The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-01-30
Our Young People
BY REV. R. H. RIVERS, D. D.
REDEMPTION MADE PLAIN.
An Interesting Sketch for Sunday
Schools.

He was good. Among his posses
siOns was a beautiful island. Ii
was rich in everything pleasant to
look upon. Its flowers were the
sweetest and the most beautiful.
They were of every color, and they
scented the air with their sweetness.
The fruits were hanging in clusters
on trees and vines. The birds wore
the brightest piumage, and caroied
the sweetest songs. The air was
soft and balmy as perpetual spri 8.
The fierce heat of summer was
never felt. The trosts OF winter
never blasted fruit or flower. The
sun shone bright and warm, and
gave to every thing gay appear
ance. No storm ever swept over
the island. No earthquake ever
frightened bird or beast. Death it
self was unknown. No place in all
the vast dominions OF the great King
was more beautiful than this de
lightful island. The sea that flowed
around was never dashed by tenn
pests. It's waters were as calm and
it's chimes as sweet as the sea that
John saw spread out II beauty
around the eternal throne. The
bright sky, the pure air, the gay
birds, the lovely flowers, the lus-
cious traits, the clear sparkling WA
tiers, would have ID de it fit dwell
ing for angels. There was every
thing to make one happy, and no
thing to bring misery. But no hu-
man being had ever looked upon
that lovely scene. No one had ever
inhaled those sweets or walked
amid those rosy bowers. The King
determined TO give the whole island
TO happy pair, that they and their
children might enjUn 1t forever. To
one man and one woman, as hus-
band and wife, he said, "This is
yours. Keep it and be happy"
The man seemed worthy of such a
gift. He was noble IN his appear
ance. His form was W .thout a
fault. Tall, erect and graceful, he
moved like king along these beau
tiful walks, and amid these groves,
that echoed with the songs of birds
and waved their greer foliage in the
summer sunshine. His wife was
still more beautiful. You have read
of sylphs and hourIes and fairies,
but she was more beautiful than
they all. Upon such face none of
you ever looked. The sweet babe
that looks up from it's mother's arms
and fills you with delight by its
beauty and innocence, is not so
sweet i'll its innocent beauty as was
this woman. Love, gentleness, grace
and intelligence, all, played over
her beautiful face like smiles over
the face of childhood. A poet,
speaking of her, said, There was
grace in all her steps, heaven in her
eye, and in every gesture dignity
and love" She loved her husband
with a true devotion, and he loved
her with the greatest tenderness.
Together they sat and cOmmuned
OF the beauty of their island and
the goodness of their King. They
never grew tired of these joyous
scenes. They could roam anywhere
without fear. Often their King
would visit them, and add to their
by words of love and still
greater wisdom than they had
reached. They loved Him, and
would get close up to Him, and
would vie with each other in tender
embraces of Him who had conferred
SO much happiness upon them.
During these conversations the
King would caution them not to eat
the fruit of a certain tree. 1t was
poisonous and would be sure to kill
them. He took them and showed
them the tree, and pointed out
how terrible it would be for them to
touch its deadly fruit. ut will kill
you, my children" said the King,
lit will kill you" So they kept
away from the tree.
Strange to say, that King, so
good to all, had an enemy. He was
A cruel, bad person, that desired to
10 the King and ali good people
mischief. He hated every one that
was happy. He despised the happy
couple to whom the King had gwen
.hls favorite spot of earth. He de
upon their ruin. One day |
ne found the woman alone. He |
said to her, "Can you eat Of the
'ruit of any tree on the islandr' !
OF all but one" said the woman.
Why not eat of thatP' The King
said we must not" But l say |
you must; it will do YOU good; it is
lot poisonous; your King lied. He |
s afraid you will become as great
Is He is. Eat it. You will be wise,
you will he great, if you just eat
hat fruit" The bad fellow then
Iulled down limb and plucked an
LppIe from the poisonous tree. He |
handed II to the woman and she ate
t.. He left her, and then she car
led some of the same fruit and |
rave it to her husband, and he too |
tie OF it, Soon they heard the King
coming, but they did not wish to
zee Him. They hid in the thick
yruyes, aud when He called they |
lid not answer at first, they felt so
guilty; buj after awhile the man
Here we are" But, oh
low changed. Shame covered their
aces. Guilt filled them with con
usjor. Poison was in the fruit.
l changed the whole island. 1t
vas nu H. ger lovely The flowers
yith-Ic.3. the fruit became hitter,
he air was da X, the beasts changed
nd became savage ana dangerous,
he whole heavens put on garb OF
mourning. The King was angry,
nd vet He Soved them. He had a
ION. dear Son. an only Son, and
nat Son said, Father, will save
hat sinful pair, and | will bless
heir children. | will suffer what
hey deserve to suffer for this disc
edience. l will conduct them
way from this island which they
ave ruined. / will lead tpem to
TILL better place where thus great
nemv of yours eau never come"
Go then, my Son, and dc this. You
re indeed the brightness of my I
Tory, and my very image. Go on
lis noble mission" Il will go, If
ii ! t,