Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-04-27
THE TALENTS.
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATlONAL SERIES, APRIL 20.

from Lesson Helper Quarterly, Ivy permission
of II. s. Hoffman, Philadelphia, publisher
Notes.-V II. A man travelling, Jesus
leaving earth and returning to heaven. V.
Is. Several ability, different gifts and en-
dowments of men, the foundation of respon-
sibility and reckoning V. IS. Traded, did
business, worked. V. 49, Long time, inn
plies that coming of the Lord came later
than was expected. V. 24 Hard man, i'm
possible to satisfy. V. 81 EXchangers,
bankers, who would safely keep and pay in
terest ON the money
The virgins are represented as waiting for
their Lord; here we have the servants work
ing for him. The contemplative and active
sides of Christian life are presented in the
two parallels. The foolish virgins failed
from thinking their part too easy; the wicked
servant fails from thinking his too hard.
Christ eXhorts us in this parable not to wait
till | come" but occupy till come"
V. IA. Christ, at the close of his earthly
life, left his disciples and assembled to heaven.
Though absent in body, he is present spiritu-
ally, and will be to the end of time. In his
absence his goods were delivered to his serv-
ants. Goods here mean the blessings of
life, salvation, the Gospel, the promises,
special gifts and endowments, spiritual pow
ers and capacities. The bestowal of any gift
implies the obligation to use it.
V. 15 The ability of each one determined
the measure of responsibility and trust. No
one was burdened beyond his capacity. Tho
talent of silver is estimated at from SIG to
S22 so Our English word "talent," which
we use as the equivalent of power especially
mental, has grown out Of this parable. Tho
receiving of talents from God is u great priv
ilegc.
V. 1911 Then, or straightway. Prompt
ness makes Chrst's business prosper. Prompt
ness is IA cardinal principal in Christs king
dom. Traded, literally worked. There is
nothing to be gained without hard incessant
labor The fact that the capital doubled
evinced industry. Spiritual capital increases
by active work. Both servants were equally
faithful, because each doubled what he had
received. There was required of them only
as they received.
V. IS The wicked servant, like the others,
had received according to his talent and his
ability Contrary to duty he buried his
lords silver in the earth. Before there wcro
banks of deposit the custom of hiding money
in the earth for safe keeping prevailed.
V. 49, After much time had elapsed, longer
than had been expected, the lord returned to
receive his revenues This doubtless refers
to the second coming of Christ.
V. 20. The faithful servant seems delighted
to receive his lord. He is happy in the
thought that his lord will be pleased with
his efforts Does not this illustrate how the
faithful Christian shall at the Judgment lift
up his head and have boldncss in that day:
V. 81. 1t is not success so much as faith
fulness that is commended. The servant is
pronounced ~ "gooC.n that is, devoted, con-
scentious, enthusiastic, single hearted ana
whole hearted, and C2) Faithful" persever-
ing, full OF faith, faithful, in his lord trust
ing him In this was the secret of his good
ness and his success. Strong faith in Christ
and in his promises makes earnest and untir-
ing workers in his cause
The reward of faithfulncss was twofold.
l. A larger sphere of usefulness increased
power, greater influence, opportunities of
doing good multiplied, "ruler over many
things 2. Entrance into and partakcr OF
the Lords joy. This includes all the glory
and bliss which are reserved for Gods faith
full people,
V. %, % This second servant was in al
respects as noble a man as the first. Our
future standing in glory is determined by
our present devotion and diligence.
Y. u, p. The unfaithtu servant antci.
pates his Lords condemnation. He comes
not with joy in his heart and smiles on his
face. A self seeker, intensely selfish himself
ne asCrlbes the same to God to excuse him
self Men who excuse their own sins in the
same breath blame God for being hard Will
them.
The unfaithful servant used not what h,
had: that was his sin. He had no right t,
think he had received too little. All that hi
lord asked was fidelity to his trust. The lore
required little Of him, and that little h
failed to return. lie thought evil all tn
while of his absent master. How then cOul,
he render him service and advance his in
tereStS:
Hiding talents of mind or influence o.
wealth, or satisfied to save our own soul
with no effort to lead others to Christ, W
act the part of this servant
He said, "Lo, there thou hast that is thine,
implying that he was himself scrupulousl
lust. that he did not steal his lords money
hut returned every farthing, Negligent III
faithful, evil in heart as he was, he, III;
wicked men, still boosted of his morality
He added falsehood to hypocrisy, for his tim
was his masters.
1t must not he supposed that those poorl
endowed with talents are the only ones thu
are slothful. Some OF the worst examples {
negligence and unproiitabeness have bee
the most highly gifted of men. If the ma
who is more gifted will not escape
V q. Taking him at his word, the Lor
said If you knew was SO hard a masto
why then did you You not try to serve me
Knowing his duty, he might have so used h
talents as to increase them and have ben
fitted his follows. To know our duty N
then not to do it, will subject us to Il
greater punishment luke xii, AZ.
V. Is, 20 There was first negative pu
ishment visited upon him for his ncglcc
The trust, the talent, was taken from hi
He was separated from the opportunities
had and from the ability to improve theI
This is a law of nature. The unused lin
grows feeble; still water dries up and /
comes FOUL the inactive mind loses its powC
The want Of spiritual exercise dwarls t
rarest and greatest powers,
" 80, The more positive punishment com
now to view. The same is visited upon t
Improbable servant, as upon the guest wit
l,o l,a