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but by the real moral improvement of both parties, restores both to the relation toward each other intended by their Creator."

VI. Duties implied in the Eighth Commandment.

775. (1.) With regard to those who have violated this commandment in any form, their duty is to abstain from future violations, to cease to do this evil, and to learn to do well.

But this is not all: it is their duty to make restitution, as far as they have ability and opportunity, of what they have at any time unjustly taken or detained; for, that being, in right, not our own, but another's, the keeping of it is continuing and carrying on injustice. To think of raising wealth by fraud, and then growing honest, is the silliest scheme in the world; for, till we have returned, or offered to return, as far as we can, all that we have gotten by our fraud, we are not honest.

It is, further, their duty to guard against temptation to a repetition of the crime, and against all the causes which might lead to it; and hence

(2.) The commandment implies the duty of industry, without which the generality of persons cannot maintain themselves honestly. Accordingly, Paul enjoins, “Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good." If a man has not resources of his own, he must endeavor to provide them by lawful industry, and thus cut off one strong temptation to theft.

The calling in which we engage must be a lawful one, because the gain which is acquired by an illicit occupation is the fruit of a violation either of this or some other commandment. It must be carried on by lawful means, by fair and honest industry, to the exclusion of falsehood and fraud, and all encroachments upon the rights and privileges of others. It should be managed with attention, and prudence, and perseverance, because it is only by the use of these means that we can reasonably calculate upon success; but moderation should be observed, not only lest our strength be impaired, and life abridged, but that we may not contract an undue attachment to wealth, and, by fostering the principle of avarice, create a new temptation to dishonesty.

DUTIES OF THE EIGHTH PRECEPT.

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(3.) Frugality must be joined with diligent industry, for unwise expensiveness will dissipate whatever the utmost diligence can acquire; but if idleness be added to extravagance, a speedier ruin is induced; if, further, intemperance and debauchery go along with them, the case is an extreme one. Every one, therefore, who desires to approve himself honest should be careful to live within the bounds of his income, so as to have something in readiness against unforeseen losses or disappointments; but they who have, or expect to have families, should endeavor to live much more within those bounds; and whoever spends upon himself, or throws away upon any other person or thing more than he can prudently afford (whatever false names of praise, as elegance, generosity, good-nature, may be given to this indiscretion), will be led, before he is aware, to distress himself, perhaps many more, and be, too, probably driven at last to repair, as well as he can, by wickedness, the inroads upon his property which he has made by folly.

(4.) This precept requires that we do not omit to relieve the poor according to our ability, for this is a kind of robbery. Whatever we enjoy of worldly abundance is given us in trust, that we should take our own share with moderation, and distribute the remainder with liberality. Whoever either penuriously or thoughtlessly neglects his proper share of beneficence to the poor, is unjust to his Maker, and to his fellow-creatures; for His command is, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

[Secker.] VII. Benefits to Society from the universal Observance of the Eighth Commandment.

776. Were this law universally observed, a new scene would burst upon the world, altogether different from what has been displayed in the transactions of mankind. The iron rod of oppression would be broken, the horrid scenes of slavery would disappear, and destroying armies would no longer ravage the habitations of men. crowds of sharpers, cheats, and jockeys, that now stalk through the world, with unblushing fronts, to entrap the unwary, would forever disappear from the world. Impartial justice would reign triumphant over every

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department of society; and all the harassing lawsuits and prosecutions which now distress so many thousands of families would be swept away. Locks, and bars, and bolts would no longer be required for securing our substance from the pilferer and the robber; the iron gratings of a bridewell or a jail would never again remind us of the dishonesty and depravity of man. Every one's mind would be at perfect ease in regard to his property, whether he were at home or abroad, being firmly persuaded that every trust would be faithfully discharged, and every commercial concern honorably and fairly transacted. What a host of cares, anxieties, suspicions, vexations, and perplexities would thus be chased away, and what a world of delightful associations would thus be created!

[Professor Dick's Lectures; Secker's Lectures; Dick's Philosophy of Religion.]

735. What is the general scope and design of this commandment? 736. How is property acquired?

737. What is implied in the act of stealing?

738. Explain domestic theft?

739. Also common theft?

740. Explain sacrilege?

741. Also peculation?

742. Explain thefts of stewardship, or agency?

743. What are the cases cited?

744. Explain theft of concealment ?

745. What theft is practiced in trade?

746. Thefts of borrowing?

747. Thefts of usury?

748. Thefts relating to contracts?

749. Thefts of mischief?

750. Thefts of litigation?

751. Theft of withholding?

752. Theft of participation?

753. Thefts of forging and counterfeiting?

754. Theft of gambling?

755. Theft of persons and personal rights?

756. Does slavery, in its essential character, possess such attributes as entitle it to be regarded and stigmatized as a violation of the Eighth Commandment?

