s one, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness and go and hunt for the lost sheep until he finds it? And
when he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and when he
gets home calls together his friends and says, 'Rejoice with me, for I
have found the sheep that I lost.' So, I tell you, there will be more
joy in heaven over one sinner who is truly sorry and promises to do
right than over ninety-nine upright men who have no need to do so.

"Or which one of you women, if she has ten silver coins but has lost
one, does not light a lamp, sweep the house thoroughly, and search
carefully until she finds it? After finding it she calls together her
friends and neighbors and says, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the
coin that I lost.' So, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels
of God over one sinner who is truly sorry and promises to do right."

[Illustration: (C) _Curtis Publishing Company_

_Seeking the Lost Sheep_

Painted by Herbert Moore]

Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger said to his
father, 'Father, give me the part of your property that belongs to me.'
So the Father divided his property between his two sons. A few days
later, the younger son got together all that he had and went into a
distant country where he wasted his money in reckless living. After
he had spent it all, there was a great famine in the land, and he began
to be in want. So he agreed to work for a man of that country, who sent
him into his fields to feed swine; and he was ready to eat even the pods
that the swine were eating, for no one gave him food. But when he came
to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more
than enough to eat while I die here of hunger! I will go to my father
and say, 'Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no
longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired
servants.'

"So he went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him and felt pity for him, and ran and threw his arms about
his neck and tenderly kissed him. Then his son said to him, 'Father, I
have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be
called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick, bring a
coat, the best, and put it on him and put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat
and be merry; for this son of mine was dead but has come back