f of the ruler
brought belief to his whole house. The salvation of Zacchaeus brought
salvation to his whole house also. Righteousness may bring a blessing
to your children, and children's children, for many generations.

LIX.

_THE PREACHER AND HIS HEARERS._

22nd Sunday after Trinity.

S. Matthew xviii. 23.

"The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take
account of his servants."

INTRODUCTION.--I have been a good deal abroad, over the Continent of
Europe, and whenever I am in a little country inn, I make a point of
going into the room where the men are smoking and drinking wine or
beer, and hearing their opinions on the politics of the day, and of
their country. Now, my experience tells me that in country taverns in
France, and Germany, and Belgium, and Switzerland, and Austria, the
main topic of discussion is--the Parsons. I have not been much about
in this way in England, but I have an idea that it is pretty nearly the
same here. What I have heard often said is this, "Nothing easier than
to preach!" "Ah! they are always preaching at us, it is a pity that
they do not preach to themselves." "Ah! if they would only practice
what they preach, we would listen more readily."

SUBJECT.--To-day I am going to preach to the preacher, to myself, at
least in the first part of my sermon, and you may sit and listen.
After that, I will have a word with you. In to-day's Gospel we hear
that the king will take account of his servants, that is, God will take
account of all those who are His servants, first with those who are His
special Ministers, the Clergy, and preachers of His Word, and secondly,
of those who are the hearers.

I. Now, let me see what God expects of a preacher, and what I ought to
be and to do. S. Paul says: "We preach Christ crucified." That is the
first thing I am bound to do. I must remember to do that. Then, S.
Luke says that Jesus was "mighty in word and deed," and as Christ has
sent us even as He was sent by the Father, so must we preachers be
mighty, as far as we can, both in word and deed, we must speak boldly
and vigorously, and we must act in the same way, we must practice what
we preach. That is a great deal expected of us. If we were only to
preach up to the level of our own lives, it would be easier. But the
preaching goes first; we must preach the highest virtue, and then try
to live up to that. S. John the Baptist was set before us as an
ex