The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-27


| have believed. and becomes by that
fact both a guide and support TO
others to be depended upon. No man,
therefore, can Toe trusted in matter
concerning which he himself IS skeptl'
cal.
But it is important to know what,
and ia whom, man believes. He that
trusteth 10 his own heart is fool. Ii
IS likewise vain 10 put confidence IN
man, or 20 trust in princes. Only he
that trusts in the Lord is safe. or is
sure ground of trust to others. But his
trust wOrtbiness even then is based, not
on some original quality of his own,
but on the strength of his faith IN
another,-even the Lord who will
,lablish you"
But it is well. again, to note that one
may be faithful without beng Away
wise, fortunate. or successful. The
thoroughly Trustworthy man may fail
for want of that knowledge which Is
beyond the scope Of his powers, or Is
denied him by his circumstances. IL
does not. therefore, follow that a man l.
faithless because he makes mistakes, or
does not succeed.
1t is conceivable that the unjust stew
ard might have wasted his Lord 5 goods
without being bIameworthy. The wheat
and the oil might have been lost through
the Unforeseen dishonesty or incOmpe-
tcncy of the debtors. As long as men
are finite in knowledge and limited in
power. so long is it liable to happen,
even to the very wisest and best, that
sometimes watchfulness shall be found
asleep and prudence off its guard. and
failure and disappointment come in, in
spite Of the most conscientious stew
ard5hip.
Il is q consolation to know that cur
divine Lord does not require Of us his
stewards that we shall be successful,
but only that we shall be faithful. 1t
is required in stewards. that a man be
FOUND faithful Il Cor. 4;2). This Is
always possible. Il is a quality Of the
heart. an element in the character: and
as every man is properly responsible
for his intentions. he cannot be excused
for failure if he did not do his best to
succeed He may have done his best
not To fail. but he is still not faithful
unless ne has tried TO succeed. The
wicked and slothful servant who
wrapped his talent in napkin, aud
went and hid hi lord money, may
nave thought only of not failing. lie
would guard securely. and return I'M
wasted. the trust committed to his
keeping.
But Inc was an unfaithful steward.
He buried the "ueury' with the talent,
and so reduced 1t 10 a practical nonenti-
IS. There are some meE who seem TO
be so afraid of failing that they will not
attempt anything. They deem that to
ail is worse than not TO try. 1t we're
Well If these timid souls were TO remem-
Der that God ha, not demanded success,
bat commanded duty. Ii they have
sincerely ard honestly tried. and failed.
they have at least escaped the odium
and condemnation of the faithlos3 man
who buried ms talent.
lie who does the best bis circumstances al.
IlW
Docs well. acts noblg angels could DO DO
u.nft.'
Moreover, the man who would rather
not try than fail, is one who places the
honor Of success above the law 6 duty.
lie is more Concerned for his own IT,
putatOn than the pleasure Of his Lord.
He would rather succeed for his own
glory than fail for the hOnOrof his Mas
ter.
4 man should be willing ITO break
down for Christ. He should also re-
j1ice when another has succeeded where
he has failed. and be glad to vacate a
higher Tor a lower place wien one more
worthy or able 10 ill it has been found.
This present writer ought to be glad If
his articles were rejected, for the good
reason that there is a better 20 fill its
place. No man is faithful who would
doIabge the best order 10 make place
for himself, or mar good work by
putting ms hand where Il more sklltul
one Is ready to do it better. 1t Is well To
cove, earnestly the best gifts, but u
remember that the charity which
''ylunteth not itself, Is not pulled NJ.
and doth uot nave itself unseemly,
i, the more excellent way. '-Rey.
Joel Swartz in Sunday School Times.