Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/492

 way, and  traded  with  the  same  and  gained  other  five." (Matt.  xxv.  16.)  "And  in  like  manner,  he  that  had  received the  two,  gained  other  two."  The  industry  of both  was  equal,  though  their  talents  were  unequal,  and therefore,  in  the  same  proportion,  their  rewards  were equal.  "  God  does  not  consider  the  greatness  of  the gain," says  St.  Jerome,  "  but  good  will  and  exertion." Although,  therefore,  you  may  imagine  that  you  have received  few  talents  in  comparison  to  others,  you  may notwithstanding  be  equal  to  them  in  reward,  if  you equal  them  in  the  improvement  of  your  stock.

III. The motive  of  reward  ought  to  induce  us  to  labor with great  diligence  and  assiduity:  "Because  thou  hast been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  place  thee  over many  things;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." And what is  this  joy? That which  "  the  eye  hath  not  seen, nor  ear  heard." (1 Cor.  ii.  9.)  A  joy  without  limit  or measure,  never  to  end  or  be  abated.'  Be  therefore  faithful over  the  little  which  God  has  intrusted  to  your  care and conduct;  employ  everything  which  He  has  given you, to  His  glory,  and  thus  you  will  deserve  to  be "placed  over  many  things,"  and  "to  enter  into  the  joy of  the  Lord."

I. "  But  he  that  had  received  the  one  "talent"  going his  way,  digged  in  the  earth  and  hid  his  lord's  money." (Matt. xxv.  18.)  Thus  many  imagine  that  they  cannot appear equal  to  others  in  virtue,  knowledge  or  skill,  and, falling into  despair,  surrender  themselves  at  discretion  to