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VOL. XXXVI
PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, N. C, APRIL 29, 1914.
NO. 38.
(BMtmn
Oimi iSiiians t-s frseitisi-sg
POSTED HUERTA
INTS MEDIATION
SPANISH AMBASSADOR SAYS HE
HAS PRIVATE ADVICES FROM
MEXICO CITY.
REPORTS ARE NOT OFFICIAL
President Yet Hopes For Peace But
is No't Confident That Same is
Possible.
Washington. Spanish Ambassador
Riano announced late Sunday night
thu he had received private advices
from Mexico City stating that Gen
eral Huerta had accepted the offer
of Argentina, Brazil and Chile to use
thtfr good offices to br'ng about
aa amicable settlement of the diffi
culty between the United States and
Mexico.
This information though unofficial
vas accepted as authentic by the Am
bassador, who expects to be prepared
to place General Huerta's formal ac
ceptance before the representatives
of the three South American coun
tries. The interests of the' Huerta Gov
ernment in the United States were
taken over by the Spanish Embassy
when Charge Algara left Washington.
Ambassador Riano received the offer
of good offices from the three peace
envoys Saturday night. It was cabled
immediately to Mexico City.
When the formal acceptance from
Mexico City is in hand the South
American diplomats will be ready to
proceed with their plan, no intima
tion of the nature of which as yet
has been given. It generally has been
understood here, however, that the
peace envoys expect to deal directly
with the situation cerated by the Tam
pica incident and other offnses against
the honor and dignity of the United
States.
Administration Officials appeared to
be much gratified at the prospect at
having proposals of the great South
American Republics listened to by
General Huerta.
VERA CRUZ UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Following Insurance of Proclamation,
City Under Naval Officers'
Rule.
Vera Cruz. Vera Cruz Sunday
light was under martial law. Rear Ad
miral Frank F. Fletcher, command
ing the American naval forces on
shore, issued a proclamation to this
effect and the last opportunity Mexi
cans had for handling their own af
fairs in Vera Cruz uno- "v'- -
laws disappeared.
Admiral Flecther and lus slS: de
termined there should be no more
3uibbiing with the Mexican officials
regarding form of government and
until further notice residents of this
port will live and be judged by mili
tary law. The word has gone forth
that disorder and unruliness in any
form shall receive swift and severe
punishment. This proclamation makes
Rear Admiral Fletcher absolute ruler
ashore.
It is believed the martial law proc
lamation will open the way for more
of the city and federal employes to
return and co-operate and aid In re
storing the local government func
tions. Mexicans point out that these
men now will be in a -position to ex
plain to their friends and the existing
government at the capital that under
martial law they felt obliged to re
turn to their work.
An order that all arms be turned
in by residents by noon Sundsfy
brought to the headquarters of the
provost marshal bushels of small arms
and stacks of rifles.
Many Mexican officials have report
ed their willingness to resume their
duties of office under the supervision
of the Americans. The American of
ficials named to date to assist in the
supervision of the municipal govern
ment are:
Commander H. O. Stickney, of the
Prairie, captain of the port; Fleet
Surgeon T. W. Spratling, sanitary in
spector; Commander D. F. Sellers of
the Arkansas, provost marshal; Com
mander John M. Luby, of the South
Carolina, director of the postoffice.
Schools Open Again.
Robert Diaz, mayor of Vera Cruz,
ahs agreed to reopen his office and it
"w as arranged that public schools shall
be reopened Monday. Efforts of Rear
Admiral Fletcher, supplemented by
those of the British commander, Rear
Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock, and
the French and German Consuls and
Private citizens to bring about the de
parture from the interior of all for
eigners who wish to leave, are being
continued energetically, but the
hope of getting out more than a small
Part of those left is diminishing hourly
Spanish Neutrality.
Washington. Spanish diplomatic
officials in Washington stated em
phatically Sunday that Spanish resi
dents in Mexico were maintaining the
most scrupulous neutrality in the
Present situation and that published
reports purporting to quote Gen. Car
ranza in a dispatch to Madrid, as say
that many of the 17,000 Spaniards
In Mexico are ready to fight by the
side of Mexicans against the invaders,
wore groundless in view of the strictly
neutral attitude of Spaniards in
Mexico.
RECENT EVENTS
MEXICO TROUBLE
MANY REPORTS INVESTIGATED
BUT NO NEW INCIDENTS
APPEAR.
RIOTS ARE ATTEMPTED
Refugees Swarming to America.
