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15. What command did God give to the Jews as to the poor?

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 shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need.-Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him.-For the poor shall never cease out of the land. (15 Deut. 7, 8, 10, 11.)

16. What claim does God make on our property? Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of thine increase. (3 Pr. 9.)

17. Will God bless the benevolent?

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (11 Prov. 24, 25.)

18. How does Christ exhort to good works?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (5 Mt. 16.)

19. What was Christ's employment on earth?

Who went about doing good. (10 Acts 38.)

20. Has Christ left the poor to receive our benevolence as his representatives?

Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good; but me ye have not always. (14 Mr. 7.)

21. What description does St. James give of pure religion? Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (1 Jas. 27.)

22. Can the love of God dwell in an uncharitable heart? Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (I. Jn. 3. 17.)

23. Of what was Titus commanded to put his hearers in mind?

To be ready to every good work; to speak evil of no man; to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3 Tit. 1, 2.)

24. Are we required to stimulate each other to benevolence? Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works. (10 Heb. 24.)

25. How did Christ contrast the poor widow's gift of two mites, with the large offerings of the rich?

Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (12 Mr. 43, 44.)

26. When St. Paul had laboured with his own hands for his companions, as well as himself, how did he enforce this example on the Ephesians?

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring 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. (20 Ac. 35.)

27. Is the grace of Christ the great incentive to benevolence?

Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (II. Cor. 8. 9.)

28. Should our liberality be unwearied?

To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (13 Heb. 16.)

Let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (6 Gal. 9, 10.)

29. How will God bless the benevolent?

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.-The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed sickness. (41 P. 1, 3.)

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30. How will Christ, when he sits on "the throne of his glory," acknowledge the kindness of the saints to his and their brethren?

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (25 Mt. 40.)

31. How should the afflicted be treated?

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed. (6 Job, 14.) 32. What direction has God given as to the widow and fatherless?

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. (22 Ex. 22.)

33. Will God repay the bounty given to the poor ?

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (19 Pr. 17.)

34. Is sympathy a duty?

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (12 Ro. 15.)

35. Does Christ require us to deny ourselves in assisting others?

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (15 Rom. 1.)

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (6 Gal. 2.)

36. What blessing did Christ pronounce on the merciful? Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. (5 Mt. 7.)

37. What example of mercy does Christ command us to imitate?

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (6 Lk. 36.)

38. How does God consider our conduct to the poor as connected with Him?

He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. (14 Pr. 31.)

39. Is there sin in despising, and happiness in having mercy on, the poor?

He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth; but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. (14 Pr.21.)

40. What are God's requirements?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. (6 Micah 8.)

-41. Does the care of God andour duty extend to the animal creation?

It is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God

take care for oxen? (I. Cor. 9. 9. and 25 Deut. 4.)

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked àre cruel. (12 Pr. 10.)

42. Are we required to follow after peace?

Follow after the things which make for peace. (14 Ro. 19.) Seek peace, and ensue it. (I. Pet. 3. 11.)

43. How did Christ bless the peacemakers?

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God. (5 Mt.9.)

44. What blessing will attend those who possess the lovely dispositions thus recommended in God's holy word?

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (II. Cor. 13. 11.)

XXI. LOVE OF THE WORLD.—
COVETOUSNESS.-CONTENT.

Love of the world-Ruinous to the soul-Love it not, live separately from it-God will punish lovers of the world -Vanity of the world-Commands against covetousness. -Advantages of content.

1. Is the love of the world ruinous to the soul?

What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (16 Mt. 26.)

2. Do large possessions always promote happiness?

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. (5 Ec. 12.)

3. What cautions do the Scriptures give?

If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. (62 P.10.) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. (3 Col. 2.)

4. Can we serve two such opposite masters, as the world and God together?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. (6 Mt. 24.) 5. How far is godliness profitable to us?

Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (I.Tim. 4. 8.) 6. What duty was Titus commanded to impress on the young?

Teach the young women to be sober-Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. (2 Tit. 4, 6.)

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