The man that wrapped up his talent in the napkin and said, "Lo, there them hast that is thine," was too sanguine. There was never an unused talent rolled up in a handkerchief yet, but when it was taken out and put into the scales, it was lighter than when it was committed to the keeping of the earth.
"Take therefore the talent from him." It is being taken away rapidly, and the shreds of it will very soon be all that is left. Your religious nature will finally become a virtually exterminated organ. The purpose you have at some future time to use your talent avails nothing. It is going from you, and, before you know it, will be utterly, irrevocably gone. My friends, there is not an hour to lose. Only with the greatest difficulty will you be able, now, to gather up yourself and open your closing gates to the entrance of God and His salvation.
TEMPERANCE.
Temperance is reason's girdle and passion's bridle, the strength of the soul, and the foundation of virtue.
The whole duty of man is embraced in the two principles of abstinence and patience: temperance in prosperity, and courage in adversity.
Drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in debt, nor his wife a widow.
TEMPTATION.
God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.
