The Repentant Father. – Dwight Lyman Moody

Not long ago a young man went home late. He had been in the habit of going home late, and the father began to mistrust that he had gone astray. He told his wife to go to bed, and dismissed the servants, and said he would sit up till his son came home. The boy came home drunk, and the father in his anger gave him a push into the street and told him never to enter his house again, and shut the door. He went into the parlor and sat down, and began to think: “Well, I may be to blame for that boy’s conduct, after all. I have never prayed with him. I have never warned him of the dangers of the world.” And the result of his reflections was that he put on his overcoat and hat, and started out to find his boy. The first policeman he met he asked eagerly, “Have you seen my boy?” “No.” On he went till he met another. “Have you seen anything of my son?” He ran from one to another all that night, but not until the morning did he find him. He took him by the arm and led him home, and kept him till he was sober. Then he said: “My dear boy, I want you to forgive me; I’ve never prayed for you; I’ve never lifted up my heart to God for you; I’ve been the means of leading you astray, and I want your forgiveness.” The boy was touched, and what was the result? Within twenty-four hours that son became a convert, and gave up that cup. It may be that some father here has a wayward son. Go to God, and on your knees confess it. Let the voice of Jesus sink down in your heart: “Bring him unto Me.”