General M. A. Miles To Again
Serve Country.
Washington. Among the most im
portant happenings of the day in the
Mexican situation were:
Administration accepted the good
offices of Argentine, Brazil and Chile
in Mexican situation. r
American Consul Canada reported
that Americans were being detained
in Mexico City because it was be
lieved there that Mexicans were re
strained by; Americans from leaving
Vera Cruz. Immediate steps w.ere
taken through the British Embassy
here and the British legation in
Mexico City to correct the impression
prevailing in the Mexican Capital.
Consul Canada at Vera Cruz sent
reports of anti-Amelcan demonstra
tions and general unrest in Mexico
City.
He heard that 125 Americans were
put off a train at Pachucah by the
train crew, but that another train
had gone out from Mexico' City to
assist them in continuing their jour
ney to Vera Cruz.
Secretary Garrison announced he
had issued no orders for any further
troop movements and that Army
officers were to use their own discre
tion in protecting international
bridges bn the border.
The German vessel Ypirango, whose
consignment of war munitions for
General Huerta caused the United
States to preemptorily seize the Vera
Cruz customs house, was ordered back
to Hamburg, Germany, without land
ing her cargo.
The Navy Department dispatched
vessels upo and down the Atlantic and
Pacific Coasts of Mexico to take away
American Consuls and refugees gen
erally. Betwees 3,000 and 3,500 refu
gees already have been protected or
are en route to the United Stats.
Secretary Bryan said Charge
O'Shaughnessy probably would leave
for the United States on the first
available ship.
Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles,
retired, senior officer, commanding
the Army in the Spanish-American
war called on Secretary Garrison and
General Wood, and it is understood
offered his services should war be de
clared.
It was announced that the interests
of the Mexican Embassy here and
her consulates throughout the coun
try would be looked after by the Span
ish Embassy and Consulates.
TAMPICO RIOT HALTED.
Mob of Mexicans Storms Hotels Oc
cupied By Americans.
Galveston, Tex. The Tampico situ
aton continued so serious according
to a wireless message reaching here
that two torpedo-boats were sent up
the Panuco River at Tampico to get
Americans. Refugees arriving here
from Tampico said they were saved
from rioting Mexicans by German
sailois.
The story of the riot was told by
Americans on the collier Cyclops,
which anchored in quarantine.
About midnight a mob estimated
at 600 began throwing stones at the
Southern Hotel, where there were
twenty or thirty American women
and a little more than three hundred
American men, according to the refu
gees estimate. . Bill Hanson, a for
mer United States Deputy Marshal
in South Texas, organized the Ameri
can men who had a few rifles and
pistols, for resistance.
The German sailors then took the
women from the Southern and the
Imperial Hotels aboard boats to ships
in the harbor. The men marched out.
Refugees Flock to America.
Washington. The Navy Depart
ment received reports that the steam
er Esperanza has left Vera Cruz via
Tampico for Galveston, with refu
gees on board. The Jason also will
go to Galveston, shipping at Tuxpan
for refugees. The gunboat Nashville
was sent south from Vera Cruz to
pick up refugees at Puerto Mexico.
Reports from Mexico to the Navy De;
partment also stated that refugees
were boarding American war vessels
at nearly all the ports where shipj
have been stationed.
Americans Reported Safe.
Washington. The State Depart-
ment announced that Americans in
the vicinity of Ciudad Porfirio Diaz,
opposite Eagle Pass, Tex., had been
assured safe conduct by General Gua
lardo of the Constitutionalist forces
and arrangements were made for
transporting such Americans as re
mained in the neighborhood. The
Department also has been informed
that a Chinese colony at Guaymas, on
the west coast, Is anxious to leave
Mexico.
MAP OF MEXICO SHOWING PORTS BLOCKADED BY U. S. NAVY
HA
ZA SENDS A
NOTE TO PRESIDENT
CONSTITUTIONALIST GENERAL'S
ATTITUDE CAUSES A HUR
RIED CONFERENCE.
ASKS U. S. TO WITHDRAW
Wants Americans to Get Out of Vera
Cruz and Leave Whole Situation
to Him.
PANAMA CANAL ZONE
ON STRICT WAR BASIS.
Panama. Col. George W.
Goethals, Governor of the Pan
ama Canal Zone issued orders
placing the Canan Zone on a
strict war footing. He instruct
ed Major Gerhardt, command
ing the Tenth Infantry to send
two companies of infantry to
patrol the Gatum Locks and
one each for duty at the Mira
ftores and Pedro Miguel Locks.
