graves before they began to put up images of them, and
to worship relics. People have a desire for something tangible,
something that they can see. It is so much easier to live in the sense
than in the spirit. That is why there is a demand for ritualism. Some
people are born Puritans; they want a simple form of worship. Others
think they cannot get along without forms and ceremonies that appeal
to the senses. And many a one whose heart is not sincere before God
takes refuge in these forms, and eases his conscience by making an
outward show of religion.

The second commandment is to restrain this desire and tendency.

God is grieved when we are untrue to Him. God is Love, and He is
wounded when our affections are transferred to anything else. The
penalty attached to this commandment teaches us that man has to reap
what he sows, whether good or bad; and not only that, but his children
have to reap with him. Notice that punishment is visited upon the
children unto the _third_ or the _fourth_ generation, while mercy is
shown unto thousands, or (as it is more correctly) unto the
_thousandth_ generation.

THE FOLLY OF IMAGES.

Think for a moment, and you will see how idle it is to try to make any
representation of God. Christians have tried to paint the Trinity, but
how can you depict the Invisible? Can you draw a picture of your own
soul or spirit or will? Moses impressed it upon Israel that when God
spake to them out of the midst of the fire they saw no manner of
similitude, but only heard His voice.

A picture or image of God must degrade our conception of Him. It
fastens us down to one idea, whereas we ought to grow in grace and in
knowledge. It makes God finite. It brings him down to our level. It
has given rise to the horrible idols of India and China, because they
fashion these images according to their own notions. How would the
president feel if Americans made such hideous objects to resemble him
as they make of their gods in heathen countries? Isaiah bore down with
tremendous irony upon the folly of idol makers: upon the smith who
fashioned gods with tongs and hammers; and upon the carpenter who took
a tree, and used part of it for a fire to warm himself and roast his
meat, and made part of it in the figure of a man with his rule and
plane and compass, and called it his god and worshipped it. "A
deceived heart hath turned him aside."

A man must be greater than anything he is able to make or manufacture.
Wha