Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-04-28
THE TALENTS.
LESSON v. SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATloNAL SERIES, APRIL 20.

Text of the Lesson. Matt. XIV. 1880.
Golden Text, Rev. II, 1O-Nemorize
Verses a0-e1-Comment by Rev. II. $.
Holman.
From Lesson Helper Quarterly, by permission
OF II. s. Hoffman. Philadelphia, publisher.l
Notes.-V. Ia A man travelling, Jesus
leaving earth and returning to heaven. V.
15. Several ability, different gifts and en-
dowments of men, the foundation of respon-
sibility and reckoning. v. 16. Traded, did
business, worked v. 10. Long time, inn
plies that coming of the Lord came later
than was expected v. "a. Hard man, inn
possible to satisfy. V. q. Exchangers,
bankers, who would safely keep and pay in
terest on the money.
Thevirgins 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 ascended to heaven
Though absent in body, he is present spirittl-
ally, and win 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
Al - tel 10
$22.5O 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 a great priv
ilege
". 1911 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,
svinced 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.
". 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
N the earth for safe keeping prevailed.
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
r..1
up his head and have boldness in that days
v. 81. It is not success so much as faith
fulness that is commended. The servant is
pronounced I) "good, that is, devoted, con-
scientious, enthusiastic, single hearted and
whole hearted, and C9 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.
|. A larger sphere of usefulness, increased
power, greater influence, opportunities of
| doing good multiplied, ssruler over many
things.n 2. Entrance into and partaker Of
the Lords JOY. This includes ell the glory
and bliss which are reserved for Gods faith
full people.
v. %, 2s. This second servant was in all
respects as noble man as the first. Our
future standing in glory is determined by
our present devotion and diligence.
v. "a, %. 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 ascl1bes 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 unfaithfJll servant used not what he
had; that was kis 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 ho
failed to return. He thought evil eli tho
while of his absent master. How then could
be render him service and advance his in
| terestsg
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, tLo, there thou hast that is thfnc.' -
| implying that he was himself scrnpnlouslv
/ just, that he did not steal his lords n1oney,
but returned every farthing Nceiisscat, M
/ faithful, evil II heart az lie was, lie, llixo
wicked men, still boasted of his morality.
He added falsehood to hypocrisy, for his time
4 was DIS masters.
It must not he Supposed that those poorly
| endowed with tale1ss ere the only ones that
are slothfuL Soma So worst examples Of
negligence and unpre ableness have Leen
the most highly gifted Of men. II tie lnnn
Of one talent will not be excused, certainly ho
| who IS more gifted win not escape
/ v. e. Taking him at his word. the Lord
said: III you knew was 90 hard master,
why then did you you not try to serve neFs
Knowing his duty, be might hare 50 used his
talents as 70 increaEo them and haze bene-
| flied his fellows TO know or aEty aud
then not to do II will subject ~ to The
| greater punishment Luke xii, al.
" 2s, % There was frSt negative pun-
ishment visited upon him for his neglect
The trust. the taleut. was taken from shim.
/ BE was separated from the opportunities 10
had and from the ability to improve them.
This Is law Of nature The unused Limb
| groNs feeble; stiH water dries np and be-
comes foul; tue inactive mind loses its power.