MAN AND THE MORAL LAW 61 



The West African believes in a Supreme God. 



He believes also in intermediate powers, as the man 

 of science believes in the motion that was caused by the 

 first cause in the beginning, and here he differs from 

 the positivist. He certainly does make images, and 

 they are to be seen in his sacred groves. The groves 

 themselves are dedicated to " powers," much as 

 Churches are dedicated to saints, who are said by 

 certain Christian sects to intervene on behalf of 

 worshippers of God. 



The taking of the name of God or King in 

 vain is prohibited by the West African generally. 

 They rest on the fourth and not on the seventh day, 

 and here their law differs in detail from that of Moses. 

 It seems to me that the Bavili, at any rate, rests on 

 the fourth day because this is the period when according 

 to his philosophy God's work of creation ceased. 

 Natural development under His guidance carried on 

 His work to completion also in the fourth period. 



The West African knows that it is right to honour 

 his parents. He knows that it is wrong to kill, commit 

 adultery, to steal, and bear false witness. 



And finally, he knows that it is wrong to covet. 



Broadly speaking 



Xina Xivanga Nzambi covers the first 3 Commandments 

 Xina Va Xifumba the 4th and 5th 



Xina Nkaka the 6th, yth, 8th and 9th Com- 



mandments 

 Xina Nsoxt covers the loth Commandment 



Their law Xina Mvila against wrong marriage is not included 

 in the Ten Commandments of Moses. 