The soldiers were given 100
rounds of ammunition each and
will camp near the locks.
Washington. General Carranza's
note to President Wilson, declaring
the seizure of Vera Cruz by American
forces a violation of the National sov
ereignty of Mexico, inviting the Unit
ed States to suspend hostile opera
tions and withdraw its forces and
suggesting that the Constitutional
Government should receive demands
for reparation of offenses committed
by Huerta, stirred the Mexican situ
ation to a new and acute crisis.
Opposition to the American Gov
ernment's action, coming from an
unexpected quarter, after the Wash
ington Administration had hoped for
an attitude of neutrality from the
Constitutionalists, brought the Gov
ernment face to face with possible
hostility from the great body of
Mexican forces lying in proximity to
the Southern border of the United
States.
Rumor of a possible restoration of
the embargo on arms, current during
the day, were revived and it was the
subject of the War Department con
ference Precautions against upris
ings on the border as a possible result
of Carranza's opposition to the Amer
ican Government's course also were
believed to be under consideration.
The joint Army and Navy Board it
recommended the restoration of the
embargo.
While Mexican - Constitutionalist
representatives here professed to see
a tone of friendliness in Carranza's
note, its blunt request for the with
drawal of the American forces from
Vera Cruz and its virtual demand for
recognition of the rebels are repre
senting the constitutional government
of Mexico injected phases which made
Administration officials manifestly
uneasy.
Plans thus far made by the Army
and Navy Board to obtain reprisals
from Huerta had contemplated no
move along the American border.
Should hostility develop among the
Call Volunteers If Needed.
Washington. The organization of
the "reserve of trained and disciplin
ed men," to respond to any call for
volunteers for Mexican service was
ordered by Gen. H. Oden Lake, na
tional commander of the army and
navy union. A general order to offi
cers of the organization of honorably
discharged soldiers, sailors and ma
rines, commanded officers to call a
meeting of all the honorably dis
charged soldiers, sailors and marines
and enroll such as are willing to respond.
J ) pv TJ r$
xznjvzjiTrizjsi Mie ho ac i tj 7""-v jirr
J '
Constitutionalists, plans of the Army
will be changed immediately.
The knowledge that Carranza, while
refusing to make common cause with
Huerta, might be disposed of his own
initative to resent the acts of the
American Government, made the
problem admittedly more grave than
it ever has been.
General Witherspoon positively de
clined to discuss the subject of the
embargo on arms. He said no ord'ers
for the movement of troops had been
issued yet, but that the border forces
might be strengthened at certain
points, particularly along the Imper
ial Valley.
In this valley is located a great
Government irrigation project.
Replying to a telegram from Secre
tary Bryan at Washington General
Carranza telegraphed that the Unit
ed States is not justified in occupying
Mexican territory.
"The invasion," says the letter,
"will drag us (Mexico) into an un
equal war with dignity, "but which
until today we desired to avoid."
HOLD UP AMMUNITION.
Admiral Fletcher Seizes a Large
Shipment of Msnitions of War
and Returns Them.
Washington. President Wilson or
dered Admiral Fletcher to seize the
Vera Cruz customs house and prevent
Huerta froji getting severl million
rounds of ammunition and two hun
dred field guns.
The orderj went out from WasWn?
ton when u became apparent that
delay in congress was accniin; to
Huerta's advantage.
The orders, officials said, left to
the .admiral's discretion when and
how ;o a, t As there is no blockade
the American forces couli not inter
fere with the German stealer. The
orders were to seize the guns and
shells after they had la.nded or to
seize the customs house tc prevent
their, landing and thus keep them
from going to Mexico City.
Officials declared thai President
Wilson had ample authority foi his
action without the approval of con
gress.
The orders 'went out to Admiral
Fletcher at daybreak after President
Wilson and cabinet officials had been
in conference since 4 a. m. nioftly
over the telephone.
The orders to the admiral, it was
said, conferred the broadest authority
upon him ,and directing that if necc s
sary he take the city of Vera Cru7 as
well as the customs house to prevent
the landing of the munitions.
Munitions Are Returned.
Washington. Disposition of the
guns and ammunition on the German
vessel Ypihanga, held up at Vera
Cruz when Admiral Eletcher took the
port was aranged between Secretary
Bryan and the German" ambassador.
