him, and thus create hatred and dissension between them. "The whisperer and the double-tongued is accursed; for he hath troubled many that were at peace' (Ecclus. xxviii. 15).

12. Is it also a sin even to listen to detraction or calumny?

Yes, it is a sin, 1. To listen with delight to detraction or calumny; 2. Not to prevent it when it is in our power; and 3. To occasion and encourage it by asking questions or approving of it.

'Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue' (Ecclus. xxviii. 28). The north wind driveth away rain, as doth à sad countenance a backbiting tongue' (Prov. xxv. 23).

13. What is he obliged to do who, by slander or abusive language, has injured the character of his neighbor?

He is obliged, 1. To retract the slander or to beg pardon; and 2. To repair all the injury he has done him.

'A good name is better than great riches' (Prov. xxii. 1). Therefore it is an obligation to restore the former as well as the latter.

14. Must we also retract when we have divulged true but hidden faults ?

No; in such a case we should try to excuse our neighbor, and to repair his honor by some other lawful means.

15. When do we sin by false suspicion and rash judgment?

We sin, 1. By false suspicion, when, without sufficient reason, we surmise evil of our neighbor; and 2. By rash judgment, when, without sufficient reason, we

believe the evil to be true and certain.

'Judge not, that you may not be judged. Why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, and seest not the beam that is in thine own eye?' (Matt. vii. 1, 3).

16. What are we commanded by the Eighth Commandment?

We are commanded, 1. To speak the truth in all

things; 2. To be solicitous for the honor and reputation of every one; and 3. To bridle especially our tongue.

17. How far should we also be solicitous for our own honor?

As far as the honor of God, the edification of our neighbor, and the duties of our state of life require it.

'We forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men' (2 Cor. viii. 21). Yet we should always be ready to suffer also reproach and ignominy for our own and our neighbor's salvation, or for the sake of Jesus Christ. In this sense it is said: If one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other' (Matt. v. 39); and, If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed' (1 Pet. iv. 14). And they [the Apostles] indeed went from the presence of the Council rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus' (Acts v. 41).

18. How are we to be solicitous for our own reputation ?

Above all by continually leading a Christian life,' and by avoiding, to the best of our power, even the least appearance of evil. In defence of our reputation when attacked we can use none but lawful means.

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But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ' (1 Pet. iii. 16). From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves' (1 Thess. v. 22).

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19. How may we best guard against the sins of the tongue?

1. By not talking inconsiderately, and by bearing in mind that we have to give an account of every idle word we speak (Matt. xii. 36); and 2. By keeping our heart free from ambition, envy, hatred, vengeance,

etc.

1. 'He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul; but he that hath no guard on his speech, shall meet with evils' (Prov. xiii. 3). 2. O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh' (Matt. xii. 34).

Application. Detest all lies and falsehoods. Never

speak uncharitably of your neighbor, nor grieve him by reproachful words: The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark; but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones' (Ecclus. xxviii. 21). However, do not conceal his faults from those who can correct them.

The Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God.
'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.'
'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.'

1. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid ? The Ninth Commandment especially forbids the desire to have another man's wife,' and, in general, all impure thoughts and desires.

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1 Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart' (Matt. v. 28). 2. Are impure thoughts and desires always sins? As long as they displease us, and we endeavor to banish them from our mind, they are not sins.

3. When do we sin by impure thoughts? We sin by impure thoughts when we voluntarily represent immodest things or actions to our mind, and when we voluntarily take pleasure in them.

As it is a sin against purity designedly to look at immodest things, so it is also a sin to represent such things to our mind, or, when such representations are involuntary, willingly to take complacency or pleasure in them.

4. When do we sin by impure desires?

We sin by impure desires when we voluntarily wish to see, hear, or do something that is contrary to chastity or purity.

5. What should we do when we are tempted by impure thoughts and desires ?

1. We should, in the very beginning, earnestly resist them, and implore the assistance of God; and 2. When the temptation continues, we should not be discouraged, but persevere in our resistance, and endeavor to occupy our minds with some good subject.

1. As I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it, I went to the Lord, and besought Him with my whole heart' (Wisd. viii. 21). 2. 'Blessed is the man that en dureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life' (James i. 12).

6. What are we commanded by the Ninth Commandment?

We are commanded to think on such things only as are modest and holy (Phil. iv. 8).

7. What does the Tenth Commandment forbid ? The Tenth Commandment forbids all voluntary desire of our neighbor's goods.

"The desire of money is the root of all evils' (1 Tim. vi. 10). -Example: Achab (3 Kings xxi.)

8. What are we commanded by the Tenth Commandment?

We are commanded to be contented with what is our own, and not to be envious of what belongs to others?

9. How can a Christian, even in poverty, be easily contented with his own?

By bearing in mind, 1. That a clean conscience is the greatest treasure; 2. That our true home is in the other world; 3. That Christ also has become poor for our sake, and that one day He will magnificently reward all those who patiently suffer poverty for His

sake.

10. Why does God forbid not only all evil actions, but also all evil thoughts and desires?

Because evil thoughts and desires defile the heart, and finally lead also to evil actions.

'Man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart' (1 Kings xvi. 7). From the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,' etc. (Matt. xv. 19).

Application. Turn your thoughts towards eternity, and you will have no difficulty to despise all that is temporal. 'Walk in the Spirit,' i.e., love God, the

Supreme Good, and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh' (Gal. v. 16). Happy is he who can truly My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God' (Ps. lxxxiii. 3).

say:

ON THE SIX COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.

1. Are there, besides the Commandments of God, any others which Christians are bound to keep? Yes, the Commandments of the Church.

2. Whence has the Church a right to give Commandments ?

From Jesus Christ Himself, who has commissioned His Church to guide and govern the faithful in His name (page 140, quest. 42-44).

Therefore, to despise the Commandments of the Church is to despise Christ Himself. 'He that heareth you; heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me' (Luke x. 16).

3. Has the Church no further right than to give Commandments?

She has also a right to watch over the observance of these Commandments, and to punish those who break them; for instance, to refuse them the Holy Sacraments (Matt. xviii. 18), and finally to exclude. them from the Church, and to deprive them of Christian burial when they die (1 Cor. v. 3-5). (See page 130, quest. 10.)

4. Which are the general or chief Commandments of the Church?

These six:

1. To abstain from servile work and to hear Mass on all Sundays and Holydays of obligation.

2. To fast and to abstain on the days appointed by the Church.

3. To confess our sins at least once a year.

4. To receive worthily the Blessed Eucharist at Easter or within the time appointed.