The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-04-26
THE TALENTS.
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATloNAL SERIES, APRIL 80.

LIE lAUEV lNs
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATloNAL SERIES, APRIL 90.
Text Of the Lesson, Matt. Nv, 1870.
Golden Text, Rev. II, I0-Memoriss
Verses ao-s1-Commsnt by Rev. b. q.
Holman.
from Lesson Helper Quarterly, by permission
of H. s. Hoffman, Philadelphia, publisher.l
Notes-v 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. 16. Traded, did
business, worked. ". 49, Long time, i'm
plies that coming Of the Lord came later
than was expected. v. a. Hard man, inn
possible TO satisfy. ". "a. Exchangers,
bankers, who would safely keep and pay in
'terest On the money.
The virgins are represented a. 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 s'occupy till I come"
v. IA. Christ, at the close OF his earthly
life, left his disciples and ascended to heaven.
Though absent in body, he is present spiritu-
sss.sse .l,s; 81 s. = Va 8 iDe E g9s r. = =,
ants. Goods" here moan the blessings Of
life, salvation, the Gospel, the promises,
special gifts and endowmeuts, 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 $16 to
$2250. 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. 80
v. 1917. Then, or straightway. Prompt
ness makes Christ's business prosper. Prompt
ness is cardinal principal in Christ'ss king
DOM Traded, literally worked. There ID
nothing to be gained without hard incessant
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. 18. The wicked servant, like the others
had received according to his talent and his
ability. Contrary to duty he buried hii
lords silver in the earth. Before there wers
banks Of deposit the custom of hiding money
in the earth for safe keeping prevailed
kad olo
than had been expected, the lord returned to
receive his revenues. This doubtless refer
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 win be pleased with
bis efforts Does not this illustrate how the
faithful Christian shall at the Judgment lii
| up his head and have boldness in that daya
| v. 81. 1t is not success so much as faith
| fulness that il commended. The servant Il
pronounced ~ ''good, that is, devoted, con
scientious, enthusiastic, single hearted and
whole hearted, and ~ 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 Chris,
and in his promises makes earnest and untir
| ing workers In his cause.
The reward OF. faithfulness was twofold
/. A larger sphere of usefulness, increased
power, greater influence, opportunities o.
doing good multiplied, ''ruler over many
/ things" 2, Entrance into and partaker q
the Lords joy. This includes all the glor,
and bliss which are reserved for Gods faith
full people. ksf T-E
" q, %, This second servant was in al
respects as noble a man as the first Oul
4 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 hi
face. A self seeker, intensely selfish himself
he ascrlbes the same to God to excuse him
self. Men who excuse their own sins in tn
same breath blame God for being hard witt
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 lori
required little Of him, and that little h
failed to return. He thought evil all tn
while OF his absent master. How then coul'
he render him service and advance his in
terestsi
Hiding talents of mind or influence OF
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 ia thine,
implying that he was himself scrupulousl,
just, that he did not steal his lords money
but returned every farthing, Negligent, I'M
faithful, evil in heart as he was, he, lik
wicked men, still boasted OF his morality
He added falsehood to hypocrisy, for his tim
was his masters.
1t must not be supposed that those poofl
endowed with talents are the only ones tina
are slothful Some Of the worst examples O
negligence and unprofitableness have bee
the most highly gifted Of men. II the maj
Of one talent will not be excused, certainly b
who is more gifted will not escape.
Il v.27. Taking him at bis word, the Lor
said: sIf you knew was so hard master
why then did you you not try to serve mel
Knowing his duty, he might have so used hi
talents as to increase them and have bent
flied his fellows To know our duty an
then not to do it, will subject us to tn
greater punishment luke xii, Az.
v. %, 29 There was a first negative pur
ishment visited upon him for his neglect
The trust, the talent, was taken from him
He was separated from the opportunities
had and from the ability to improve then
This is a law Of nature. The unused lin
grows feeble; still water dries up and b'
comes foul; the inactive mind loses its power
The want Of spiritual exercise dwarfs th
rarest and greatest lowers n
Y. So The more positive punishmsnt come
now to view. The lame is visited upon tn
Improbable servant, as upon the guest witt
out the wedding garment, the hypocaitcs ap
the workers Of iniquity. "a
The darkness into which he iEAs cast nevs
would have i ray OF Gods countenance I
penetrate it; It would be s'outer darkneas
away from God,