The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-07-21
THE WORKERS AND THE
WINNERS
The International Sunday School Les
son for July Is is 1.-THE DUN n
TalcDts."-Iukc 19:11-27.

son IOr July 20 IS Hc OuAUAo 0IN
Talcnts."-Lukc 19:11-27.
BY William L. Ellis.
An Industrial commission has cf
late been hearing evidence on a WI e
range Of problems affecting work
and wages. Incidentally, both en-
ployers and workmen seem to have
rejected the new schemes o. "scien-
tifc efficiency as being Improbable
to both. The head Of one great ccr-
poration declared that there is no
system of efficiency like having
faithful employees, each OF Wnom Is
doing his best and expecting a just
reward for his labors
That same man remarked that
"One trouble Of our times is that
most men are thinking how they
may get rich quickly. while few are
thinking about sheer fidelity and
personal efficiency" He pointed out
what the warp and wool OF our Ia
tional life needs just now. We can
get along handsomely without any
more captains OF industry" or
high fnanciers"; but lack Of the
faithful doors Of life's daily tasks
spells ruin for the nation itself. The
ominous verdict that the man fac
tor has been responsible foe many
recent railway wrecks should set US
all thinking. The present need is
the old one ,Jhich kipling voices:
Creations cry goes up on high,
From age to cheated age,
God send the MAJ. who does the work
For which he draws the wage"
When Even Becomes Odd.
All this Is gathered up in one of
the peerless stories of cameo clear
ness told by Jesus. He drew a pic
ture of a ruler going afar for a long
time. To each of ten assistants, or
agents. or stewards, or servants, he
gave one pound (about sixteen dol
were to trade Herewith until their
master shoul return. and then rem
der him an accounting. These men
were left with a large degree of in
dependence and to their own initia-
tive.
Come to think of it. the parable
represents something like an expert
ment in socialism. All the men were
equipped alike. They were started
on equal terms. All had the same
general obligation. But as in every
other similar experience since the
prevailed. What started even end.
ed odd. One man returned to his
master q tenfold increase; one a
five-foid INCREASE, and a third no in
crease at all.
In another place Jesus old a sim
HAT STORY OIL the three men VINO were
given the custody OF various sum
of money in talents: one had fv,
talents. one two, and another one
The first two doubled their capital
and the third buried his tenth il
the earth. 1t was the man with tn
one pound who wrapped it up in
napkin. although a common sayin.
speaks Of hiding ones talent in
napkin. based on a misappreh, nsio1
of this parable. The two stories ar
Illustrations Of the same ~essentia
principle Of fidelity and efficiency
Like every other alert public speak
ct. Jesus varied fis Illustrations fron
time to time.
Trusting Our Helpers.
OF the ten %servants to whom
pound each had been given, two re
ported themselves as successful. The
were a good proportion. Seven re
main entirely u~naccounted for in tn
story. Perhaps they absconded wit
THEN pounds. The parable faithful
mirrors life. 1t is a rare helper VIII
can accept a commission and then d
1t well. without the presence of a
overseer's eye. An employer Of thou
sands Of men old an industrial CON
mission the other day that there al
more ten-thousand- dollar jobs wal
ing for men than there are men
for ten thousand dollar Jobs.
In this story efficiency follow
faithfulness. They who succeed a,
they who are true; and they who ia
are lacking in character qualific,
tions. The master employer did n
get. nor expect. the same return
from all. But to both the SUGGEST
servants his appreciation was 1--WE
done thou good servant and eae
was rewarded according to his abilit
III anybody gets anything else out
this parable than a primary lesson
faithfulness. he has missed the fir
purpose of the telling OF the story.
was fidelity. always fidelity, tn
Jesus sought.
The man who made ten pounds w
given the oversight of ten cities. T
man who gained five pounds was a
pointed over five cities. Those t
men started even. but the faith1
ones had acquired capacity In servi,
Tor faithfulness begets fruitfulne
There Is no school for success eQl
IN coruiOo