CHAPTER VI.

II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.

We should give God the highest place in our hearts, and "fear, love and trust in. Him above all things." [Matt. 4:10+]

1. WE SHOULD FEAR GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS. We should be more afraid of His anger than of anything else in the whole world. [Gen. 39:9+, Ps. 33:8, 9.] Rather than disobey Him, we should be willing to suffer ridicule, persecution, loss of money, property, position, or friends, and even death itself. [Matt. 10:28+, Acts 5:29]

Why. We should fear God above all things, 1. Because He is omniscient, and we cannot hide anything from Him, not even our thoughts. [Ps. 139:1, 2+] 2. Because He is holy, and hates everything that is evil. [Lev. 19:2] 3. Because He is just, and will punish every sin. [Ps. 5:4]

How. As Christians, our fear of God should be a child-like and not a slavish fear. Child-like fear is fear mingled with love. We should refrain from evil not simply from fear of punishment, but from fear of offending the God whom we love. [Rom. 8:15+] "Slavish fear Is afraid God will come; child-like fear is afraid He will go away."

2. WE SHOULD LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS, "with all our heart, and with all our mind and with all our soul." [Matt. 22:37] Our first aim and our highest delight should always be to do God's will. [I John 5:3+] We should be far more anxious to please Him than to please ourselves or any of our fellow-men. We should love Him far more than we love any one else [Matt. 10:37+] (parents, brothers, sisters, friends, etc.), or any earthly objects [I John 2:15+] (money, pleasure, business and the like).

Why. We should love God above all things 1. Because He is most worthy of our love. [Ps. 73:25, 26+] 2. Because He first loved us, [I John 4:19+, I John 4:9+] and gave His Son to die for us. 3. Because our highest happiness is found in loving Him.

How we should show our Love. We should show that we love God above all things 1. By leading a godly life. [II John 6] 2. By loving the things of God, especially the Church and the Gospel. [John 8:47] 3. By loving our fellow-men for His sake. [I John 4:20+]

3. WE SHOULD TRUST IN GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS. We should rely with all our heart upon His love and care, [Prov. 3:5+] placing our chief dependence on Him, and not on our own wisdom, skill, or strength, or upon men, money etc.

Why. We should trust in God with all our heart because 1. He loves us. [Rom. 8:32] 2. He knows all our wants. [Matt. 6:32] 3. He knows what is best for us. 4. He is able to do all things. 5. He has promised to care for us. [Heb. 13:5, Isa. 54:10, Isa. 41:10]

How we should show our Trust. If we trust in God above all things we will show that trust, 1. By freedom from unbelieving care and worry. [Matt. 6:25, I Pet. 5:7+] 2. By reliance upon God's help and protection at all times. [Ps. 33:18, 19] 3. By committing the entire ordering of our lives to Him. [Ps. 37:5+]

We have all broken this first commandment; for we have not always and everywhere feared, loved and trusted in God above all things.

QUESTIONS—1. Why is this the Great Commandment? 2. Why does the explanation of all the other commandments begin with the words, "We should so fear and love God"? 3. What does this first commandment forbid? 4. What does it command? 5. What two kinds of Idolatry are there? 6. Mention some forms of open idolatry. 7. Mention some forms of secret idolatry. 8. What does it mean to fear God above all things? 9. Why should we fear him? 10. How should we fear Him? l1. What does it mean to love God above all things? 12. Why should we love God above all things? 13. How should we show our love to God? 14. What does it mean to trust in God above all things? 15. Why should we trust in God above all things? 16. How should we show our trust in God? 17. Have we kept this commandment?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Prov. 3:5, 6. Trust In the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Acts 5:29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Matt. 10:28, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt. 10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

1 John 2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Matt. 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matt. 4:10. Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Gen. 38:9. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Ps. 139:1, 2. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off.

Rom. 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

I John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Ps. 73:25, 28. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I John 4:19. We love him, because he first loved us.

I John 4:9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

I John 4:20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I Pet. 5:7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Ps. 37:5. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

READING.—The Golden Calf, Exod. 32; or, The Golden Image, Dan. 3.

