[13] We would remind the young Christian reader especially, that the true safeguard against sins of ignorance is, the study of the Word; and the true safeguard against presumptuous sins is, subjection to the Word. We all need to bear these things in mind, but our younger brethren particularly. There is a strong tendency amongst young Christians to get into the current of this present age, and to drink in its spirit. Hence the independence, the strong will, the impatience of control, the disobedience to parents, the headiness, high-mindedness, and self-confidence, the pretentious style, the assumption, the setting up to be wiser than elders—all these things so hateful in the sight of God, and so entirely opposed to the spirit of Christianity. We would most earnestly and lovingly entreat all our young friends to guard against these things, and to cultivate a lowly mind. Let them remember that “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly.” [14] Even in the matter of appointing deacons, in Acts vi. we see it was an apostolic act. “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom _we may appoint_ over this business.” The brethren were allowed to _select_ the men, inasmuch as it was their money that was in question; but the _appointment_ was divine; and this, be it remembered, had reference merely to the business of deacons who were to manage the Church’s temporal affairs. But as regards the work of evangelists, pastors, and teachers, it is wholly independent of human choice and human authority, and rests simply upon the gift of Christ. (Eph. iv. 11.) [15] As a general principle, the “son” presents the divine idea; the “daughter,” the human apprehension thereof: the “male” sets forth the thing as God gives it; the “female,” as we realize and exhibit it. [16] Let the reader consider what the moral effect must be of taking the above passage literally and applying it to a certain priestly class in the Church of God. Take it typically and spiritually, and you have a striking and beautiful figure of the spiritual food provided for all the members of the priestly family, which is, in one word, Christ in all His preciousness and fullness. [17] For further remarks on the subject presented in Numbers xviii. 14-19, the reader is referred to “Notes on Exodus,” chapter xiii. We are anxious to avoid, as much as possible, any repetition of what has been gone into in previous volumes. [18] “The camp,” in the above passage, refers primarily to Judaism; but it has a very pointed moral application to every system of religion set up by man, and governed by the spirit and principles of this present evil world.