The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-19
Third Quarter, Lesson III. :; July 20,
 1909; Exodus xxx, 12-17.
The Ten Commandments-D t, Men.

 The Ten Commandments-D to
 Men.
 The Matterhorn is one of the Alps of course; but 1t has it's own striking per- sonality, rising like an obelisk, with sides too sheer to hold the snow which crowns its neighbors The Decalogue is part of the Bible, of course; but among these hills of truth 1t rises with an Individuality all it's own. Part of the Bible yes; but strangely distinct from 1t Like the Mat ferhorn. it must needs catch the eye of the most curSory and superficial reader. It can not be hid. It is the best and most widely known of any part of the old Testament at least, if not of the en- tire Scripture.
 Comorehensiveness is the characteristic of this unique ethical code. The com mandment is exceedingly broad. It is a miracle in words that such a number and variety of duties could be included in terms so brief. That is the power and utility of it. The number of them is in itself an aid to memory. The command ments can be counted on the fingers. They are ten words" one for each digit.
 It is at once recognized that the prin- ciples irradated in this singular manner are basal They are fundamental tQ or ganized society. A commonwealth can not exist without them. They are essen- tial to social order. In proportion to the obedience given them will be the stabil- ity of the State. In this connection the heinousness of crime is apparent. Break
 
 injure the immediate parties; 1t tends to disintegrate and subvert the whole social order The sentimental condoning of crime and unwarantable use of executive ciemency are therefore in themselves harmful to the common veal. The imme- diate parties can not be divorced from the larger relation which their deeds maintain.
 The reception and ratification of this unique and comprehensive ethical code was under circumstances exceedingly aP- propriate. The physical environment could not have been more significant It seemed meet and right that the unyield- ing law should come from the gray and thunder-smitten pile of Sinai. Time was apt, toO-the genesis of a nation The The specific ceremony on the occasion was brief, but telling. Moses built national altar at the foot of the Mount, and set up twelve pillars about it. one for each of the tribes of which the nation was composed. He sprinkled half of the blood of the victim upon the altar. It was an object lesson, as if to say that the life (blood signifying life) of Jehovah Himself was staked upon his fidelity in awarding the rewards of punishments defined by the law Then Moses read from parch- ment scroll transcript of the Decalogue which he had made from the tables or stone. When he had finished the people in one voice responded solemnly and earnestly, as the occasion the environ ment. and the words themselves would inspire them to do: "All that the Lord
  Then Moses took the other half of the blood of the victim. and sprinkled it upon the people in sign that they pledged their lives to obedience to the law of God as read in their hearing that day And this speaking national ritual closed with Moses solemn words, Behold .hS d1G the Hlo9S So4d made with you concerning all these words.
 Jesus relation to the law is exceedingly significant. As a Divine teacher he would not ignore this epitome of the Divine will He condenses and expands 1t. Paradox icaI? Yes but certainly true. It would seem that abbreviation of the Decalogue was impossible. It seems the very souI of brevity. But Jesus in stroke reduces the ten words to one. Love. Love God Love neighbor On this hangs all the law. Again, he expands the law. He carries it from external deed to internal temper from which the deed arises. At the same time he helps us by His Divine perspicu- ity to an understanding of the principles of the law, an appreciation of their worth and truth. and admiration and love of them, so that we find ourselves in tune with them The Decalogue becomes the very vocabulary of our souls desires.