For what purpose? A. To give instruction in the truths of the Gospel. What parable does the first chapter contain? Where is it written? What is the lesson you learn from it? A. To forgive my brethren. Whom do you mean by your brethren ? 4. All persons with whom I have any thing to do. What was the question Peter asked Christ with regard to forgiving his brother? What was the reply of Jesus? What did Christ mean by I mentioning so great a number of times ? A. He meant that no number of offences whatsoever should prevent the offended person from forgiving the offender. To whom did Jesus say, the kingdom of heaven was like? What is meant by the kingdom of heaven in this parable? A. It means the condition of men under the Gospel. What would the king do? How much did the first that was brought unto him, owe him? What could not the ser vant do? Then came Peter unto Christ, and said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times ?". Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven." Therefore is the kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But What then did his Lord command to be done? What did the servant dó? What do you mean by "worshipped?" A. Fell down on his knees before him to beg forgiveness. What did he say to his master? How was the master affected by this? What did he do? What was the conduct of that servant immediately afterwards? What kind of sum was an hundred pence? A. It was a very small sum compared with 10,000 talents. How much was its value according to our money? A. Three pounds, two shillings, and sixpence. What was the value of a talent? A. Rather less than two hundred pounds of our money? What did he say to his fellow-servant? What did his fellow-servant entreat him to do? Notwithstanding this entreaty, what would he not do? What did he do to him? Was he wrong in asking for his debt? forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant, therefore, fell down and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forhim the debt. gave But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him an hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying," Pay me that thou owest." And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. have forgiven his fellowservant, as his lord had forgiven him. What made his fault greater also? A. His fierce and violent manner. What were the feelings of his fellow-servants, when they saw what was done? To whom did they tell it? What did the lord do? What reason did he give for excusing him the debt? What did he therefore say that servant ought to have done? So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, "O thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; shouldst not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?" And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay What do you mean by all that was due unto him. So his lord being wroth? A. Being angry. To whom did he deliver likewise, shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his bro ther their trespasses. CHAPTER II. THE TALENTS.-Matt. xxv. 14. We must hereafter give an account to God of the means we have had of To whom does Christ say the kingdom of Heaven is like? What did he deliver to his servants? How did he distribute to them? What rule had he for the manner of his distribution? A. According to their ability; i. e. their natural capacities and opportunities of improving. What did he then proceed to do? What do you mean by straightway?" A. Immediately. What did he that had received five talents do? What did he do that had received two? What was his conduct that had received one? After a long time what did their lord come and do? How much more did he that had received five talents bring? What did he say to his lord? What was his lord's answer? What did he that had received two talents come and say? What did his lord say to him? Now what was the behaviour of him who had received one talent. learning his holy word, and doing good to others. 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 tą What do you mean by lents, came and said, "Lord, an hard man ?" A. A severe man. Why did he think him severe ? A. Only because he expected him to make the most of what had been given him. What do you remark in this language of the servant to his lord? A. That it was wrong in him to make use of it. Why so? A. Because he took upon himself to blame his lord, whereas he alone was in fault. 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 an hard man; reaping where thou hast not sown, and gather What did he say he had ing were thou hast not done with his talent? What did his lord call him for such conduct? Why did he call him "slothful?" A. Because he buried his talent instead of trading with it. With whom did his lord say he should have put his money? Who were the exchangers? A. Persons who traded in money, and made a profit thereby for themselves, and those who placed it in their hands. What do you mean here by" usury ?" A. Increase upon money for the use of it. What therefore did the strawed and I was afraid, and I 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 strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the B 5 |