The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-10-19
Comment and Suggestive Thought.

IlME-IueSday afternoon, April 4, A
ID. 80. Immediately following last lesson.
PLACE.-On the slopes of Mount Olivet,
overlooking Jerusalem
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
" IA. Note that the revisers omit
the words the kingdom of heaven"
1t, 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 to 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 it's value would be about
81 1000; in the latter case, $4,000. "Ac-
cording to his several ability" God
has given to each just what we have
capacity to use to best advantage.
" 16 "Straightway." (See Rev.
Ver) The promptness and energy Of
the man who received five talents con-
tributed 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.
" II. The man of two talents we
may take as the average man, prob
ably ourselves.
v is. He that had received one"
Whef we recollect that one talent
represented either 81 600 or $4,000,
we see that it was something not to
be despised. But this man, instead
of being thankful that he was not
burdened with more than he could
take care of, had not energy enough
TO 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 intimation that Jesus return
might be long delayed. Here is as
surance that each is to have abun-
dant opportunity to do the work
Jesus has given him to do. "Reck-
oned with them" In 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.
V. 20. He five talents" This
one represents a person who has been
richly endowed with intellectual and
spiritual graces.
V. 81. Good and faithful" He is
good because he put his whole heart
into his work; he is faithful because
he wrought with loving confidence in
his master. It 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
joy OF thy Lord" An oriental mas
ter on his return, often spreads a
great banquet to his faithful serv-
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.
V. "a. Game and said" This man
began at once to make excuses, and
thereby really accused himself. Lord
hard man" Hard thoughts of
his master had much to do with this
mans sloth. In the spiritual world
1t is not knowing God that leads to
many OF our mistakes and sins.
V. %. II was afraid" He means
IN saw that he was afraid IN mako anv