thorns of disease and weariness, and the thistles of disappointed hopes." Our call from nothingness into being was a call to labor, and after life, time comes when no man worketh — the night of death — the Sabbath of eternity. Work we must, but ah, for whom, for whom? What species of labor shall our life's work be? For a life-day well spent, what shall be the eventide reward? What is our standing among the laborers here? What shall be our place among the elect hereafter? Brethren, these are the questions answered in the parable of to-day — the call of the laborers — their work in the vineyard and the paying of the laborers their wages.
Brethren, Christ's object in this parable was to teach the special blessedness of one that from the world is called to labor in God's service, and that too at the eleventh hour or under the Christian dispensation. A rich young man had come and cast himself before the Saviour and begged to know what he must do to gain eternal life. " Give up all," the Saviour said: "and come and follow Me." Then seeing the young man sadly turn away, He added: " How hard is entrance into heaven for the rich!" Closely watching every move was Peter and the other Apostles. Then Peter spoke: " Master, we have left all to follow Thee; what shall be our reward? " And Christ made answer: " Amen, I say to you, in the last great judgment day you shall sit in judgment on the twelve tribes of Israel. And not you alone, but every one who abandons all for love of Me, shall be recompensed an hundred-fold in life everlasting, and