The captain of the vessel being un
able to secure clearance papers at
Vera Cruz will return the cargo to
its former owners in Germany, al
tnough Heurta had paid in advance
for the munitions.
Warned to Leave Vera Cruz.
Vera Cruz. All American and oth
er foreign women have been asked by
Consul Canada to take refuge on ves
sels now in the harbor, preferably on
board the Mexico of the Ward line
and the Espehanza which has been
chartered by the United States navy.
"Bagley of Mexican Trouble."
Washington. Seamon George Poin
sett of Philadelphia, killed at Vera
Cruz was eulogized in the house as
"the Worth Bagley of the Mexican
trouble." Representative Moore of
Pennsylvania, declared that "whether
wre have entered upon this war wisely
or unwisely, we have at least demon
strated our wisdom as a nation in be
in prepared for war." He added:
"A father who yielded to his boy's de
side to serve has been bereft of a
son, but the nation has added the
name of that boy to its roll of heroe."
VERA CRUZ TAKEN,
KILL SIX MARINES
U. S. SAILORS POSSESS CUSTOM
HOUSE THEN THE FIRING
BEGINS. -
MEXICANS LOOSE OVER 200
Admired Fletcher Orders Mexicans to
Stop Shooting or Big Guns Will
Be Put Into Action. '
List of Killed and Wounded.
Washington. This corrected
list of the Americans killed
and wounded in the first fight
ing at Vera Cruz was cabled by.
Admiral Fletcher:
Dead: Private Daniel Alloy,
sius Haggerty, Private Samu
el Martin, Seaman George
Poinsett, Coxswain John F.
Schumacher.
Wounded: Private George
Drain, Private E. P. Peterson,
Seaman Clarence R. Harshbar
ger, Seaman J. L. Kwapich,
Mate H. N. NJcherson, Electri
cian Edward Gisburne, Private
G. M. Davidson, Private John
McMillan, Private Richar Sha
hr, Private H. J. Reed, Sea
man W. H. Mangels, Seaman
Frederick Nanse, Seaman Math
an Schwarz, Seaman J. H. Cope
land. Washington. Marines and blue
jackets of the American navy took
the customs house and a large section
of Vera Cruz with a loss of six killed
and 30 wounded. The loss of the Mex
ican garrison was not officially known
but was estimated at 200 killed. This
was the first step in the program of
reprisal by the United States against
the Huerta government for the arrest
of American bluejackets at Tampico
and other offenses "against the right
and dignity of the United States."
It was the first clash between
forces of the United States and Mex
ico since the revolution broke out in
1910 and gave the. Washington gov
ernment a Mexican problem.
Rear Admiral Fletcher had warn
ed the Federal commander that he
would use the big guns of . the Ameri
can fleet if his men did not stop fir
ing. The American forces had orders
to fire only to defend themselves. The
United States intends to take no of
fensive steps for the present. The
salute to the flag which Huerta re
fused will not be satisfactory repara
tion. It is understood a declaration
of apology as well as a salute and
guarantee that the rights and dignity
of the United States would be respect-
ed can alone cause a withdrawal of
the American forces.
While American marines and blue
jackets were fighting, the senate de
bated the whole Mexican situation be
fore crowded galleries. The joint
resolution that passed the house sup
porting the president's proposal to use
the army and navy to obtain repara
tion was being debated in the senate
at midnight with prospect of an all
night sessi6n. Many Republicans sen
ators wanted the resolution broaden
ed to authorize steps to obtain repara
tion for all offenses committed
Governor Colquitt Advises.
Washington. Governor Colquitt of
Texas sent to Representative Garner,
who immediately submitted it to
the President, a telegram declaring if
it was the purpose of President Wil
son to invade Mexico, it was impera
tive that the towns of Matamoras,
Nuevo. Laredo and Ciudad Porfirio
Diaz and Juarez be seized immediate
ly. Governor" Colquitt explained that
there are on the Mexican border 25,-
000 to 30,000 Mexican refugees who
threaten to become a menace to the
United States.
fHE TAR HEELS .
WILL SEE SERVICE
I AVAL OFFICERS OF STATE WHO
WILL HAVE EXPERIENCE
OF WAR.
AT VERA CRUZ OR. ON WAY
Captains, Lieutenant Commanders,
Commanders, and Ensigns and
Ships in Command.
Washington. The following North
Carolinians are either , at Vera Cruz
or on their way down there:
Captains Andrew T. Long, com
mander Des Moines; Robf. A. Mc
Neely, on Louisiana; Arthur Cren
shaw, commander Cummings; Pope
Washington on the Missouri.
