The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-19
SKETCHES ILLUSTRATIVE OF
BIBLE HISTORY.
BYABI MORT
The Kenites No. >.

upon an honest cnaia'tri-
had never baen vicious-hls own re-
t,nement saved him from that-Dut
he IVES often idle, and sometimes CIV
en to mental speculations, which
yery much feared would end IN skep-
ticism. But this term he was a thor
oughly good student,-the faculty
smiled upon his handsome face with
unqualified appreciation. Not only
SO. but he became very punctual IN
attendance at prayers, and the sunday
services at the college chapel. And
now for his fifth sketch.
The world at this period had existed
for over 200 years, and its Inhabitants
talked of the ancient and mod
ems" just as we do at present. Many
centuries had elapsed since the flood,
and although Japheth, or as the Greeks
called him, Japetus, had lived for
hundreds of years after the flood, his
descendants considered his history as
belonging to remote antiquity. Jethro
was the teacher Of his people and his
historical lectures were full of instruc-
ton to the young student from Egypt.
The latter was, it is true, earned IN
all the wisdom of the Egyptians, but
their knowledge of history was SO
mingled and interviewer with their
system of NEUROLOGICAL worship, that
il was like a handful of wheat In many
bushels of chatf. But here he found,
to his great delight, the truth, IN all
It's simplicity and integrity. Not only
in history, but in religion, in science,
and in politics. The kenites had pre-
served the faith Of their father Shem
and the true history of the human
race. They were, as the Bible re-
cords, a nation OF students. The
theme upon which the priest of
INDIAN often dwelt, was the struggle,
in this worlds history, between truth
and falsehood. The first falsehood
on this planet was the one told by
Satan to Eve. The next was Cams
denial of any knowledge of his
dered brother. But now falsehoods
have become so numerous that it is
impossible to count them. Were 1t
not that we know that God would
never allow the truth to be ob~literated,
we would be in despair. All the
mighoy power of Satan is kept in
ceaseless and untiring activity to con-
ceal the truth, and deceive the human
mind. 1t almost seems, sometimes,
that he has quite succeeded. Nearly
the whole human race believe his lies,
and are "lying in wichedness." One
of his most atrocious, but successful
lies, is, that material wealth gives
happiness. The very name of Cain
p~erpetuates his character and history.
1t means to 'acquire"-'"to possess
ito have" 1t expresses the embodi-
ment of selfishness. Selfishness in
variably leads to strife-strife to ha-
tred-hatred t murder. The Kenite
receives his name also from the word
Ito possess;'-but it is possession
OF the very opposite character. We
strive to possess learning and holiness.
We labor for wealth, but it is wealth
of mind and heart. In regard to ma
terial wealth. it is our rule, not ''to
hare any," Ger. 80, y
THE wealth of the Egyptians con,
sists of things which we not only de
spise, but loathe. Their gaudy cloth
ing, heavy with embroidery and gol,
trimmings, are to US even more re
pulsive than the sheep skin of tn,
Scythian. Their close, costly houses
heated with furnaces, are like prison
to US, in which we cannot breathe
Their deliberately prepared meals ar
nauseating to us, who live on pure
healthful and nutritious fruits. a
Adam did in Eden.
God, in his infinite goodness, an
according to mis- gracious promise.
gives us the perfect health which a
ways comes from obedience to h
laws. We build no houses we so
no seed we plant no vineyards NJ
HAVE" The stone arcades or paw
ions in which we dwell, are mere
supports for our tents and we bui
them on every hill for the use Of eve.
tent dweller, who looks for a spot
pitch his tent at eventide. We Ia
good care of food-bearing trees, b
claim no ownership in them, and
rejoiced exceedingly when the stra
ger finds support and %sustenan
.hernfrom. We feed our hocks