Secondly, both represent the prize as something hidden, and therefore difficult to be discovered.

Thirdly, both represent the Finder gladly parting with all, in order to possess what he has found.

:

But the Parables differ in this respect--In the one case the man stumbles upon the treasure without even looking for it in the other he seeks diligently, and then his search is rewarded. These then are the points which we will notice.

And First, both Parables speak of something of great value. In one Parable it is described as "a Treasure," and in the other as "a Pearl of great price."

Now, what are we to understand by this thing of great value-this prize-which is here called a Treasure and a Pearl? Perhaps our Lord meant Himself by it; or perhaps He meant Eternal Life. It matters not which, since, if we possess Christ, we possess eternal life; for "he that hath the Son hath life."

What are the treasures of earth compared

with this? If we could own all the gold mines of California-all the pearls at the bottom of the sea-if we had all the riches of Solomon-what could they do for us? Would they make us happy? Could they ensure to us health, and strength, and length of days? Could they give peace to a restless conscience ? And even if they could do all this for us, how long would it be for? For a few years at most; and then we must part with them, and that for ever. We cannot It would only

take our money with us. mock us on our death-bed, and be a burden to us in a dying hour. The Wise Man knew this, and therefore he said, "Labour not to be rich." St. Paul knew it too, and gives this advice to Timothy, "Thou, O man of God, flee these things."

What then is there, which is really valuable? What is that treasure, which is more precious than all else? It is the salvation of the soul-eternal life-the possession of Christ.

And now, that we know what is meant by the Treasure and the Pearl, we will pass on to the Second point, which is this-Both the

Parables represent this costly prize as hidden, and therefore difficult to be discovered.

In the First Parable, you observe the Treasure is spoken of as being "hid in a field." This wants a little explanation. It is not usual in these days to find a treasure concealed in a common field; but it was by no means uncommon formerly. Worldly goods and property were not so safe then as they are now. We are told by travellers, that in some countries, even now, it is not unusual for rich men to divide their goods into three parts. One they employ in commerce; one they turn into jewels, which in case of danger they can easily carry away with them; and a third part they bury. If they should happen to die suddenly, the buried treasure would most likely be as good as lost, until some lucky person, whilst tilling the land, might chance to light upon it. Now, in the first of these Parables, a man is described as digging in a field, and discovering one of these hid treasures.

In the Second Parable too, the pearls spoken of are hidden things. They are usually found at the very bottom of the sea; and they are

considered so valuable, that persons are specially employed to dive for them at the risk of their lives.

And are not heavenly things entirely hidden from some of us?

no glory in them.

We can see no beauty and "The god of this world. hath blinded the eyes of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them." The gospel is spoken of as a "mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to the saints." And St. Paul declares that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned." And again he says, " If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost."

How sad, that there should be salvation for us all; and yet that so many of us should pass it by, like a man who is working in a field where there lies a treasure just below the surface, but he cannot see it. Oh that God

would open our eyes, and

enable us to

seize the prize so freely offered to every one

of us!

But now we come to the Third point, and that a very interesting one.

Both Parables represent the person discovering the treasure, as parting with all he has, in order to possess it. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who when he hath found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

You see, the Treasure-finder, though for a while he keeps the discovery to himself, presently goes and disposes of all he is worth, that he may possess the treasure, and make it his. Again, the Pearl-seeker does the sameso anxious is he not to lose the precious object which is within his reach.

And is it any wonder, Brethren, when Heaven is our prize, and Christ our treasure, that we are sometimes called upon to give up much to obtain them? Is it any wonder that the Apostles and early Christians were re