Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-07
Peril, Punishment.

While Christ did not directly answer
Peters question. He set forth the duty
of not only the apostles but all disciples
to be stewards. if they were to enjoy the
blessedness that awaits that servant
whom his lord when he cometh shall find
SO doing" Service is to be the test OF
our fidelity as stewards of the mysteries
of God. In the days of our Lord in the
flesh the steward was usually a house
hold slave who because of fidelity. faith
fulness and knowledge the master was
accustomed to place in charge of his
tate while he was absent for season in
government service or for pleasure.
The stewards were held personally re-
sponsible for their service Their duties
We're threefold. and these duties are cvi-
IDENTIFY those of all the disciples.
If We should each day be expecting the
possible return of Christ as We ought
then We would be aggressive. alert and
actively engaged in presenting the gospel
of Christ to men. seeking to incorporate
in the life of men and nations the princi-
pies of Jesus, and by every possible
means oppose the forces that from selfish
and sinful motives are seeking to de-
throne Christ and establish the power OF
the evil one in the world.
The principle of Judgment of tho Lord
at that hour will be free from all those
elements of rancor and vindictveness
that SO often helps form the judgments of
men. 1t will be based upon the knowl
edge Of the prisoner at the bar of eter-
nifty. Guilt will be in proportion to the
knowledge of the duty unperformed, and
the punishment will be fitted TO the Of
Tense with the incest accuracy. Fidelity
will bring its reward, and the man who
fails or neglects to do his Lords will
can count upon suffering for his neglect.
Punishment for neglect of duty Will not
be averted. not even on the plea of iSno-
rance of the law. 1t is our duty to study
the meaning of the gospel so that We can
understand the will of Christ and carry
out His program in our dealings WIN
men and in our daily life.
Ignorance may mitigate the sentence,
but there is no valid excuse for ignorance
The more perfect ones knowledge OF
Gods will is, the greater will be his sin
in disobeying it, The principle of pro
portionate and comprehensive punishment
Jesus set forth in the saying. And that
servant who knew his lord will and pre-
pared not nor did according to his will.
will be beaten with many stripes: but he
that knew not. and did things worthy Of
stripes. will be beaten with few stripes
1t is evident that the Lord here refers
to a partial, not utter ignorance of ones
duty. The ignorance was of His express
commands. not Of the things that are
morally wrong. Partial ignorance is COM
mon, and may change therefore the ex-
tent of the guilt.
Another element that enters into c',s
ness of men is found in our closing verse.
for our Lord tells US that. ITO whomso-
ever much was given, Of him much will
be required
AS stewards of the mysteries of Gods
grace and power, We should live each
day expecting that Christ may return
that day and say unto us. Give an ac-
count of thy stewardship" We cannot
escape our personal responsibility. and no
one wifi be excused from rendering an
az "a