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tried; when hungry He would not get bread wrong way, would trust on (St. Matt. iv. 1-4). Sparrows flying about even in dreary courts of towns seem to have a message from Him. What ? Trust your Father. (St. Matt. vi. 25, 26, "take no thought" is "be not anxious "fowls " "small birds.") (Illust.-Better starve than steal. Napoleon had before him a contractor; had undertaken to supply troops with food, clothes, or arms, but had cheated, put bad stuff in. When brought home to him, excused self, saying, "Sire, I must live." "No," said Napoleon, "I don't see the must; it is not necessary that you should live, but it is necessary that you should do right.")

(ii.) How Christ would save the "Graballs."

Find some of these in our Lord's own land, grinding down labourers (James v. 1-4); besting the market seller (Prov. xx. 14); land-grabbing (Isa. v. 8); but who were they who were specially tempted to get more than was right; had most chance? Publicans, farmed taxes, got all they could out of people, to pay only certain amount to their masters, the Romans. Picture a load of fish coming up to quay, or load of spices on camel brought into city gate; publican marks down "duty" to be paid; knows some goes into own pocket, great_temptation. See what St. John the Baptist had said to some who came to him (St. Luke iii. 12, 13). How did Christ strive that such might become honest ? Showed better things than money could buy; drew people from money-bags to heavenly treasure (St. Luke xii. 33, 34; St. Matt. vi. 19— 21). Name a publican, perhaps in a booth on the quay at Capernaum. drawn to give up all for Christ.

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(St. Matthew); same name on many Jews' shops in East London (St. Luke v. 27, 28). Name another shamed into restoring ill-gotten gain. Zaccheus (St. Luke xix. 2-7). See the little man waiting on the branch of an overspreading tree to see Christ; his name called; his joy at the kindness of Christ in coming in to stay with him whom respectable people despised; quite won, will sacrifice anything to please Christ; knows what will please Him - the poor. What else? Restoring ill-gotten gain (ver. 8). The Christian spirit is against every kind of cheating, false weights, adulteration, grinding of the poor, sweating, by which many grow rich. All such is a blight, spoils

religion. (Illust. Samuel Budgett, successful merchant at Bristol, in early struggling days, followed the custom then of adulterating pepper; canister of P.D. (pepper dust) on his shelf; became religious, uncomfortable about this P.D. At first excused self: "All did it"; but no rest; in the night came down to warehouse, dragged down canister with P.D. on it, as a Christian must be quite honest whatever others may do. Could not pray with P.D. still used.)

(iii.) How Christ would win the "Don't cares."

Many dishonest people belong to the "Don't cares"; have lost their character, perhaps been in prison; tramps, poachers, pickpockets, known to the police, watched; only afraid of one thing, being caught. What did Christ do that He might win them, to bring them to respect this holy Commandment? (a) He mixed with the outcasts of His town, showed He cared for them; they thought all respectable people were against them. He cared, felt they were worth winning to better things. He got to be called in mockery the 66 Friend of Sinners" (St. Luke vii. 34). Some of His followers have had suppers and meetings in thieves' kitchen, and other places, to draw such to better things. Shows that some one cares for outcasts. Only Christ-like people would do this. (b) Tried to draw such to God by telling the most touching story ever been heard. What that?" Prodigal Son"; the son in rags, midst swine, hungry, wretched, under hard master, with his father all the while yearning for him. How many thieves this must have won over (St. Luke xv. 11-20). (c) Died amongst thieves (St. Matt. xxvii. 38), "taken up as a thief would be (St. Matt. xxvi. 55), suffered with them; just forgiven penitent thief when He died (St. Luke xxiii. 42, 43). Poor thief, perhaps, had never had chance of better things; some children brought up to thieve, only to be afraid of being caught, not to think of God's eye upon them; perhaps this one never had anything kind, only wild, brutal companions: found Friend at last; poor heart touched, guilt of thefts, violent deeds, all put away, into depths of sea. How honest would he have been if he had had another chance (Eph. iv. 28).

As God's children how honest, straightforward, trustworthy, you must be. You will certainly be tempted.

(Here let the teacher carefully name the particular ways in which, whether as school-children, little servants, office boys, his scholars may be tempted; "picking" as well as stealing should be spoken

III. THOUGHTS

1. The Eighth Commandment renders a double service. (a) It secures to a man the peaceable right to his property; no other is to take it from him. This right also carries with it the responsibility to use that property well; that is to say, in God's service, and for the benefit of his fellow-men. (b) It holds back a man from getting things by ways that would be injurious to his own well-being; it points him to that industrious, striving work which is calculated to strengthen and develop his character. At the same time, whilst it keeps the poor man from getting his bread the wrong way, it influences the better off to care for those who are in circumstances of temptation.

