yea, and the more exquisite because his master was honoured in all the good tliat was done. Such a steward the true Chris- tian feels himself to be : and his final account, also, he con- templates with joy; assured that his stewardship shall be both approved and rewarded in that day.]
From this subject I would take occasion to suggest two important lessons —
Learn,
1. In what spirit to address yourselves to every duty in life —
[Be not contented to perform a duty ; but look for the blessing of God upon every thing you do. Without his blessing you will have but little comfort in your own souls. I will not hesitate to say, that in every line whatever, from the highest to the lowest, the man who acts to God and for God will be the happiest man. Others, it is true, may exceed him in wealth ; but he will have no reason to envy them ; for they have sorrows which will not come near him"; and he will have "a joy with which the stranger intermeddle th not"."]
2. What to look for as your chief portion —
[Earthly things are not to be neglected. Your worldly calling, whatever it may be, should be diligently followed. But the blessing of God should be the one object to which all others should be subordinated. Nothing, either on earth or in heaven, should, in your estimation, bear any comparison with that P. If the question be put, " Who will shew us any good?" your unvaried answer should be, " Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon usi." Then will you have " durable riches'"." And whilst those who seek any other portion will, "in the midst of their sufficiency, be in straits %" you, in what- ever straits you are, will have a sufficiency for your support and comfort both in time and in eternity.]
" Ps. xci. 7. o Prov. xiv. 10. p Ps. Ixxiii. 25.
1 Ps. iv. 6. r Prov. viii. 18. « Job xx. 22.