"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Ex. 20: 8.

1. The Sabbath is supposed to have commenced with man. A division of days into sevens prevailed, long before the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai.

2. It was alluded to in the wilderness, as an ordinance existing before they reached the Mount. Noah divided time into sevens.

3. Cain and Abel observed a measurement of time in sacrifice, called the "Cutting off of days." supposed to be by sevens. Christ said "It was made for man."

4. As in the names of God, the Sabbath was adapted to man, as he came from the hand of God. Hence, it commemorated creation.

5. Six revolutions of the earth were made to symbolize the six periods allotted to matter. The Sabbath would symbolize the eternity of

rest.

6. When written out upon tables, it was also made, to symbolize the Israelite's deliverance from Egypt, and rest in Canaan.

7. Its intimate connection with national prosperity, may be inferred by the stringent laws against its violation. Death was the penalty. The prophets often alluded to its non-observance, as a fruitful cause of national calamity. Isaiah made the keeping of the Sabbath, one of the conditions, upon which God would turn away the threatened captivity.

8. It holds a vital relation to the prosperity of any nation. The testimony of the French Chambers, after the bloody days of the revolution, attest its indispensable utility.

9. The moral standards, for human character, are lowered, just in proportion, as the Sabbath is set at naught. We fail to use it aright, when we while it away in unnecessary sleep.

10. We misuse it when we employ it for purposes of visits, or labor. The exceptions are works of mercy, and absolute necessity..

11. The prophet foretold a time, when the commemoration of creation would go out of mind; and the new creation should then be remembered. This may have alluded to redemption, and the consequent change of the Sabbath, from the seventh to the first day of the week.

QUESTIONS.

1. When did the Sabbath begin?

What is said of the division of time?

2. How was it alluded to in the wilderness ? Ex. 16:26.

Did Noah observe it? Gen. 8: 10, 12.

3. What allusion to Cain and Abel? What did Christ say of it?

4. To what, at first, adapted?

What did it then commemorate? Ex. 20:11.

5. What were revolutions of the earth made to symbolize? Gen 1: .

What would the seventh?

6. What more did it symbolize, when it was given to Moses? Deut. 5:15.

7. What may be inferred from the stringent laws for its observance ?

What was the penalty?

How did prophets allude to it?

What does Isaiah say? Isa. 58:13.

8. What connection with national prosperity? What nation can testify to untold woes, under its abolition?

9. What is said of moral standards?

What is said of unnecessary sleep?

10. When do we misuse it?

What are the exceptions?

11. What time did Isaiah speak of? Isaiah 65: 17, 18.

What may this refer to?

Upon what day was Christ resurrected? * Does not the new creation center here?* Have we the examples of inspired men on the subject? John 20: 26; Acts 20: 7.

FILIAL RESPECT.

LESSON XL.

"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Ex. 20: 12.

1. The law of God regulating marriage, would bring all children under a well directed family discipline. The parent is by nature, as also by the law, held responsible for the acts of the child. Hence, upon the rule of returned justice, the child should look to the parent for guidance.

2. Nature has given the parent the necessary affection and interest in the child's welfare, to constitute him the child's natural guardian. Nature has, in turn, given the well trained child the natural affection, to place itself under the complete jurisdiction of the parents.

3. The respect due to parents should be such as to give implicit confidence in their judgment,