Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-03-07

(4l Bosgh serrants and their descend-
ants seem to hare been regarded NTH the
same Affection aud respect as the Other
msm6ers Of the tamilys The treatment
Of Eliezer. and the other servants in the
family Of Abraham, Gen. chap. 25-the
intercourse between Gideon and his SER
want Phnrdb. Judges iii. 10, IL; and Saul
ana his servant, in their interview with
Samuel, Sam. TX 5. %; and Jonathan
and ms servant, l Sam. xiv. I-l4; and
Elisha and his servant Gehazi, are illus.
tratlons. No such tie seems to have ex-
listed between hired servants and their
masters. Their untrustworthiness seems
TO have been proverbial. See John tx.
IL, l3- =:
None but the louesl class seem to have
engaged as hired servants. No instance
occurs in which they are assigned to bust
ness demanding much knowledge or skill.
Various passages showlhe low repute and
trifiing character Of the class from which
they were hired. Judges tx. 4; l Sam.
The superior condition and privileges
OF bought servants, are manifes.ed j. the
high trusts eonfided to them, and in the
dignity and authority with which they
were clothed in their masters household.
But in no instance is hired servant thus
distinguished. 10 some cases, the bought
servant Is manifestly the masters repre-,
sentative IN the famiIy-with plenipoten-
tiary powers over adult children, even me-
gotiatIng marriage Tor them. Abraham
besought Eliezer, bis servant, 10 take a
solemn oath. that He would not take a
wife for Isaac OF the daughters of the Ca
naanileS, but from Abraham's kindred
The servant went accordingly, and him
SELF selected the individual. Servants al.
so exercised discretionary power in the
management OF their masters estate
And the servant took ten came!s, ofthe
camsls OF his master, for all the ,gaOds of
ms nGste, toere under. has handS Gen,
xiv. 10. The reason assigned for taking
them, is not that such was Abraham. di.
rectIon, but that the servant had discre-
tlonary control. Servants had also discre.
tIonary power in the disposal of propertv.
See Gen. xiv. 22. %, So. The condi-
ton oil Ziba in the house of Mephiboseth
is a case in point. So is Prov. xvii. 2
Distinct traces this estimation are to be
found in the New Testament. Math. xiv.
IS Luke xii az, A.. So in The parable
OF the talents; the mast,r seems 10 have
set up each Of his servants in trade with
considerable capital. One of them could
not have had less than eight thousand dol.
lars. The parable of the unjust steward
Is another illustration. Luke xvi. 4. 8.
He evidently was entrusted with large
discretionary power. was ACCUSED Of
wasting his masters goods" and mani
testify regulated with his masters debtors.
the terms Of settlement Such trusts were
never reposed in hired servants.
The inferior condition of hired servants.
is illustrated in the parable of the prodi-
gal son. When the prodigaI, perishinp
with hunger among the sN Inc and busks
came 70 himself, bis proud heart broke !;
:" / will arise" he cried, land 90 to nv
father" And then to assure his father of
his humility, resolved to add impIoringiy,
" Make me as one Of thy hired servants"
1t need not be remarked. tina. if hired Ser.
wants were the superior class to apply
Tor the situation. and press the suit, SAVIOR
ed little Of that sense Of unworthiness TIA,
seeks the dust with hidden face, and cries
"uncleau." Unhumbled nature climbs !:
or If il falls, clings fast, where first it NAV.
Humility sinks of its own weight, and in
the lowest deep, digs lower. The desipn
OF the parable was to illustrate on the one
hand, the JOY of God, as he beho!ds afar
oil, the returning sinner seeking an in.
juTed fathers ta;e," who runs to CLASH e.
bless him with an unchiding welcome;
and on the other, the contrition of the pen.
itent, turning homeward with tears, from
his wanderings. his stricken spirit break
ing with its ill.desert, he sobs aIoud
The lowest place, the Lo,Oest place, l can
abide no o:her." Or in those inimitabIe
words, Father, / haze sinned agaiust
HeGren, and IN thy sight, and am no more
i0orthy 10 be called Thy son make me as
one of thy HIRED seUrants." The Sumo.
sition tn t hi'ed servants were the higfsa
class, takes from the parable an element
Of winning beauty and pathos. tits man.
lfest to every careful student of the Bible
that one class of servants, was on terms of
equality with the children and other MEM
bers Of the family. Hence the force OF
Paufs declaration, Gal. iv. /, "Noto / Sal;
unto you, thai The heir, 50 long as he is a
ehiLd, DIFFERETH NOTHING FROM SER
Want, hOagh he be lord of airy Hlhis
We're the hired class, the prodigal was a
sorry specimen Of humility: Would our
Lord have put such Ian u1ge into the
lips Of one held up by himself, as a model
Of gospel humility. to illustrate its lowH-
ness, lis conscious destitution OF all merit,
and deep sense Of III desert! Ifthis is hu.
miiity put il on sriIts, and set it slrutting,
while pride takes lessons, and bIunders in :