The St. Louis Republic., 1901-12-30

On the theme. what Has Been the Record
Of the Year," His text was taken from
every one that hath shall be given and he
shall have abundance; but from him that
hath not shall be taken away even that
% The stewardships % M Of el'a the m business S world
are just now being called to their annual
accounting. This is the time Of taking
a consequence OF fesuits ascertained in this
way there Will be very much Of closing and
making OF contracts. The record OF the
last year will determine the status and
prospects of the year 10 come. No little
suspense and anxiety wait on these conclu-
sions Shall We ignore or forget at this i'm
presslve hour our individual stewardship
under God? While our hands are in and the
spirit Is on is good time to consider our
spiritual standing and prospects. Let the
careful system and candid accuracy that
to bear upon our religion. With view to
this. let us consider certain questions In re-
gard to our record as Gods stewards.
What has God given us as the talents
or responsible trusts OF the closing year?
No one word better represents and compre-
hends them Ill than the word 'opportuni
ford these, else there can be little or no re-
sponsioility on the part of the servant. In
some fields the great lament Of many IL
be claimed by Gods stewards. since oppor-
tunities have daily equaled our capacity.
There has been danger that We might not
always STE tHC-u DeGduSt O1 OUR DuuuIleSS
or preoccupaticn. Indeed, We may have been
required to search for them, assured that
fair diligence would find them.
measureless value. They are great and sa-
cred trusts, the paramount duties Of life.
Too often they are only best appreciated
when gone. They very generally constitute
our cali to serve.
The Providence that opens the way Is
a voice Of God. The very existence OF Op-
portunity imposes obligation. for in the
n
apart from duty, since they always go
together. We can answer the Oft -perplexing
question as to what we ought to do by
tion Of opportunity to ability to discharge
It is vital consideration. Our ability is
both natural and ACQUIRED; II is physical:
these kinds constitutes our equipment for
service. Largely 1t Is the gift of God, as
all that we have and are is from him. but
by the proper use Beyond the measure OF
these abilities We may not be reasonably re-
quired to 60. It Is an inspiring assurance
opportunities to our abilities is effected by
Gods unerring hand with the greatest care.
The talents were ASSIGNED according to
their several ability Mnat may seem 40 10
rangement has been brought about with
q careful forethought; We may never
know how much s1nsideration tic asi5s ana % em0rt
ring opportunities of our lives. which we
pass by with Indifferent attention. We
often and heedlessly thwart the profound
purposes Of God by not filling the oppor-
tunities which he has with loving caro-
brought to our doors with perfect adapta-
tion to our powers. His plan ts Of infinite
detail
year? The answer is a simple one. He has
asked simply for a faithful service. Nom
action is the sin condemned in the parable
from which the text comes. Neglect. In
Gods sight. is criminal Many & Of our great
of the parable, 1t was aggravated by being
premeditated and deliberate. If We have es-
caped a similar charge this year we are TO
be congratulated. But do we realize that
faithful service under Cad has specific ca
pacity? The increase of the parable was
it0 per cent and probably typical. A smaller
proportion was not provided for. Evidently
our best is required and that must bring
rich returns.
"In view Of these things. what can We ex-
pect from our record of this year? Shall 1t
be promotion and enlargement OF sphere of
opportunities? Much Of Gods reward Is OF
this kind. Heaven shall be larger field OF
service. The faithful servant was rewarded
by being made ruler over many things In
stead Of the few He was also given .Abund-
ance,' which probably means greatly In
creased ability and opportunity An appli.
who Is thus assured for the new year. To
the unfaithful servant. must there not come
and loss? 1t is a great law.
By nonuse. muscle. memory and Will dets-
tails personal spiritual poverty and solse-
quent loss of opportunity to render future
service. What can he moIe unfortunate
than to have life's opportunities taken awav
and dismantled man-of-war lying within tn.
sound of the battle but forgotten! For this
there can be no extenuation or justification,
since to no life can 1t come ~ necessity.