In what manner is it unlawful to employ cattle on this day? In labor.

Is it lawful to use horses in conveying people to places of public worship?

If necessary.

Is it lawful to use animals in travelling on this day?
In absolute necessity.

What do you learn from Nehemiah 13: 15-22, of the regard which strangers not of the seed of Israel were expected to pay to the Sabbath?

They were to be compelled to abstain from selling on that day.

Where is the propriety of keeping our minds so entirely free from worldly concerns?

That we may worship God in spirit and in truth.

How did our Lord exemplify the acts which might be performed on the Sabbath?

See Luke 13: 14-16.

Should this cure which our Lord performed on the Sabbath induce us to send for physicians on that day, in preference to other days?

The time of physicians should be considered sacred, and their obligations to worship God as great as other men. They should not be called upon except in extreme cases. What work did the Lord complete in six days?

The work of creation.

What did he on the Sabbath?

He rested the seventh day and hallowed it.

What is meant by "hallowed"?

Set apart for holy use.

What blessings under the Old Dispensation were promised to those who honored the Sabbath?

See Isa. 58: 13, 14.

What was the punishment for the Jews' breaking this law? See Exodus 31: 15.

Was this punishment ever inflicted?

See Numbers 15: 32-36.

What is said in Heb. 10: 28, 29, of the greater guilt and danger of those who sin wilfully under the gospel Dispensation?

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace.

What punishments did God threaten to bring upon the Jewish nation for breaking the Sabbath? Lev. 26: 32-35. And I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you; and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemy's land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her Sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your Sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

Has God set aside his own day now, or is he still jealous of his honor, and careful that it should be kept?

God is unchangeable. The human heart is the same as it was when this law was given. The same reasons exist for the observance of the Sabbath, together with the motives which result from the resurrection of the Saviour? See reasons in Assembly's Catechism.

What motives of self interest make the Sabbath a burden to many?

Amos 8: 5. The same which induce them to hasten the time when they may sell their goods; which induce them to use scanty measures to increase their earthly goods. Do men gain property by so doing?

No. They expose themselves to the curse of God on all their possessions.

Is this command binding on you?

Unquestionably. If nations received punishment for the breach of it, certainly individuals must expect punishment. What evidence does unwillingness to keep the Sabbath give of the state of the affections toward God?

It shows alienation from him and enmity.

THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO CONSIDER THE POOR.

PSALM 41: 1–5.

Was the care of the poor enjoined under the Old Testament dispensation?

Yes. Deut. 15: 7-11. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shall not harden thy heart nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him.

Did Job regard the poor?

Yes; 28: 12-16. 31: 16-20. If I have withheld the

poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel, myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering-then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

Among the maxims of Solomon, are there any incentives to the duty of caring for the poor?

Prov. 14: 21. 19: 17. He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Eccs. 11: 1, 2. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.

Is this duty recommended by either of the prophets?

Yes. Isa. 58: 7-11, showing the nature of an acceptable fast, says, 'Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out, to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?'

What does our blessed Saviour say on the subject of caring for the poor?

Luke 14: 13, 14. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

What does St. Paul say on the subject?

In writing to the Corinthians, to stir them up to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, 9: 8-14, God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work.

What argument does he use with them?

That their compliance in this duty would not only supply the want of the saints, but occasion many thanksgivings to God.

Do any other apostles discover an interest in this cause? Yes. Paul, in writing to the Galatians, tells them that James, Cephas and John, had given to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, and wished them to remember the poor. The same which (says Paul) I was forward to do. Gal. 2: 10.

Does our Saviour, in description of the last judgment, intimate that those who have attended to this duty will be particularly regarded?

He does. Matt. 25: 34-39. Acts, 20: 35. Paul, in taking leave of the elders at Miletus, and committing the flock unto them, says, I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the

words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive. Dr. Scott says: "This traditional speech, so suited to the character of him who 'being rich for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich,' would not have been preserved to us, if it had not thus been committed to writing."

What is the blessedness attached to this duty?

That God will deliver such in time of trouble,'-and reward those who consider the poor, and help them. Heb. 6: 10. Paul says, 'For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister.'

Did our Saviour expressly promise to reward those who gave to poor saints?

Yes. A cup of water only, given in his name, will be remembered. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'

Is there any threatened judgment unto those who show no mercy?

Yes. James, 2: 13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

How does the Lord preserve his people and keep them alive? Ps. 33: 19. To deliver their sons from death and to keep them alive in famine. 91: 3-7. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and the noisome pestilence.

Can you relate a case?

God preserved the lives of his children through seasons of long fasting, such as Moses at three different times; forty days before he received the first tables of the law; other forty for the sin of Israel making the golden calf; and forty when he received the last tables. Deut. 9: 9, 18, and 10: 10.-Exo. 34: 28. Elijah fasted forty days in the wilderness of Arabia. I. Kings, 19: 8. He was also sustained at the brook on the east or west bank of Jordan, and fed by ravens. The widow's scanty provisions were lengthened to sustain her about two years. Ninevites fasted three days. Esther, Mordecai, and other Jews, fasted three days.

Strengthen him upon the bed of languishing'-how? Ps. 68: 20. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Relate a case of one raised from languishing. Hezekiah, Peter's wife's mother, the father of Publius raised by Paul, &c. See a contrast of one who sought life, or restoration, by a heathen god, 2 Kings, 1: 6-16.

Believers are not always restored from sickness. How are they strengthened on the bed of languishing otherwise? 2 Cor. 4: 15, 16. But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Who was restored from sickness nigh unto death, and raised up, from God's compassion to St. Paul?

Epaphroditus.

Fourth verse, David prays for healing mercies. Is it the duty of christians to pray for the sick? James 5: 15, 16.

THE SIN OF NADAB AND ABIHU.

LEV. 10: 1-11.

Which of the sons of Aaron are mentioned in this chap. ? Nadab and Abihu.

What were the names of Aaron's other sons?

Ex. 28: 1. Eleazer and Ithamar.

What was done by Nadab and Abihu?

They offered strange fire before the Lord.

What is meant by a censer?

A golden vessel, somewhat in the form of a cup, with a handle, wherewith the priests carried fire and incense, and put them on the altar.

What is meant by strange fire?

Not that which God had commanded: 16th chap. 12 verse, they are commanded to take the coals from off the altar. They took other fire, probably from under the peace offerings.

Wherein consisted the sin of Nadab and Abihu?

Their irreverence of God's commands. They were elated with their distinction. They should have waited for orders from Aaron. It was never practised for two priests to offer incense at once. This was not the time to offer it.

What is written concerning all the requirements of the law? Deut. 12: 32.

'What things soever I command you, observe to do it; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.'

Of what should we here learn to be careful, in approaching God, or attempting to serve him?

We should learn to approach him with reverence, and in that way only which he has appointed,-through a mediator. What judgment came upon Nadab and Abihu for neglecting God's commands, and following their own inventions? There went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died.

What became of them?