Newport daily independent., 1918-09-21

LESSON TEXTS-Matthew 25.14-30; 5:1- F.
 and ye are Christ's; and Christ is Gods.-I Corinthians 3:21-23
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Galatians 6: 16-25
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Psalms 17:15; Isaiah 51:11; Acts 1925; Romans 2:10; 5:1-2.
 l. The Parable of the Talents.
 This parable, like that of the Ten Virgins, is associated with the second coming of Christ. In both instances there is evident an unpreparedness on the part of the people. In the first case there is failure of the inward life; in the second, there is failure to use the gifts which have been entrusted to them. The first was failure to watch; the second was failure to work. By talents is meant, the gifts which God has entrusted to his servants. It may be natural endowments, special endue- ments of the Spirit, or it may be the gospel of Jesus Christ. With refer ence to these talents note:
 1. Their distribution (vv. IA, 15).
 (1) A sovereign one. The servants belong to the Lord as well as the money. (2) An intelligent one. The distribution VAS made on the basis of the ability of each servant. The req son one mar received one talent was because the Lord knew that he would be incapable of using two or five. (3) A purposefuI oae. The talents were given to be traded with. They were not given for the servants own use, but stock-in-trade for the enrichment of the master.
 2. Employment of the talents (vv. 16-18).
 In this employment all the servants recognized that the talents did not be- long to them. The two-talented man and the five~falented man put their talents to use, which resulted in large increase. It is always true that the right use of talents increases them. The one-talented man hid his in the earth. The unmistakab1e sign of the one-talented man is that he is hiding his talent. The two-talented and five talented men are always busy.
 3. The accounting for the talents (vv 19-30).
 CD Its certainty. There is a day coming when the Lords servants shall give an account to him for the use they have made of their talents. @ The time of. This is at the coming of the Lord. Those who are using their tai ents will rejoice when the Lord comes that they may present unto him thelr talents with increase. But the one talented man will have fear and dread against that day. (3) The judgments announced. To the faithful there was reward. This reward consisted of praise: "Well done; ;" promotion: ruler over many things and entrance "upon the joy of the Lord" For the faithless one there was awful punishment which consisted of reproach-"slothful; ;" be- ing stripped and cast into outer dark ness.
 II. Characteristics of the Subjects of the Kingdom (Matt. 5:1-12).
 These beatitudes are connected with each other with the strictest order of  characteristics of those who are sub jects of the kingdom. They fall into three groups: four ip the first, three in the second, and two in the third.
 1. Poverty of spirit (v. 3. To be poor in spirit does not mean to be without money, but to come to the end uf self, to be in state of abso- lute spiritual beggary, having no pow CT to alter his. condition or make him. self better.
 2. A profound grief because of this spiritual bankruptcy (v. Q. The mourning here is not because of ex- ternal cares, but keen consciousness of guilt before holy God.
 3. A humble submission to Gods will and obedience to his commands with out asking the reason why (v. ). This is the outgrowth of mourning for spir- itual insolvency.
 4. An intense longing to conform to the laws of the kingdom (v. 6). Hav' ing received the righteousness of Christ as free gift, every desire Of his soul is to be filled with righteous ness.
 5. Merciful (v. D. At this stage the subjects of the kingdom take on the character of the King. Christ was merciful; his followers will be like wise.
 6. Purity of heart (v. s). This heart purity begins by having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience with the blood of Christ, and is maintained by living in fellowship with him. Those who have pure hearts can see God ev- anywhere.
 z. Peacemakers (v. 9). Those who have been reconciled to God by Christ not only live in peace, but diffuse peace.
 8. Suffering for Christ's sake (v. 1O). The world hated Christ and crucified him. Those who live for him shall suffer persecution (H Timothy 3:12).
 g. Suffer reproach (v. III. It means suffering under false charges. In such case we shall glory in 1t because 1t