ILLUSTRATIONS.—SecretIdolatry: Goliath, I Sam. 17:41seq; Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4:25seq.; Herod, Acts 12:21-23; The Rich Young Ruler, Matt. 19:16-22; The Rich Fool, Luke 12:15-21.Slavish Fear: Adam, Gen. 3:10-11.Child-like Fear: Joseph, Gen. 39:9.Love to God: Abraham, Gen. 22:1-14; Peter and John, Acts 4:19, 20; Jesus, John 4:34.Trust in God: David Fighting Goliath, I Sam. 17. Daniel in the Lion's Den, Dan. 6.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

GOD'S NAME.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

What is meant by this Commandment?

We should so fear and love God as not to curse, swear, conjure, lie or deceive by His name, but call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

THE NAME OF GOD. [Ps. 111:9, Mal. 2:2, Rev. 15:4] A name is that by which we know a person. God's name means all by which He is known to us; hence not only the words God, Lord, Jehovah, Jesus Christ, the Almighty, the Eternal, the Omniscient One, etc., but the Word of God and the Sacraments, and all holy things.

This Commandmentforbidsthe wrong use, andcommandsthe right use of God's holy name.

I. WHAT IS FORBIDDEN.

TAKING GOD'S NAME IN VAIN:

1.Thoughtlessly. God's name is taken in vain thoughtlessly by using it as an exclamation in our conversation, by reading or hearing God's Word without devotion, jesting about sacred things, quoting Scripture in fun, and the like. Thoughtlessness is no excuse. We must give an account to God for every idle word; [Matt. 12:36+] how much more for every vain use of His name.

2.Intentionally.This is done by those who

CURSE; [Jas. 3:9, 10, Matt. 5:44, Rom. 12:14+] that is, by those who call on God to do evil to themselves or to others. Disguised forms of cursing are sinful also.

SWEAR. We are forbidden to confirm what we say by the use of God's name, either

Needlessly[Matt. 5:34-37+] in our ordinary conversation, or

Falsely[Lev. 19:12+] before a magistrate.

There is a Legal Oath: [Deut. 6:13, Heb. 5:16] 1. Of Witness. 2. Of Innocence. 3. Of Allegiance, 4. Of Office. The oath taken by our Lord before the high-priest shows that the oath before a magistrate is not forbidden. [Matt. 26:63, 64] When taking a legal oath, we must be careful to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. False swearing or perjury is a great sin. It is punished by the State, and will be punished by God. [Ezek. 17:19]

Swearing by anything besides God's name is forbidden also. [Matt. 5:34-37+]

CONJURE. [Deut. 18:10-12+] This commandment forbids all magic arts, witchcraft, sorcery, pow-wowing, fortune-telling, and all attempts by signs or formulas to discover what God has kept hidden or to attain what He has withheld. If results are obtained by such means,e.g., by pow-wowing, that is no justification for their use. [Matt. 16:26] If we desire to obtain help through the use of God's name, we must pray and not conjure.

LIE. The eighth commandment forbids lying in general; this commandment forbids lying by God's name. It is broken by those who teach falsehood and error and yet declare that they are teaching God's Word. [Gal. 1:8]

DECEIVE BY HIS NAME. This is done by those who assume Christ's name by calling themselves Christians, and yet are hypocrites, and use religion as a cloak. [II Tim. 3:5+, Matt. 15:8]

Sins against this Second Commandment are common, but not small sins. God will not hold him guiltless who commits them.

II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.

We should

CALL UPON HIM. God has given us His name so that we might call upon Him for His help and grace. [Ps. 145:18+]

IN EVERY TIME OF NEED. We should call upon God in every time of trouble, danger or distress. [Ps. 50:15+] But if we call upon God only in times of special need, and do not call upon His name at other times also, we are not keeping this commandment.

AND WORSHIP HIM [Col. 3:16] in our hearts, in our homes and in church,

WITH PRAYER [Matt. 7:7+] for ourselves and for others, [I Tim. 2:1, 2]

PRAISE [Ps. 145:1] for His majesty and glory and wonderful works,

AND THANKSGIVING for temporal and spiritual blessings. [Ps. 106:1+]

QUESTIONS.—1. What is meant by God's name? 2. What does this second commandment forbid and command? 3. How is God's name taken in vain thoughtlessly? 4. How is God's name taken in vain intentionally? 5. Define cursing? 6. Define swearing? 7. What kind of swearing is forbidden? 8. What kind of swearing is permitted? 9. When taking a legal oath, what must we be careful to do? 10. Define conjuring, lying, and deceiving by God's name? 11. What is the right use of God's name? 12. Why should we call upon God? 13. When should we call upon Him? 14. Where shall we worship Him? 15. How shall we worship Him?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Matt. 12:36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Rom. 12:14. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Matt. 5:34-37. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Lev. 19:12. Ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Deut. 18:10-12. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

II Tim. 3:5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Matt. 15:8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me.

