THE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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Talents Must Be Used to Be a Blessing “Two plough-shares were once made by the same blacksmith, in the same smithy, from the same kind of iron, and both bought by the same farmer. One was used at PERTINENT once, but the other, ILLUSTRATIONS b e i n g l a i d by, became very rusty. After some time the unused one was brought out, and upon seeing its col league all bright, exclaimed, “Oh, what a difference, what makes you so bright? I feel quite ashamed to be seen.” “Oh, it is by use, my friend, and as soon as you have been used you will be brighter, too.” “Talent is a cistern, and genius a fountain” said Whipple. Talents then, must have the pump applied to them in order to draw the water from the cis tern. Young says, “With the talents of an angel a man may be a fool.” Sure, if he use not that which he hath. The Variety of Talents “Whatever you áre from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeeds be any thing else,^ and you will be ten thou sand times worse than nothing.” Sydney Smith. A young man wished to study law. He had a mind that took to unraveling law, as sunshine takes to a knot hole. His father insisted that he must be a preacher. He objected to this, and would go no farther in School. He became a very ordinary laborer. He raised a family, and when about 55 years old, became very much interested in perpetual motion. He spent about 20 years studying it, and failed. A case of a round peg in a square hole in life, all because he did not follow the nat ural bent of his life. Despise No Talent. It is God Given In a village blacksmith shop away in the country was a lame boy employed by the smith to do odd jobs. It was at the time of the war, and the lad
with a martial spirit within, became very disconsolate, wishing he could be called to the front for active service. Some soldiers, passing through the vil lage, stopped at the forge and enquired if there was anyone there who could shoe a horse. The lad said, “I think I can.” ' When the work was done, the officer in charge said, “Boy, no ten men who have left you here have served your country as you have. The horse belongs to the General.” It is said of Caroline Hurschel, the sister of the great astronomer, that night after night she would stand by his telescope and narrate the wonders he saw. Sometimes on winter nights this faithful sister would write until the ink froze on the pen. She spent many hours during the day making calcula tions. Thus for forty years did she work with her brother. His many dis coveries would never have been known if she had not used her talents. To one he gave five talents, v. 15. While the proportion of gifts is differ ent in each, the same fidelity is required of all and equally rewarded.—J. F. & B. Moore will be COMMENT required of the in- FROM MANY fiuential and en- SOURCES lightened than of the ignorant a n d One has a deeper insight into God’s Word . or has constitutionally a more kind and lib eral disposition than another, or is trained up with more abundant means of grace and greater opportunities of turning the same to good account, or with higher station in God’s church than another.—I. Williams. The capa city to receive will also be the capa city to administer.—Maclaren. When the divine providence has made a dif ference in men’s ability as to mind, body, estate, relation and interest, divine grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability itself is from Him.—Henry. poor.—Bengel.
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