ast thought upon the
stewardship of the Christian home, (the practical view of which we shall
consider in the next chapter,) viz., that it involves the principle of
accountability. It implies a settlement, a time when the Master and his
steward shall meet together to close accounts. "Give an account of thy
stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward." That time will be when
"the dead, both small and great, shall stand before God." Then He will
examine into your stewardship. He will ask you how you employed your
talents, and to what purpose you appropriated those interests He committed
to your trust; and whether you were faithful to those souls which "hung
upon your hire;" whether you "nursed them for him," and whether you
provided them with "their meat in due season." And if you can answer, "Yea,
Lord, here are those talents which thou hast given me; behold I have gained
for thee five other talents. Here, Lord, are those children whom thou hast
given me; I have brought them up in thy nurture, and trained them in thy
ways." Your Lord will then answer, "Well done, thou good and faithful
servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things; behold I will make thee
ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!"

But if you have been unfaithful as stewards, and have made your household
unproductive for God, then you shall hear from his lips the dreadful
denunciation, "Thou wicked and slothful servant!" "Take the talent from
him, and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth; for unto every one that hath shall be
given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be
taken away even that which he hath!"

CHAPTER VII.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN HOME.

"What a holy charge
Is theirs!--with what a kingly power their love
Might rule the fountains of the new-born mind!
Warn them to wake at early dawn, and sow
Good seed before the world has sown its tares."

From the potent influence and moral stewardship of the Christian home, we
may infer its responsibility. The former is the argument for the latter.
The extent of the one is the measure of the other. "To whom much is given,
of them much will be required." Our responsibilities are thus commensurate
with our abilities. If the latter are properly devoted, we have our reward;
if not, our curse. God will hold us accountable for the achievements we
make by the