2. We are to distinguish, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, between the right to acquire property and the right to use it. The right to acquire is a special characteristic of humanity; though, as one says, a sense of ownership is observed in some animals, as (for example) in rooks in a spring rookery, or in swans, who hold their own against all new-comers when in possession of a particular piece of water. The acquiring of personal property is essential to the creation of wealth and the development of industry and energy. The Christian is bound to ask himself how he has acquired his property, and to see that it has not been by false pretences, or without giving the fair equivalent, or at the expense of the spiritual or bodily lives of others; by payment of starvation wages, or by turning out scamping work. The right to use property is limited; a man has no right to do what he will with his own unless he be a good man; his only right is to do what he ought with his own, i.e., to use it for the common good; on his personal needs he has the right to spend only such as will make him better fitted for the service of God.

Thoughtful teachers who desire to follow up this subject will find much food for reflection in "Lombard Street in Lent," a collection of sermons under the auspices of the "Christian Social Union," with a preface by Bishop Westcott. One of the writers tells us that the Union sent out, to practical

business men, this amongst other questions: "Do you find it difficult to apply the principles of Christian truth and justice to the conduct of business? A draper's assistant replied, "Not only difficult, but impossible; for a man is not master of himself. If one would live, and avoid the Bankruptcy Court, one must do business on the same lines as others do, without troubling whether the methods are in harmony with the principles of Christian truth and justice or not." An employer wrote:-". In my own business I have not much trouble of this kind, and what I have I generally weakly give in to. I have never done this (a particular piece of roguery sometimes practised) with my own hand, though my clerk does it. I do not like it, and hardly know what I should do if asked to do it myself. As it is, I leave it to their own consciences, feeling I must live somehow, and knowing I cannot afford to lose a good customer."

"What, then, is to be done?" cries the preacher. "Be honest to yourself.

Is this too heroic ? Is it too much to expect that the merchant should be as chivalrous as the soldier? Certainly it will cost a man something to be a Christian, for there is no reason suppose that the days of martyrdom are wholly past and gone."

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So many of our Sunday-school teachers are engaged in shops and offices, that this subject will be of immense concern to them. It may be that here and there one may read these notes who is "uncomfortable" about a certain trick in his own business, or something which his employer requires him to do. May such be strengthened to keep himself free, at whatever cost, from ought that smacks of dishonest dealing. "Many have sinned for a small matter; as a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones, so doth sin stick close between buying and selling" (Ecclus. xxvii. 1, 2).

3. Dean Stanley told the following story to a great congregation of children in Westminster Abbey one Innocents' Day. As he told it the tears came into the good man's eyes. It illustrates, in a way most attractive to the young, the

beauty of honest principle:-"One cold winter's night in Edinburgh a gentleman, out of pity, bought a box of matches from a poor little shivering boy. Not having the pence, he gave the boy a shilling, telling him to bring the change to the hotel. The boy did not return. Hours passed, nothing was seen of him; but quite late a tiny fellow came to the hotel. 'Are you the gentleman that bought the matches frae Sandy? 'Yes.' 'Weel, then, here's fourpence out o' yer shillin'. Sandy canna come ; he's verra ill. A cart ran over him; he lost his bonnet and his matches and yer sevenpence, and both his legs are broken, and the doctor says he'll die; and that's a'.' Putting down the fourpence on the table, the poor child burst into great sobs. Poor Sandy was searched for and found. The two little brothers were living together, their parents dead; Sandy lying on a bundle of shavings. 'I got the change, Sir,' he cried, and was coming back, and then the cart knocked me down, and both my legs were broken; and oh, Reuby, little Reuby, I am sure I am dying, and who will take care of him when I am gone?' The gentleman took the poor little hand and told him that he would always take care of Reuby."

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thee a lad to be trusted?' And holding him at arm's length, regarding him meanwhile with eyes that were the terror of all the rogues in Norton Bury, Abel Fletcher jingled temptingly the silver money in the pockets of his long-flapped brown waistcoat. 'I say, art thee a lad to be trusted?' John Halifax neither answered nor declined his eyes. He seemed to feel that this was a critical moment and to have gathered all his mental forces into a serried square to meet the attack. He met it, and conquered in silence. 'Lad, shall I give the groat now?' 'Not till I have earned it, Sir.'" -("John Halifax, Gentleman.")

