Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20

INTRODUCTION.-Th decalogue was
written on two tables of stone. lex.
xxXi:15) One table contained the com
mandments covering duties to God four IN
number, studied last week The other taole
contained commands defining duties 10 men,
six in number, to be studied today. The
separation into two parts made nice dis
tinction between piety and morality. The
presentation of the precepts concerning God
first in order and in Importance showed
that religion is essential to morality. that
he only who rightly is 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 separated Regard
for man, discharge of duties to man, must
follow every service to God. q John iv:2lo
Indeed. love to man is the fruitage of love
to God. If one Is absent no one need to
expect to find the other All this was
brought out in Christianity John xiii34
but 1t was implied in many teachings, and
regulations of the old dispensation. 1t was
particularly important to nculcate this
idea in laying the foundations of the theoc-
racy.
RELATIONS.-A little attention should
be given to the order OF these command
ments and their bearing upon each other.
The truths Of Scripture are always pre-
sented In logical form, SO that the earliest
prepares for the latest. This is true in the
different parts we'll in the several
books. true also in every passage. There
to the student in every way. So in the
items Of the first table all things are cast
In way to present an fnterdependence and
to make one precept strengthen another.
while all come with great force to the stu
dious mind Here we have the interests Of
parentage, the sanctity OF life, the preserva-
ton OF purity and the security of property.
and In that order. 1t is doubtful if any
other order would be as easily and certainly
approved. And then back Of all this is re-
garded the matter Of truthfulness. AS in
the first table so here there Is a natural
unfolding from the outer to the inner.
PARENTS.-"Honor thy father and
thy mother" The first table of the deca-
logue-that which pertained to God-closed
with positive command that strengthened
all the prohibitions. The second table re-
ferring to duty Of men, opens with a pre-
cept that prepares for all negatons that
follow. Parents stand to on the earthly
side in the place of God. They give us be-
Ing, guidance, protection, instruction and
part Of the child insures that mental de-
velopment. that unity and poise of char
acter and disposition which prepares for the
various relations Of life prov. xxx:1)
Sabbath keeping Is the support of piety;
honor to parents the support of morals.
This command rested on the experience of
the ancient world from Adam down. a
period OF twenty-five centuries. fathers
blessing was esteemed the richest legacy
Gen. xxvii:3D and a Maynard. disobedent
son, a monstrosity and calamity e Sam.
xviii33) not worthy to live. (Deut. kills
2L)
MURDER.-"Thou shalt not kill" The
world before Moses, ami to large extent
afterward. was filled with violence. Gen.
vi:11) The benign influence Of govern
ment had not been exerted to determine
and defend the rights Of men Each deem ID
it necessary to avenge himself. often gov
erned by passion. Judges xvii:6) Human
life was. therefore, lightly held. 1t was
the time of alarms and blood. unfavorable
TO morals and religion. as well as civiliza-
ton. for civilization is but the frutage of
religion. prov. xiv:34) 1t was. there
fore, long advance toward better day
was forbidden. when executions for certain
were to be made only by duly ap-
pointed authority. This lifted the whole
subject out of the realm of personal en-
nifty into that of public welfare.
ADULTERY.-"Thou shalt not COM
nit adultery" The life union of one man
with one woman. Gen. ii:22) for the propa-
cation of the race Gen. i:2S) and for their
own development and happiness. Gen
ii:1S Is the most primitive institution
purity it is the source of more blessing
to mankind than all other institutions com
bined. prov. xxii:8) Whatever invades
its sanctity and peTvcrts its purpose is
menace to the general good. Nothing will
do this more surely than infide!ity to the
terry is intended to promote domestic hap
piness, and lay a foundation for virtue in
the mutual love of pure hearts. prov.
xxxi:11) 1t was protected by the death
penalty. Lev. Xx:10)
STEALING.-"Thou shalt not steal"
Life chastity, property--this was the order
of legislation in the Divine mind. A man
might be pure though poor-he is entitled
to possess worldly goods. This law gives
no countenance to the many attempts to