The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-04-29
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays Lesson
for Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by Charles x. Meyers

May 3-The Prodigal Son. Luke Is,
1882 Temperance. Lesson.)
We have for our lesson this week
what may we'll be considered the
greatest parable delivered by Jesus
while on earth. The greatest speech
OF remarkable men who have lived
in the past has become something of
most intense interest. These have
been the outbreakings of mere men,
under the inspiration of an occasion
which has brought out their best
thoughts. In the case of Jesus, we
have presentation of an address
whose truths are of most vital inter-
est, as they effect the standing of all
men toward the living God.
The parable, which all probably
know well, is so true to life that it
comes with powers to every one who
has grown to man and womanhood.
The scene is presented of father and
two sons. The younger was not sat.
isfied with home and surroundings,
and wished to go away and make for
himself. He asked for his share of
the property and it was given him.
Then he went to a distant locality and
led wild life, with the usual ending
of losing money, friends, reputation,
and at last in desperation accepting
the lowest kind OF employment. Thus
placed and hungry for even the food
which the hogs he was tending did
eat, he came to himself" He saw
what mistake he had made. and feel
ing sure that his father would not
turn him away, decided to return to
the parental roof, make confession
OF his sins and weakness, seek for
givness and shelter. The father, when
he knew of the sons coming, made
ready for a loving welcome. When
they met he would hear nothing as to
SELF condemnation. fell on his neck
with kindness and rejoiced that the
beloved one who was lost" had been
found.
One hardly knows how to properly
comment on a lesson with such
wealth Of meaning, when any one
verse could be the text of whole
book. Some one in talking about this
lesson lamented that no matter what
was said in the way of warning to
boys and girls, to keep back from
bad company, and rushing off into
sin, that those wrongly inclined would
heed nothing. 1t is indeed too true
that this is the case, in many in
stances. Parental teachings, and those
from teachers in the day and the Sab
bath schools, from friends, seem al
most wasted. One may tell OF the
evils of saloons, strong drink, lewd
companions, pool hall life, breaking
the rules of bodily health, and SO of.
ten these fall on dull ears, with the
reply, to be gone with such evil fore
holdings. One often stands aghast at
the course such young folks pursue.
That boys and girls will heed not
loving warnings and decide to plunge
headlong into wrong, is not the rule
however. The thousands of right
thinking clean young folks about us
attest the fact that every boy and
girl does not have to touch the red
hot iron of sin and shame; does not
have to shipwreck their lives before
coming to themselves" and steer
ing for right living and blessed etern-
al life as set forth in the bible. 1t is
the gloomy dark view of things to
say that words of advice are thrown
away on young men and women.
The picture of life as given by Jesus
is true. not alone because He spoke
thus, but because human experience
bears it out. Not only ten thousand,
but ten million people can this day
verify the fact that waywardness, ife
spent in riotous living ends in dis
pair, humiliation, wreck of soul and
body. 1t will be remembered that in
the Old Testament times the head of
the Jewish church Eli had certain