5. "Perhaps the most interesting parishioners were the young thieves who infested the parish. They used to assemble in a cellar or some out-of-theway spot not known to the police. Their agility in stealing a joint of meat or a fish was remarkable. But they were caught. I noticed that they all stood about the streets for some time, and then gradually they all disappeared : they were serving short sentences in prison. I thought I must make a great effort; I decided to invite them to tea. About forty turned up at a night school I opened afterwards, and pelted us with peas-pudding. They also went in for a bit of thieving-umbrellas, &c. But the end of it was that a great change came over the young thieves. Some of

the lads got situations, and I heard of one who, being asked whether the night school had done him any good, related how he had refrained from stealing a sovereign, with no chance of detection, because of the lessons he learned there." -(Rev. F. Caldwell, on the St. Peter's Mission, Hoxton.)

Collect of St. Matthew's Day.

The Catechism explains the Ninth Commandment: "My duty is to hurt nobody by word. . to keep my tongue from evil speaking, lying, and slandering."

324. Which Commandments have to do with the tongue?

The Third and Ninth Commandments have to do with the tongue.

325. What does St. James say about the tongue ?

St. James says about the tongue that

it is an unruly member, and that if any man is able to bridle his tongue he can keep his whole body (chap. iii. 1—8).

326. Name four things which lead people to tell lies.

People are led to tell lies (1) by hope of gain; (2) by fear of punishment for having done wrong; (3) by ill-feeling against another; (4) by boastfulness, wanting to appear greater than they are. 327. What does the word "martyr mean?

The word "martyr" means a witness. The martyrs gave their lives as witnesses to the Truth.

328. What can we say about the character of a truthful person?

II. THE INSTRUCTION on Where are witnesses wanted? In law courts, before magistrates. What to do? Give evidence, throw light on a matter. But any one who tells out about things he knows is a witness. [Explain "throwing a light on a matter." Superintendent finds harmonium all wrong; fears mischief, calls up one of the early comers, asks, "Can you throw any light on this?"] Find these three texts about Christ Isa. lv. 4; St. John xviii. 37; Rev. iii. 14. What is He called in each ? So we think of Him to-day, as a True Witness, our Pattern as Truth-teller.

(i.) Christ amongst false witnesses. Name three things which lead people to speak falsely or keep back the truth. Fear, malice, love of gain. See each of these at work in people around Christ. (a) Witnesses who were false through fear. Read St. John ix. 18 - 22. Cowardly parents of the blind man healed by Christ afraid to say what they knew was the truth; would have been expelled from synagogue if had said what they knew about Christ's work on their son. See Christ, when on His trial; the whole truth, though He knew it meant death (St. Matt. xxvi. 63—67). (b) Witnesses false through love of gain. Read St. Matt. xxviii. 11-15. The false witness of the guard who kept the sepulchre; against the disciples of Christ; made out they were impostors; their good name destroyed. (c) Witnesses false through malice. Read St. Luke xxiii. 1, 2. The worst lie is that which has a little bit of truth mixed with it. What bit of truth was there in this witness of the Jews against our Lord ? What was false? See Christ; He spoke strong things against the Jews, but always true and in love

A truthful person has a good foundation to his character, and there is good hope that all his faults will be cured in time (1 Pet. iii. 9, 10).

329. What is a trustworthy person ?

A trustworthy person is one whose word and honesty you can always trust, and who will do the same behind your back as before your face.

330. Say Bible words

(a) About truthful people.

Surely they are My people, children that will not lie" (Isa. lxiii. 8). (b) About the untruthful.

"All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire" (Rev. xxi. 8).

Christ, the True Witness."

(St. Matt. xxiii. 13, 16, 23, 27, but see ver. 37).

How dark all these false witnesses look (Ps. cxx. 3, 4). Three dark things at work to make men liars. Whose children do they show themselves to be? The devil's (St. John viii. 44). Dreadful to share their guilt. Have you ever told a lie? What made you tell it ? It left a dark spot on soul; confess it to God, pray for forgiveness. A painter, painting beautiful picture of Christ, put in very dark background, so that the figure stands out all the more bright and beautiful. These false witnesses the background; Christ moved amongst them.

(ii.) Christ Himself the True Witness.

