too that none of our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic, professing the same God, the same Christ, and reading the same Bible with ourselves were chargeable with this crime, and the causers of so much misery to their fellow creatures, and stumbling blocks to their fellow-christians! May we pray for those who sin and those who suffer in these respects! The next crime worthy of death is in the next chapter, verse 18. suffer a witch to live." peated, (Lev. xx. 27,) "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." So again in Deuteronomy xviii.

10.

"Thou shalt not

The same law is re

Of the power of witches we have an instance in the history of Saul. One was able to bring before him Samuel, in such a way as he could converse with him. (1 Sam. xxviii.) She was a woman that had a familiar spirit. Of the source of this power, we can have no doubt. It is of the devil. What revelations are not of God, must be of that Wicked One.

There are perhaps no such possessors of familiar spirits in our own country. It is said by some that in idolatrous countries, as India, where the devil's power is not, as here, short

ened and kept under by the prevailing power of God's word and Spirit, that he is still able to work the abominations, as in times of old, and among the heathen in the days of the Jews.

Perhaps in the latter days, and before the end comes, as the devil is to have greater power before he is finally destroyed, he may again bewitch people, and show himself in "sorcerers, enchanters, and charmers." Sorcerers are named in the last chapter of Revelations, as shut out from the kingdom of glory.

Let us be careful that we never encourage the least approach to a resemblance to these abominations. Some are found who for the sake of gain, pretend to be able to tell us our future fortunes, and other wonders. Too many are ready to consult them, and to look to them for advice, relief under sickness, or guidance in difficulty. It is of course a vain search, and it is certainly a sinful one.

One, and one only, oracle have we,—the Word of the living God,-to which we must go for an answer to every question that can make us anxious or troubled in mind. This is the voice of the Good Spirit, and all that he declares is truth. He, it is promised, "will guide us into all truth." He will "show us

things to come," unveiling as far as is good for us to know, the mysteries of prophecy; He will show us all those things which belong to our peace.

PRAYER.

On

O GOD, Thou hast taught me to hate all manner of sin, and by Thy holy law Thou hast declared thy hatred against it. I am indeed worthy of death, for I have sinned against Thee. In my heart is found the root of every sin. Lord! when I am judged by Thy law, I am utterly condemned. But O! merciful Father, I look from the law unto Christ. Him be my sins, and let His righteousness be mine. Let all my past, present, and future short-comings be forgiven me, and let the blood of Jesus be upon me. Let the seeds of Thy grace take the place of sin within, and be daily springing up in fruits of righteousness. Let the love of sin be put wholly out, and let the love of Christ take possession of my whole soul. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Keep me from evil

of every kind, and preserve me by Thy power blameless unto the end, for Jesus Christ His sake. AMEN.

SUNDRY LAWS.

"And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect." EXODUS XXIII. 13.

MANY laws and rules which are given here, are repeated in other parts of these Books of Moses. This was, no doubt, because of their importance, and the proneness of persons to forget them. For the same reason, the people are here called upon to be circumspect, that is, very careful, and keeping a constant watch over their actions.

The Christian is reminded also of the need of this circumspection and careful walking. St. Paul says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." (Eph. v. 15.)

Let us note some of the chief rules laid down here for the Jews. Where the letter applies not to us, the Spirit does always.

Thus, of this that is written, (Chap. xxii. 28.)" Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people."

sense.

The word "gods" is used here in a peculiar It means here as it does sometimes in other places, princes, magistrates, and judges. It is used in this sense in the Eighty-second

S

Psalm," God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, He judgeth among the gods." In the same Psalm and sixth verse, it is written, "I have said ye are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High; but ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes."

The term probably came to be applied to judges and rulers in the land, from the fact of their being appointed to speak to the people the mind and will of God, and to pronounce judgment, instead of making application to God Himself, each time. Thus, the Lord said to Moses, (Exodus vii. 1.)-"See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh." By which was meant that Moses should act as God's ambassador, and represent God to Pharaoh, requiring obedience to God's commandments, and inflicting punishment for disobedience.

We find St. Paul acting upon this precept and quoting it, when standing before the great council of the Jews, he was accused of reviling the High Priest. He said, “I wist not, brethren, that he was the High Priest, for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." (Acts xxiii. 5.)

This command is to be obeyed, even when the rulers may be ungodly, and in no wise actuated by right motives. We are to respect them and their office, and

obey their laws,