"Among the many advantages: Parable attract, and when fully understood are sure to be remembered...; Parables greatly help the mind and thinking faculty...; Parables stir up, or excite the affections, and awaken consciences as when hell in parable is set up as a furnace of fire, and conscience by a gnawing worm; Parables arrest and hold attention...; Parables preserve the truth...And mere words are constantly changing their meaning, whereas the symbols of life and nature, as such as our Lord used in His parables, are as abiding as nature and life themselves."