chable riches of Christ," and much more to the same import. 2. His disciples are represented by the steward who was accused of injustice. A steward is a person employed in the service of a superior, to whom he is accountable for a faithful discharge of his duty; those, in an especial manner, who are intrusted with the provision for a Lord's household, to deal to every one a portion of meat in due season, are called stewards. "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over all his household, to give each a portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing," LUKE xii. 42, 43. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. "Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful," 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. Faithfulness in the distribution of the master's goods, according to his directions, is the first trait in the conduct of a just steward. "Use hospitality towards one another without grudging.As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Pet. iv. 9. 10. As the servant of a lord, who had been exalted in point of privileges, would be liable to be called to an account for the manner in which he had provided for his fellow servants, and on that account ought to maintain a habitual faithfulness, so should the disciples of the Lord consider themselves as under alike accountability to their great Lord and master; and so much the more as they were surrounded by the most crafty and eagle-eyed adversaries. They were to manifest a liberal heart in the bestowment of such as they had. For if they were "unfaithful in the unrighteous mammon, who would commit to them the true riches ?" 3. The Scribes and Pharisees are represented as bringing an accusation against Christ's servants for having wasted his goods. If it should appear on ex amination, that the charge is well supported, the servant will undoubtedly meet with a proper chastisement. He who said, "gather up the fragments that nothing be wasted or lost." will not countenance the alleged conduct. Behold the result. "The Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely."But did he not retract on mature reflection, and become less profuse in the use of his lord's goods? Did he not restrain his generosity, deafen his ear to the cries of the needy, and shut his eyes on the widow and her weeping, breadless family? Above all, was he not unusually strict and severe in collecting his lord's debts; bringing every one to immediate settlement, and payment? Let us listen to his adjustment of accounts, for a moment, that we may not be mistaken. Here comes one of his lord's debtors. Hear his question; "How much owest thou unto my lord ?" The poor man gravely answers, "An hundred measures of oil." Then said the steward, "Take thy bill and sit down quickly and write fifty." Thus you see, dear reader, that so far from diminishing his charities, or becoming more prudent in the use of his lord's goods, the steward, extended his liberality to an unusual degree. Even where a debt was justly due, he abated one half, one fifth, or any other part, according to the condition of the debtors. And even in this profusion of beneficent conferments, he received the most cordial approbation of his master. The inference is, that he was wrongfully accused. The charge was by no means supported; so far from it, a distribution of favors, copious in comparison with what they called wastefulness, was highly approved. Pharisaic illiberality ascribes every act to wastefulness which is compatible with real, heaven-born charity. attributes the opprobrium of injustice to all characters who do not conform to the miser's notion of prudence. The Pharisee says in his heart. "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortion It ers, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican" or steward. His charity consists in fasting, paying tithes, and making long prayers. That spirit which influenced the opposers of Jesus to watch him with a vulture's eye, and strive to poison his character with satanic venom, could readily descry waste, injustice and crime in his followers. But the accusation is proved to be a calumny, not only by the commendation given the steward by the lord, but also, by his persuasive exhortation to his follower to endeavor to maintain a character analogous to that in the parable. As the steward, represented unjust, gave proof of his faithfulness, by a liberal distribution to the needy, so should they make to themselves friends of the mammon of this world, that when other means should fail, they might be received into durable habitations. The Pharisees, who considered themselves "children of the light," were not so wise as this steward, and the children of this world, by him represented. 4. The parable under consideration was intended as a reprimand on the opposers of our Lord; and he who knows man, and what is in him, spake not in vain. They acknowledged themselves intended. And well they might, since they were guilty in a two-fold sense, First, as it respected temporal riches of which they possessed much; and, secondly, in relation to the riches and blessings of the legal dispensation, which they parsimoniously claimed to themselves, unwilling that others should participate its benefits. As they had proved themselves unfaithful in that which was another's temporal, worldly riches, how could they expect to come in possession of the real spiritual riches of the promises, which they called their own, having them bequeathed by Moses ? To prevent all confusion, the Saviour stated distinctly that no man can serve two masters, or God and mammon, at the same time. The Pharisees, instead of using their riches in a prudent and rational manner, rendering them serviceable to themselves and others, perverted their use, and became servants and even slaves, to that which ought to have served them: and thereby became incapacitated for serving their "Father in heaven " If they had obeyed the divine teacher, imparted their goods to the poor, the needy, making themselves friends thereby, the earthly mammon would have served them; and they could go forward with a servant to assist them in the cause of God. When we consider the conduct of those, justly accused in the foregoing parable, at the time it was delivered, we shall not hesitate in the application. The wounded bird will flutter while others move not their wings. "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous heard all these things, and they derided him.” We expected the culprit would plead not guilty-but to what purpose? The steward wrongfully accused, defends himself, is exonerated from the charge, and comes off in flying colours; the accuser is convicted of crime, and discriminated with deserved infamy. The voice which said, "Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again," has proved to be the voice of truth, wisdom and love. Grateful would it be to the christian cause, if its votaries would profit by the foregoing example. Let those who are made stewards of this world's goods exhibit a similar kind of prudence with the foregoing accused, but commended steward. 1 Bishop Lowth's translation of the 53d chapter 1 WHO hath believed our report; And to whom hath the arm of JEHOVAH been mani fested? 2 For he groweth up in their sight like a tender' sucker; And like a root from a thirsty soil : gard him; Nor is his countenance such, that we should desire bim. 3 Despised, nor accounted in the number of men; 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; The chastisement, by which our peace is effccted was laid upon him; And by his bruises we are healed. iquity of us all. 7 It was exacted, and he was made answerable; and he opened not his mouth : As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And as a sheep before his shearers, Is dumb; so he openeth not his mouth. 8 By an oppressive judgment he was taken off; And his manner of life who would declare? For he was cut off from the land of the living; |