would begin in this world, ere ever they passed

into another.

Ideas like these would seem to spring naturally, out of our Saviour's parable in the minds of His immediate hearers: ideas of Christ's absence; of the charge committed to them; of the Divine gifts entrusted to their handling; of the going forth after His departure to do His work with them; of the inequality of their several tasks; of the equality with which their faithfulness would be rewarded.

And we read in the Acts of the Apostles sufficient to furnish us with a counterpart of these ideas their talents, felt, and acknowledged to be, different, but the same zeal for using them in all no indolence, no jealousy because one had more tongues or miracles at command than another; each one rejoicing when the Lord's work was done, and confident that he himself would not be forgotten or his labour be in vain.

This parable was their assurance that humble fidelity to their heavenly calling, in man or woman, and whatever the shape of it, would gain the approval and love of their Redeemer: they would be to Jesus in heaven what Phoebe, and Priscilla and Aquila, and all the heart-united brethren at Rome, were to St. Paul and one. another. It would be said to them in that day and hour of Christ's return, which they were

watchfully to expect and hope for, as was once said to Moses by the same Sovereign voice, 'I know thee by name.' (Exod. xxxiii. 17.)

Thus it was likely that to the first Apostles this parable did chiefly bring ideas of the ministerial office which they were to go and fulfil; and thereupon of the particular gifts which God should impart to them for that purpose: but no doubt, in the sequel, they found that every faculty, and all Christian graces, in fact their whole life, was in effect a preaching of the Gospel. And St. Paul, when he cheerfully bare his stripes and bonds, and stood composed and undaunted in a sinking ship, and comforted others amidst privations of his own still harder to bear, was exercising talents which made men love and glorify the Gospel, still more than any exercise of eloquence or workings of miracle.

And so it appeared by-and-by to the followers of Christ, that the talent which they must use and trade with was to be looked for in all directions which their duty led to, recognised in almost every occupation to which they could put their hand.

It is from this view, brethren, that we are all to contemplate the parable, desiring honestly to know the talents for which we are responsible.

Possibly we shall do this best by comparing ourselves and our fellow-men on an extended

scale, as they will stand beside us at the day of judgment; just as our Lord contrasts people from the east and from the west who shall serve God according to their gifts with the children of the kingdom.

Let us consider our knowledge of the true religion-what sort of a talent that will be accounted hereafter.

Over and over again inspired men called upon the Jews to think of this. What nation was there, said Moses, so wise and understanding as they? God had not dealt so with any nation, said the Psalmist, neither had the heathen knowledge of His laws. Great advantage, said St. Paul, had the Jew every way, chiefly because unto him were committed the oracles of God.

There was a talent, the misuse of which, or its neglect, would be awful hereafter. Then can it be thought that in this country, and in this generation, the responsibility of men is less?

We shall have to compare ourselves with persons of far inferior education to ourselves, who have prized the Scriptures and studied them with diligence-Christians in early times, who underwent sore persecutions rather than part with them or give them up; countrymen and countrywomen of our own, who (like Anne Askew) have risked much to read the word of God for their own soul's instruction: nay, per

sons of European countries living in our own day-converts in Madagascar, in India, and elsewhere, who would have blessed God most fervently had they been permitted to enjoy in peace the possession of the Bible.

How will it move the consciences of many to stand beside these, and be found more ignorant than they of God's inspired word, having neglected almost daily opportunities of communing with it, which came so scantily or with such anxieties and peril unto them?

St. Paul bears us witness that a large part of his disciples were but little gifted with human learning, yet he desired them to treasure his written letters and to understand them; the Apostle to the Hebrews reckoned that they (though their knowledge when he wrote was slender) should become teachers in time.

Can it be thought a small disregard of the talent committed to us if we do not reach that level of sacred knowledge which was expected of them?

Again, in regard to our opportunities of worshipping and praising God, comparison with other men will probably reveal something about ourselves.

The Psalmist considered it sufficient to be accounted a talent simply that he was distinguished from the dumb creation. (Ps.lxix. 30, 31.)

His thoughts seem continually to be: The Lord hath given me a tongue, and I will praise Him therewith. Daniel was earnest and punctual in his devotions, having no temple to go to. Cornelius offered up his prayers with humble perseverance, having no promise or covenant that God would extend a Father's ear to him, and receive him as

a son.

And there have been multitudes in many ages, as there are many still, who knew these things, and had secret gratitude, but had no means or opportunity of paying this homage to their Creator amongst persons who were like-minded; no minister to guide their devotions, or friends to encourage them.

How many and great are the advantages which have been lavished on us, in order that our prayers and praises may be a constant and united offering: and that our feelings and affections towards God should grow by the use of them!

If we turn from these blessings attendant on birth and nurture in a Christian country to those which we have derived from nature, what shall we say to the gifts of health (whether of body or mind) which it has pleased God to endow us with?

Are not they talents also which we must indeed trade with to our good Creator's glory? Again, we have only to compare ourselves with