8. What sin does he commit who deliberately makes away with himself?

He commits three horrible crimes: 1. A crime against the Divine Majesty, who alone has power over life and death; 2. A crime against his own soul, which he mercilessly plunges into eternal hell-fire; and 3. A crime against human society, and especially against his relations, on whom he brings inexpressible grief and disgrace.

9. How does the Church, therefore, punish suicide, or self-murder?

She refuses Christian burial to the self-murderer, for his own punishment, as well as to deter others from doing the same.

10. Are we never allowed to expose our life or our health to danger?

Never without necessity; but, when a higher duty requires it, we may (Matt. x. 28).

11. May we desire our own death?

No, we may not when the desire proceeds from dejection or despair; but we may when we ardently desire to offend God no more, and to be united with Him in Heaven.

'I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ' (Phili. i. 23).

12. When do we injure our neighbor as to the life of his soul?

When we scandalize him; that is, when we deliberately seduce him to sin, or voluntarily influence him, and give him occasion, to commit it.

13. Who render themselves guilty of this sin? In general, all those who in any way incite, advise, or help others to do evil, command them to do it, or approve of it; a..d in particular those, 1. Who use impious or filthy language, or dress themselves immodestly; 2. Who spread abroad bad books and pictures; Who open their houses to thieves, drunkards,

gamblers, or other wicked men, for their unlawful meetings; and 4. Those superiors who give bad example, or who do not hinder evil, as they are in duty bound to do.

14. What should in particular deter us from giving scandal ?

1. The thought that he who gives scandal is a minister of Satan, destroying those souls which Jesus Christ has ransomed with His blood, by seducing them to sin.

'He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning' (John viii. 44). Destroy not him, for whom Christ died' (Rom. xiv. 15).

2. The dreadful consequences of seduction, since those who have themselves been seduced generally seduce others, and thus the sin is continually propagated.

The whole human race corrupted through the descendants of Cain (Gen. vi.) Jeroboam's sin and punishment (3 Kings xii.xiv.)

3. The awful sentence of Jesus Christ.

'He that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it wer better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals; woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh' (Matt. xviii. 6, 7). Example of Eleazar, who chose to die rather than scandalize young men (2 Mac. vi.); and of St. Paul (1 Cor. viii. 13).

15. What must we do when we have injured our neighbor as to his body or soul?

We must not only repent and confess the sin, but we must also, as far as it is in our power, repair the evil we have done.

16. What are we commanded by the Fifth Commandment?

We are commanded, 1. To live in peace and union with our neighbor; 2. To promote, according to our

condition, his spiritual as well as his corporal welfare; and 3. To take also reasonable care of our own life and health.

Application. Never presume to curse, to abuse, or to strike any one; but, as it is becoming to a child of God, be peaceable, kind, and meek. Shun a seducer, as the devil; for he is about to kill your soul, let his words or promises be ever so charming and pleasing. Beware of murdering your neighbor's soul by any scandalous act or word.

The Sixth Commandment of God.

'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'

1. What does the Sixth Commandment forbid ? The Sixth Commandment forbids, 1. Adultery and all sins of impurity; as unchaste looks, words, jests, touches, and whatsoever else violates modesty; and 2. Everything that leads to impurity.

'But fornication and all uncleanness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints, or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility' (Eph. v. 3, 4).

2. What is it that generally leads to impurity?

1. Curiosity of the eyes; 2. Immodest dress; 3. Flatterers or seducers; 4. Obscene books and scandalous pictures; 5. Nocturnal interviews, indecent plays and dances; 6. A too free intercourse with the other sex; 7. Drunkenness and revelry; and 8. Idleness and effeminacy.

3. Why must we most carefully guard against impurity?

1. Because no sin is more shameful; and 2. Because none is attended with such dreadful consequences.

4. Why is this sin so shameful?

Because man, who, as the image and temple of God, is called to a pure and holy life, is degraded by it to the level of an impure or unclean animal; whence it

is styled, Sin of impurity or uncleanness (comp. 1 Cor. iii. 17).

5. What are the consequences of impurity?

1. It robs man of his innocence, and infects his body and soul; 2. It leads him to many other sins and vices, and often to murder and despair; and 3. It plunges him into misery, ignominy, and shame, and finally into eternal damnation.

'He that joineth himself to harlots will be wicked: rottenness and worms shall inherit him' (Ecclus. xix. 3). The whoremongers shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone' (Apoc. xxi. 8).

Examples: Impurity led David, Solomon, the two Elders (Dan. xiii), Herod, and Herodias into the greatest crimes. Chiefly on account of impurity, nearly the entire human race was destroyed by the Deluge; Sodom and Gomorrha, by a rain of brimstone and fire; twenty-four thousand Israelites were put to death in the desert; and almost the whole tribe of Benjamin perished by the sword.

6. Is every sin of impurity a grievous sin?

Yes, every sin of impurity which one commits knowingly and willingly, either with himself or with others, is a mortal sin; for know you this and understand,' says St. Paul (Ephes. v. 5), that no fornicator, or unclean person, hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.'

7. Are all sins of impurity equally grievous ?

No; some are more grievous than others, according to the persons with whom the sin is committed; or according as the sin is more heinous and unnatural, and its consequences are more pernicious.

8. What are we to do when we doubt whether anything is a sin against purity?

We must consult our Director, and in the meantime carefully avoid what we are doubtful of.

9. What are we commanded by the Sixth Commandment?

We are commanded to be decent and modest in all our thoughts, looks, words, and actions, and to preserve most carefully the innocence of our soul as the greatest good and the most beautiful ornament of man.

10. What means should we employ in order to preserve our innocence?

We should, 1. Shun all bad company and all occasions of sin (Ecclus. iii. 27); 2. Carefully guard our senses, especially our eyes (Psalm cxviii. 37); 3. Often receive the Holy Sacraments; 4. In temptation recommend ourselves to God and to the Blessed Virgin; 5. Remember that God sees everything, and that we may die at any moment (Ecclus. vii. 40); and 6. We should earnestly exercise ourselves in humility, in the mortification of the flesh, and in self-denial (Gal. v. 24).

Application. Love the innocence of your soul; often meditate on these words of the Holy Scripture: Oh! how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory; for the memory thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God and with men. It triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts' (Wisd. iv. 1, 2). Therefore, whether you are by yourself or with others, never say or do anything that may not be said or done before people of propriety; and should any one attempt to lead you to what is wrong, repulse him or seek for the protection of others. 'My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them. If they shall say: Come with us; my son, walk not thou with them" (Prov. i. 10-15).

The Seventh Commandment of God.

'Thou shalt not steal.'

1. What does the Seventh Commandment forbid ? The Seventh Commandment forbids us to injure our neighbor in his property by robbery or theft, by cheating, usury, or in any other unjust way.