Ps. 143:18. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Ps. 50:15. Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and then shalt glorify me.

Matt. 7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Ps. 106:1. Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

READING.—Balaam, Numb. 22; Herod's Oath, Matt. 14:1-12; Saul and the Witch at Endor, I Sam. 28.

ILLUSTRATIONS.—Cursing: Job 3:1-7. Shimei, II Sam. 16:5-14.Swearing: Herod; Peter, Matt. 26:89-75.Conjuring: Saul at Endor; Bar-jesus, Acts 13:1-12.Lying and Deceiving: The Pharisees, Matt. 23:13-38.Calling on God's Name: Jesus, Matt. 26:39-44; John 17: Jacob, Gen. 32:9-12; The First Christians, Acts 2:42.

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

GOD'S DAY.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

What is meant by this Commandment?

We should so fear and love God as not to despise His Word and the preaching of the Gospel, but deem it holy and willingly hear and learn it.

THE LORD'S DAY. Under the Old Testament the Israelites, by God's command, observed the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as the Sabbath or day of rest, because God rested from the work of Creation on the seventh day. [Gen. 2:2-3] For the Christians all days are holy. [Rom. 14:5, 6, Col. 2:16, Acts 2:46] But from the earliest times the Christian Church set apart Sunday as a special day of worship, [Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2] because it is the day on which Christ rose from the dead. The Sabbath of the Old Testament commemorated the completion ofCreation; the Lord's Day of the New Testament commemorates the completion ofRedemption.

A HOLY DAY. The Lord's Day is to be keptholyby devoting it to holy things. It is to be a day of rest in order that it may be a day of worship. Any unnecessary work or any recreation which hinders us from hearing and profiting by God's Word is sinful.

I. WHAT IS FORBIDDEN.

We are not

TO DESPISE GOD'S WORD AND THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL, [Luke 10:16+] by

1. Making light of God's Word, or regarding and treating it as the word of man.

2. Neglecting to go to church, and pleading poor excuses for absence. [Heb. 10:25+]

3. Inattention and lack of devotion in church. [Eccl. 5:1+]

4. Filling the mind with worldly things on Sunday (business, pleasure, Sunday-newspapers, etc.), so that God's Word cannot be rightly received into the heart. [Luke 8:5,12]

5. Making Sunday a holiday, lounging-day, or pleasure-day.

6. Making it a working-day, and thus preventing attendance at church.

II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.

We are

TO DEEM GOD'S WORD HOLY, AND WILLINGLY HEAR AND LEARN IT, by

1. Regarding it as God's voice speaking to us. [I Thess. 2:13+]

2. Going to church gladly and regularly. [Ps. 122:1, 2+]

3. Listening attentively and devoutly to God's Word, and joining heartily in the service. [Luke 11:28+, Col. 3:16, Jas. 1:21,22+, Rom. 10:17]

4. Attending Sunday-school and learning our lessons.

5. Teaching in Sunday-school when we have become old enough and our services are needed.

6. Reading the Bible and good books.

7. Doing whatever promotes the worship and honoring of God by ourselves or by others. [Jas. 1:27+]

A DAY OF REST. Sunday is meant for the good of the soul. But a rest on one day out of seven is necessary also for the welfare of the body. Sunday is a blessed privilege for body, mind, and soul. Sometimes, however, both the rest for body and mind and the attendance at church must be sacrificed in order to perform works of mercy as a duty to our fellow-men.

THE CHURCH-YEAR. The Church has also arranged a Church-year for the commemoration of the principal events in the Savior's life. The order of the Church-year is as follows: Four Sundays in Advent, Christmas, New Year, Epiphany (January 6), from two to six Sundays after Epiphany (according as Easter comes early or late); three Sundays called Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima; Ash Wednesday (the first day in Lent), six Sundays in Lent (the sixth being Palm Sunday), Holy Week (including Good Friday), Easter, five Sundays after Easter, Ascension Day, Sunday after Ascension, Pentecost or Whitsunday, Trinity Sunday; and from twenty-three to twenty-seven Sundays after Trinity. The Lutheran Church observes also the festival of the Reformation on the 31st day of October. Each Sunday and Festival Day has its own Gospel and Epistle lesson, as well as its own Introit and Collect.

