The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-20

son for October q is, feThe Parable
of the Talents. Matt. 25;14-3O.
The Golden Text is. "a faithful man
shall abound with blessings" PROV.
28:2O.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
"a deal Of talent is lost to the world
for want of a little courage says the
wise Droverb which at once sets forth
the point of the familiar parable
taught by Jesus. and shows how the
story has given to common speech one
OF its significant Words-4'talent." This
ancient picture of how failure, defeat
and disaster came upon faiut-heart-
ed man is especially worth bordering
in these strenuous times, which more
than ever call for holiness, initiative
and yet more boldness-
The fearful man carries in his own
heart the seeds Of failure, and coward
zee IS the soil in which many sins
thrive. The one-talent man lacked
courage first; therefore he came short
in respect to fidelity, faith and fruit
Iulness.
The salt Of life
A few days ago talked with a trav
eler from America who is taking his
family around the world. He started
with a prejudice against missionaries.
Naturally he cultivated the European
society In the port cities. But" he
said, in explanation of his subsequent
association with missionaries, 81
found that really the best society in
the east, the finest culture, the tru-
est refinement the heartiest hospital
ity and the most enjoyable good fell
4oWship, are to be found in the mis-
Efonary community The same con-
clusion was reached by the author OF
that keen book, THE Lady Of the De
coration."
Neither Of the foregoing expressed
"a reason for their conclusion Yet it
lies on the surface. Life needs a no
Bile purpose to bring it to its best. The
a.
FOR ones fellows, and to accept the
Scriptural Interpretation of life as a
stewardship. begets the minor virtues
as well as the greater. The frivolous
idle and selfish existence defeats its
own aim. The only wise and the only
happy are they who accept as talents
entrusted to them for use the abilities
which they possess.
Lack of this moral motive IS what
has smitten the east with centuries of
paralysis. Life does mean some
thing responsibility for it cannot be
escaped. The deeply inWrought sense
OF accountability to ones highest ma
ture, to society and to Supreme Be
ing is what has made the Anglo Sax
on a world condueror.
Cecil Rhodes died with the cry, $50
much to do So little donei" He was
a fve-talent man. So was Henry Mar
tysn. who cried, upon reaching his mis-
sion field. Now let me burn out for
Godi" The Jesuits who have dared
indescribable loneliness which only
man in an alien land can know. We're
consumed by this same passion and
sustained by the same conviction Of
their accountability to God. who re-
wards the faithful and Furnishes the
faithless.
While Waiting-What?
This parable of the three servants
to each of whom was committed dur
ing his masters absence a response
bility equal to his capacity. is one of
several lamps set alongside OF Christ's
tremendous teaching of a day of judg-
ment. The absent Lord Will return
again, to judge, to reward and to
punish. That return may be deferred
how often and with what anguish
have weary lips cried, How long, O
Lord. how long but it is inevitable.
The way to wait and to watch is to
work. Expectation eXcites energy. In
taEVals are for industry, and not for
4dleness. The grace of keeping busy
s1ouid be numbered among the Chris
tlaH virtues Employment is a means
o4 Development; we learn by doing, .
Hu4 we grow by doing. The master
in the parable provided tasks for his
E1EVantss that is part of the work of
every good master. The employee
wac has "a soft snap" with long per
loGa Of idleness, is not to be enVied,
bat to be pitied. Stagnant lives like
Etawuant pools, breed all manner of
Ills and pests. There is warrant and
sense IN scripture FOR the slang motto
which hangs in many Offices-"Cfet
busy" Life is saved by spending it.
The dve-talent servant and the two
talent servant were happier as we'll as
wiser for their faithfulness; they serv-
ed themselves as well as their master
The Busy Church
It Is rather fashionable and easy ia
find fault with the church. Some sc
Indulge themselves who could be more
worthily employed. The church is not
perfect yet she is not an idle servant
wrapping her talent in napkin. While
she waits for the return of her beloved
Lord she is giving herself diligently tC
good works.
The manifest activities of the Chris
fian church should be considered By
ali who are tempted to rail at her
Her ministry among the poor is be
yond the statistician's power to esti-
mate. Her literary output is one o.
the mlghtiest character-moulding