The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-23
Matt. XVIII, 21-35.

. SALE ORDERED.--Jesusd did not pause
with a mere abstract statement of tho
broad Christian rule. Had He done so
the disciples might have thought that
His requirement was unjust and imprac-
ticable. lie therefore gave an illustra-
ton intending still further to unfold
the nature and obligation of mercy. That
illustration may he treated under four
heads The first part oversees 23-2O pre-
sents the stern creditor dealing without
mercy with "A helpless debtor a master
with his servant. The latter owed ten
thousand talents equivalent to $j5.0OO in
gold a sum beyond his ability to pay.
Accordingly. the other goes forth to sell
the delinquent. his WIFE his children, and
all that he had That mode of adjust
ing accounts was common throughout the
entire oriental world, and was practiced
in Europe within comparatively recent
date. This reduction OF servant to a
slave proceeded upon the suppositon that
q man forfeited his freedom when he
was unable TO meet obligations of d pc
cuniary kind. and that he became the
riEhtful property of his creditor. This
feature, introduced at the beginning of
the parable, employs a prevailing custom,
which is not approved, 10 show the peril
of the debtor class.
DEBT FORGIVEN-Th is only one
way of escape from slavery ana all its
consequences, ana the servant hastens to
try that method. he appeals to the good
ness of the Masters heart and succeeds.
Had he attempted an excuse, or invoked
the law, or thought of hight or resist
anco he would have made matters worse.
But he fell down, an act of humiliation
Confessng himself dependent. saving:
Lord" that is Master, "havo patience
with me-" do not deal severely though
justly, suspend this sentence (vCrSe 26.D
And then he promised, what he was not
likely to perform, that he would pay all.
n promise. however, that expressed de-
sire and purpose. lie did not ask to have
the debt cancelled, but to have the time
extended. The master was moved with
compassion" lie saw the helpless. sor-
rowful state of the plcadcr, and freely
forgave all the debt (verse 20, so that the
servant was entirely released from his
obligation. Here is an exhibition of for
giveness 1t proceeds out of tenderness
of heart awakened on beholdng the or
tenders spirit q John, i:9) This part of
the parable is doubtless intended to illus
trate Gods method of pardoning the sim
ner.
FELLOW OPPRESSED. A remarkable
scene is next presented in the parable
oversees 2S-3OD This same servant, going
out from his Masters presence, a free
| man, his debt cancelled, meets fellow
who owed him the insignificant sum of
| eighteen dollars. Forgetful of the good
| example and of the favor received he de-
| manded payment and accompanied that
| demand with personal violence. His con-
| duct was not unlike that of the highway
| man who is conscious that his COZ Sc is
| wrong The fellow attempted tn same
method that had been so successful in the
| first instanCe-he fell down, he asked for
+, patience, he made the same promise to
| pay. 1t would seem that a man, a re-
| leased debtor, hearing the very words
| which he had offered would be touched
| with sympathy. But not so-he cast the
| other into prison, the only thing he could
| do having no power to sell, proposing
| to conhne him until the debt was paid
| BY this feature it is evident that our
| Saviour intended to contrast the spirit
| and conduct of n man who, having re-
| ceived Gods forgiveness, refuses to for
give the smaller offenses Of a brother
in the church. There is a double contrast