The Progress., 1894-01-13

Introductorv.-Wh Noah lived
before the flood is not known, but
probably in the region OF the
Euphrates The ark rested somewhere
on the mountains of Ararat which eN-
tend through Armenia to the south
west. 1t is not the high peak now
called Ararat, but the mountainous
region known as Ararat. The time of
this lesson was in the year of the
world 1856 or B. c. 23is, just at the
close of the flood Man had been on
the earth for fifteen centuries and had
grown very wicked. The long lives
of men gave great opportunity for the
growth of wickedness. The ''Nons OF
God" were probably the sons of the
godly race, of Seth, who intermarrled
with the daughters Of the idolatrouS
and worldly race OF Cain. The chill
dren of these marriages were race
of violent chiefs. who made hemselves
great names by deeds Of war, hIllng
the earth with violence. tickle.
God gave men every opportunity to
reform lie warned them OF the con
sequences of their evil ways l2O years
beforehand. He sent Noah To preach
righteousness both by precept and eX-
ample.
Noah, the great grandson of Enoch,
also walked with God lie was vlr-
tuous man in world running itself
with wickedness. This man was the
means by which God saved the race.
Ark building where the vessel Is
oitched without and within with pitch
may still be seen upon the TigrlS IN
the region of the flood.
The ark was not a ship, but box
40 feet long - feet broad and 40 fee
deep IF cubit is eighteen inches) and
built of gopher wood probably cypress,
tall, straight, evergreen tree. 1t Is
easily shown that all the knowr
species of land animals could readily
be contained in the ark on one deck
and there were three such decks, CIV
ing ample room for food The scene o
the flood must have been the home o'
the human race, and included the
region from the mountains of Arara
in Armenia to the Persian gulf. "Al
the earth" frequently means in tn
bible ''all the region, the home OF tn
race We still use it in that sense. II
every branch of the human famll,
traditions of the event are found
There are stories in China, Persia
India, among the American Indians
] and the nations of the Pacific islands
| This fact points to some great, rea
event in the history of the race at tn
very beginning.
|. The Covenant With Noah-vers
SIT. At the end of the year tn
waters had so far dried up that Noa
J. and his family could leave the arl
When they first began again to max
their home on the land there woul
> be fear at every rain that 1t Nigh
be the beginning of another flood.
.s Q. Il will establish my covenar
with you" Gods solemn promise
their behalf This has been called 18th
covenant of Gods forbearance." ."
- I3. This is the token of the cover
y ant" The sign, the guarantee, ii
\ visible proof.
il Il do set my bow in the cloud
do appoint: not create for the fir
time. The rainbow was already
familiar sight, but it was now to |
:, sign or token, visible to all nation
and ineligible to all minds.
Is And | will remember" God
ID memory includes the whole unlver
IL of space; but his care for his childr'
55r is as perfect as if they alone existe
d 16. "And every living creature A
d. animals are blessed or cursed III ma
to Wherever man Is good animals a
happier and more useful.
II. This is the token of the co
enant" God seems here to dire
Noah's attention to a rainbow actu;
ly existing at the time in the sky, pi
senting to the patriarch the assuran
of the promise, with all the impresslN
& ,ao1i+rr