(a) What does a true witness need? (1) He needs to have-knowledge of the thing. [A witness gets up into the box and is asked what he knows of this matter. If he answers, "Nothing," he is quickly told to get down again.] Christ knew all things. See what He told Nicodemus in the night, about heavenly things (St. John iii. 11, 12). What He knew about men; could read them through and through (St. John ii. 25; St. Matt. ix. 4). (2) He needs to be-trustworthy. Witness in a law court kisses the Book and swears he will speak "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Yet some cannot be trusted; without showing it in face, without fear, they tell what is false. Others may have to suffer through this. How do we know that Christ was a trustworthy Witness ? His life and works showed it (St. John x. 31-38). His Father said so from heaven. Father's voice heard in the night on the mountain. He told the chosen three disciples, and through them the

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world, that all might believe His Son. "Hear Him" (St. Mark ix. 7). So Christ threw a light on all things men needed to know about, became the Light of the world (St. John viii. 12). (Illust.-The keeper of old lighthouse at Calais was once, it is said, asked by a visitor, "What if your light should go out ?" "Go out!" he cried, horrified at the thought, at the danger to many ships if no light over dark waters; "I should hear of it months after, from all parts of the world, that on certain night my light was not burning." Christ such a light for men; in a dark world gave true witness of all that men needed to know.)

(b) What does a true witness get? (1) Often, to begin with, persecution. What is a "martyr"? One who suffers for his religion. Name some. What the word mean? "A witness" (Rev. iii. 14). Christ is "the faithful and true Martyr." He dies rather than deny or keep back the truth. (2) Always, in the end, praise. Say this: "The truth is mighty, and will prevail," old saying. Read Rev. xi. 3-13 about God's two witnesses," were true and faithful, as Christ was; hard to understand, but seven things are clear: (1) They would speak out the truth at all costs. (2) Were unpopular, "clothed in sackcloth." (3) They threw a light out, clear and strong amongst men, as candlestick fed with oil from the olive tree by God. (4) The evil spirit hated them, perse

III. THOUGHTS

1. Our words, their power, their farreaching influence, are the subject of this Commandment. It is to be observed that in both tables of the law there is a Commandment which deals with the tongue. The difficulty of managing the tongue, and the mischief that the tongue often causes, form the subject of one of the most vigorous of St. James' utterances; a dozen verses (chap. iii. 1-12) full of vivid imagery. Sins of the tongue are of four kinds: (1) Against reverence; (2) against charity; (3) against purity; (4) against truth. The Ninth Commandment deals with the second and fourth of these, i.e., against charity and truth.

2. Truth is the very foundation of a good character. No doubt we all know lads who give untold trouble by their daring mischief, yet scorn to lie; these nearly always improve as time goes on, if they are wisely managed. Whereas the weak lad, on the whole obedient,

cuted them. (5) When they were dead the true things they said were not forgotten (dead bodies unburied in streets). (6) They rose to life again, those that had slain them were terrified, and there was great destruction of those that rejected the truth. (7) The faithful witnesses were received up into heaven, passed behind the beautiful cloud. Thus had Christ been glorified.

We are called to be true and faithful witnesses; light our little tapers from Christ's great Light (St. John i. 9); must begin by speaking the truth in little things, tell what we know at all costs. (Illust.—(1) George Washington. when a boy had been in orchard cutting father's favourite tree; father angry. "Who has done this?" The boy's answer, "Father, I cannot tell a lie; I did it." "Alas! my beautiful tree is ruined," said his father, "but I would rather lose all the trees I have than have a liar for a son." That son became the greatest of American citizens. George Washington rose to be the greatest man in America. (2) Martyrdom of Ridley and Latimer at Oxford; burned; might have got off if willing to be silent, not speak out what they felt to be the truth. At the stake the aged Latimer. "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as, I trust, shall never be put out." Speak out the truth at all costs; you will come to be a light.)

FOR TEACHERS.

who may seldom lose marks, yet is found out in a lie, will cause much more anxiety to his friends. Many affectionate mothers teach their offspring to lie almost from their babyhood by practising little deceits upon them in the course of their motherly management.

3. "The Ninth Commandment takes humanity at a stage higher up in civilisation than the four which have preceded it. The Fifth had to do with our relation to our parents-a thing which belongs to all humanity; the Sixth related to our combative, the Seventh our reproductive instincts; the Eighth went a little higher and looked upon us as holders of property; the Ninth goes higher still, and looks upon

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man

as belonging to some kind of political organisation. False witness presupposes a tribunal before which false witness can be borne. If the martyr, he who witnesses a good confession, stands in the very front rank of God's