Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-13

INTRODUCTION.-Tw months after
the events recorded in our last lesson. or
three months after leaving Egypt EXODUS.
xix:D, Israel reached the plain of Sinai.
where an encampment was made for nearly
a year That time was all occupied with
arrangements necessary to the setting up
of system of government and religion.
Up to that time the family had been the
unit, and that had gradually expanded
until the tribal system prevailed. For the
fuller and further purpose of God the
twelve tribes, bearing the names OF Jacobs
sons. must be conpactly>j joined together.
not losing their old spirit. but gaining In
more perfect form the idea of unity, that
they might stand together for the one great
thought which had led Abram from Tr, of
the Chaldees into the promised land. These
people had much to learn. Having been
long in bondage they were ignorant OF
many of the leading. and, indeed, essential
features of advanced civilization. Inst uc-
ton must I've given on many points when
are now well understood
DECLLOGUE.-It Is worthy Of special
note that the beginning was laid In series
of commandments what is ordinarily termed
the decalogue, or the Ten Commandments
This was virtually the constitution, the
foundation which everything rested.
charter the first in the language of men.
Considering the time when it was promul-
gated and the fact that it has never been
abrogated. although thirty-three centuries
have passed away. it Is one OF tne t1los'
remarkable documents in pc itcal history,
even now admired by theologians, states
men and philosophers. The decaloSue was
delivered to Moses by God. who called MIN
up into Mount Sinai alone to receive 1t. This
method invested it with peculiar sanctity,
causing the people to hold 1t with utmost
reverence, worthy of their constant care
The decalogue is in two tables or parts-one
covering duties to God, the other duties to
men. We shall study the first part today.
POLYTHEISM.-"Thou shalt have no
other gods before me-" In the attempt to
explain natural phenomena and human his
tory, the ancients multiplied deities and
introduced various rites to placate them.
This habit resulted in innumerabie evlls,
which cannot be corrected until the cause
is removed Ronlans, i:2S. In setting apart
a people for himself the Almighty there
fore began His covenant by claiming the
sole and absolute loyalty and service OF
Israel. and enforcing it by the considera.
ton that he had liberated them and brought
them forth (verse y. He thus gave to this
people the high mission OF holding ana
until the whole human family should receive
1t Usa., xi:9). How unfaithful they We're
to this monotheistic idea their history
shows III Kings, Xvii:O.
INDCSTkI.-Aftert three mega tive or
prohibitory commands there came one posi-
tive and mandatory, in two parts. re err ng
DAYS should be devoted to work. In secular
affairs (verse ~. THIS was needed at that
time among people who had been slaves and
who might desire to escape work. who were
fed with mama from heaven, ara mad less
reason on that account for work. 1t was
i,so necessary for all time. At the begin
ming man in his innocence had tasks tGen.
lilo In setting up nation and prepar-
ing for its future the Almighty deemed 1t
essential to enjoin industry, to make the
week work duty and an honor. Not by
i'll eness, which is always disgraceful and
dangerous N'rov.. viO, but by homes toll
may fortunes be buiked, characters deVe--
oped wealth acquired and coveted goods Sc
cured. Labor is the price to be paid in all
lands and ages for every personal and ma
tonal blessing. This is Gods word on the
subject
SABBATH.-There might be correct
notions of God and yet little religion. Ne
cations might prevent bad actions: there
$ something positive needed to promote
and support holy life If part OF time
was al.itted for secular things it was as well
to have another part for sacred IN ngs. y
holy day was therefore appointed. one In
every week, following all the work days.
Six days of work and one day of rest (verse
100. The language in which this command
was given indicates that it was not a new
enactment, but an old law re-enacted. Re
tt1ember'' signifies something that has eX
listed and is to be care ed forward. The
argument for primitive Sabbath observed
In The time OF Noah and in the wilderness,
has been frequently made and is regarded
by some scholars as conclusive. But
whether there liu Deen q uiNlHe lNSlituIrOT
coevGi with the race. and therefore binding
upon all men (Mark, ii:2O as is highly
probable, it is now admitted by all that the
day sacrcdly observed is suited to the high
est mental, moral and social good of every
man under every form of civilization. It's
appointment here was therefore an act of
great wisdom.
IDOLATRY.-'Thou shalt not make
any craven image" to worship. 1t is the nat
ural tend .ncy of an undeveloped mind TO
locate the Deity and give Him FORM Their by
hoping TO COM into more intimate rela-
tons. But this exercises most degrad-
ing and corrupting influence upon the
devotee Romans. i:25), as appears in the
condition of the whole heather world. Man
becomes like that h worships. God is d
spirit John, iv:2i) uncreated, invisible i'm
mortal He las neither body nor parts.
He is omniscient and omnipresent. This
exalted view of Him is prime condition