In this parable Jesus impressed upon his disciples the truth that, although great trials might come upon them, and their lives be in peril, yet they were not to lose faith in God, or be disappointed because their prayers were not answered at once. They were to keep on praying; asking God for such things as were right, and trusting that He would preserve them amidst all their enemies; and in His own way make them to triumph over their foes. Whatever is best for His people, God will give them. He cares for the sparrows, and, even more, for those who love Him. [Illustration: THE UNJUST JUDGE.] THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX-GATHERER. The tax-gatherers in those days were called Publicans. They were reputed to be very unjust, exacting from people more than the law required them to pay, and other wickedness was charged against them. Of course, there were good men among them; St. Matthew was a tax-gatherer before Jesus called him to follow Him. The Pharisees studied the Scriptures and explained them to the people, but they did not follow the teachings of Scripture. They were proud, and pretended they were more religious than other men, but it was _only_ pretense. Jesus compared them to whited sepulchres, and said they were hypocrites, who led the people astray. A Pharisee and a Publican went up into the Temple to pray. The Pharisee stood in a part of the Temple where all could see him, and prayed thus: "O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, who are unjust, and who take more than belongs to them. I thank Thee that I am not like this Publican. I fast twice a week; I give to the priests and Levites a tenth part of all I possess." But the Publican, who knew that he was wicked, and felt sorry for it, stood afar off in a quiet part of the Temple where none would see him. He bowed his head and beat upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said that this Publican went to his home more forgiven than the Pharisee, for every one that is proud and thinks much of himself shall be put down, and he that humbleth himself and is sorry for his sins, shall be exalted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," says Jesus. [Illustration: THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX-GATHERER.] THE LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD. "Go, work within my vineyard's bound, At eve your 'penny'[1] shall be found:" So spake the vineyard's lord, and they Began to toil at break of day. For hours the sun had shown his face, When idlers in the market-place Once and again were sent within The vineyard's wall their wage to win. Nay, when but one short hour remains Before the sun its goal attains, More loiterers hear the Lord's command And set to work with willing hand. The steward came at close of day Their wage to reckon and to pay; And they whose toil could scarcely tire, Received a penny for their hire.