of Olives, our Lord seems to have had in view two principal points. It was his object to keep the minds of his disciples from excessive agitation on occasions, and yet to keep them in a state of habitual expectancy. He would not, that their hopes should be raised and their souls lose their balance, at every new outbreak in the world-as though this were the signal for their Master's reappearing. And on the other hand, he was not willing that they should know how far off, the day of his second coming really was. He wished their minds to be constantly on the watch; their loins girded; their lamps trimmed; as men who knew not how soon their master might return.

With view to the former of these objects, Christ named various occurrences which must transpire before the end came. With view to the latter the keeping his people expectant, he not only declared that the end of all things would come, like the deluge, on a sudden; but -it is the matter we have now to considercompared his hearers to a man whose house was to be attacked, to persons in the capacity of

head servants, to virgins who went forth to meet a bridegroom.

The Saviour compared his disciples to A MAN

WHOSE HOUSE WAS TO BE ATTACKED.

It sometimes happens a person receives intelligence that robbers intend violence to his home. The danger is but little if the intelligence is exact-if it names the particular time of night when the attack is meditated. Then the householder will be at that time on his guardawake, down stairs, provided with arms.

But what if the intelligence is vague—if it is clear only as to the night—not as to the time of night? Do you say In that case there is greater reason for caution; the man then ought to sit up from evening till morning. You say unquestionable truth; but the man himself will perhaps be unlikely to think so. Did he know the exact hour, he would make it a point to be up at that hour. But, not having precise intelligence, he will watch too probably only for a part of the night. By and bye-fatigue overcoming him-sleep stealing on his senses-he

will be apt to think he has been unnecessarily alarmed-no robber is coming-at least it is not likely, attack will be made very soon-he will risk it, and take, for an hour at least, the repose he so greatly needs. Alas! what folly! That very hour, the robber comes; breaks open the house; makes way with the treasure.

There was danger that the disciples of Christ would fall into the error of this householder. Had they known at what exact period their Master would return to sit in judgment, they had been sure enough to make that period a time of watching. Not knowing this, and finding year after year that the second coming was delayed, they (too possibly) might be unprepared. Whence, the Saviour spake "Know this: If the good man of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his

house to be broken up. Be ye ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."

Let us, brethren of these later years, take to heart the admonition. Now, the night is far

spent: the day is at hand: the dawning of the sun of righteousness must be much nearer than it was at the time this prophecy was spoken. Who knows how soon the Heavens may rend and our Master descend? Who shall say the ineffable event may not occur within our lifetime-within this year? Let us not make the uncertainty a reason for postponement of preparation. That were the folly our Saviour has expressly cautioned us against. Because of this very fact that we are uncertain-that in such an hour as we think not, the Son of man cometh-let us be always, from day to day, from minute to minute, making ready.

The Divine Prophet compared his disciples to

PERSONS IN THE CAPACITY OF HEAD SERVANTS.

The number of disciples our Lord made during his personal residence on earth, amounted to at least five hundred. Some of these he constituted superiors to the rest. On a certain occasion, he chose twelve whom he called Apostles-who, after his ascension into Heaven, were to represent himself, and act as

All of them

governors over the remainder.

were servants: These, he placed in the condition of head-servants.

Now suppose a merely human being, is the proprietor of a large estate-has numerous slaves: that, being about to go to a foreign land, he sets one of the slaves over the rest—to allot their tasks-to dispense to them their food. What will be the conduct of such a man, on his return, it is not difficult to imagine. Has the servant made superior to the rest, been faithful?husbanded his master's property-cared for the welfare of his fellow servants? He obtains commendation; nay, reward. His master promotes him; makes him his steward-agent in charge of all he has. Has the favored slave been, on the contrary, unfaithful to his trust? Has he been cruel; causelessly and wantonly inflicting the lash? or wasteful; living on his master's substance; luxuriously inviting revellers to his master's mansion? Bitter to him is the day of his master's return! Surprised in his faithless courses, caught in his villany, he is sentenced to the scourge-his skin is cut asunder with lashes: