towards their support, and to provide for the Divine Service.

'He that despiseth you, despiseth me' (Luke x. 16). “The · Lord knoweth how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented; and especially them who despise government, audacious, self-willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming. They allure by the desires of fleshly riotousness those who for a little while escape, such as converse in error : promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption' (2 Pet. ii.) Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and have perished in the contradiction of Core' (Jude 11).-Examples: Core, Dathan, and Abiron, swallowed up by the earth (Num. xvi.); Forty-two boys torn by two bears (4 Kings ii. 24).

17. What are our duties towards our Temporal Rulers ?

We are bound, 1. To show to our Temporal Rulers, ordained by God, respect, fidelity, and conscientious obedience, and to suffer anything rather than raise sedition against them; 2. To pay the taxes imposed by them; and 3. To assist them in their necessities and dangers, and even to sacrifice our property and life for their defence against the enemies of our coun try.

'Let every soul be subject to higher powers; for there is no power but from God, and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore, he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. Render therefore to all men their dues : tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor' (Rom. xiii. 1-7).-Examples: Jesus and the first Christians. David towards Saul (1 Kings xxiv. 7).

18. How do we sin against our Temporal Rulers? 1. By hatred and contempt; 2. By reviling and blaspheming them; 3. By refusing to pay the taxes due to them; 4. By resistance and rebellion; and 5. By any sort of treason, or conspiracy, against our Government and country.

Of those who despise dominion, and blaspheme majesty,'

the Apostle St. Jude says: "These are murmurers, full of co plaints, walking according to their own desires, and their mou speaketh proud things, admiring persons for gain's sake' (Ju 8 and 16).

19. When are parents, superiors, and sovereig not to be obeyed?

When they command anything unlawful befo God.

'We ought to obey God rather than men' (Acts vii. 29).—I amples Joseph in the house of Putiphar; Susanna; the th Young Men at Babylon; the seven Machabees; the Apost before the Council.

20. How should young people behave towards t aged?

Young people should treat the aged respectful listen to their good advice, and, as far as possib lighten the burden of their old age.

Rise up before the hoary head, and honor the person of aged man, and fear the Lord thy God' (Levit. xix. 32).

Application. Hearken now to your parents, tea ers, Pastors, etc., and follow them, 'Lest thou mou at the last, and say: Why have I hated instructi and my heart consented not to reproof, and have heard the voice of them that taught me, and have inclined my ear to masters?' (Prov. v. 11–13).

The Fourth Commandment (continued).

21. Does the Fourth Commandment regard el dren and inferiors only?

It includes also the duties of parents and superio

22. What are the duties of parents towards th children?

The first and most sacred duty of parents is bring up their children for God and for eternal li Therefore they should, 1. Teach them well the selves, and get them well instructed in the tholic Religion; 2. Train them up, as early as possil

to a pious and virtuous life; 3. Set them good example; 4. Guard them against being led into sinful or dangerous courses; and 5. Correct their faults with Christian charity.

‘And you, fathers bring your children up in the discipline and correction of the Lord' (Ephes. vi. 4). The child that is left to his own will, bringeth his mother to shame' (Prov. xxix. 15). Withhold not correction from a child; for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die, and thou shalt deliver his soul from hell' (Prov. xxiii. 13, 14).

23. How do parents sin when they neglect these their duties?

They sin grievously, and, moreover, render themselves accessory to the sins of their children, and often are the cause of their eternal damnation (Heli).

24. Have parents charge only of the eternal salvation of their children?

They have charge also of their temporal welfare and success; therefore they sin, 1. When they inconsiderately squander their property; 2. When they do not take proper care of the food, clothing, or health of their children; or 3. When they neglect to accustom them early to labor, and to make them learn something useful.

25. What are the duties of masters and mistresses towards their servants?

They should, 1. Not treat them harshly, but kindly ; 2. Give them their just wages and sufficient nourishment; 3. Urge them, by word and example, to fulfil their religious duties, and to do all that is right; and 4. Keep them from evil and all occasions of sin.

'If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul treat him as a brother' (Ecclus. xxxiii. 31). Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven (Coloss. iv. 1). But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel' (1 Tim.

26. What are the obligations of Temporal Rulers to their inferiors?

Temporal Rulers are ordained by God for the good of their inferiors; therefore they should, 1. Promote their welfare as much as lies in their power; 2. Perform the duties of their office with wisdom and incorruptible justice; 3. Punish evil; and 4. Be to all a pattern of a Christian life.

The power is God's minister to thee for good' (Rom. xiii. 4). 'And charging the judges, Josaphat said: Take heed what you do; for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord; and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you. There is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor desire of gifts' (2 Paral. xix. 6, 7). Therefore, at elections for public offices, it is necessary, above all things, to consider piety, judgment, and an honest and energetic will in the person to be elected.

Application. Always honor your Temporal Rulers as the ministers of God for your own good, and never listen to those enemies of all law and order, who 'promise liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption' (2 Peter ii. 19).

The Fifth Commandment of God.

'Thou shalt not kill.'

1. What sins does the Fifth Commandment forbid ? The Fifth Commandment forbids all sins by which we may injure our neighbor or ourselves, whether as to the life of the body or of the soul.

2. When do we injure our neighbor as to the life of his body?

1. When we kill, strike, or wound him in an unjust manner; and 2. When, by vexation or harsh treatment, we embitter and shorten his life.

3. What sin does he commit who kills his neighbor in an unjust manner?

He commits a heinous sin, a sin that cries to Heaven

for vengeance; for 1. He wantonly invades the rights of God; 2. He undermines the safety of human 80ciety; and 3. He plunges his neighbor into the greatest temporal, and often into eternal, ruin.

"Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed; for man was made to the image of God' (Gen. ix. 6). How murder is punished, even in this life, by tormenting remorse, and often by an ignominious death, we learn from the examples of Cain (Gen. iv. 16), of Ahab and Jezabel (3 Kings xxi. xxii., and 4 Kings ix.)

4. Is it ever lawful to destroy human life?

Yes, it is lawful, 1. For the supreme authority to do so in the execution of criminals (Rom. xiii. 4) ; and 2. For others, in defence of their country, or, when necessary, in protecting life from unjust attack.

5. Is it also lawful to send a man a challenge, or to accept his, to a duel in defence of our honor?

No; for such a duel in any case, even if it be not for life and death, is a great crime, which is in direct opposition to all order established by God and man: therefore all those who are accessory to it, even all voluntary witnesses, incur excommunication.

6. Does the Fifth Commandment forbid only the actual crime of taking away the life of our neighbor? It also forbids everything that leads and induces to the crime; as anger, hatred, envy, quarrelling, abusive words, and imprecations.

'Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer' (1 John iii. 15). But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment' (Matt. v. 22).

7. When do we injure ourselves as to the life of our body?

1. When we take away our life; and 2. When we impair our health, or shorten our life, by intemperance in eating and drinking, by violent anger, by immoderate grief, etc.