appears to be unjust. Thus the _capitalist is enabled to enlarge his buainesa, while t,,e poor tradesman who needs 11n rncrea.se much more is not able to go forward at all. Great houses tend to monopolize commerce which once divided itself among many shops, and the larger the business is the more people flock to it and add still more to its gigantic proportions. Thus the successful man wins favour, while the failing man who wants it much more fails to get it. All this looks unfair. We must recognize, however, that it only deals with the external life. That earthly means should lead to earthly results is natural. But there a.re higher regions where the injustice is counter- acted. 'l'he successful man of the world may be a dismal failure in his higher life. Here the law works justly. It is right that a man's future should grow out of his present conduct. In the parable of the talents it is not the mere possession of the talents, but the use of them, that determines the retributive treatment. The man of five talents is not rewarded because he holds the five, but because he multiplies them. It is the second five acquired by his own industry, not the first five received as a gift, that occasions his further honour and enrichment. God will give more according to what we have attained in our own spiritual life. In this there is no injustice, but much more than justice, for we could not claim the increase, It is added by God's great bounty in graciously rewarding faithful service.-W. F. A. Vere. 31-46.-The judgment of the nations. The two earlier parables of judgment refer to those who are in confessed relationship with God. The parable of the ten virgins represents the relationship of friendship,-that of people who would share in the joys of God's home, as friends at a wedding feast; the parable of the talents represents a less intimate relationship,-that of service; the talents are committed to their pro- prietor's" own servants." Now the scene changes, and we are brought out to the larger world of the nations ; the judgment of those who do not know Christ as their Friend or consciously serve him as their Master is here typified. To Jews this would mean the judgment of the Gentiles; to Christians it represents the judgment of the heathen, with those, also, who live in Christendom, but who do not give their adherence to any of the Churches. I. CHRIST WILL JUDGE THE WORLD. 1. There will be a judgment of the wrn-ld. This is not to be confined to the Church; it will not be only for those who acknowledge Christ. We cannot escape from it by ignoring the rule of Christ. The most heeuless and careless, the most worldly and unspiritual, the most sceptical and materialistic, will be brought before the bar of the_universal judgment. 2. This judgmmt will be in the hands of Ghrist. It will be conducted by the "Son of man," who, even when acting as a Judge, is to be regarded as a Shepherd dividing his flocks. Therefore the judgment will be conducted with humanity and with sympathy, with the discrimina- tion of knowledge gained in experience. II. THE JUDGMENT OF CBBIST WILL RESULT IN A TWOFOLD DIVISION. 1. There will be two classes. All are not condemned; but all are not approved. Even Jesus with all his graciousness must reprobate what is wrong. His gospel is not a security of salvation for the sinful impenitent. 2. There will be but two. These are the main divisions. All characters tend either downward or upward. We a.re all either in the narrow way or in the broad way-either sheep or goats. 3. These classes will bd separated. At present they are united. There will be a revelation and a division, and each man will then go to his own place. Ill. THE GROUND OF JUDGMENT WILL BE MEN'S CONDUOT TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE, It will not be a profession of religion, nor a creed, nor a performance of acts of worship. Christ looks chiefly to conduct in the world. He takes what is done to one of his brethren as the test. This is just the same as if it were done to him, because he is so perfectly sympathetic, that he feels what is done to his brother exactly as though it were done to himself. The rule is for the judgment of the heathen and those outside the Church of Christ. More is expected of Christ's own confessed followers-lamps well supplied with oil of grace, and faithful use of entrusted talents. But such p~ople cannot be excused from what is expected even of the heathen. We can all best serve Christ by ministering to his brethren. This is what he most cares for. IV. THE JUDGMENT WILL RESULT IN nLESSEDNESS AND PUNISIIMENT. 1. There is the joy of the kingdom for the sheep on the right hand. lt is remarkable to see that th$ JUTTHEW-IL 2 It 4'98 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oR, xxv. 1--46.
kingdom was prepared for such from the foundation of the world. From the first its blessings were for many who a.re not in any visible Churoh, for many who do not know themselves to be Christians. 2. There is puni.shment for the goats on the left hand, The hard and selfish are those who receive this punishment. 1'hey will not escape it because of their ignorance or their refusal to recognize Christ. It will be unbearably awful-W. F. A.