vice of sin or folly. You have not expended them in profane jesting, or in infidel scoffing. You have not even devoted them to sensual and frivolous objects. All this is well. But it is possible, at the same time, that you have been suffering these powers to lie idle; and that you have allowed many a man of inferior ability to outstrip you in usefulness by the faithful application of his more humble gift. Your pound has been laid up in a napkin; your talent buried in the earth. Remember, you have been called to the profitable employ

ment of that which has thus been delivered into

your hands.-You possess influence among your fellow men. It is not enough that you preserve this, and use it for your own satisfaction or comfort. It will profit you nothing in the day of judgment that men thought well of you, and looked up to you, and paid deference to your opinion; but it will then become a question whether you sought to do them good, and to lead them to happiness and God, by your example, your persuasions, your instruction, your advice.

And the same may be said concerning the use of spiritual blessings. It is not enough that we do not thrust from us the means of grace, and refuse to avail ourselves of the external ordinances of religion. It is not enough that we hear the word of God gladly, and are even jealous of the pos

session of a true church and the outward communion of saints. All these things have been given to us only for a further end. They have been appointed as instruments of our growth in grace;-they are to be extended and propagated, as far as may be in our power, to those who have them not ;—and they are to lead us to the right use and application of all other gifts, whereby those gifts may be consecrated, and become each a holy thing to the Lord our God.

My Christian brethren, let us, from time to time, look round on the various blessings of which we have been made partakers; and let us continually pray for the strengthening and enlivening grace of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, while we see how these gifts are, one and all, inscribed as it were by the hand of our Lord and Master with-Occupy, Occupy.

66

IV. And let us reflect upon the whole of the charge which has been given to us. Let us consider that it is for a time, and for a time only, that this charge will be in force. Occupy till I come." The time will speedily arrive when we shall cease to possess the things which have been, for a season, entrusted to our care. "The night

cometh, when no man can work." The evil habit of procrastination too often interferes with

men's duty in respect of the due use of their abilities or possessions. Many persons, who are conscious that they are neglecting to make a right improvement of gifts which have been imparted to them, intend to be, at some future time, industrious and active in their proper application. But remember, my Christian brethren, that on all these things is written, "Till I come." Remember that the time is short; and that the close of the brief period of your life is an event far more certain than the deferred fulfilment of your good intentions. “Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." (Matt. xxiv. 4447.)

66

:

Occupy till I come;"-I who know accurately what I have entrusted to you, I who know well the heart with which you have received, and the manner in which you have disposed of, all that has been given. It is, as we are taught in this very parable, injurious to the character of our Lord to regard him as an austere man, taking up that which he laid not down, and reaping

that which he had not sown.

But it is
But it is wrong also,

and it may be fatal to our happiness, to forget that which we are equally required to believe,—namely, that our heavenly Master will one day call us to account for our opportunities of serving him in our day and generation. That which he laid not down, he does not expect to take up; that which he did not sow, he does not expect to reap :--but, that which he has laid down, and that which he has sown, he does expect to take up, and to reap. Think not that you are right in theory or safe in practice, if, while you avoid the hard thoughts of the reproachful servant, you are yet indulging in his idleness, upon the contrary supposition that your Lord is so little rigorous and exact that he will never call you to account for what he has given you in charge. Think not to say with impunity,

6

Lord, here is thy pound which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I knew that thou wast a merciful man; and I trusted in thy clemency to overlook my continued negligence, and to forgive my sin. I foresaw that I must abandon some pleasure of my own, or that I must forego some share of my ease and selfish gratification, if I should seek to employ the money which thou gavest me; and I would not quit the enjoyment of things which I so dearly loved, for the service of one whom I so little dreaded or revered.'

Would he not answer, to such a plea as this, Thou wicked and slothful servant! Thou knewest the words with which I had solemnly commanded thee, saying, Occupy till I come; and therefore thou shouldest have been diligent to be found of me in peace, and to be prepared with joy for my appearing. Thou knewest that I was a merciful man; and therefore thou shouldest have served me with alacrity and cheerfulness, in the confident expectation of a bountiful reward. Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.'

66

Behold," saith he who delivered this parable, "I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. xxii. 12.) Let us devoutly bear in mind the work of mercy which this blessed Saviour has accomplished on our behalf; and let us earnestly implore the continual guidance and support of his Holy Spirit;-that so our obedience in this life may be diligent, and our reward hereafter may be great.