A father cannot allow foulness in a household be-



210 THE AGE OF FAITH

cause of the ruin it will work. When he sees that
there is no longer ruin but blessing to be achieved,
the same holiness opens the doors wide and bids
the wanderer return, — and that is " free grace."

This leads us to a truth still more fundamental
a Necessity and vital. It is a necessity of fatherhood
hood. that everything which is possible shall

be done for the rescue of those who are in bondage
to weakness and ignorance, or who, by a misuse
of their freedom, have become the slaves of sin.
Here again the analogy of the home will help us.
What will a father do in order that his child who
has gone wrong may be saved, not from the suffer-
ings which he merits, but from the sin which is his
ruin ? He will weep for him bitter tears ; he will
follow him into many lands ; he will go to him in
prison ; he will spend his last dollar to find him.
