the world, and become slothful and careless in the service of God. " The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.'1 (Prov. xix. 24.) Such, however, are called fools by the Divine Spirit: " The fool foldeth his hands together, saying, Better is a handful with rest than both hands full with labor." (Eccles. iv. 5.) Examine your conduct oh this subject.
II. Consider the excuse of the slothful servant: " Lord, I know that thou art a hard man, — and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the earth; behold, here thou hast that which is thine." (Matt. xxv. 24.) He tells a falsehood, in order to excuse himself; for our Lord is not hard but a mild and merciful master. It is the custom of all slothful Christians, " to make excuses in sins." (Ps. cxl. 4.) They fancy to themselves that hardships and dangers exist, where there are none. " There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads." (Prov. xxvi. 13.) Such tepid souls often say, " I cannot," when nothing but the will is wanting. Beware of tepidity and sloth as your greatest enemies.
III. Consider the sentence pronounced against this idle servant: " Take ye away, therefore, the talent from him, and the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." " He is not condemned," observes St. Augustine, "because he lost his talent, but because he kept it without making any profit of it." Use every exertion therefore to employ those talents well, which God has intrusted to you. You cannot want employment for them, whatever be your state or calling in life. Your own spiritual good, the glory of God, and the advantage of your neighbor ought to be always before your eyes.
