The National tribune., 1888-04-05

clear truths which, uttered badly, would
not be so readily comprehended. As teacher
he, after the Eastern manner, sat. (St. Matt,
"a: 3 Compare 5 II The hearers were the
II Disciples. (St, Matt "a IL SITS. Peter,
James, John and Andrew are named in the ac-
count as given by st. Mark, l13:3) Like a
Sunday-schOol class before their teacher the
Disciples clustered about Christ The word
disciple means learner, and the Twelve were
simply pupils. They went to school to Christ.
Their attitude was standing. Having listened
to their Teacher for two or three years they
were becoming quite yersed in religious knowl-
edge.
g. The Occasion
All travellers in Palestine speak of the grand
view of Jerusalem one can get from the Mount
of Olives. Christ and the Twelve had left the
city and were ascending the hill. Looking
back their eyes caught the grandeur of the
scene. 1t was between afternoon and evening.
Probably they attended evening prayer at
o'clock in the temple and then set out for
Bethany. The sun was going down casting
bright rays over the more elevated points OF
the city and lighting up the walls and turrets
Of the temple IL was so grand a sight that
the Disciples called Christ's attention to it. He
was probably quite in thought about the sad
scenes so near at hand which were to accom-
pany his crucifxion. The spectacle set Christ
to thinking OF Jerusalem, its fate, and the ter
rible destiny Of the Jews. The parable which
we study is part Of his answer
4. The Subject Of the Parable and Us Bearing.
Christ saw that the time left for the Jews
was short. He knew that in a few years the
city would be in ruins, involving the temple.
People were to die or be put to death by the hun
dreds Of thousands. What they did must be
done quickly. If they proposed to reform
they must hasten. The ayengcr the Roman
army was coming. 1t was natural to pass
1.fg CHI. A-r-
and to the ultimate end Of all earthly
things. There was a good opportunity to
enforce an impressive lesson on the minds Of
his Disciples, and Christ seized it. Christ is
not only Savior, but Master. We are not only
disciples, but servants As such wc ought to be
diigent. We are rcsp0nsIhietO our Lord. lie
is not Indifferent whether or not we work. If
employees see their employer coming it is nat
ural for them to make the best possible appear
aEce Of diligence But there are two classes Of
seryants-sOme are faithful, others lazy; some
do even more than asked and others skip every
duty they can. Christ wants di!igeH5 follow
ers. it is - wise to be faithful" lyerse 49,
1t is policy to be good. Promotion comes from
fidelity in present positions. Verse Al The
subject of the lesson is, the contrast between
the good servant and the evil servant
. Characteristics Of the Good Servant.
A. He is " faithful" The original for the
word faithful" ". 45) comes from Greek
verb, meaning to persuade. 4 faithful servant
is yieldable; can easily obey; will not ques-
ton commands, nor have to be Coaxed. Then,
a faithful servant is one who has faith IN his
employer And his employer can trust him
He will not need to be watched IN order TO
/ work. Moreover, you can believe faithful
/ servant-can put faith in him.
/ b. He is wise" (V. 45.) The original for
/ the word wise F." comes from Greek verb,
! which means to think. A wise servant is one
! who is thoughtful, considerable reflective, pru-
/ dent has his wits about him. He is rational
! not dreamy. He can be depended on by his
/ employer. He is practical-dOes not have to
be told to do everything, but has some judg-
ment of his own. He knows how to devise
means, use time, select instrumenJalities, lay
! out work. He has some knowledge of human
nature and knows how TO get along with his as
sociates Hell prudcnt-not thoughtiess about
/ the present. nor frivolous about the future. His
/ judgment is so good that he can see that the
greatest success and happiness are TO be secured
by being true, genuine, industrious.
c. He gives the household their meat in due
season. Verse 49, He secures the provisions
for the house and distributes them fairly, and
III the proper time and season. He Is a dis
peuser of his masters stores. Hence Origina-
ted the proper name, Spencer as formerly be-
| longing to q ruler over a household" as in
verse 40 The good servant is considerate OF
Liib COLl4DEJ VI MS lCi4OW-Stt Fiu u. III Of
Luke's account the lesson reads-he gives them
their portion of meat in due season. (St. Luke
y: AZ He provides good food in sufficient
quantities, ut right times, and without partial
ity. To have more himself he does not scrimu
in dispensing to others.
d. He expects his lord He is always ready
for his coming. Indeed he always acts as he
would if his employer were looking at him
constantly. lie is not inCredulous about the
return Of his master Because his employer
delays, the good servant does not begin &c
think that possibly lie Will not come, or al
least will not return at once or unexpectedly
His master said he would come and the good
servant believes the statement.
{. He is kind 10 his fellow-seryants. This
is shown by his Considerateness of their wants
in due season. He will not let them suffer, mol
keep them waiting Tenderness is also i'm
piled by the contrasting Of the two servants
the faithful" being the opposite of the evil, >
and hence the good servant does not smite hi
fellows nor carouse. Verse 49,
]. He is sober. man given to gluttony be
comes stolid aud brutal-One in the habit o
drunkenness IS unfit for any service.
6. characteristics Of the Eel Servant
a. He is faithless. lie cannot be believed
nor trusted
b. He is unwise. His course of folly bring
him into great trouble. He cannot plan well
and the whole household under his care is dis
turbed. His judgment is defective. He be
comes a wreck, and if not removed the house
hold will be demOralZed.
c. He does not look to the provisions tn
} household suffers. Their meat is not supple,
regularly. Indeed much of it is wasted in ex
travagant Carousal. He is reckless of his mas
! ter's goods.
d. He thinks he is sole master. His sense O
responsibility and accountability is blurred
He begins to imagine his master is not to re
, turn.
e. He is cruel He falls even to abusin
those over whom he is appointed protector
He even comes to blows and wounds his assc
Cates.
f. He is Incorporate; yea, many time, Il
goes off in sprees. Leaving the care of th
household, he spends much time with the vii
and drunken.
; Z. ReWards Of Good SERVANTS
Faithful servants are sure of Gods blessin,
, They will be promoted. They will have futuI
q happiness.
8. P,unishmentS Of EUa Servants.
Wicked servants, instead of blessing, wi
S have imprecaton Instead of being promoted
they will be degraded. Thus they suffer /
e this world. Beyond death they cannot expeC
S happiness. Indignation and sorrow await then
p They shall endure Temorse which in our pres
, ent physical condition causes one to gnash h
teeth-grief which in this life forces tears frol
s our eyes.
8. Reporters Of the Parable.