SECTION XCIV.

The Mosaic Law decides that we are forbidden to demand interest from our fellow man if he be in poor circumstances. The consciousness of having done our duty and commended ourselves to God in this respect will afford us ample compensation. But if our neighbour should receive our aid for the purpose of extending his trade or mercantile speculations, it may then become lawful for the lender to receive a portion of the profits thus realised, or, in another form, the interest on the loan, such as custom and the law of the country will sanction; but should the enterprise prove unsuccessful, the lender is morally bound to take no interest under such conditions. By the Talmudical law, a person whose particular business is usury is not permitted to become a witness, nor his evidence, given on oath, held worthy of belief. Usury is a crime against God, the laws of a state, and the social economy. King David testified, "Lord, who shall dwell in thy holy mountain?" Who never lends his money upon interest. (Ps. xv. 5.) The Talmud, in explanation of

the passage, remarks, "even to the stranger or the pagan." In the same place we also read the following: "Moses taught us our religion in six hundred and thirteen precepts. David reduced them to eleven. Isaiah (xxxiii. 15) condensed them in the following six : 'He that walketh in righteousness, speaketh honestly the truth, despiseth unjust advantages, withdraweth his hand from the touching of bribes, closeth his ears against blood-thirsty calumny, and his eyes, not to behold the evil done.' Micha (vi. 8) taught us all the precepts in three articles: to do justice, to love mercy and benevolence, and to walk in silent meekness before God." From these reflections we learn that usury is offensive to God and unjust to man; and observation convinces us that unlawful gains are seldom productive of happiness to their owners, or long in their possession, that riches thus iniquitously gathered are squandered by their children, and poverty and sorrow are, in succeeding generations, the retributions for such crimes.

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SECTION XCV.

DUTIES TOWARDS RELATIVES AND BENEFACTORS.

From the general duties to mankind arise special obligations to individuals, and our relations to them determine the precise character of the duties which we owe. The most important and interesting are those which are due to parents. We have only to contemplate the circumstances which accompany this relation to perceive its high importance. The care which they bestowed upon our helpless infancy, the tenderness and affection which they manifested in our childhood, the unceasing vigilance and anxiety with which they watched our delicate infancy, provided our wants, and protected us from injury and death, impose a debt of gratitude upon us which we can never sufficiently discharge. The impulses of nature and the sense of duty require that we should love and honour them, and seek to avoid that which would displease or cause them unnecessary pain. To return some portion of the favours bestowed, it becomes us to watch over their declining years, to smooth their descent into the vale of

death, to bestow upon them our tender and fostering care, and to secure them from want or poverty. Or if our relation is that of a parent to his children, then there devolve on us duties in that capacity, viz., to afford them protection in their helplessness, assistance in sickness, provide them food, clothing, and shelter, to lend aid to the formation of a healthy body, and to endeavour, by education, to form a vigorous and virtuous mind. In addition to these it will become our duty to observe the habits which they form, and the companions with whom they associate, to endeavour to train them to industry, frugality, temperance, and prudence, and to place them in occupations in which they can acquire an honourable livelihood, and become useful members of society.

Our daughters must be trained to domestic duties, and the cultivation of those virtues which will render a wife a crown of glory to her husband, and a bright example to her offspring.

SECTION XCVI.

The relation of brothers and sisters in a family imposes its distinctive duties, and love and harmony

constitute the true happiness of the domestic circle. Should circumstances render it necessary, these sympathies will then be exhibited, and should we be fatherless, and forsaken by the world, the bonds of union will be drawn more closely, and mutual aid be more heartily rendered.

SECTION XCVII.

MATRIMONIAL DUTIES.

These are important and sacred; mutual love and fidelity, confidence and esteem, form their basis. It is incumbent on the husband that he should cherish and esteem the partner of his joy and sorrow, and by his industry provide for her the comforts of life. Though power be vested in the husband to preside and rule, he will not exercise it wantonly or cruelly, but lay aside its appearance and seek to please his wife by the display of sincere affection, regard her as his friend and counsellor, seek her advice, and conduct himself with such uprightness and candour as will infallibly secure her confidence and esteem. If, unfortunately, the conduct of the wife deserve censure, he will administer