XXII. HONESTY AND DISHONESTY. JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE.

Commands against dishonesty and injustice in generalAs to Weights and measures-Evils and punishment of-Duty of honesty.

1. What is the eighth commandment? Thou shalt not steal. (20 Ex. 15.)

2. Is all fraud strictly forbidden?

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him. (19 Lev. 11, 13.)

3. What command is given to him who has been dishonest?

Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (4 Eph. 28.)

4. What command is given as to weights and mea

sures?

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard,* in weight or in measure. Just balances, just weight, a just ephah+ and a just hin‡ shall ye have. (19 Lev. 35, 36.)

* A yard or stick by which any thing is measured.

+ About seven gallons and two quarts, and about half a pint, wine measure.

About one gallon and two pints.

5. Is keeping as well as using unjust weights and measures forbidden?

Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small; but thou shalt have a perfect and just weight; a perfect and just measure shalt thou have.- For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously are an abomination unto the Lord thy God. (25 Deu. 13, 14, 15, 16.) 6. Does God notice our conduct in this respect?

A false balance is abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. (11 Pr. 1.)

7. What is the character of him who robs his parents?

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith it is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destrøyer. (28 Pr. 24.)

8. Will the unrighteous be excluded from the kingdom of God?

Ye do wrong and defraud, and that your brethren.

Know

ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. (I. Cor. 6. 8, 9.)

9. Will God punish those who secretly defraud

others?

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because that the Lord is the avenger of all such. (I. Thes. 4, 6.)

10. How did the Psalmist pray to be kept from these sins?

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me. (25 P. 21.)

11. Are the just blessed by God?

Blessings are upon the head of the just.-The memory of the just is blessed. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely. (10 Pr. 6, 7, 9.)

The way of the just is uprightness: thou most Upright dost weigh the path of the just. (26 Is. 7.)

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," described?

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.)