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 to purge  from  other  defilements,  but  he  that  closed the dying  eyes,  or  washed  or  buried  the  corpse, whatever the  home  contained  and  whosoever  entered it — all  were  made  unclean  and  remained  unclean until,  having  washed  in  the  water  of  expiation on the  third  and  again  on  the  seventh  day,  they  were thus restored  to  fellowship  with  their  kindred. But note, I  pray  you,  the  exception. Whatever vessel had a  cloth  upon  it  escaped  defilement. Brethren, we are  earthen  vessels  all,  fashioned  by  the  hand  of God,  and  the  very  air  around  is  charged  with  death, with physical  and  moral  death. Our dangers  of  defilement outnumber  those  of  the  Israelites  as  much  as his  outnumbered  those  of  the  vessels  in  his  tent. Within our  homes,  lonely  though  they  be,  within ourselves lurk  sin's  occasions,  and  if,  walking  abroad, we come  in  touch  with  our  fellowmen,  the  dangers increase a  hundredfold. Nor does  defilement  work in us  less  mischief  or  bring  less  hardship  than  it  did to the  Israelite. Once defiled,  we  become  morally ostracized, cut  off  from  God  and  a  menace  to  our  fellowman. Oh well  were  it  if,  until  expiation  had been done,  sinners  were  obliged  to  stand  aloof  and cry: "  Unclean!  unclean! "  for  they  only  serve  to  contaminate all  with  whom  they  come  in  contact. But, says the  text,  whatever  vessel  had  a  cloth  bound  on it  was  not  defiled. Brethren, such  vessels  are  our hearts, and  the  cloth  with  which  we  must  securely cover them  is  the  grace  of  God. In our  hearts  we treasure  up  God's  gifts  and  thence  disperse  them  to our  fellowman,  but  believe  me,  unless  the  vessel  be