505.
Parable 2.
The Five and Ten Talents. Matt. xxv.
1
If on one talent there await,
Unnumber'd obligations great,
On those, what solemn duties press,
Who talents, five, or ten, possess!
2
Since time his busy course began,
What impulse guides and governs man?
Where does earth's master-spring reside?
In talent, well, or ill, applied!
3
Oh, stewards! to whom such wealth pertains,
How are you bound by Satan's chains,
If you, who should instruct and guide,
Your many talents, waste, or hide!
4
With hour retributive so near,
How can you check the rising fear;
Nor think, 'mid barrenness and blast,
Upon your dark account at last!
5
No sight demands so deep a sigh,
As splendid gifts that buried lie,
Save that, which shows an equal mind
To Satan, and to sin, consign'd!
6
Think, wanderers in forbidden ways!
How fast you spend life's precious days!
Hours squander'd, which no care or pain,
Compunctious, can again regain!
7
Your profitless pursuits review!
Behold the world you hasten to!
Think how that influence you destroy,
Which wisdom might for good employ!
8
But, haply, you the future dare,
And sit upon the scorner's chair!
More sad, and piteous, is your state!
Soon to be roused, but roused too late!
9
Can you each stern foreboding brave?
Still, undismay'd, survey the grave?
Renounce your birth-right, and your crown,
And, with your brute compeers, lie down?
10
But if, dread thought! if, what you fear,
A world, hereafter, should appear!
If God, o'er rebels, should prevail!
And your last trust and refuge fail!
11
Where will you flee! what other friend
Heaven's falling judgments can suspend?
The Saviour, who could aid bestow,
You, by revolt, have made your foe!
12
How strange, how direful, is the state!
When men, the life immortal, hate!
And, from the hope, consolement draw,
That death, no genial sun will thaw!
13
Talent, and power, we wield, and view,
In all we say! in all we do!
In health, and wealth, we talents trace!
In time, and in the means of grace!
14
And, seeing life is but a span,
And flowers, and frailty, emblem man!
Since, ere we pass one fleeting day,
Our talents may be swept away;
15
Almighty Father! good as great!
To thee we look! on thee we wait!
Our talents, one, or ten, may we
Henceforward, consecrate to thee!
