December 3

Matthew xx.—1. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.

2. And, when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place.

4. And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, I will give you. And they went their way.

5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7. They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8. So, when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and

give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9. And, when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11. And, when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house.

12. Saying, These last have wrought but one hour; and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14. Take that time is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last even as unto thee.

15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? is thine eye evil because I am good?

16. So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen.

"The market-place of the world is here contrasted with the vineyard of the kingdom of God: the greatest man of business in worldly things is a mere idle gater if he has not yet entered on the true work which alone is worth any thing, or gains any reward." The parable teaches that in this kingdom all recompense, like the calling into the kingdom itself, is a matter of grace; and therefore it is at the pleasure of the Master to disperse his awards according to a scale and method of his own. Those who earliest received the call of the gospel, and were the first to enter upon the service of Christ, would not, for that reason, be entitled to take precedence of those to whom the gospel came later, and who might, therefore, seem to engage in the service of Christ at the last moment. No principle of justice is set aside in the distribution of mercy, and no claim of merit is allowed under a dispensation of grace.

He who would seek to pervert this into a pretext for delaying till the eleventh hour to obey the Saviour's call would show a spirit so utterly mean and selfish as to render it highly improbable that he would ever accept a grace he could so deliberately abuse and despise. Let every one of us go work to day; let us begin in earnest the work we have too long neglected; let fidelity to the Master be our one motive; and we shall have our compensation in the work itself as we go along, and shall find in the end that the reward of free grace is greater far than any thing we could have hoped to deserve.

In the vineyard of the Lord there is something for every one to do. No disciple can claim a dignity of position, or a length of service, that should exempt him from the duty of work; nor are any so feeble or so humble that they can do nothing for the Master. Our duty is to work where he has placed us: we can trust his love for the reward

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 29, 39, 50.

Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord! in the morning will we direct our prayer unto thee, and will look up. Oh! lead us this day in thy righteousness; make thy way straight before our face. Grant that we may see and know clearly what things we ought to do; and, whatever we do, may we do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men!

Keep us from vain self-dependence, from pride, self-will, and presumption. Plant in our hearts thy holy fear; and may we show such meekness and gentleness and humility as become the true followers of Christ!

Whilst we are this day diligent in business, give us grace at the same time to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May the continual recollection of thy manifold and great mercies incline us to present our souls and bodies a living sacrifice unto

thee! May we not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God!

[May the children of this family set thy love before them as their chief portion in life, and make thy Word their guide! May they always speak the truth, and grow up free from guile! May they hear the voice of Jesus, and follow him!] Be gracious, O Lord! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others to thy grace. May we behold even greater fruits of thy coming than were seen by thine own apostles! Open thou the windows of heaven, and cause thy glory to shine forth, that all the ends of the earth shall acknowledge thee. And to thy name be all the glory. Amen.