he had never, before this absence from
his father's house, known a want or woe.

Both food and shelter did the woman give unto him; and, when the morning
sun came over the eastern hills, another sun of joy and gratitude was
shining over his hills of doubt. And when the woman turned from his warm,
full thanks, and went about her daily tasks, these words came with a new
life and meaning to her mind: "As ye have done it to the least of these
my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Years rolled away. The murmur of their deeds was like the distant
rumbling of retreating clouds after a great storm.

The youth visited strange cities, saw nations at war with each other,
and learned the conflict of the human soul, and how it battles in the
great life which threatens to bear it down each hour. Amid all this
strife and selfishness of heart, he found many that were loyal to God and
Truth. He daily learned rich lessons which he would not have effaced
for all the gold and pomp of earth.

The light of wisdom began to dawn. "This is the experience which my
father saw I needed. Had he provided me with means with which to journey
through the world, how different would have been my life! I then should
have known no value of human love and kindness. O my father! I long to
return to thee, and love thee as I never could have loved thee before!"

He sat weary, but not sad, by the roadside one day, thinking of his
father's love, when the sound of a traveler's approach was heard on the
road. He turned his eyes in its direction, and saw one of his father's
servants on a beautiful white horse.

"Your father bids you come," were the welcome words that fell upon
his ears.

"Take thy steed," he said, "and journey quickly home: he waits
impatiently for your return."

Fast over hill and dale he rode; and when day passed from sight, leaving
a jeweled sky to mark its absence, the long-absent son rode to his
father's door, and wept tears of joy upon his breast.

Together they stood, father and son, upon the Mount of Experience,
overlooking all the scenes of life.

Our heavenly Father wakes us all from the slumber of infancy and
helplessness, and sends us forth alone into the world to learn life's
great lessons. When we have learned them well, he sends the pale
messenger, Death, to take us home. How blessed will be that reunion! With
the crown of wisdom on our heads, how sweet it will be to go no more out,
but dwell with him forever!