rounded; the quiet Sabbath that returns so often, inviting you to think of heaven; the silent witness of your conscience that so often reproves you of your sins; of the Holy Spirit that strives with you to bring you back to God. You have the BIBLE in your hand; you carry it with you in your career of sin, and may always consult its pages for direction whenever the thought of return finds its way to your heart. Tossed on the sea of life, allured among the dangers that have ruined thousands before you, this blessed book has always been at hand as a beacon to warn and guide you. Had you followed its direction, long ere this you would have been led back. Had it not been for the impressions this book once made on your heart, and which have held you as with chains when temptation has assailed you, long ere this you might have been in hell.

God has given reason and revelation to prodigal sinners, and what more can a father give, than a knowledge of his will, which is perfectly wise and good, and the means of understanding and doing it. But to prodigals

there are goods that seem more to be desired than these. The younger son, who demanded his portion, would have thought it hard indeed, had his father given him a Bible and some good advice, and then sent him away. He wanted money. The good things of this life sinners value more than the means of securing life eternal. And even these are not denied by him who is kind even to the unthankful. The wicked often abound in riches. It troubled a good man of old to see them having more than heart could wish, while the righteous were poor. The rich man, who lifted up his in the torment of hell, was, on earth, clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously, while a pious man was lying a beggar at his gate. be your portion and your

eyes

The same may

doom. If the

riches that perish with the using, the gold and the silver that supply the means to gratify the unholy appetites of your mind, are the "goods" that you would have, I have no doubt they will be granted by him who freely gives. But they will only serve to make your future and final ruin more sure and irre

trievable. Your bags of gold may sink you deeper into hell. Your riches may make your life a life of care, your death embittered with the keenest pain, your portion in the world to come a portion of unmingled and exquisite woe.

But you may take the portion of the goods that falleth to you, if you choose to have them. The father of the Prodigal gave the money to his wandering son. God will give you this world, if you would rather have it than the world to come. Will you take it and go on in sin; or will you turn and live?

CHAPTER VI.

The young man's haste-He gathers all together-He goes into a distant country-The sinner is in haste to break away from God-He risks all in the pursuit of sin-He departs far, very far from God.

"Not many

He was in haste to be gone. days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country." His conduct would have been more decent, had he stayed with his father to support his declining years, even if he had afterwards become a prodigal. But in the wildness of his young heart, he was in haste to be his own master, and in pursuit of the pleasures that looked so tempting to his eyes. He gathered all together. The kindness of his father had given more than was needful to supply his present wants, but he would leave none behind. He did not stop to think that he might lose his property in the pursuit of sin, and therefore it would be prudent to

take but a little and venture that at first, and afterwards decide on risking more. No, he

would venture ALL.

into a far country. ing away from the

He took his journey

Not content with breakrestraints of his father's house and parental authority, he was determined to fly beyond his reach; to get as far as possible from home and all the influences which early associations might interpose to hold him back in his gay career.

Perhaps it was not the intention of the Saviour, in this parable, that every part of it should receive a spiritual interpretation, and I would not seek to draw from any part of it, instruction which it does not plainly teach. But the haste of the younger son to be gone, reminds me to say, that the sinner departs from God as soon as he has an opportunity. How early in life you were capable of moral action, and therefore responsible for your conduct, I do not now inquire, for it is not necessary in this connection to determine this question. But it will not be denied, that you began to sin against God as soon as you could sin, and have continued it to the pre