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XVIII.

THE PRODIGAL SON.

THE mercy and compassion of the Lord induced many, who had led wicked lives, to come to Him for pardon; and whenever they were really sorry, and intended to amend, He received them graciously, and even condescended to associate with some of them.

This kind behaviour towards those who had been known sinners, offended the Pharisees, a set of people who were very proud, and pretended to be much better than others, though, in reality, their religion consisted chiefly in outward ceremonies: and our Saviour who

saw their vain and hardened hearts, preferred the humble and pious peniThese He therefore favoured,

tents.

and constantly reproved the pride of the Pharisees,

One day, when the Pharisees had been complaining of His receiving sinners, He related this parable to them :

There was once a man who had two sons, whom he loved very dearly but the younger of them was a wild young man, who did not like his father's quiet manner of life; and he longed to get away from home, that he might indulge his sins and follies without restraint. Accordingly he begged his father to give him, at once, the portion of goods which were to fall to his share: to this his father consented, and divided his fortune between him and his brother.

As soon as this ungrateful son had

gathered his share of goods together, he left his happy home and his indulgent father, and went into a far country, where he wasted it all in rioting and wickedness; and he would probably have gone on in sin till he had lost his soul, as well as his health and fortune, if there had not arisen a dreadful famine in the land; when, for the first time, he felt what it was to be in want. Friendless and hungry, he did not know where to seek relief; and at last was obliged to hire himself as a servant to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. Here he spent many a miserable hour; often so hungry that he could have eaten even the husks with which he fed the swine: but there was none to pity or assist him. And now it was that the remembrance of the kindness of his dear father, and

the happiness and comfort he had always enjoyed at home, rushed upon his mind. He thought of his own ingratitude, and undutifulness; and he bitterly repented having ever left that happy home. He thought how many of his father's servants were living in plenty, while he perished with hunger; and he resolved to return to his father, humbly confess his sins, and entreat to be allowed to live even as a hired servant in his house, as he was no more worthy to be treated as his son.

So he set out on his homeward journey; and as he approached, his father saw him, and in spite of his worn and altered appearance, recognised his long-lost child, and without waiting another instant ran out to meet him, and embraced him with all the fondness of a father's heart. Overcome with so much affection, the son exclaimed,-

Father, I have sinned against Heaven "and in thy sight, and am no more "worthy to be called thy son; "-but no word of reproach was heard; no reproving look met his eye; but, on the contrary, all was joy and welcome: his father commanded his servants to kill the fatted calf, and prepare a feast to welcome his return.

Now the elder son had been out in the fields, and as he returned to the house, he was surprised to hear the sounds of music; and, calling one of the servants, asked him what was the reason of it. The servant said, "Thy "brother is come, and thy father has “ killed the fatted calf, because he hath "been restored to us:" but instead of rejoicing at the return of his brother, and hastening in to welcome him also, he was jealous, and would not go