The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-05-14

Occasion Of the Parable. We have
reached the end of the Perean minis
try. 1t is one week before the cruel
fixion, and Jesus is at the house Of
Macheus in Jericho. In addition to
His immediate disciples, crowds are
following Him on His way to Jerusa-
lem, and as He approached the city
expectation was on tiptoe in anticipa-
ton of His proclaiming Himself King
and assuming the reins Of government.
"They thought that the Kingdom Of
God should Immediately appear.
This is the key to the parable. 1t Is
similar and yet not identical to that of
the talents in the Goth Of Matthew,
which was spoken at Jerusalem a few
days later. In that, the talents refer
to gifts that differ in different persons,
as genius, wealth, opportunities and
our responsibility is measured by our
ability. In this parable of the pounds
is represented the same endowment in
all, and responsibility is measured by
service. Each parable supplements
the other, and the two together repres-
ent the sum of human accountability.
The Nobleman and His Servants. -
The character of this nobleman was a
picture from life to these Jews. In
ut least two instances in their history
had this thing occurred. Herod the
Great and his son Archelaus both went
to Rome to have their claims and title
confirmed by Augustus before reigning
over the Jews. The nobleman going
into a far country represents Christ af-
ter His cruciixion and resurrection
going back to heaven from whence He
should come again. The parable is in
tended to correct the impress
sion hat 1.-The Kingdom of God should
Immediately appear in the setting up
a visible Kingdom. The time would
seem to be far distant and He would
guard His disciples against disappoint-
ment. Instead of q state of idle expec-
fancy, He would bestow upon them
capital upon which they should operate
and in the absence of their Lord be in
the attitude of faithful service. "And
he called ten of his servants and deliv-
cred them ten pounds Gone pound EACH
and said to them, occupy till I come. y
This word occupy ear to trade
on. - An "occupier" at that time
..naxk a@rnIn, Tl,a aa~yaoks Il, tho
parable represent Gods professed peo-
pie to whom the great interests of the
church are committed. The pounds
(mias) between sixteen and eighteen
dollars apiece, q comparatively small
sum in contrast with the talents of the
other parable. represents a definite,
though small amount, for the purpose
of testing the faithfulness of the SER
wants. HE that is faithful in that
which is least is faithful also in
much. I" and the point emphasized is
the large recompense bestowed upon
faithfulness-
The Citizens. But his citizens
hated him and sent a message after
him saying, We will not have this
man to reign over Is. These are the
unbelieving Jews and infdels of all
ages who reject Christ's claims. Large
de~putations Of Jews went to Rome to
protest with Augustus against the con
frmation of Herod. And 80 in all the
ages have men. redeemed by the blood
Of Christ, rejected His claims, and re-
fused to submit themselves to His low
Ing reign.
The Reckoning. When the nobleman
returned and called his servants to give
account of their Stewardship, we have
only the report Of three of them, which
is intended to represent the whole
number, and illustrate the principle
involved. Tho FIRST had gained ten
pounds. the seoeSd five, and the third
hAd ~ his pound sway " HApkir