tian. He contrives to do more good continually. His mind being engaged ardently on his great trust, becomes fertile in expedients. He does not rest contented with the ordinary plans of others, but enters on undiscovered ground, and marks out new regions of usefulness. He does not merely yield to applications when they are made to him, and just satisfy the decent expectations of his circle of society, but he is a volunteer in every righteous and holy design. He devises every thing he can, looks all around him for occasions of doing good to others, and getting good himself, of learning or teaching, acting or enduring for God and his neighbour. I need not say, that the opportunities which will arise to such a man, are in fact innumerable.

We are to consider also THE GROWING IN FLUENCE over others which his solid excellence acquires for him. Perhaps in no way does the faithful steward gain more in his traffic than in this. By his manner of life he disarms prejudice, and becomes better known in his connexions: his motives are ascertained, his designs understood, his wisdom and piety admitted. Past experience of his consistent and friendly character speaks for him. The secret authority of beneficence and uprightness upon the consciences of men spreads around. The great importance of this silent but powerful auxiliary

makes it by degrees a valuable additional talent. Like a commander well known to his troops, his example and spirit fill those about him with confidence, and make him capable of the most difficult undertakings.

Then the COMMUNICATION OF FURTHER GIFTS, and of opportunities for the use of them from God, together with the blessing which more and more rests on his endeavours and renders them effectual, increase the goods and talents of the diligent Christian. As he proceeds with an ardent thirst to glorify his Master and a watchfulness which seizes all favourable events, God is pleased in his providence to answer his prayers and reward his honest diligence. Surprising turns of circumstances occur. Unexpected. direction and success are given to his weak and hesitating attempts. Difficulties apparently insuperable sink away. Aid is afforded in exigencies. Scenes of usefulness unfold themselves. God prepares the hearts of men with whom he is connected, prospers his pious and active endeavours to glorify him amongst them, and grants an happy issue to his various projects for doing good.

It is not easy to determine To WHAT EXTENT the talents of the good servant may be multiplied by these means. I require not a perfect union of all the dispositions and circumstances which have been mentioned; for in this world

the best characters are defective. Nor do I speak of a perceptible and open transition from one step in this progress to another. Much less am I to be understood of hasty measures, the fruit of self-will under the garb of zeal. The busy, conceited, and presumptuous man, who neglects his immediate, or more difficult duties, to fly to distant and splendid scenes of action, is not the patient and industrious steward before us. But the gradual and quiet tenour of the faithful servant, who begins with primary and humble duties, and proceeds, as his opportunities are increased, in his holy course, preserving still all the extent and all the sweetness of a willing and well-ordered obedience, it is delightful to contemplate. It is difficult to say whither such a man may arrive at last; how his means and powers may be augmented; how his influence may expand; how his very name may be blessed. Consider only the private Christian in his domestic circle, who should for forty or more years pursue such a course. Contemplate a person of elevated birth or distinguished station in the community who should thus act in the conduct of his public, as well as personal, duties. View the sacred instructor in religion proceeding onward with similar dispositions and activity, in a quiet and steady path of pious actions. Take even the humblest class of society, and suppose such a series of

efforts to be made there. The mind is quite lost in attempting to estimate the amount of good which may be achieved. There is no station in society where a faithful Christian may not succeed in this way in honouring God and promoting the benefit of man in a degree almost beyond calculation.

And shall any such want their REWARD? In this world, indeed, they may possibly be opposed and misrepresented. But at length the Lord of his servants will come and reckon with them. Then he who has discharged his duty with fidelity will have boldness in the day of judgment and a humble confidence towards God. He will say, not with pride and self-dependence, for after all he is a sinful creature, indebted for every thing to divine grace, but still with cheerful gratitude, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents, behold I have gained besides them five talents more. And his Lord will say unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Or if he has been faithful only in the management of two talents, he will make a similar report, and receive a like commendation and reward. It is not the number of our gifts, but the diligent use of them, to which our Master will have regard. O blissful consummation! O gracious recompense! O

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exhilarating plaudit! Well done, good and faithful servant. Let us be careful not to lose this praise by seeking the praise of men. And how ample the recompense! How undeserved! For the very few things in which he has been faithful, he is made ruler over many things. Surely this far surpasses the value of the work achieved. This represents a state of bliss and transport greatly exceeding the previous labour. It is explained by the following words, Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord: that joy which he purchased by his death and passion, which he possesses himself in infinite and unclouded glory, which he communicates of his rich bounty to all his servants.

But it is time for us to review the painful, but instructive, part of the subject which remains for our consideration, viz.

III. THE CHARACTER AND DOOM OF THE SLOTHFUL SERVANT.

He that had received one talent went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Such is the description of the negligent Christian professor, who neither employs nor increases the gifts and blessings intrusted to him; who neither saves himself, nor benefits those connected with him. He is said to have had only one talent, which teaches us that God will require an account of the smallest trust, as well