encies of time and place. These ordinances
are neither permanent nor fundamental. For instance during the time of
Noah it was expedient that sea foods be considered as lawful; therefore
God commanded Noah to partake of all marine animal life. During the time
of Moses this was not in accordance with the exigencies of Israel's
existence, therefore a second command was revealed partly abrogating the
law concerning marine foods. During the time of Abraham--Upon him be
peace!--camel's milk was considered a lawful and acceptable food; likewise
the flesh of the camel; but during Jacob's time because of a certain vow
he made, this became unlawful. These are non-essential temporary laws. In
the holy bible there are certain commandments which according to those
bygone times constituted the very spirit of the age, the very light of
that period. For example according to the law of the torah if a man
committed theft of a certain amount they cut off his hand. Is it
practicable and reasonable in this present day to cut off a man's hand for
the theft of a dollar? In the torah there are ten ordinances concerning
murder. Could these be made effective today? Unquestionably no; times have
changed. According to the explicit text of the bible if a man should
change or break the law of the Sabbath or if he should touch fire on the
Sabbath he must be killed. Today such a law is abrogated. The torah
declares that if a man should speak a disrespectful word to his father he
should suffer the penalty of death. Is this possible of enforcement now?
No; human conditions have undergone changes. Likewise during the time of
Christ certain minor ordinances conformable to that period were enforced.

It has been shown conclusively therefore that the foundation of the
religion of God remains permanent and unchanging. It is that fixed
foundation which insures the progress and stability of the body politic
and the illumination of humanity. It has ever been the cause of love and
justice amongst men. It works for the true fellowship and unification of
all mankind for it never changes and is not subject to supersedure. The
accidental or non-essential laws which regulate the transactions of the
social body and everyday affairs of life are changeable and subject to
abrogation.

Let me ask what is the purpose of prophethood? Why has God sent the
prophets? It is self-evident that the prophets are the educators of men
and the teachers of the human race. They come to