts presented, think the
main thought intended TO be conveyed by
our Saviour has been overlooked. Let
us consider il for moment In the 18th
chapter OF Luke. where this parable &C
ours. there are three parallels. and these
three parallels should never be separated
for each one points out some speclal
feature OF the Christian religion, and
really there has never been any other
kind OF religion that Is true. God intends
that lost sinners must be hunted up or
they will never be found They must De
hunted BY those that have been found
themselves. So He gives US the paraoies
OF the lost sheep and lost piece Of silver
and also shows that men and women
both are used OF God I'm this work.
Then He gave US the parable OF the
prodiEal TO show the Jews that they were
not hlIing the mission that God wanted
them to IN. The elder brother represents
the Jews and also the moralist. They
have the oracles OF God. and so far as
morals are concerned the devout Jew has
never Rft his Fathers house. and is still
serving God SO is the mOralist Of today,
but their service win never profit them
in the world TO come. They are not in &C
cord with God They lack one thing. Ike
the young man that came running 10
Christ CSaatL Isl. they are deficient IN
love
five love God we win love our fellow
man. II we don't love our fellow man II
Is because we don't love God. 1 John,
s.l7. Now all OF the other Christian
graces we may have and we may accom-
pIish great things in this life. but IL we
have not pure. genuine love 10 Gcd and
our fellow man IL will profit US nothing
in the world to come. Cor. - Now,
the ProdiEal represented the Gentle
world that once had 3 knowledge OF Goo
but had not retained this knowledge but
went or in vice and all kind Of wicked
ness until God gave them over 70 a rep
rebate mind Roman. LIST chapter ~. The
Jews hated the Gentiles; they scOrned
them. looked upon them as though they
were dogs. Matt 15-26 One OF their
main compliments against Christ was
that he received sinners and ate with
them. Luke 1872. Now the Jews in spite OF
ali OF his miracles INDUCED his hatred TO
the Gentle world. This made him as cul-
pable before God as, the GENTLE, -4Somans
I'd chapter So Il is with mOraiists. the
world over. God loves the sinner but
don't love his SIPS and IL we keep the
whole law and lack in one point we are
x1ilty before God. James 2-lO and Gal
$40. When the Prodigal son returned
he was In harmony with his father, the
elder brother was not He stayed with
his father not because he loved him, but
because he loved what he had That child
who only shows his love or appears TO
love their parents while they are getting
benefits from them will leave as soon as
the benefits stops. The expressions OF
love viii vanish We see in the elder
brothers case as soon as some OF the
benefits began TO be given 10 the young
er brother the elder began TO quarrel
with his father How often have we seen
this in children and let their parents get
poor and old and feeble. they soon get
tired Of them and II they have property
they want them 70 go so they can get
their property. but IL they truly love
their parents they want them TO stay with
them. whether they get anything from
thawn or not.
Mrs FELTON,. please excuse this letter.
! feel like I wanted 90 write to you to
express my appreciation Of you.
Very respectfully yours.
B. F. HENCELY.
Forsyth. Ca. r. F. D., No. 3