The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-02

has ono dreadful characteristic. 1t IL
subject to terrible cold chtlls In. the
gray Of its early mornings AT night
its lights are bright and aMuring, and
the raiment Of its people IL gorgeous.
and their manners gay, But In the
morning to which every visitor and
sojourner inevitably awakens-ah.
that is tragedy and disillusionment
and horror!
Lights are out. and a thick. chok-
ing fog is over all. The. gay laughter
has given way to groans. The festive
championship is followed by = heart
sick loneliness. The fight OF the
wanderers money from his purse has
been followed by the disappearance
of everything that made the far
country" seem desirable-compan-
IONS fiattery. excitement. festivity.
Gone!! Gone!!! Nothing remains.
The prince Of the night before finds
himself the beggar OF the morning
after, with not even a beggar's COM
rades. Forsaken!-thati is the bitter
est drop In the dregs of every prodi-
morning after when he comes to him.
SELF
Hear the cry, az it resounds from
the death house. at Sing Sing. Four
gunner" who were representatives
and types OF the supposed solidarity
Va tI10 8AA8s Types VI the loyalty OIL
'the far country" ready to commit
murder at the behest OF their crowd.
But the "old fogies'' of law and order
and decent society have caught up
with them: they are to have the tout
OF date" morals OF old-fashioned folk
vindfcated on themselves in the cleo
trio chair within a few hours. Their
calloused bravado has remained I'M.
broken hitherto. But now where are
their friends? What Is "the gang"
doing for them? In the blue light
chair of death they can see things
with new c1earness. So what have
they to say, as a dying message?
Only this, and It should be branded
into tho brain of every foolish boy
tempted to play prodigal: Tell the
boys that the synagogue was right.
Everybody has gone back on US ex-
cept the synagogue and our family.
Keep away from the gang and bad
companions. Mind what the home
for it is right" There you have in
the latest attestation of the
old, old truth, which youth is so ready
to disbelieve. that home and church
are a boys best friends. The boon
Of the far country fall
away In the hour of trial; but family
and religion are loyal to the end.
The Portrait Of a Father.
AC RlCluI0 VI IHlS 1aLn&I, VINO is
God. patiently waiting, day after day,
week after week. month after month,
year after year, is unspeakably touch
ing. He knew the son would come
back some day, even though it might
not be until his garish world had
cast him out. All, the homes that
wait and watch; the windows where
the light burns all the night through,
and the doors that are never locked!
They may have the comfort that God
understands all about it, for he too
is doing this.
This father saw his son afar off,
much watching had made his vision
Keen. On the instant he was up and
running, with no. thought Of stiff
knees or the burden OF years; his
eager heart lent speed to his feet.
Then he fell on his sons neck, break
ing down in a tumult of joy, and
kissed him-'kissed him again and
again NOT giving the embarrass-
ed and overwhelmed young man OPP
portunity to utter his carefully pre-
pared speech Of penitence. He was
forgiven; the hideous past was over;
q new day Of happiness had dawned
for both
There is a place in heaven for the
forgiven; God takes back wanderers
He does not hold old scores, or nag
about long-gone and forgiven
of1enses. as some earthly families do.
He rejoices that he has back a son.
are blotted out, all
things are made new. The whole
gospel is summed up in a personal
that is sometimes seen in the daily
papers: "All forgiven. Come home"
A SnOb for q Brother.
Here enters the jealous brother, self
consciously virtuous and in a
pet because Of all this ado which was
made over the returned prodigal His
was small self-centered soul. He
that Puritanism which is
willing to let the sinner rot in his sins
so long as 1t is safe and comfortable
Itself.
A prig and Pharisee was this older
brother. lacking the vital spark of
true religion. which is brotherliness.
He wanted to know why fuss had
not been made over his immaculate
self, instead Of over this soiled and
SCARED penitent. The elder brothers
righteousness has apparently done lit
tie for him. If mans religion does
not make him kind and charitable it
may be doubted whether it will even
tuaiiy open the door for him into any
region of bliss. Small wonder the
father spent his days looking for the
Wastrel boy instead of associating with
this older son.
1.-THE Far Country"
The far country is remoteness from
God.
Everyone who comes to himself
leaves the far country.
Memories of home are the bitterest
sorrow of the prodigal.
There is nothing in the far country
Of sin that permanently satisfies a |
human soul.
Famine is inevitable in the far coun- !
try.
There are plenty Of boon companions
FOR the prosperous in the far country,
but no real friends.
The FAR country is a long way from
home. but there is a straight path back |
good time" is impossible with |
bad people.
At first feast with the swells; at last |
last with the swine; that Is the pro-
gramme OF the far country.
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.