504.
Parable 1.
The One Talent. Mat. xxv. 15.
1
Some boasting more, none having less,
One Talent, we at least possess;
What numbers, when their race is run,
Would fain exchange their ten for one!
2
Whereever one poor talent lies,
T'improve it well, is to be wise!
Hereafter he will be most bless'd
Who spends his ten, or one, the best!
3
If God one talent gives alone,
Let us be thankful for that one!
And, so the end of all things view!
As, by its use, to make it two!
4
Small gifts may good for ill repay!
One talent is enough to pray!
To love our neighbour, and fulfil,
In thousand ways, our Maker's will!
5
One talent can, with kindly voice,
Bid suffering faith in God rejoice;
A sigh can give, a mite bestow,
In sympathy for human woe!
6
A race, not easy, lies before,
For wise, and simple, rich, and poor!
If well we run, though men despise,
One talent will secure the prize!
7
One talent may our thoughts employ
On sacred themes, and heavenly joy,
Although ten talents cannot tell
What 'tis with Christ, and saints, to dwell!
8
One well-spent talent will supply
A crown of glory when we die,
And give us, through redeeming grace,
At God's right hand, a name, and place!
9
Let those who but one talent own,
Preserve the humbler mien and tone,
And not, by vain aspirings, strive
To equal him, possessing five.
10
One talent none must dare to hide,
And sleep, through sloth, or yield, through pride,
And think, that, with a gift so small,
He need not aim to run at all!
11
One talent, wisely spent, at last,
O'er brightest parts, may shadow cast!
And he the best maintains his post,
Who loves and serves his Saviour most!
12
Soon the great question here will rest,
Whose talents were employ'd the best?
When from this earthly state removed,
Not, who had ten, but one, improved?