757. Reference to Southern laws?

758. Testimony of Dr. Breckenridge?

759. Of what other things (the inalienable property of man, as man) does the institution of slavery, by its laws, virtually or explicitly defraud men, and thus violate the principle of the Eighth Commandment?

760. What prominent defense has been set up for thus regarding and treating African slaves?

761. How may this defense of slavery be overthrown?

762. Does slavery, as a legalized system, come in conflict with any other expression of the will and law of God, of a similar character?

763. Does any moral wrong attach to those who hold slaves by inheritance and not by purchase?

NINTH COMMANDMENT.

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764. By what method is it attempted to palliate or deny the wrong we have shown to be involved in the idea or practice of holding men as property?

765. What is the true character of the Scripture argument on the subject of slavery?

766. If God does not approve, but has designed gradually to abolish the relation of master and slave, how can it be accounted for that he does not condemn it in express terms, as he condemns idolatry and oppression: and that, instead of this, he prescribes the duties belonging to the so-called criminal relation of master and slave, just as he prescribes the duties of parent and child?

767. In what terms do the sacred writers speak of the condition of slaves, and what particular class of duties do they most insist on, showing the calamity of such a condition?

768. It is said that if the apostles were opposed to slavery at heart, and regarded it as sinful, their course was inconsistent with moral honesty: what disposition can fairly be made of this allegation?

769. What further answer may be given to the question: "If slaveholding is wrong, why was it not condemned in express terms, in the Scriptures?"

770. Notwithstanding all that has been said in proof of the sinfulness of slavery, of its opposition to the spirit and precepts of the Gospel, are there no circumstances in which the relation of a slaveholder may continue for a time without the guilt of violating the Eighth Commandment?

771. Is it candid, or right, to denounce all slaveholding as sinful, antiChristian, and justly liable to ecclesiastical censure?

772. What is the duty of masters in a state of society where slavery exists?

773. What is the duty of slaves to their masters?

774. How has Dr. Wayland shown the adaptation of the Christian religion to abolish slavery, with safety and benefit to master and slave? 775. What duties are implied in this commandment?

776. What benefits would society derive from a universal observance of this commandment?

NINTH COMMANDMENT.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

I. Nature and Extent of the Prohibition.

(a.) False Testimony and Conduct in Courts of Justice. 777. (1.) THE crime here expressly forbidden is, the giving of false testimony concerning a person when we are summoned as witnesses in his cause, by proper authority. This is done when we affirm that to be true which we know to be false; when we declare as certain what is doubtful; when we intentionally give a higher coloring or a deeper shade to a transaction than is consistent with fact; when we deliberately conceal anything which would serve to establish the innocence or the guilt of our neighbor (for hiding the truth may as totally mislead those who are to judge as telling an untruth)—indeed, if, by any means whatever, we disguise the real state of the case, we evi

dently transgress the intent of this commandment. God hath declared," A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."

The Ninth Commandment speaks only of giving false witness against our neighbor; but in effect it binds us equally not to bear false witness for him: because, in all trials of property, bearing witness for one party is bearing witness against the other; and, in all trials for crimes, false evidence to the advantage of the person accused is to the disadvantage and ruin of right and truth, of public safety and peace; by concealing and encouraging what ought to be detected and punished. The term neighbor we have shown to be synonymous with fellow-man.

In these and other ways witnesses may swerve from the truth; and as their evidence, in a judicial trial, is given upon oath, they further incur the guilt of perjury: These are the things that ye shall do, speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor."

778. (2.) It being thus criminal to bear false witness, it must be criminal also to draw persons into the commission of so great a sin, by gifts, or promises, or threatenings, or any other method. And, in its degree, it must be criminal to bring a false accusation or false action against any one; or to make any sort of demand for which there is not reasonable ground.

779. (3.) However favorably persons are apt to think of the defendant's side, yet to defend ourselves against justice, or even to deny it by unfair methods, is criminal; for justice ought to take place, and the sooner the better. Still, both the professors of the law and others may unquestionably say and do for a doubtful or a bad cause whatever can be said with truth, or done with equity; for otherwise it might be thought still worse than it is, and treated worse than it deserves.

780. (4.) The commandment is violated if judges or jurymen are influenced in giving their sentence or verdict, by interest, relation, friendship, hatred, compassion, party, by anything but the nature of the case as it fairly appears to them. For, the designedly making a false determination, is completing all the mischief which bearing false witness only attempts; and, in a word, whoever, in any way, promotes what is wrong, or obstructs what is right, partakes in the same sin, be it either of the par

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