Lieutenant commanders Lyman A.
Catton, attache to Kyo and Peking;
H. J. Winston, on Pittsburg, engineer
on staff of fleet; R. W. Vincent, on
waiting list; Samuel W. Bryant, Ra
dio station.'
Lieutenants Adophus Staton, on
South Carolina; Percy F. Foote, on in
spection duty; George S. Bryan, Na
val Academy; Alexander L. Wads-
worth, Jr., recruiting duty; John J.
London, Mayflower; Louis P. Davis,
on Panther; Matthews E. Manley on
Wyoming; William R. Law, Charles
ton Navy Yard; William R. Smith, Jr.,
Nashville; Paul L. Holland, under
treatment; John W. Rankin, comman
der C-5 submarine; Robert L. Young,
Jr., Wilmington.
Ensigns Lee P. Johnson, on Con
necticut; Augustus W. Reiger,- on
Ohio; Henry G. Cooper, Jr., on Quiras;
Chauncey A, Lucas, Georgia; Leslie
L: Jordan, on Georgia; George B.
Ashe, on Louisiana; Donald P. Pat
terson, on South Carolina; Eugene T.
Oates on Raleigh; George F. Parrot,
Jr.,. on New Hampshire; Robertson J.
Weeks, on Florida; Jay L. For ley on
Tennessee; Donald C. Godwin, on
Rhode Island; Paul Hendren, on New
Hampshire; Michael Hudson on South
Carolina.
PRESENT PORTRAIT MAY 5.
Oil Painting of Cyrus Watson Will Be
Hung in State Library.
Winston-Salem. At a meeting of
the Forsyth Bar Association May 5th
was chosen as the date for the presen
tation and hanging of an oil painting
of Cyrus Watson, an old and distin
guished member of the local bar, in
the library of the state supreme court
at Raleigh.
This painting has just been com
pleted by M. C. Long of Statesville,
arid is presented at the request of the
supreme court. It will be presented
by a committee from the local bar,
Clement Manley, spokesman, and will
be received by Judge Clark. Owing
to prominence and esteem in which
Mr. Watson is held, there will be a
large attendance at the ceremonies
of friends and members of the bar
throughout the state.
Tumulty Answers Message.
Charlotte. "The president directs
me to acknowledge the receipt of your
telegram of April 23 and to thank you
warmly for your friendly expressions
)f approbation.
"Sincerely yours,
"J. P. Tumulty,
"Secretary to the President."
This letter on white house station
ery was received by Mr. F. Brevard
McDowell, president of the Mecklen
burg Declaration Society. It was ans
wer to the telegram sent in the name
of the society approving of the aggres
sive stand taken by the government
towards Mexico and urging that the
American flag be planted on Mexican
'soil and kept: there.
Raleigh Suffragists Organize
Raleigh. The Raleigh Equal Suf
frage League has been formed here
with Mrs. James H. Pou, as president,
Mrs. Russell C. Langdon as vice pres
ident, Mrs. James O. Litchford as
treasurer, Mrs. W. S. Wilson secre
tary and Miss Mattie A. Higgs, corre
spondfnig secretary. The league is
arranging to bring a number of suffra
gette speakers here, these to include
Jane Addams and Secretary of the
Navy Josephus Daniels. Chief Justice
Walter Clark of this city is to be in
vited'to speak soon.
North Carolina Lauds Sons. -
Washington. North Carolina is at
.he front in Mexico. The press dis
patches have told of the gallantry of
Ensign Badger in the occupation of
Vera Cruz. Young Badger is full of
North Carolina blood. He is the only
son of Admiral Badger and bears the
name of his distinguished grandfather
Commodore Oscar Badger, who was
appointed to the naval service by
George E. Badger when he was secre
tary of the navy under President Har
rison, and who was promoted for gal
lant service in the Civil war.
Furniture Exposition July 13-25.
High Point. The 'manufacturers of
the city have decided to hold the
Summer meet of the Southern Furni
ture Exposition July 13 to 25. At
a recent meeting every fnrniture
maker expressed great satisfaction
with the two previous shows, and re
ports were made Indicating an in
creased attendance this Summer.
Many dealers are already inquiring as
to the definite date. ..It, has been cor
rectly forecasted that with the erec
tion of -an exposition building by that
date attendance will be large.