QUESTIONS.—1. What is the difference between Sabbath and Sunday? 2. Why is Sunday to be a day of rest? 3. What does this commandment forbid? 4. In what way is this commandment broken? 5, What does this commandment command? 6. How is this commandment to be kept? 7. Why is Sunday a blessed privilege? 8. When must our Sunday's rest and our attendance at church be sacrificed? 9. What is the object of the Church-year? 10. Give the order of the Church-year.

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Luke 10:16. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Heb. 10:25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Eccl. 5:1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

I Thess. 2:13. When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Ps. 122:1, 2. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Luke 11:28. But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Jas. 1:21, 22. Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jas. 1:27. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

READING.—Jesus in Nazareth on the Sabbath, Luke 4:16-30.

ILLUSTRATIONS.—The Child Jesus in the Temple, Luke 2:42-52. Simeon and Anna, Luke 2:27seq. Mary, Luke 10:39. The Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:27seq. Lydia, Acts 16:14.

OUR DUTY TO OUR FELLOW-MEN.

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." [Matt. 22:39]

OUR NEIGHBOR means every one. We are to love all men as we love ourselves; [Matt. 7:12] not only our relatives, friends, and acquaintances, but strangers, enemies, and people of all nations and climes. We must be ready to do good to all who are in need of our help and kindness. Compare the Parable of the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:30-37]

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

OUR PARENTS AND SUPERIORS.

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

EXPLANATION.

What is meant by this Commandment?

We should so fear and love God as not to despise nor displease our parents and superiors, but honor, serve, obey, love and esteem them.

PARENTS are God's representatives in the family for the maintenance of law and order in it. They are charged by God with the care and training of their children, and are clothed by Him with authority over them. Their will is law for their children, so long as it does not conflict with the law of God.

SUPERIORS are those who are placed over us in a position of authority in the Family, Church, School, or State; e. g., guardians, step-parents, grand-parents, pastors, teachers, rulers, etc. They also are God's representatives to maintain order, and are to be honored and obeyed as such. In every case of a conflict of authority, we must "obey God rather than men." [Acts 5:29]

This commandmentforbidsus to despise or displease our parents and superiors, andcommandsus to honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

OUR DUTY TO OUR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, GUARDIANS, ETC.

I. WHAT IS FORBIDDEN.

We must not

DESPISE them, mock at them, [Prov. 39:17+] make light of them, think ourselves wiser or above their authority, nor speak disrespectfully of them or to them. [Deut 27:16+]

We must not

DISPLEASE them by lack of affection, grumbling, disobedience, stubbornness, rebelliousness, or wickedness. [Exod. 21:15+]

II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.

We should

HONOR them as those who are placed over us by God's appointment, look up to them, and always treat them with proper respect [Lev. 19:3, Eph 6:2, 3+] and consideration.

SERVE them, be helpful to them, lighten their burdens, and anticipate their wishes. [I Tim. 5:4]

OBEY them by cheerfully and promptly doing their will, even when it is not to our liking. [Eph. 6:1, Col. 3:20+, Prov. 1:8]

LOVE them, and show our love by a constant desire and effort to please them. We should call to mind what they have done and still do for us, that our love for them may grow deep and tender. [John 19:26, 27]

ESTEEM them. We should regard and appreciate them as a precious gift of God. Children who have lost father or mother have met with a great loss.

IN LATER YEARS. We should honor, love andobeyour parents while we are young; and we should stillloveandhonorthem when we are older. We must not despise or be ashamed of them if we happen to rise to a higher position in life than they. When they have grown old and feeble, we should care tenderly for them; and after they are dead, we should treasure their memory.

OUR DUTY TO OUR SUPERIORS. [Rom. 13:7+]

The Pastor is to be honored for the sake of the office which he holds. He is the ambassador of Christ; [II Cor. 5:20] and when he preaches the Gospel, or speaks words of admonition and counsel in private, the Saviour speaks through him. Those who hear him hear Christ; those who despise him despise Christ. [Luke 10:16] We should heed his admonitions, [Heb. 13:17+, I Thess. 5:12, 13] and, as far as we are able, help and encourage him in his work.

