with the honour of responsibility; and because He trusts, His claims are high and His demands exacting. His love gives responsibility; His justice demands efficiency of service. We dishonour God if we think of His love as a mere tolerant good nature; God would dishonour us if He accepted indifferent and casual service. The central figure in the parable is the timorous and diffident servant. Our Lord often surprises us by selecting for special warning those whom the world would be ready to excuse