IKfflMnONAL
SMMfSfflOOI
Lesson
(By B. O. SELLERS, Director of Evening
Department, The Moody Bible Institute,
Chicago.)
LESSON FOR MAY 3
THE PRODIGAL SON.
LESSON TEXT Luke lff:ll-2. ;
GOLDEN TEXT "I will arise and ga
to my father, and will say unto him.
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in thy sight" Luke 15:18. !
Te oarables of Jesus are marvels-
of unity and condensation, yet no nec
essary detail is omitted. This, per
haps his most famous, is no excep
tion even though it does carry a dou
ble lesson. Who thinks of the older
brother when this siory Is mentioned?
Though designated the "Story of the
Prodigal," we need to remind our
selves that the word "prodigal" never
once occurs in the story. The open
ing sentence speaks of a father and
of two sons. It is really the parable
of a perfect father, the unveiling of
the true heart of God. Against that
background is set off a self-centerea
Bon lacking In natural affection. Also
alongside the wayward son 4s the mis
erly, selfish one who lacked all the
eood Qualities of his brother, but who
was truly a wanderer and out of har
mony with God the Father. In the
background we see' the citizens of
the far country who helped this young
Jew to his place of want, famine and
degradation. Remember, It is our
IiOrd sneaklhe to Jews. When the
Gentiles of the far country sent him
to feed swine they insulted him by
comnelline him to get his living
through an occupation instinctively
repulsive.
First Fruit of Sin.
The father makes equal partition
"divided unto them." (V. 12) though
neither son had a right to demand a
partition of his estate. At the bot
tom of the son's request was a desire
to have his own way to be independ
ent of God. He did not go away from
home at once, though his heart was
alueady in the "far country."
I. Into the Far Country, vv. 13-16.
Fun Is the first fruit of sin, and that
the son readily found so long as his
money lasted (Heb. 11:25). But the
consequences followed closely on its
trail, for when he had "spent all" he
began to be in, "want." There are'
many attractive things about this,
young man, but those qualities were
perverted, they lacked control, they
were good servants but bad task
masters. It is not always physical
temporal want that comes to the sin
ner, there are deeper and more in
tense longings soul want and soul;
hunger. These always come to thei
soul away from God. Being in want-
does not mean that a man's will has.
been subdued. Some prodigals in the
most abject temporal need are as.
proud as Lucifer, and boast of' their
rebellion. So he "joined himself to a
citizen of the country." He did not'
belong there the citizen did. He was
set to the most degrading task im
aginable for a Jew feeding swine
Like a Lost Sheep.
II. The Home Coming, w. 17-24.,
The first step was for the son to stop
and really think. That Is where sal-
vation always begins In thinking. He
knew he was lost, e. g., out of adjust
ment. In the wrong place, out of his
element and like the lost sheep.
"ready to die." He saw his condi
tion, money gone, friends gone, hogs
for companions, no food for his sub
tenance. He saw his value. He was
more important than the servants of
his father's home. He saw his fath
er's love, already manifested in what
had been given him and we fain would
believe that when he left home he
had the father's urgent plea to re
turn. He saw a way to escape from
his present position. All of this after
he "came to himself." Before that,
impenitent, he was morally Insane,
now he has reasoned, Isa. 1:18. With
his reasoning also came the deter
mination to make a full confession.
"I will say unto him," not alone con
fess his need but the fact that he had
sinned. This is the only way for a
sinner to come to God, Ps. 32:3-5;
I John 1:9; Luke 18:11-14. He did
not stop with resolving but "he arose
and came to his father," v. 20. He ex
pected to apply for a servant's posi
tion, but never had the opportunity
for the father saw him "a great way
off" and "ran and fell on his neck and
kissed him." Notice the kiss of recon
ciliation was given before he even had
a chance to confess. In his confes
sion his first thought Is that he had
sinned against God and then against
his earthly father. The father had
not once forgotten him; he "had com
passion" even though the son was un
merciful to himself and to all of his
loved ones. The father kissed him
before he was washed or otherwise
made presentable.
Neither of the sons are perfect but
he who uttered the parable was him
self the true son of the father. He
never departed from his father,
wasted his father's substance, nor
brought discredit upon his name.
Jesus was in full sympathy with his.
father's heart for he welcomed the
wandering publicans and sinners to
himself, took the journey into the far
country to find the wanderers and to
bring them home. Christ's mission
was to bring many "sons to glory1
(Heb. 2:10), which means restoring
the wanderer and fulfilling in him the)
perfectness of sonship. ,
t !