Page:The old paths, or The Talmud tested by Scripture.djvu/51

 of the restoration of things found, it is expressly commanded to restore whatever belongs to a Jew, because he is a brother; but to keep whatever belongs to an idolater, because he is not a brother.

'To restore to an Israelite anything that he has lost, is an affirmative commandment, for it is said, 'Thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.'" (Deut. xxii. 1.)

"Anything that a Gentile has lost is lawful, for it is said, 'With all lost things of thy brother's.' (Deut. xxii. 3.) And he that restores it transgresses a transgression, for he strengthens the hands of the wicked of the world. But if he restore it in order to sanctify the Name, that they may think well of Israel, and know that they are honest people, this is praiseworthy." In these passages (and many more might be added if it were necessary) it is plainly taught that an idolatrous Gentile is not to be regarded as "our neighbour," or our brother. We think, then, that we have fully proved that the Jewish deputies in France, and the compilers of the Jewish Catechism in Bavaria, did not learn their exposition of the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," from the Talmud; neither in the particular passage which they quote, nor from the general principles of the Talmudic system. We have already stated our belief that they learned that exposition from the New Testament, for there it is taught plainly and repeatedly. We quoted, in proof, a parable spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ. We shall now add a few more passages in confirmation.

As to showing kindness to all our fellow-men, the New Testament teaches us to make no exception with regard to idolaters, or others who have not the same creed, but gives the following general rules:—"As we have, therefore, opportunity, let us do good, especially unto them that are of the household of faith." (Gal. vi. 10.) "See that no man render evil for evil ; but ever follow that which is good both among yourselves, and ." (1 Thess. v. 15.) "The Lord make you to increase and abound one toward another, and ." (1 Thess. iii. 12.) You observe that in these general rules the New Testament