Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-26
Lesson ..
PARABLE OF THE POUNDS.

This parable is not identical with that
of the Talents recorded by Matthew.
Between the two there are striking re.
semblances but the points of differ.
ence are more marked and great. They
were spoken at different times and
places, and are unlike in structure and
purpose.
In his journey TO Jerusalem our Say.
iour had reached Jericho. As he en-.
tered the town he healed the blind Bar.
timeus and another blind man whose
name is not given. lie visited the house
of Zaccheus; and it was probably while
standing at his door that he spoke the
parable of the Pounds.
To understand its meaning it is to be
noticed that, in his present approach to
Jerusalem, our Saviour was accompanied
by increasing crowds Of expectsnt peo.
pie. They saw in him their lopg.prom.
sed Deliverer and King. They thought
"that the kingdom of God should im.
mediately appear" Moreover, they had
false ideas OF what that kingdom was to
be- Even the disciples looked for per.
sonal greatness and ease, not for trial
and patient and often lowly service.
1t was 10 correct these notions that
the Saviour now addressed the eager
company. The form OF the parable was
drawn from actual history. It was by
no means an uuheard.of thing for "A
prince of noble birth to go to a fsr coun.
try las Herod and his son Archelaus
went to Rome) to submit his claims and
receive a royal title. Jesus himself was
the real Nobleman, and heaven the far
country to which he was soon to go.
lie was now in his state of humiliation.
Reascending where he was before, he
was to receive dominion and glory and
a kingdom" BY his Spirit he would
always abide with his people. but in his
visible person he would for time be
absent. As te~t of their fidelity he
would commit to his servants, left be.
hind, important interests. But, having
received the kingdom from the Father.
he would in due time return. Then to
each would he give gracious reward.
All judgment having been committed
to his hands, he would come to Judge.
1t is to be observed that to each of the
servants he gives the same,-namely. a
pound. Evidently this does not stand
for mental gifts and possessions. For in
respect to these Gods servants greatly
differ. More likely it stands for the
grace which is common to all. To know
the truth, TO be hopefully disciple, to
be accounted Gods redeemed child, is a
great opportunity for service. II opens
the way to honor our Master. 1t is
ground of great obligation. God calls
his own that they may bear witness for
him. Thus he tests them. Thus char.
acter is developed. Thus fidelity is
evinced In this all Gods children are
equal. Each has his pound.
Doubtless the great practical truth of
the lesson is, that just according to our
use of opportunities to serve shall we
be judged. Differing degrees of faith.
fulness will determine the differing re.
wards. lie who does much for Christ
will be the more richly blest.
There is great cheer in this for the
selfdistrustful. Heavenly treasure will
not be determined by the talents we
possess or the places we fill. Have we
been faithful1 That will be the all
important question.
There is also very important lesson
here with respect to the nature of the
Christians reward. II will not be to
bssk in sunshine, or to give ourselves
TO beatifc visions, or idly TO worship and
sing Heaven will lack no pure delight;
but here we are taught that the rewards
of service will mainly consist in enlarg.
ed opportunity. To have been faithful
with little will be to be made ruler over
much. The spirit which has learned to
delight in consecrated service, in loving
work, will have 20 much the wider
sphere. This is not the heaven the
sensual and the selfish covet. Never.
theless il is the true heaven, that "joy
= Il L.. A. aA- 81 4 Il
hidden enter. The difference in our
future blessedness as compared with
the present will largely be. that, togeth.
er with enlarged being end scope, we
shall have escape from weakness and
earthly ills. The testing will be over.
Character will be established. All con.
ditions will favor peace and joy.
The penalty of the unfaithful will be
bitter indeed. Even opportunity is
taken away. Unloving, unfit for either
service or the companionship of those
who delight to serve, nothing is left but
separation from the true and good.
1t Is plain that by the "citizens" who
would not that Christ should reign over
them are meant. those who openly re-
ject his service. Defiant and scornful,
their punishment is as severe as it Is
hopeless.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
j. Our great concern should be not
to determine just how soon or in what
precise manner the Lord will come
again. Far more important is IL that
he should find us ready.
2. The highest human ambition is
not TO be learned, or rich, or "cultured," )"
to possess superior attainments, or to
FIJI : conspicuous place. TO be humbly,
steadfastly, diligently doing his work, Is
far better. Such will the King delight
to honor.
3. Just TO be : Christian--pardoned,
renewed, saved,-opens bouDdless op.
portunity 10 do good. To enter the
Christian fold Is the first step in the
highest usefulness. II Is 20 begin ser