The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-10-19
NOS

LESSON TEXT.-Alatt 25li-so. Mem-
Ory verse. q.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"A faithful man
shall. abound with blessings. PROV. S.9.
IlME-Iuesday afternoon, April 4. A.
ID. 81. Immediately following last lesson.
PlAcE.-On the slopes OF Mount Olyet.
overlooking Jerusalem
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
v. IA. Note that the reyisers omit
the words the kingdom Of heaven"
Il is important that We be ready and
watchful, for Christ's coming will be
like the return OF this man OF AFFAIRS.
who. before he set out upon his Jour
ney 10 a far country" thus arranged
for the conduct Of his business during
his absence. Called his own serv-
ants" His slaves.
V. Is. Five talents" The talent
was a weight. not a coin. The talent
OF gold has been estimated as worth
$4,000, and, If the talent be OF sill
yer. it may consist OF either light
shekels or heavy shekels. In the for
mer case its value would be about
$1,000: in the latter case. $4,000. "Ac-
cording 20 his several ability God
has given to each just what We have
capacity TO use to best advantage
Y. l6. "Straightway." (See Rev.
Ver) The promptness and energy OF
the man who received five talents con-
trlbuted largely to his success in
doubling his capital. Traded with
the same" Literally worked with
them-that is he used them in busi-
ness. We trade with our talents when
we do the best we can in every direc-
ton.
v II. The man Of two talents we
may take as the average man, prob
ably ourselves.
v is. He that had received one
When we recollect that one talent
represented either $1,000 or $1,000
we see that it was something not to
be despised But this man, Instead
OF being thankful that he was not
hurdened with more than he could
take care Of, had not energy enough
10 DO anything with his own talent. "Hid
[
his lords money" When secure banks
were almost unknown. this was often
done.
v. 10. After a long time" Here
is an intlmation that Jesus return
might be long delayed. Here Is as
surance that each is TO have aoun-
dant opportunity TO do the work
Jesus has given him 10 do. "Reck-
oned with them" In a certain sense
each day is a day OF reckoning. But
beyond this, Scripture seems to teach
a day Of public reckoning when all
| will see that God has dealt wisely, low
ingly, Justly. with each.
Y. 20. "He five talents This
one represents a person who has been
richly endowed with intellectual and
spiritual graces.
Y. q. Good and faithful" He is
good because he put his whole heart
into bis work; he is faithful because
he wrought with loving confidence In
his master Il is not success, but
goodness and faithfulness, that Jesus
commends. Ruler over many things
The first reward OF faithfulness is an
enlarged sphere OF usefulness and
responsibility. Enter thou into the
iov OF thy Lord" An oriental mas
ter. on his return. often spreads a
great banquet to his faithful sery'
ants. The faithful Christian enters
into the Joy Of Christ Jesus
vs.. %, %. We must note that
the man who faithfully used two tai
( ents is Just as highly commended and
receives the same reward as the first
man.
, Y. "a. Game and said" This mar
began at once to make excuses, and
thereby really accused himself. Lord
hard man." Hard thoughts ol
: his master had much to do with this
mans sloth. In the spiritual world
!, It Is not knowing God that leads tC
[. many OF our mistakes and sins.
Y. 25. u was afraid" He meant
TO say that he was afraid to make am
/ venture with his talent, lest he los'
. all We should not hesitate TO d.
=. what we can through fear OF max
ing mistakes Thou hast that Il
/, thine" lie fancled that he was hon
's est yet yet was most outrageously dis
rs honest
d. Y. 26. Wicked and slothful." Their
"a are sins of omission as well as o
commission. To neglect 70 do IN
1. good we might do is a crime no les
h than doing positive evil. Thou know
= est" Perhaps this ought 70 be read
q. "Knowest thou?'
G. v q. "Exchangers" Bankers o
Of money lenders. who would have r.
at celved the money on deposit and pal
interest on IT,
e. ys g. %. Take the talent fror
q him" The parable represents thi
ed as the masters command. but II pie
n tures only the inevitable result Of dii
le use. -.
o. v. 30. Improbable servant II
&c has brought no profit TO bis maste
be nor 10 himself. be has wasted and los
er his capacity for blessedness, has q
rs ted himself for the outer darkness
al apart from God and from the joy
On az the faithful Weeping and gnasl
nd ing Of teeth"
'r Practical Points.
,c' VA God has not only a creator
.s but a lovers. claim upon US and OF
- servlce.-2 Cor. 8: IA, 10.
-ts V. "A. The work Of distributir
EN- Gods highest blessings among ma
Kind has been entrusted to his loyir
human Children Cor. 5: 10.
v15. Great advantages bring gre
er. responslblllues.-Luke u: 20.
Y II. By diligence we continual
re- Increase our ability.-Proy 1854.
ny Y "a Hard thoughts Of the mast
el. render one incapable Of faithful ser