I was referred to the parable of the lost
sheep. The ninety and nine sheep are left in the wilderness,
and search is instituted for the one that has strayed. When the
lost sheep is found, the shepherd elevates it to his shoulder
and returns with rejoicing. He does not return murmuring and
censuring the poor lost sheep for having made him so much trouble,
but his return with the burden of the sheep is with rejoicing.
And a still greater demonstration of joy is demanded. Friends and neighbors are called to rejoice with the finder, "for I have found my sheep which was lost." The finding was the theme of rejoicing; the straying was not dwelt upon; for the joy of finding overbalanced the sorrow of the loss and the care, the perplexity and the peril, incurred in searching for the lost sheep and restoring it to safety. "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."