indeed have toiled, and we are entered into their labors. We do well to recall the times of ploughing the ground for this seed; the sowing in tears of those gloomy periods, the solicitudes, the sacrifices and efforts of those who have gone before us. The Saviour presents to us indeed in the parable only the progress and ultimate prevalence of his Church; but he first watered the soil with his own blood. Prophets too, apostles, and martyrs, faithful men and women, from age to age, have contributed the blood that hath enriched this soil. We must not then shrink if the dispensation of sacrifice and suffering should not yet be past. Prayer, sacrifice and labor are ever the conditions of success. And we must remember with sympathy the laborers that are still called to suffer.

But the parable and the history which thus far illustrate its meaning and confirm its prophecy, also call us to exercise great confidence as to the ultimate success of our cause, even under the most discouraging circumstances. Always remember that the little grain has within it an indestructible life. Our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." It is only sense and a blinded understanding that behold weakness in this cause. It has the strength of an indestructible life; the power of perfect adaptedness to its end; the pledge of him who cannot deceive nor err, that it shall yet subdue the world to him. Its history confirms this prophecy. All the enemies now in the field have been conquered once and again. Every old nation, to-day Christian, was once pagan or papal. Ask the history of the change. You will find a vast variety in the details. But they generally agree in this: some feeble laborer or laborers

came, in the midst of great opposition and embarrassments, and sowed a precious seed, pungent enough to awaken resistance in the soil that should receive it, yet despicably small in the eye of wits and sages, and worldly-wise people. While some despised, some tried to crush it or cast it out. But it has grown to its present flourishing state and gigantic stature, despite of all their enmity. So shall be its future growth until its spreading branches fill the earth. You know the law of vegetation to which our Saviour once made reference; its powers of indefinite increase, infinite multiplication. Sow one little grain this year, it shall return you thirty or a hundred. Sow them next year, and you have nine hundred or ten thousand; the next year, eight hundred and ten thousand, or a hundred million. In a few years your grain field shall whiten the surface of this entire planet. Sow this seed, servants of God, in every heart, in every house, in every land, and wait with joyful expectation the result.

PART IV.

PERSONAL AND ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES OF ACCEPTING OR

REJECTING THE OFFERS OF THE GOSPEL.

§ 1. RETRIBUTION.

Lect. XXV. The rich man and the beggar-Death terminates probation.

§ 2. JUDGMENT, OR FINAL DISCRIMINATION.

Lect. XXVI. The Drag-net-The final discrimination.

§ 3. REWARDS PROPORTIONED TO MERIT.

Lect. XXVII. The absence of the King-Rewards equitably dis

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tributed.

XXVIII. The Rich Fool-Grave miscalculations.

XXIX. The buried Talent-Neglect of Duty, and its con

sequences.

XXX. The Prince's Wedding-A soul unfit for heaven.

XXXI. The barren Fig-tree-A useless life ending in ruin.

66 XXXII. The Ten Virgins-Unprepared for death.