07.01.01.A. The Far Country

A. THE FAR COUNTRY

We do not know how many miles this country was from his boyhood home, or how long it may have taken him to make the journey. Possibly only a few miles, and the journey was made quickly; and then it may have been many miles requiring weeks to get there. We do not know what bounded it on the north, south, east, or west; we only know that it was a far country. So far that no word ever came to cheer the father’s and mother’s heart, and between them there was a great gulf over which no communication ever passed. Some people have the idea that to be a prodigal, one must run away and spend many years from home, but that is not necessary. There are many prodigals today who were never a fortnight away from home, who have missed few meals at their father’s table, yet they have taken this journey into the far country and between their souls and their parents there is a gulf fixed over which no communication ever passes.