Q. What effect did the sufferings of the prodigal

have upon

his mind?

A. They brought him to reflect upon his course, and impressed him with a sense of his folly in choosing the way of wickedness, instead of virtue. His miseries also made him think of his kind father, and of all the comforts he might have enjoyed, had he tarried at home.

Q. How is this expressed in the parable?

A. "And when he came to himself, he said, how many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"

Q. What is one of the chief objects of all punishment?

A. One of its chief objects is, or should be, to reform the guilty.

Q. Has punishment, when properly inflicted, an influence to induce sorrow for sin and repentance of heart?

Q. Does St. Paul assert and establish this principle?

A He does. "Now no chastening [punishment] for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Heb. xii. 11.)

Q. What does the same Apostle say of God's design in chastening or punishing us?

A. He says that God chastens us "for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."(Heb. xii. 10.)

Q. What are the words of David, on this subject?

A. "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word."-(Ps. cxix. 67.)

Q. What do we learn from this language? A. We learn that the afflictions or punishments which God sent upon David, had an influence to

make him keep the words or commandments of the Creator.

Q. Was not this the influence which punishment effected on the prodigal?

LESSON XXI.

Parable of the Prodigal Son-Continued.

Q. What resolution did the prodigal form? A. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son make me as one of thy hired servants." Q. Was this a wise resolution?

Q. Had punishment now effected its designed and legitimate work upon the prodigal?

Q. Will punishment produce the same effect on all the sinful?

A. It will, when administered wisely and faithfully.

Q. Did the prodigal put his good resolution into effect?

A. He did: "And he arose and came to his father."

Q. How did his father receive him?

A. "But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

Q. What do you say of this reception?

A. It was most kind and merciful, and every way worthy a wise and affectionate father.

Q. Must it not have made a strong impression on the heart of the son?

A. It must have greatly affected him, and made

him more deeply sensible, not only of his own unworthiness, but of the superabounding goodness of his father.

Q. What effect would it have had on the prodigal, had his father met him with frowns and imprecations, and coldly repulsed him from his door?

A. It would undoubtedly have turned him back to his vicious courses, and hardened and confirmed him in sin.

Q. Have kindness and affection a much stronger influence in touching the hearts of the wicked, and turning them from sinful habits, than bitter denunciations and harsh measures?

A. They have. The late temperance reformation most clearly and satisfactorily illustrates and establishes this fact.

Q. How did the prodigal address his father?

A. "And the son said unto him, Father I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."

Q. Did the father harshly upbraid his erring son, and inflict pains and penalties upon him?

A. He did not; but gave him the most undoubted tokens of his forgiveness.

Q. How did he manifest his joy at his son's return?

A. By clothing him in costly garments, and making a great feast. "But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it : and let us eat and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

Q. What did the putting on of the robe, and making the feast, betoken?

A. It was the proof that the father had received his son again into favor.

Q. How was the elder brother effected by the return of the prodigal, and the reception the father gave him?

A. "Now the elder son was in the field and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant."

Q. What answer did the servant return?

A. "And he said unto him, thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound."

Q. How did this intelligence affect the elder brother?

A. "And he was angry and would not go in."
Q. What did the father then do?

A. "Therefore came his father out and entreated him."

Q. How did the son reply?

A. "And he answering, said to his father, lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf."

Q. In what light does the elder son appear in these transactions?

A. He appears in a very unfavorable light indeed. Q. Was his anger justifiable?

A. It was unjustifiable and unreasonable in the

extreme.

Q. What disposition must he have possessed?

A. He must have possessed a cold and selfish disposition, with but little of that brotherly affection which is so becoming in children of the same parents.

Q. Should we allow the sinfulness of a brother to destroy our affection for him?

A. We should not. Although we may and should, dislike and hate his wicked actions, yet we should be careful not to forget that he is our brother, and as such, we should love him with an undying affection.

Q. Should we not rejoice when an erring brother has returned to virtue and duty?

A. We should. If we do not, it is a clear indication that our own hearts are not in such a condition as they should be.

Q. What answer did the father return to the elder brother's complaint?

A. "And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

Q. What is it supposed the father meant, when he said to the elder son, "all that I have is thine?"

A. This is supposed to mean that all the property the father had acquired, or would acquire, after giving the two sons each their inheritance, would, at the father's decease, fall into the possession of the elder brother, either by right of inheritance, or as a remuneration for services rendered the father.

Q. What more did the father say in justification of rejoicing at the return of the prodigal?

A. "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

:

Q. Was this a good reason for rejoicing?

A. It was. There is nothing that can inspire greater joy in a good and pure heart, than to witness the return of an erring fellow-being to the paths of rectitude and this joy is greatly increased when the returning one is a near relative.

Q. Is this parable instructive when considered simply as a narration?

A. It is. It groups before us the picture of a good father-a sinful, but repentant son-and an elder