Our Teachers in Sunday-school and in other schools are placed over us in a position of authority, and must therefore be respected and honored.

Rulers and the Government. The State is God's servant to regulate temporal affairs and to maintain law and order in the land. Rulers and officials of the government must be respected and honored. [Matt. 22:21+, Rom. 13:1-4+] Christians must be good citizens. They must always obey the law, so long as it does not conflict with the law of God. [I Pet. 2:13, Acts 5:29] They should be patriotic, pray for their country, be ready to defend it, pay their taxes, and be concerned that it shall be a Christian land. Every voter shares in the responsibility of securing righteous government, and should cast his vote conscientiously.

OLD PERSONS in general are to be treated with respect and honor. [Lev. 19:32+]

A special blessing is promised to those who keep this commandment.

QUESTIONS.—1. What does the Second Table of the Law teach? 2. What is meant by "our neighbor"? 3. What is the position of parents in the family? 4. What is meant by "superiors"? 5. To whom is our highest obedience due? 6. What does this commandment forbid, and what does it command? 7. In order to avoid despising or displeasing our parents, what should we not do? 8. Why and how should we honor them? 9. How should we serve them? 10. How should we obey them? 11. How should we show our love to them? 12. What should we always remember concerning our parents? 13. What is meant by esteeming them? 14. How should we regard and treat them when we have grown older? 15. What is our duty to our pastor? 16. What is our duty to our teachers? 17. Why should we honor our rulers? 18. What are a Christian's duties to his country? 19. How must we treat old persons in general? 20. What special blessing is promised to those who keep this commandment?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Prov. 30:17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Deut. 27:16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.

Exod. 21:15. And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

Eph. 6:2, 3. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Col. 3:20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Rom. 13:7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Heb. 13:17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Matt. 22:21. Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Rom. 13:1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Lev. 19:32. Thou shall rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

READING.—Joseph and his Father, Gen. 47:1-12.

ILLUSTRATIONS.—Despising and displeasing parents: Jacob's sons, Gen. 37; Eli's sons, I Sam. 2:22-25; Absalom, II Sam. 25.Honoring them: Jesus, Luke 2:51.

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

HUMAN LIFE.

Thou shall not kill.

What is meant by this Commandment?

We should so fear and love God as not to do our neighbor any bodily harm or injury, but rather assist and comfort him in danger and want.

Human life is sacred. It is man's most precious earthly possession; for without it he cannot enjoy any other. This commandment is meant to guard it. We dare not shorten another person's life, nor our own. God gives life, and He alone has the right to take it away.

This commandmentforbidsus to kill or injure other persons or ourselves. Itcommandsus to assist and comfort our neighbor in danger and want.

I. WHAT is FORBIDDEN.

We must not

1. KILL OR INJURE OTHER PERSONS.

Murder. To destroy any human life, even if it be very young or yet unborn, is a great crime. He who commits murder is to be punished with death. [Gen. 9:6+] Among the motives which prompt to murder are anger, hatred, [Gen. 4:1-8] envy, [Gen. 37] jealousy, revenge, [Matt. 14:3-11, Rom. 12:19+] frivolity, avarice, robbery, and a desire to hide past sin. [II Sam. 11] We must be on our guard against all that would ever tempt us to this great crime.

Duels. It is foolish as well as sinful to pretend to establish the right or wrong of a question by a duel.

Unjust Warsare wholesale murder. Rulers must do all that they honorably can to prevent war. Yet as a last resort to maintain the right, war is justifiable.

Hatredis murder in the heart. "He that hateth his brother is a murderer." [I John 3:15, Matt. 5:21, 22+, Eph. 4:31, 32+]

Tempting Othersto useless risks in which they may perish or be injured, or to drunkenness, dissipation, etc. which will shorten their life, is a transgression of this commandment.

Causing Accidentsby neglect, carelessness or bad workmanship, or

Shortening Other People's Lives[Gen. 37:31-35] by maltreatment, overwork, worriment, etc. makes men guilty of sin against this commandment.

Neglect to Warnothers of impending dangeror neglect to assistthem in need may result in their injury or death.

The law recognizes our right to defend our life when it is unjustly assailed. But killing others in self-defense must he our last resort. Many persons act hastily. The official who inflicts the death penalty on condemned criminals is not guilty of wrong, but is doing his duty as an officer of the State. [Rom 13:4]

It is a sin to kill our neighbor'ssoulby tempting him to sin, or enticing him to wrong-doing by our evil example.

