to make one observation on the way in which it is connected with the parable. The instance to which it immediately applies, is one of positive dishonesty. The unjust steward is a thoroughly worthless and unprincipled man: but it is to his worldliness that our Lord's remark applies, rather than to his dishonesty. It was the ingenuity and prudence of his conduct which our Lord had in view, rather than its moral quality. We are fully justified in taking the words in their widest meaning. I shall consider "the children of this world" as forming one great class, agreeing in several great leading points, though differing among themselves in various particulars, more or less important, especially as to the article of conscientiousness. And in the remarks I am about to make, I shall omit all the circumstances of discrimination, and regard them as distinguished by that one point in which they all agree -their worldliness.

Our Lord, then, asserts that "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light;" and as

to the fact of their superior wisdom, evidently proposes their conduct as an example for our imitation. The fact cannot be doubted; it has only to be examined to appear indisputable.

The wisdom of the children of this world, as it was exhibited in the conduct of the unjust steward, is particularly apparent in their foresight. The worldly man whom our Lord exhibited in the parable, was no sooner in danger of losing his situation, then he set himself to look out for the means of living without it. He saw that he was about to be turned out upon the world without employment. He saw great difficulties before him.

But

he does not fold his arms, and allow events to take their course. He is not content to be the sport of fortune, and take up with what may come in his way at the moment. He makes it his business to have a plan. And thus it is with worldly men. They look forward, and gaze as deep as they can into the future. There

are

persons who live entirely to the present, who live without foresight, who

leave themselves to circumstances; and allow themselves to be tossed about without doing any thing to direct their own course. But these are lazy men, or insipid and weak men. The world will not own them. They are the tools of worldly men, or the materials with which they raise their fortunes. Worldly men are never without foresight. They may be mistaken —their plans may be thwarted, just as the unjust steward's was; but they are never deficient in foresight. All they do is calculated with a view to something which is in the distance. They are busily employed in seeking for their future good. They are saving or spending, or slaving or idling, to effect some ulterior purpose. The men who live for the present moment, your spendthrifts and profligates-are the very scorn of the worldly man. His notion of happiness is very different from theirs; and he labours to realise it in a very different way. He makes no sacrifices to present indulgence, but forms his plan, and shapes his conduct, in the way he deems best calculated to accomplish it.

In this the conduct of the children of this world is evidently an example to the children of light. The Christian is called to live to the future. He is to keep in view the account he has to render at the Divine judgment-seat, and remember the reward that is laid up in heaven for those who die in the Lord. What he does now ought to be directed to his future condition. He must not waste a moment: if he would honour God, and secure the great object of life, he must husband every moment, and employ all his powers in one constant effort to attain the glorious reversion which is to be enjoyed in heaven. But in this point, namely, foresight, "the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." We see in those who profess to be under the influence of Christian principles, little of that steadfast devotion to one object, which is remarkable in men of the world. They are not cautious of contracting bad habits; they are not careful to secure every favourable opportunity; they do not direct all they do to one point, as the

children of this world do, when they wish to effect a favourite scheme. Their future condition often seems to be out of their thoughts altogether. They allow other objects to distract their attention and usurp their affections. They often seem to live, as if they were going to live on earth for ever. And instead of preparing systematically for the future, they appear too often to have forgotten their vocation. The world may teach them a valuable lesson-they will not see a similar weakness there. For the god of this world is served by more provident servants, than those who profess to be in the service of Jehovah.

Again, the wisdom of the children of this world is evinced in their prudence. The contrivance by which the unjust steward sought to provide himself a refuge in his misfortunes, was ingenious and politic. It was well adapted to attain the end it had in view it was deficient in noWhen men have once been fascinated by worldly objects, and have fairly yielded to the desire of what the world has to bestow, they rarely fail in

thing but honesty.