He compelled us scorn the
gay, heartless selfishness of the young fool setting forth so jauntily
from the broken home; he moved our pity and our sympathy for the
young profligate, who, broken and deserted, had still pluck enough to
determine to work his way back, and who, in utter desperation, at last
gave it up; and then he showed us the homecoming--the ragged, heart-sick
tramp, with hesitating steps, stumbling along the dusty road, and then
the rush of the old father, his garments fluttering, and his voice heard
in broken cries. I see and hear it all now, whenever the words are read.
He announced the hymn, 'Just as I am,' read the first verse, and then
went on: 'There you are, men, every man of you, somewhere on the road.
Some of you are too lazy'--here Graeme nudged me--'and some of you
haven't got enough yet of the far country to come back. May there be a
chance for you when you want to come! Men, you all want to go back home,
and when you go you'll want to put on your soft clothes, and you won't
go till you can go in good style; but where did the prodigal get his
good clothes?' Quick came the answer in Baptiste's shrill voice--
'From de old fadder!'
No one was surprised, and the minister went on--
'Yes! and that's where we must get the good, clean heart, the good,
clean, brave heart, from our Father.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141