We must not

2.—KILL OR INJURE OURSELVES.

Suicide is often prompted by despair, remorse, [Matt. 27:35] cowardice, recklessness, or insanity. But it is sinful as well as foolish and cowardly. He who commits it robs himself of the opportunity to repent, and leaves others to bear the burdens from which he shrank. If we are tempted to despair, we should not commit suicide, but seek comfort and strength in God's Word. If we have fallen into disgrace by sin, we should repent and lead a better life.

Duels. We not only have no right to endanger another's life by a duel, but we have no right to endanger our own. The duel, which was once a common practice, has justly fallen under the condemnation of public opinion.

A Life of Sin. Impurity, drunkenness, gluttony, or dissipation will shorten our life, and make us die before our allotted time.

Disregard of the Laws of Health, overwork, needless exposure, carelessness, violent anger, needless worry, are all forbidden by this commandment.

The voluntary sacrifice of our life for truth and right (martyrdom), or in defense of our country, or in an effort to rescue and save others, is not only justifiable but noble. [I John 3:16]

II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.

We should ASSIST AND COMFORT OUR NEIGHBOR. [Gal. 6:10+, Luke 10:30-35, Matt. 5:7+, Matt. 5:44+, Rom. 12:20, Matt. 22:39, Matt. 7:12+, Prov. 24:17]

1. IN DANGER. We should Warn him of danger. Defend and rescue him. Ward off danger from him. Save him from worry and anxiety whenever we can.

2. IN WANT. We should Aid the poor and destitute. Minister to the sick. Comfort the afflicted and distressed. Give to organized charities: orphanages, asylums, hospitals, rescue-work, etc. Give to missions in order to save souls.

QUESTIONS.—1. What is to be said about the sacredness of human life? 2. What does this fifth commandment forbid? 3. What does it command? 4. Whom are we forbidden to kill or injure? 5. Mention some ways in which this commandment is broken with respect to others. 6. What is to be said about the sin of murder and its punishment? 7. What are some of the motives which prompt men to murder? 8. What is to be said about duels? 9. Is war right? 10. What does the Bible say about hatred? 11. What is to be said about useless risks, accidents, maltreatment, etc.? 12. What is to be said about neglecting to warn or assist others? 13. What is to be said about the right of self-defense? 14. What is to be said about the official who inflicts the death-penalty on criminals? 15. Mention some ways in which this commandment is broken with respect to self. 16. What motives prompt men to suicide, and how should we guard against such a sin? 17. What is to be said about the folly and cowardice of the suicide's act? 18. What is to be said of the voluntary sacrifice of our life? 19. How are we to assist our neighbor in danger? 20. How are we to assist and comfort him in want?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Gen. 9:6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made he man.

Rom. 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Matt. 5:21, 22. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Eph. 4:31, 32. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Gal. 6:10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Matt, 5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matt. 5:44, 45. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.

Matt. 7:12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

READING.—Cain kills Abel. Gen. 4:1-16.

ILLUSTRATIONS.—Murder: Cain; Joab, II Sam. 3:22, 29; Ahab and Jezebel, I Kings 21:1-19; Herod, Matt. 2:16-18.Hatred: Joseph's Brethren, Gen. 37.Suicide: Saul, I Sam. 31:5; Judas, Matt. 27:5.Assisting and Comforting: The Good Samaritan, Luke, 10:25-37.

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

PURITY. MARRIAGE.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

What is meant by this Commandment?

We should so fear and love God as to be chaste and pure in our words and deeds, each one also loving and honoring his wife or her husband.

This commandment is meant to preserve our personal purity, and to guard the holy estate of marriage. Itforbidsadultery and all impurity. Itcommandschastity and purity in thought, word, and deed.

I. PURITY.

We should be CHASTE AND PURE

In Heart.We should keep our heart free from impure thoughts and desires. [Matt. 5:8+, Prov. 4:23+, Ps. 51:10] God judges us by the state of our heart. [I Sam. 16:7] Unchaste thoughts must not be delighted in nor harbored, but subdued and stamped out. They poison the soul. They are themselves a transgression of this commandment, [Matt. 5:28+] and they lead to further transgressions of it by word and deed.

