ing, and longing. He aroused himself to action. He said to himself, "I will arise, and go to my father." He did not know how that father would receive him. He knew only his ill desert, his wretchedness, and the starving condition to which his sins had reduced him. But his mind He would throw himwas made up what to do. self on his father's mercy. Worthless, wicked, disobedient as he had been, he would cast himself in humble confession at his father's feet, hoping perchance for some favor, even if no more than to be made one of the hired servants.

And as he determined so he did; and it was his salvation. He built his hopes on a father's love. They were only dim and uncertain hopes, but he ventured upon them, confessing his sin and humbly pleading for some slight compassion. And this is just what is needed in the case of every wretched wanderer from God. There must be trust in the heavenly Father's love, and a practical rising up to test it by return. Unworthy, ragged, wicked, and starving as a soul may be, there is plenty of bread in the Father's house; but there must be a turning of back upon all sinful ways, and an humble suing for mercy. To sit still, and moan, and wait is to perish. There must be a prompt and decided rising up, a vigorous direction of the steps homeward, honest confession of sin, and humble pleading for forgiveness, ready to accept the humblest place in the Father's house. There is no other way,-no other hope.

And this ragged, sin-stained, and unworthy prodigal met with a thousandfold more favor than he for one moment dreamed. Nothing can extinguish the love that lies embedded in the parental bosom. The child may forget home and friends, but a parent can never forget the child. Wicked and wide wandering as it may have become, so long as its father or mother lives there. is somewhere in the world a heart that beats kindly in its behalf and wishes it well. The story is not overdone which represents the old grandfather as unable to realize that little Nell was dead, but kept on to the end repeating, "She will come again to-morrow." And though this ungrateful son had done so ill and degraded himself so deeply, his father's earnest well-wishes for him had suffered no diminution. In his father's heart there was a constant outlook and hope that the erring prodigal would retrace his steps, and come back to the home he had so wickedly forsaken. And when the returning sinner was yet a great way off the father saw him, recognized him even in his emaciation and rags, and was moved with his tenderest compassion for his truant child. And so it is that the good Father in heaven pities His erring children on the earth, and looks, and longs, and waits for their return. to Him, ready to embrace them with loving arms, to forgive their sins, and to welcome them to the highest favors within His gift.

When the returning prodigal was way off his father ran to meet him.

yet a great

And so the

heavenly Father comes to meet every returning penitent. Every sigh of sorrow over sin He hears. Every tear of penitential regret He sees. And to every movement of spirit to come back from sinful alienation He graciously responds. Nor is there a repenting sinner He does not meet halfway.

Dear soul, disappointed, wasted, and unhappy in your wandering from God, have you ever thought of the good and plenty in your Father's house? Have you ever compared your present condition to the good and happiness which there has place? Have you ever considered what a blessed boon it would be if you could enjoy even the humblest measure of what is there in unfailing plenty? Has there never arisen in your breast a desire to get back to that good home, and that good Father's love? What then has been the fruit of it? Has it moved you to do anything to better your sad estate? Hiring yourself to earthly masters cannot help. Home,-sweet home,—is the proper place for you. There there is enough and to spare, while you perish with hunger. A Father with undying love and kindness is there to receive and welcome you, if you but trust to His goodness and come. But you must arise and go to your Father.

Some are yet a great way off from God and righteousness, who perhaps have only just begun to think of forsaking sin, and going home to the Father. They may be weak, doubtful, and uncertain, but would like to leave their bad ways

and get back to God and peace. Let not such be disheartened. God's compassion for you has not been exhausted. His love for you has not died out. He is even now looking and waiting for your return. His eyes see what is going on in your heart. And He is ready to meet you halfway. Only have confidence to act with promptness and decision, and all will be well.

Indeed, we are all of us too far off from the good Father in heaven, and suffer much by reason of it. There is not one but has need to resolve, and arise, and hasten to get nearer by humble penitence and confession. Nor are we at all safe except as we get back to the favor of Him whom we have too much grieved and offended. there is a home for us with Him as His children in the Father's House; and the word to every one is, Come home, my wandering child, come home.

But

The Way to the Father.

Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.-JNO. 14:6.

JESUS had just been speaking to His disciples about His departure out of this world, and His going to the Father. Whither He was about to go, and the way by which they were to come to the same place, they were supposed to know.

Christ had been showing and telling them all these things. But those who have the best opportunities are sometimes slow to take in and realize the truth. Thomas spoke up, and said, "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" There had been no Lord had said and

lack of plainness in what the taught; and yet the mind of Thomas was mystified about it, and could not see through it. Philip also put a question so stupid that Jesus exclaimed at his dulness. But for the clearing up of the matter, He answered Thomas' speech, and said: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh to the Father, but by Me."