rewarded by having a greater trust reposed in them, even in the joyful presence of their Lord. How did it fare with the other?

He came with his one talent in his hand, saying, That as he considered his Lord a hard master, (who expected more from his servants than was possible for them to perform,) he had hid the money from fear, and now gave it safely back again.

Did this most unjust opinion excuse his sloth?

No. He was condemned out of his own mouth, for his Lord told him, that the very fear of which he complained, should have made him give his talent to the exchangers that he might have received it with usury.

I must stop to explain what must otherwise puzzle you. Do you know the meaning we give to that word

usury

?

Yes. An unjust and unlawful interest for the use of money.

Well. Is not that forbidden in Scripture?

Yes. "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him any usury."-Exod. xxii. 25. "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything that is lent upon usury."-Deut. xxiii. 19.

Is there any promise given to those who obey this command ?

Yes. A place in the Holy City.-Ps. xv. 5.
The usury spoken of in this parable, was only

a proper return for money lent to the exchangers, who were a kind of bankers, and commonly sat at tables in the court of the temple to lend and exchange foreign coin (brought by distant worshippers) into Jewish money. What was the portion

assigned to the slothful servant ?

He was deprived of his talent, and cast into outer darkness, there to weep and bewail his folly.

What was done with the money ?

It was given to him who had ten talents.

You may perhaps wonder at this, when the other had equally increased his loan; but let us consider, which had had the greater charge, and therefore the more difficult task to perform?

Certainly he who was rewarded: and we may believe, that had he who received two talents, gained five; his reward would have been greater than his, who had made the same improvement of five.

It has been wisely said, that, "If we make a good use of what we have, we may then look up with confidence to the Lord for more." This is the whole of the parable—but let us now look a little more closely at it, and we shall find much to excite our activity, at the same time teaching us to be content, and "do our duty in that state of life unto which it has pleased God to call us." -Catechism. You will at once perceive who is meant by the traveller?

Yes. The Lord Jesus, who told His disciples that He was to leave them. "I go my way to me."-John xvi. 5.

him that

Is He such a master as Pharoah, who required his servants to make bricks, without furnishing them with materials?

Oh no! "When he ascended upon high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." -Eph. iv. 8. Ps. lxviii. 18.

What are those gifts?

The offices in His Church, the abilities and opportunities for doing good which He has given to His professed followers.

To make you more thankful, I wish you to enumerate some of the natural advantages which are in a greater or less degree distributed amongst

us.

Time, a good understanding, health, education, religious friends, wealth, influence, reputation, and a cheerful disposition.

These are excellent gifts, but are they God's best gifts?

No. He has likewise deposited spiritual ones with all of us--casting our lot in a Christian land, where we may read "in our tongue the wonderful works of God," Acts ii. 11, and par take of the public ordinances of religion, the reproofs and example of good men, and above all, the inestimable gift of His Holy Spirit.

What is it to trade with these?

To exercise and use them in promoting Christ's cause on earth, and in benefiting our fellow-creatures; "for no man liveth to himself."-2 Cor. v. 15. Rom. xiv. 7.

Were they given to us for that intent?

Yes. "As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."-1 Pet. iv. 10.

What is expected from us in that situation? "It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."-1 Cor. iv. 2.

Does God confide an equal trust to all?

No.

"He divideth to every man severally as

he will."-1 Cor. xii. 11.

Then is there cause of complaint to any? No, rather of thankfulness, if our master have laid on us a lighter burden, a more easy and less service than what He has on others: and to all He has given at least one talent (a soul) that will find us with employment. And we are assured a willing mind is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." -2 Cor. viii. 12.

On the other hand, is there reason for boastful feelings, if we be distinguished from others by a more extended allotment?

No. "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?". 1 Cor. iv. 7. And St. Paul, confessing that he hid laboured more abundantly than the other disciples, ascribed this to the grace of God, that had been given him.-1 Cor. xv. 10.

What is his advice to Timothy with regard to this?

66

Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee."2 Tim. i. 6.

Are we taught in the Church Service to confess our obligations to God for these favours?

Yes. In the General Thanksgiving we say, "We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ: for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory."

But will it avail us, if we have made some improvement of our talents?

No-unless it be such as is answerable to the number and value of our gifts. "We must forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."-Phil. iii. 13.

This is indeed true. You know that "the birds do not rest in the air, no more can a Christian rest in his course; he must be either mounting or falling. The birds do not sleep on the wing; so if we grow sleepy or weary in well-doing,' Gal. vi. 9, it is a sure sign we are not mounting towards heaven." What serious thought should arise in our minds when we read the sentence upon the idle and unfaithful servant?

That those who have employed what they have received from heaven in rebellion against it, will meet with a punishment proportionable to the aggravation of their crimes.

I will here repeat an appropriate remark from an excellent man- "That as the worm eats out the heart of the plant that bred it, so whatever is done amiss naturally works no other end but de