Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-01-19

near Him. And
the Phariseesl and Scribes murmured,
saying, This man receiveth sinners
and eateth with them" It was to re-
Duke this murmuring, by setting forth.
III contrast, tho seeking love Of God,
winch goes forth TO publicans and sin.
ners, that JESUS spake the parallels of
the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the
lost man, or the prodigal son. In fact,
ne draws portrait Of the murmuring
tharisees In the story Of the elder
brother. AS Mr.. Moody said, there
are still many Of him, for he finds sue
cessors In ali formal relIgionists. who
nave no sympathy with Gods JOY over
the recovery Of the lost.
First Of all. such men find no Joy In
the service they themselves offer God.
When the prodlgal came home, the fa.
ther called on those about him to
make merry The parable goes on to
say: Nov his elder son was in the
neld; and as he came and drew nigh
to the house, he heard music and
dancing. And he called one Of the
servants, and asked what these things
meant wv. 25, 26). Such merriment
was foreign to his spirit. And 80 It is
always with formal religionists, for
the JOY Of the Lord is not theirs. John
Wesley was such an one even after
being ordained to preach. When on
his way to America as a missionary to
the Indians, his ship ran into a dread
rui storm. He was disturbed at the
outlook, and was amazed to hear a
company Of simple-hearted Moravian
Christians singing calmly and Joyous
ly IN the midst Of the storm, Even
their children Joined in the songs,
wesley was forced to contrast their
conduct with his own feelings. The
incident was an important factor In
leading him out Of life Of religious
bondage into the liberty of the glory
Of the children Of God.
Notice, too. the restraint between
this son and his father. When he
would inquire as to the sounds of
merr1ment In the house, he did not
ask his father, but went to a servant
life OF true prayer Is impossible to
the formal reltgfonist. He says pray
ers, but this is not the same as pray.
ing. The prayers of the Pharisees
were full OF vain repetitions, for like
the heather they thought they would
be heard for their much speaking. To
refer to John Wesley again, he never
prayed without prayer book until
after he had come into the experience
OF true child Of God. Bow different
Is such restraint from "the boldness
and access with confidence" to which
God invites US.
How beautiful to read: 'Therefore
came his father out, and entreated
him" ". 2S). It has been we'll re.
marked that this verse shows the,e
Is Il gospel for the Phariseesl E.od
loves tho formal religionist quite aa
much as the prodigal. And If he onIv
knew 1t, the formal reNgionist needs
the compassion and grace Of God Quite
as much as does the prodigal.
For. see the spirit exhibited in the
sons complaint, that the father had
never given him kid that he might
make merry with his friends" Byi-
IDENTIFY his springs Of Joy were not IN
his father, but in his friends And.
verify. the successors Of the elder
brother would not be happy even IN
heaven. They would not find Their
JOY there with the Father and wou,d
not respond when the Great Shepherd
said: "Rejoice with me; for I have
found the sheep which was lost"
But did not the father sny, "Son
thou art ever with me, and all tbot 7
have Is thinner" Yes. but he refers on,v
to earthly things; the "lIving" he hod
divided. True, 1t Is better not to
squander our substance" of body md
mind and possessions, In rIotous liv.
ing, rs did the prodigal. But II ia tr,,e
also, that while correct life is better
than an irregular one, It will not of
Itself secure heaven.
The best robe was graciously ,a,a
on the repentant prodigal's shoulders
The elder brother never wore It, and
never will, until he recognizes tho
filthiness Of his rags!