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12. Will justice and liberality be recompensed?

Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom: for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (6 Lk. 38.)

13. Do petty pilferings and frauds shew an unjust and dishonest character?

He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much, and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (16 Lk. 10.)

14. How must we gain our living?

Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (12 Ro. 17.) Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. (II. Cor. 8, 21.)

15. How did the apostle assert the integrity of himself and his friend?

We have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly. (13 Heb. 18.)

16. Is the upright conduct of christians calculated to glorify God and recommend religion?

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet. 2, 12.)

XXIII. DILIGENCE AND IDLENESS.

Duty of diligence-Its advantages-Commands against laziness-Its evils and punishment.

1. What punishment in this life did God inflict on man after he had sinned?

Cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground. (3 Gen. 17, 18, 19.)

2. Is diligence commanded?

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (27 Pr. 23.)

3. How are we required to fulfil the labours of our stations in life?

That ye study to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. (I. Thes. 4. 11, 12.) 4. Did St. Paul exhibit an example of industry?

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable unto any of you, not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. (II. Thes. 3, 8, 9.)

5. Does diligence promote success?

The hand of the diligent maketh rich. (10 Pr. 4.)

6. Does industry promote advancement in life?

Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men. (22 Pr. 29.)

7. How is the industry of the "virtuous woman" whose " price is far above rubies," de

scribed?

She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff-She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praiseth her. (31 Pr. 13, 19, 27, 28.)

8. To what insect does Solomon send the sluggard to learn foresight and industry?

Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise, which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (6 Pr. 6, 7, 8.)

9. Is the love of sleep opposed to diligence?

Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty, open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. (20 Pr. 13.)

10. How does St. Paul exhort against idleness?

Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (12 Ro. 11.)

11. What did the apostle command as to idle busy bodies?

If any would not work, neither should he eat. We hear that there are some which walk among you, disorderly, working not at all, but are busy bodies. Now them which are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their owu bread: but ye brethren be not weary in well doing. (II. Thes.3. 10, 11, 12, 13.)

12. How does Solomon expose the evils of sloth? The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns. (15 Pr. 19.)

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (19 Pr. 15.)

13. Does sloth lead to want, and diligence to prosperity?

The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing, but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (13 Pr. 4.)

14. To whom is the slothful compared ?

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (18 Pr. 9.)

15. How does the house of the indolent appear ?

By much slothfulness the building decayeth, and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through, (10 Ec. 18.) 16. Does the property of the slothful go to waste?

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and lo it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw and considered it well, I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. (24 Pr. 30 to 34.)

17. How does the apostle describe the characters of idle women?

They learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tatlers also, and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not. (1 Tim. 5. 13.)

18. What will be the punishment of that "wicked and slothful servant" who does not improve the talents God has given him?

Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (25 Mt. 30.)

XXIV. SLANDER. TALE BEARING. SCORNING. MOCKING. FILTHY SPEAKING.

A few texts under each of these heads, describing the evil and punishment of these sins.

1. Does the slanderer deserve punishment?

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off. (101 P. 5.)

2. What is his character?

He that uttereth a slander is a fool. (10 Pr. 18.)

3. Does the good man avoid this sin?

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. (15 P. 3.)

4. What caution does St. James give?

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. (4 Jas. 11.)

5. Is tale-bearing forbidden?

Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people. (19 Lev. 16.)

6. What evils does it produce?

A froward man soweth strife, and a whisperer separateth chief friends. (16 Pr. 28.)

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, so where there is no tale-bearer the strife ceaseth. (26 Pr. 20.)

7. Is a tale-bearer unworthy of any confidence?

He that goeth about as a tale bearer, revealeth secrets, therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (20 Pr. 19.)

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