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A. They may be understood as representing those disciples who had been truly converted to Christwho placed the most implicit confidence in his teachings, and who amply prepared themselves for the coming of the Lord.

Q. What personage is alluded to under the figure of the bridegroom?

A. Jesus Christ.

Q. How is the coming of the bridegroom described?

A. "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

Q. What important event is prefigured in this language?

A. It refers to the spiritual coming of Christ in that generation, when he would destroy the wicked Jews-bring that dispensation or world to an endestablish his kingdom, and commence his reign as Mediator and King.

Q. What should we understand by the five virgins having no oil to trim their lamps?

4. In this language Jesus represents that at his coming, a portion of his professed followers would be unprepared to receive him. They would be so indifferent to the signs which denoted his approach, that they would be taken by surprise, and be in a condition which would prevent their saving themselves from the overwhelming calamities which then visited the Jews.

Q. What is represented by the wise virgins having their lamps trimmed and in order?

A. This alludes to the watchfulness of a part of the followers of the Redeemer. They would notice the signs of his coming, and be all prepared to go into a place of security, where they would be saved from the evils which were then to afflict Judea.

Q. In what light should we understand the exclamation of the foolish virgins-" Lord, Lord, open to us,”—and the answer of the bridegroom, “I know you not?"

A. These things represent that the careless and faithless followers of Jesus would speedily see their folly, and would earnestly desire to participate with the faithful disciples in the safety which they would enjoy. But it would then be too late. The dreadful calamities of the age will have arrived, and they would be overwhelmed with the unbelieving and wicked Jews.

Q. Did these things actually take place, as foretold by the Saviour?

A. They did. About forty years after this parable was spoken, Jerusalem was destroyed-the Jews perished in vast multitudes-and the remainder were carried into captivity. And while the faithful followers of Jesus were preserved from these calamities, those who had not proved faithful and obedient were plunged into common ruin with the Jews.

Q. Does the explanation we have given of this parable agree with the views of many eminent commentators?

A. It does.

Q. What is the opinion of Bishop Pearce?

A. He says the parable relates to what was to happen at the destruction of the Jewish state.

Q. What is the language of Kenrick?

A. He says that the words which Christ uttered at the conclusion of the parable-" watch, therefore," etc.-" show that it refers to the coming of Christ for the destruction of Jerusalem."

Q. What does the same author say of the wise virgins?

A. "The wise virgins are sincere Christians, who, by the constant practice of the duties of piety and virtue, would secure his favor,

and, being always prepared for his coming, would escape the judgments that were coming upon the Jewish nation."

Q. Who does he suppose the foolish virgins to represent?

A. "The foolish virgins * are those who profess themselves Christians, but want those substantial virtues which are necessary to recommend them to the favor of Christ; and when he came, would be disowned and rejected by him, and suffered to perish with the others."

LESSON XXV.

Parable of the Unfaithful Servant.

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents besides them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed; thou oughtest, therefore, to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take, therefore, the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath."— (Matt. xxv. 14-29.)

Q. Is this parable found in the same chapter with the parable considered in the last lesson?

A. It occurs in the same chapter, and immediately succeeds it.

Q. What was the general object of the Saviour in uttering this parable?

A. His object seems to have been to impress upon his followers the necessity of faithfulness, in the use of the advantages given them, as the last parable was to inspire them with watchfulness.

Q. How is the parable introduced?

A. "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country.

Q. What do you say of this language?

A. The words, "the kingdom of heaven," are not in the original, but were added by the translators.

Q. Is it generally considered that these were the proper words to be introduced?

A. It is not. Dr. Campbell's opinion is that originally the parable commenced, "The Son of man is as a man travelling in a far country," etc. Q. Should we understand the parable as representing the Saviour in the man who travelled into a far country?

A. We should.

Q. What is meant by his travelling into a far country?

A. This is supposed to mean the ascension of Jesus into heaven after his resurrection, from whence he returned to the earth, to judge that wicked generation to bring the old world or dispensation to an end, and establish new heavens and a new earth, or the new gospel kingdom and reign.

Q. What is the man represented as doing, before he departed on his journey?

A. He called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."

Q. How much did he give to each?

A. "Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability."

Q. How much money is a talent?

A. Some authors estimate a talent of silver at about fifteen hundred and twenty dollars, and a talent of gold at sixteen times that amount.

Q. What is represented by the talents given to the servants?

A. These are a representation of the capabilities and opportunities which the different disciples of Christ possessed, to serve him, and promote the interests of his kingdom.

Q. How are the servants, to whom the five talents and the two talents were given, represented as proceeding?

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A. Then he that had received the five talents, went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.'

Q. What is said of him that received but one talent?

A. "But he that had received one, went and dig ged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money."

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