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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