Ananiases and Saphiras there are among us, who pretend to bring their all and lay it at the feet of Christ, and stealthily keep a portion back! How many fain would grasp the prize, and shirk the toil whereby alone it can be won! How many in a kind of grim despair turn from God's vineyard, give up the race for heaven, and consecrate themselves and all their being to the service of the world! And yet they work and run as hard and even harder, but not with God nor for Him; not in His vineyard or according to the rules of His race-course. Of them He says: " I sent them not and yet they ran," and at the judgment when they seek reward, He will answer them: "Amen, I know you not." Love's labor lost! for that they loved was false — corruptible. For years they braved the wear and tear, the din and tumult of the world's market-place, and like brokers in stocks that change, find in the end no gain, or only gain that counts for loss, as leading more from God. The devil used the things of earth to catch them, as the fishermen use bait, luring them on with hollow imitations of real happiness, robbing them of their spoil by death as soon as caught, and making the self-same riches and honors and pleasure serve for ages as means to win innumerable souls. From such vain toil God calls mankind to labor in His vineyard. " Come," He says, " all ye that labor and are burdened with the world's heavy yoke, and I will refresh you. Take upon you My yoke, which is sweet, and My burden, which is light, and learn of Me to be meek and humble of heart and you shall obtain here earth's choicest
