Ver. S.-The perils of inadvertence. Thoughtlessness is the parent of much mischief. To reach a state of security and bliss, there must be life in our every part-in intellect, foresight, prudence. I. MAN IS EXPOSED TO MANY NATURAL EVILS. Although lord and interpreter of nature, nature afflicts him in many ways. She scorches him with heat, freezes him with cold, pierces him with pain. Man bas skill and power to bring nature under bis dominion, if be will duly exert himself for this purpose. Nature is willing to be ruled, anrl to become the servant of man; but consents to be ruled only in accordance with Divine law. Our duty is to examine these laws, and to bring her into subservience to our true interests. Herein lies scope for the training of mind, heart, conscience, will- training for a higher spherr. II. NATURAL LAW IS NEVER SUSPENDED TO SUIT MAN'S IMPRUDENCE. Be a man ever so pious, or be he engaged in work ever so benevolent, a moment's imprudence may cut short his life. Ho may mistake poison for medicine; he may leave open e. gas-tap; 366 THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. [err. xxrr. 1-30.
he ma~- imprudently trifle with some natural force; and pain or death will result, If he build a houso, in order to protect himsolf and family from the rigours of the climate, nn~· imprudence in the erection may b1;ng on him heavier evils than those ho thought to RYert. The want of a parapet on the roof may expose his childron to n sudden and pninfnl death. We cannot too much admire God's thoughtful care in prescribina0 such regulations as these. III. lNADVERTFNCE MAY PRODUCE GIGANTIC MISERY, It is not enough to have good intentions or gracious dispositions; mind, as well as heart, must be in active exercise. A foolish man is a curse to society Wisdom is greatly needed to produce n prosperous life, and to make a man useful to others. Eli was a good man, but exhibited great folly in tbe management of his sons, and disaster came thereby upon Israel. Reason is entrusted to every man to be used, and if tho powers of intelligence are alloll·ed to rust, the result is loss to ourselves and calamity to others.-D. Vers. 9-12.-Directions in minor matters, What was, in primitive days, matter for direct revelation from God, is now ascertained by scientific observation. Herein we learn that revelation and science spring from ono origin and subserve one end-tho good of men. And herein we may learn God's fatherly care for his children in the dayo of their infancy. I. GREATEST FERTILITY IN NATURE IS TO BE SOUGH'I'. It is man's province to bring out the greatest productiveness in fields and fruit trees. Prnoing, manuring, and ~raftinp: are essential. The vine needs especial care, and is susceptible of great increase of fruitfulness. So delicate is the blossom of the vine that the pollen of other plants in the ,·icinity, coming into contact, injures the formation of-the fruit. It is a joy to God to see the trees of the field fruitful; how much more to see abundant fruitfulness in us! "Herein is our Father glorified." 'l'he least of God's commandments is profit- able to observe. _ II. NEEDLESS BURDENS ON AlIIMALS FORBIDDEN. Every beast is appointed to be the scrrnnt of man; but man is required to act towards the inferior cre:ition in God's stcnd. The burden of service laid upon oxen and asses is heavy enough; let it not be wantonly increased. Both the ox and the ass suffered from an unequal yoking in the plough. God saw the paiuful effect, and felt grieved. Animal feeling is a gift from God, and is intended to be for enjoyment. We may act in harmony with God, and increase that enjoyment; or we may, in part, frustrate his plan. In every act of man God takes lively interest. All day long he is approving or censuring. • III. Oua PIETY IS TO BE SEEN IN 0UB RAIMENT. It is very probable that this pro- hibition about dress was to counteract a custom among idolaters-a custom which led to superstitious feeling. Some solid reason was at the root of the counsel, whether we can discover that reason or not. Our raiment is in some measure the exponent of our relicion. If" Holiness to the Lord" is predicted as the motto to be found on the bells of the horses, so, and much more, should consecration to God be conspicuous on our dress and demeanour. Our raiment often serves as an ensign, and denotes to what party we belong-the Church or the world. If simplicity, _modesty, beauty, sterling qnalily, be in our dress, these are ornaments of our holy faith. Whatever we do, or however we dress, be this our aim, t-0 pleaso God. A child will never be ashamed to acknowledge its father.-D. Yers. 13-21.-Slander, unchastity, and fraud. No blame can lie against the Scriptures because they legislate on such detestable matters. The blame must lie at the door of depraved hmnanity, which perpetrates such deeds and makes Divine kgi.sla.tion necessary. The obsceuity appertains to tho vices, only praise belongs to the remedy. I. .A. WOMAN'S CHASTITY IS HEn MAIN DOWRY FOB LIFE. If she possess not this virtue, she is worse than worthless; she is a plague and a pest-a moral dunghill. .A.prLrt from chastity, she can fill no proper place in society. Her true function is ended. She is only a discredit to the human name. Her light is dense darkness. The streams of life are polluted. The fountain of bliss is corrupted at its source. Rottenness is at- the oore of society. No language can exaggerate the evil. II. SLO.'DER AGAINST A WIFE'S CHASTITY IS THE BLACK.EST OF 6INB. Jn proportion to OH, XXII, 1-80.J THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 367