MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS — The 14th has come, and so have the letters — they have been coming since the 3rd every day and every post, so that when I put them all on a large table there was a heap — hundreds of them. Now, I have gone through every one carefully, and after selecting 18 of the best, and then 12, and then 6, and then 2, I at last decided on giving the prize to F. Ramsey. Sonic of you have gone into it very fully; but after reading the last four again and again I think this must have the post of honor. It is brief, but to the point in every respect, and shows thoughtfulness, and I trust prayerfulness also; and I hope he will study the Word of God, first for his own soul’s profit and then for the edification of others. But now let us have
THE PRODIGAL SON.
The parable of the Prodigal Son tells us of a son who was too proud and independent to live in his father’s house and to be fed at his father’s table. He, therefore, asked his father for the property that was likely to come to him by-and-bye. When we are tired of waiting upon God we are like this son. God’s children say, “Give us this day our daily bread;” the prodigal said, “Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.” The father did as the son desired, which is a type that God never beeps man in His service against his will, but allows him to go the way of his own heart. The same did the prodigal. He, went with all his property into a far country and wasted it with riotous living. This far country is the wicked world where God is not known; it has charms and pleasures, but sooner or later man will find himself out, when his substance is gone, and nothing but famine around him. So it was with the prodigal — what did he do but go and work for a citizen of that country, who sent him to feed swine. That is, he took the devil for his master, and did his work, vile as it was, and could not get in return enough food to satisfy his hunger. He Afterward felt ashamed of himself, and resolved to go back to his father, and confess his wicked deeds to him. Perhaps his father was looking for him, as he saw him a long way off, and ran to meet him and fell on his neck and kissed him; he gave him the ring, the Holy Spirit’s seal, shod his feet, and killed the fatted calf, that a feast might be spread on his son’s return, There was also music, for the elder son heard it, and came, and was angry with his father.
F. RAMSEY, aged 11 years.