IN WORDS. We must avoid immodest conversation, unchaste words, vile stories, and shameless jests. [Eph. 5:3-4, Eph. 4:29+] Such things are not smart, as many think, but vile and despicable. We should never take part in nor listen to a conversation which we would be ashamed to have overheard by persons whom we respect.

IN DEEDS. We should carefully avoid every act which would bring the blush of shame to our cheeks if it were known to our parents or others whose opinion we cherish. Our bodies are to be God's temple, [I Cor. 6:19, 20+] and they dare not be given over to sin and impurity. [Rom. 6:13] We should remember that God sees even in secret, and knows all our actions. [Ps. 139:1-12]

Impurityof heart and life will not go unpunished. [I Cor. 3:16, 17+, Gal. 5:19-21+] It is often followed by the most dreadful consequences: a ruined body, an enfeebled mind, a poisoned soul, a tortured conscience, public shame, dreadful disease and an untimely death.

To Keep ourselves Purewe should watch and pray, [Matt. 26:41+] avoid idleness, evil company, bad books and papers, indecent songs and pictures, immoral plays, intemperance in eating and drinking, and all that would incite to impurity. We should keep our minds occupied with good thoughts and desires, so that we have no room for evil ones. [Rom. 13:14]

II. MARRIAGE.

Marriage is the union of one man and one woman for life in the bonds of love and faithfulness.

A Holy Estate. Marriage was instituted by God in Eden [Gen. 2:13] and was sanctioned by Christ, who performed His first miracle at a wedding. [John 2:1-11] It is a holy estate. Celibacy is not a holier estate than marriage, as the Roman Catholic Church maintains. [I Tim. 4:1-3]

Indissoluble. The marriage tie is binding until one of the married persons dies. [Matt. 19:6+] Except by death, the marriage relation cannot be broken or dissolved without sin against this sixth commandment. [Matt. 5:32+, Matt 19:9] If one party to the marriage is guilty of adultery, the innocent party may obtain a divorce. No other divorces are allowed by Christ.

An Important Step. Marriage is a most important step in life. It must not be entered into hastily or thoughtlessly. If a mistake is made in the choice of a partner for life, the mistake can never be remedied. Those who contemplate such a step should pray for God's guidance. Marriage should not be entered upon for money, social advantages, and the like, but for love. Parents should be consulted. While marriage by a civil magistrate is valid, Christians should seek God's blessing upon their union and be married by His ordained servant. The laws of the State must be carefully obeyed. Marriage between near relatives is forbidden by God's Word. [Lev. 18] Those who are married should, if possible, be of the same faith. Marriages between Protestants and Roman Catholics are seldom happy.

Duty of Husband[Eph. 5:25+, Col. 3:19]and Wife.[Eph. 5:22+, Col. 3:18] EACH SHOULD LOVE AND HONOR HIS WIFE OR HER HUSBAND. The man is the head of the family, but he must not be a tyrant. The wife is not his slave, but his dearest companion. They are no longer two but one, with a common love, a common life, a common property, common children, common hopes and aspirations, and a common Saviour. [I Pet. 3:7, I Pet. 3:1] They should be patient with one another's faults, just to one another's virtues, and should unselfishly seek one another's happiness. They should live together in mutual love and faithfulness till separated by death. Only when husband and wife continue to love and honor one another can they be happy. The breaking of the marriage covenant is followed by shame and misery.

QUESTIONS.—1. What is this commandment meant to preserve and guard? 2. What does it forbid and command? 3. What is it to be said about purity of heart? 4. What is to be said about purity in words? 5. What is to be said about purity in deeds? 6. Mention some of the consequences which often follow upon impurity. 7. How may we keep ourselves pure? 8. What is marriage? 9. Why is marriage a holy estate? 10. How long is the marriage tie binding? 11. When only and by whom dare a divorce be obtained? 12. Why must marriage not be entered upon hastily or thoughtlessly? 13. What care should be exercised by those who think of being married? 14. What is the duty of husband and wife?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.—Matt. 5:8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Prov. 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Matt. 5:28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Eph. 4:29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I Cor. 6:19, 20. What I know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

I Cor. 3:16, 17. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy; which temple ye are.

Gal. 5:19-21. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which, do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Matt. 26:41, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matt. 19: 6. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matt. 5:32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Eph. 5:25, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

Eph. 5:22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

READING.—The Creation of Eve, Gen. 2:18-25; or, The Marriage at Cana, John 2:1-11.

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