The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-19
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LESSON FOR JULY 20

SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LESSON FOR JULY 20
THE TEN coMMANDMENTs-
DUTIES TO MEN.
Ex. xx:12-17.
BY REV. J. y. GILBERT, D. D.
Secretary Of American Society ot Religious
Education.
1NTRODUCT1ON.-1h decalogue was
written on two tables of stone. EXODUS,
xxxii. 15) One table contained the com.
mands covering duties to God. four in
number, studied last week. The other
to men, six in number. to be studied this
week. The separation into two parts
made nice distinction between piety
and morality. The presentation of the
precepts concerning God as first in order
and in Importance showed that religion
Is essential to morality that he only
who is rightly related to God may be
rightly related to his fellow. The deliv-
cry of the two tables simultaneously
showed that both piety and morality are
esteemed that they must not be sepa-
rated. Regard for man, discharge of du-
ties to man. must follow every service to
God. Il John, iv, 21.) Indeed, love to man
is the frultage of love to God. If one is
absent no one need expect to find the
other. All this was brought out In Chris
tianity John. xiii. 34,. but 1t was implied
in many teachings and regulations of the
old dispensation. 1t was particularly i'm
portant to inculcate this idea in laying
the foundations of the theocracy.
RELATIONS.-A little attention should
be given to the order of these commands
and their bearing upon each other. The
truths of Scripture are always presented
in logical form. so that the earlier pre-
pares for the later. This is true in the
different parts as we'll as in the several
books. true also In every passage. There
Is a progress in the thought that Is help
full to the student in every way. So in
the items of the first table all things are
cast in way to present an interdepend-
ence and to make one precept strengthen
another, while all come with greater force
to the studious mind. Here we have the
interests of parentage, the sanctity of life,
the preservation of purity and the secur-
ity of property. and In that order. 1t is
doubtful If any other order would be as
easily and certainly approved. And then
of truthfulness, and the state of the heart
concerning the possessions Of others. AS
in the first table so here there is ma
tural unfolding from the outer to the
inner.
PARENTS.-"Honor thy father and thy
mother" The first table of the decalogue
that which pertained to God-closed with
a positive command that strengthened all
the prohibitions. The second table re-
ferring to duty of man, opens with pre-
cept that prepares for all the negations
that follow. Parents stand to US on the
earthly side in the place of God. They
give us being, guidance, protection. in
struction, and affection. A proper regard
for them on the part of the child insures
that mental and moral development. that
unity and poise of character and DISPOSE
ton which prepare for the various rela-
tions in life. Proverbs xxx, I'D Sab
bath keeping is the support of piety; hon.
or to parents, the support of morals. This
command rested on the experiences Of
the ancient world, from Adam down, a
period of twenty-five centuries A IA
ther's blessing was esteemed the richest
legacy Genesis, xvii, 3D, and way
ward disobedient son. monstrosity and
calamity 0I Samuel xviii. 33). not worthy
to live. deuteronomy. xxi, 1S-2lo
MURDER.-"rhou shalt not kill" The
world before Moses. and to large cX-
Genesis, vi, III The benign influence Of
government had not been exerted to de-
termine and defend the rights of men.
Each deemed it necessary to avenge him
self, often governed by passion. Judges,
xvii. 81 Human life was therefore lightly
held. 1t was the time of alarms and
blood, unfavorable to morals and religion,
ixi1 1iza at frp ri vi liza ic
but the fruitage of religion. (Proverbs.
xiv. 34) 1t was therefore long advance
toward a better day when the taking of
life by the individual was forbidden: when
executions for certain offenses were to be
made only by duly constituted authority.
This lifted the whole subject of CT out
of the realm OF personal enmity in that
of the public welfare.
ADULTERY.-"Thou shalt not commit
adultery" The life union of one man
with one woman Genesis. ii, 90, for the
propagation of the race Genesis. i, 2S).
and for their own development and hap
piness Genesis. II, 1S is the most primi-
tive institution among men. Maintained
in it's original purity 1t is the source of
more blessing to mankind than all other
institutions combined. (Proverbs, xxi,
81 Whatever invades its sanctity and
pervcrts its purpose Is a menace to the
general good. Nothing will do this more
surely than infdelity to the marriage vow.
This law against adultery is intended to
promote domestic happiness, and lay a
foundation for virtue in the mutual love
of pure hearts. Proverbs, xxi, II;
Ephesians, v, 25) 1t was protected by the
death penalty. Geviticus, xx, 1O)
STEALING.-"Thou shalt not steal"
Life. chastity, property-this was the Or
der of legislation In the divine mind A
man might be pure but poor-he is en-
titled to possess worldly goods. This law
gives no countenance to the many at
tempts to reform socety-socialism, COM
munsm, paternalism. agrarianism. Di-
vine wisdom has declared In favor of in
dividual ownership and the duty of every
man to respect the property rights of his
fellow rests upon the antecedent assump-
tion that the undisturbed possession of
estates is for the good Of all. and hence
according to the will Of God. q Timothy,
vi, ID The Scripture prescribes but one
mode of accommodating property; namely
by honest toll and wise economy PrE
verbs, vi, 6-S), In the practice of which
virtue grows, Stealing hurts the thief
and deranges the social order. The abuses
of property and the relation between
capital and labor were nicely adjusted In
the Mosaic code. Leviticus, XIV, T)
TESTIMoNY-"Thou shalt not bear
false witness" The thief and the liar
are here closely related. Experience at
tests the wisdom of CHASING them to-
gether. The first takes another's proper
ty; the second another's reputation. Ey-
cry man needs these two instruments In
working out his life plan--his capital and
his good name, the product of his indus
try and OF his right living. Whoever robs
him OF either prevents his highest useful
4. Fl~l.