The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-09-12
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
THOUGHTS WORTHY OF CALM
REFLECTION.

INTRODUCTORY.
We have here another of our Lords vivid
a PARABLE, as we see. suggested
by historical incidents of current interest.
How well the story was told thatlittle paren-
thesis intimates to us. s.Lord, he hath ten
pounds" some one seems to have ~involun-
tarily cried out in the midst of the narration.
We are reminged of that exclamation from
the midst of Whitefield's audience, in his
delincation of the sailors peril ..My
he Is lost!p Or that abrupt, ncighborly
salute in the little English chapel, where
the preacher was rudely but vividly de-
scribing Geliath's overthrow. That's right,
Billy; now hoff with his 'ed!" 1t indicated
marked power of delineation. We can un-
why the common people heard hitn
WHAT H LESSON SAYS.
AS they heard these things. The words
spoken in connection with Z%acchaus' con-
VerSion.-He added and spake. Or, as We
should say, He went on to give a parable.
The parable illustrates a truth incidentally
suggested in the previous incident, namely:
that God calls for the conservation of all
mans possessions to His servlce.-Because
He was nigh toJerusalem. Another occasion
of the parable was the eager but erroneous
expectation Of the people in a temporal
Kingdom, that grew stronger as they neared
the royal city.-Kingdom of Gcd. Properly
understood, the reign of God in the heart;
SO interpreted by Joh and the prophets.
appear. Literally, come to light
(anaphaino,.
A certain nobleman. More accurately, a
certain man Of high birth.-Into a far
country. Whera the seat of government
be supposed to be.-To receive for
himself a kingdom, or kingly authority.
l.. c., to be formally confirmed IN royal
power, as was necessary for high princes
and governors. 1t is interesting to note. as
perhaps suggesting this story, that Herod
and ArchelauS, his son. did about ihist time.
according to JosephuS go on such an cx-
pedition to Rome, a protecting embassy
being sent after them to Caesar.
His ten servants, or, rather, ten servants
of his, implying the possession OF more.
pounds. or minas, one hundred
drachma, equivalent to between twenty
and twenty-five dollars-no small sum in
that day.-Occupy. Literally, trade or
do business from pragma deed).-Till 1
come. OF the nature of a loan. They were
but stewards.
to him. and were to be confirmed as his SUBJ
lectS-Sent a message. Properly an en-
bassy. Which the Jews are said to have
done with reference to Archelaus.-We
will not. Not so strong as this; more ac-
curatciy. We arc not willing or We do not
wish (thelo).-This man. Literally, this.
They do not name him, thus expressing
- - L u tLlt NoIu
translated kingdom in V. II. There is a
manifest religious reference here. Our
everyday conduct is, as it were. q mes
sage sent heavenward for or against Christ.
When lie was returned. Suggesting the
second advent. also every mans Judgment
before the 1hronc.--COmmanded. In which
exercise of authority he now had undis-
puted right.-iio had gained by trading.
One word in the Greek, a form of the same
word translated, occupy in V. -. J.. e.. he
wished TO see how each one had executed
his express injunctions.
Lord. There is nothing but respect and
reverence now.-Thy pound. Not his own
as some seem to think.-Hath gained.
Literally wrought to itself.-Tcn pounds.
Ten fo.d increase. is not uncommon still.
Well. Better. well done. in our English
idiom.-Good servant. a servant still,
however successful in busincss.--In a
very little. In a matter of pounds.-Tcn
ii les. A matter Of large and lucrative aG-
min!stration, but still subordinate to his
own authority, in which he has just been
established.
Hath gained. Rather. made; not the
same words as in V. 16.-Five pounds.
Fire-fold increase, half as large as that of
his predecessor.
Be thou also. Placed in the Same cate
CORY with the first mentioned.--Eive
cities. His future stewardship propor-
toned to his efficiency in administering the
pounds.
Behold, here is thy pound. The literal is
more expressive and barely 50. Lord, be-
hold thy pound. As mucl, as 60 saw,
There, Luli, Is your pound:--Which
mad. o be separated from what come:
after.-Laid up in a napkin. Descriptive
of the Wa! he had 1t.
l feared thee. Absurd. why not ther
obey hinl?-Austere man. Our Lord i:
but emphasizing the exceeding folly of sucl
nnpHIlr. ard SlrpI Na,,E1 49, -
ENtortion.--Nhat thou didst not SOW.
Exaction.
VIA THE LESSON TEACHES.
Because he was nigh TO J2rusaiem. We
are never farfrom it. The spiritual Jcrusa-
lem is at the center OF all life. its clear
spires are just beyond at every great move
ment in history. Christ has q part in all
the worlds living. The name Of a certain
artist was 81 woven and interviewer into the
hlagree work about n statue that YOU could
not oblitcratc the name without DESTROYING
the work. Gods line is gone out through
all the earth. Always point Jerusalemward
and the sacred city is not far from our
marts Of trade and our temples of learning.
They thought that the Kingdom OF God
should Immediately appear. And 10. it had
appeared. There was Jesus in their midst.
What more did they need? Here is Jesus in
our midst, what more need We? And vet we
are prone tn look for some particular ap-
psEEII-. sumo Ettii UNtfluFllil1g or fsND!l-
ton. But it colueth not with observation.
The Kingdom of God is within YOU. Now
here We are on the further edge of the heat
ed terEI. We are scarcely looking for the
Kingdom just now. perhaps a few months
later, and We shall be expecting special
demonstration of the Lords power. And
SO like those disciples of old We are inclined
to wait for that great event. Our Lord re-
Dukes us now. as he did his servants then.
We are working in the Kingdom all the
time. 1t is a matter OF every day dutr,
Say not-four months. Lift up your eyes
and look on the fields"
To receive for himself a kingdom. 1t is,
IN an lmpoft;'-4e sense, a preparatory period.
''The GROWING day is coming by and by"
The Kingdoms of this world have already
been given to Christ. but their formal and
open transfer has not yet been made. The
world has not yet acknowledged Christ's
sway. But the time IS coming when it shall
do so. And. in the meantime, the Church of
Christ is TO go forward accepting Christ's
kinsship i'll faith, using the world us his.
and occupying it in his name. But always
in his name and expecting his coming. They
say that Gen. Custer threw his arm about
Gen. Sheridan's neck at Winchester. We
can believe it. Tn leader came at n time
when he was greatly needed, and those who
had been endeavoring to occupy till he came
were hard pressed, Well, some time tile
Captain of our salvation will come in
sight. Shall We be found holding our posts
loyalty and courageously? God grant it!
Occupy till come. Here is the present
duty. We are to employ the opportunities
given us as unto the Lord. Our part in this
kingdom is to do business for the Master.
For that is what the word occupy means,
trade with traffic. What q different con-
ception this gives to the life that now is! 1t
is no empty, f~ruitless time of waiting. 1t is
an important part of the kingdom. And God
will judge Us as to our estimate OF the good
time coming by the way in which we use the
working moments that are upon us to-day.
How are you using the time? What are you
doing to help make the Kings return glori-
Gus? II o care for his coming, you will
occupy till he comes.
Unto every one which hath shall bsgiven.
And we We're surprising that mans ccumu-
lations counted fer nothing. They count
for nothing so far as salvation is cen @erncd;
but as regards prefernlemt in tbs Kingdom,
it Is altogether otherwise. Nothing Is lost
there, nothing is u~nacCounted for. When
we come to God for grace we came in ab;ect
want. saying. Nothing in my hands bring.
and we receive according to our emptiness.
But when he kingdom has at last been re-
ceived and We approach the king for our
station and rank, We come every one Of us