Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-04-27
THE TALENTS.
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATlONAL SERIES, APRIL 20.

Golden Text, Rev. II, 1O-Memorize
Verses 2O-21-Comment by Rev. II. 8.
| Hoffman.
[From Lesson Helper Quarterly, by permission
of II. s. Hoffman, Philadelphia, publisherl
Notes.-V. IA. 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. IT, Traded, did
business, worked. " 10. Long time, i'm
plies that coming of the Lord came later
than was expected. V. "a. 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. Is. The ability Of each one determined
the measure of responsibility and trust. No
one was burdened beyond his capacity. The
talent of silver is estimated at from s16 to
$3.50. Our English word "talent," which
we use as the equivalent Of power, especially
mental, has grown out of this parable. The
receiving Of talents from God is great priv
ilege
| V. 1917. Then, or straightway Prompt
ness makes Christ's business prosper. Prompt
ness is cardinal principal in Christ's 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 were
banks of deposit the custom of hiding money
! V. 10. 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. 90. 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 boldness in that day!
V. 81. 1t is not success so much as faith
fitness that is commended. The servant is
pronounced III good, that is, devoted con-
scientious, enthusiastic, single hearted and
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 faithfulness 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 partaker of
the Lords joy. This includes all the glory
and bliss which are reserved for Gods faith
full people.
V. q, %. This second servant was in all
respects as noble a man as the first. Our
future standing in glory is determined by
our present devotion and diligence.
V. "a, 25. The unfaithful servant antici-
pates his Lords condemnation. He comes
not with joy in his heart and smiles on his
face A self seeker, intensely selfish himself,
he ascribes the same to God to excuse him
self Men who excuse their own sins in the
same breath blame God for being hard with
them.
The unfaithful servant used not what he
had that was his sin. He had no right to
think he had received too little. All that his
lord asked was fidelity to his trust. The lord
required little of him, and that little he
failed to return. He thought evil all the
while of his absent master. How then could
he render him service and advance his in
terests.
Hiding talents of mind or influence or
wealth, or satisfied to save our own souls
with no effort to lead others to Christ, we
act the part of this servant.
He said, 80, there thou hast that is thine"
implying that he was himself scrupulously
just that he did not steal his lords money,
but returned every farthing. Negligent, I'M
faithful, evil in heart as he was, he, like
wicked men, still boosted of his morality
He added falsehood to hypocrisy, for his time
was his masters.
| 1t must not be supposed that those poorly
endowed with talents are the only ones that
are slothful. Some of the worst examples Of
negligence and unprofitableness have been
the most highly gifted of men. If the man
of one talent will not be excused, certainly he
who is more gifted will not escape.
| V. 81. Taking him at his word, the Lord
said: "If you knew / was so hard master,
why then did you you not try TO serve me"
Knowing his duty, he might have 50 used his
talents as to increase them and have bene-
fitted his fellows. To know our duty and
then not t, do it, will subject us to the
greater punishment luke xii, AZ.
" rs 20. There was first negative pun
ishment visited upon him for his neglect
The trust, the talent, was taken from him.
He was separated from the opportunities he
had and from the ability to improve them.
This is a law of nature. The unused limb
grows feeble. still water dries up and be-
comes foul; the inactive mind loses its power.
The want Of spiritual exercise dwarfs the
rarest and greatest powers
V. 80. The more positive punishment comes
tl.aa