Among the twelve Apostles, Andrew first found Jesus, and brought Peter, his brother, to Him; but Peter afterwards became far more noted than Andrew, especially on the Day of Pentecost, and in his Epistles; while Paul, the very last of all, the persecutor of Christians, became the first and greatest of the apostolic witnesses of Jesus. And Paul took no credit to himself for this. "Not I, but the grace of God which was with me," he delighted to say was the cause of all the good works done; and when he joyfully looked forward to the crown of righteousness laid up for him, he gladly adds, "and not for me only, but also for all them that love His appearing." This parable is quite different from the one in Matthew xxi., where faithful and unfaithful servants are contrasted. All the labourers in this vineyard worked. None are accused of laziness or unfaithfulness. None are blamed for the way in which their work was done. Those who laboured longest were still well paid, while the late comers were rewarded by sheer generosity. So, in the kingdom of God's grace, each favoured servant of the Lord "knows in all his heart and soul that not one thing has failed of all the good things the Lord his God promised him." He never gives less than He said He would. He often gives more than we either ask or think. Does the end of the day in this parable mean the evening of life, or the end of the world? And did Jesus represent the feelings of some of His people when dying, or at the last day? Oh, no! I do not for one moment think so. But you know we sometimes show a pouting, cross little child a picture of one like itself, to let it see how ugly it looks; and in the same way Jesus, by this parable, taught His disciples and us that when we are jealous and envious of others, we are finding fault with God's kindness and bounty. And let us remember that, whether we are rich or poor--whether our labours in Christ's cause seem very successful or not--yet, if we have been called to serve Him at all, the highest honour has been put upon us. Far better to be employed in His vineyard than to be loitering outside; infinitely preferable to be "a doorkeeper in His house, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." His "ways are ways of pleasantness," and "in keeping His commandments there is great reward." May we be His servants, loving and faithful, and receive at last that great reward which none but Jesus can deserve, "the free gift of God, eternal life," through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; and our song of humble gratitude will be, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name be glory, for Thy mercy and truth's sake. Amen." Our next subject will be, _Ananias and Sapphira_ (Acts v.). Your affectionate friend, H. S. L. PRIZE ESSAY. CONTRAST THE LESSON TAUGHT BY THE CONDUCT OF SOLOMON AND OF REHOBOAM, AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THEIR REIGN.