Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1897-07-16

temple of God, and God dwelleth in
you," there remains yet q further
manifestation of God to men, it is yet
prophetic, yet in the future. Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men and
he will dwell with them and they shall
be His people, and God himself shall
be with them and be their God; and
there shall be no more death neither
sorrow nor crying, for the former
things have passed away, and he that
sat upon the throne said: ':Behold, l
make all things new" Thus we see
that through q process, in perfect har-
mony with all the principles of evolu-
ton, the humaA mind has been
brought to comprehend all that can
be known OF this being whom we call
God. The first step being only a little
dry knowledge gradually developing
into experience, ending in perfect uni
on, infinite knowledge. infinite ex-
perience.
Some Christian people at the bare
mention of the word evolution, jump
for their war paint. The idea of q
monkey for a forefather seems to be q
little too much for the refined manners
and polished tastes of the nineteenth
century. Evolution does not demand
anything of the kind. do not be-
.lieve it, when the missing link is found
then it will be in order. But evolu-
tion does teach that man when
brought into existance or created, was
avery low animal, nothing Intellectual.
nothing spiritual, nothing moral, but
with the power within himself of al
most unlimited advancement along
these lines, under the control and di-
rection of that being we call God l
ask any one to look into their own ex-
perience and see whether they believe
in evolution or not. There was a
time when you were unconverted, your
tastes, desires and inclinations all
tended to keep you on low, if not inn
moral ground. A happy day came,
from some cause a change was begun.
Look over ten years from that time.
Why yes, intellectual development has
advanced on purer ground, prompted
by more love to God and man and
future aspirations after better things.
My spiritual life has advanced and
my whole moral nature has improved
to a wonderful extent. Now, by what
name do you call this forward move
ment? Well, call itgrowth in grace.
Dear friend, you are an evolutionist,
you have only failed to recognize the
old and everlasting principle in the
new name. Think of yourself as a
little atom in this great stream of
human life and extend this process
you have just applied to yourself back
for about 10000 years, dropping out
at this allotted time, the great assist
ing forces, the supernatural, and you
will be likely to come to the conclu-
sion that your first fathers, although
not monkeys, were very low animals
indeed.
Why is not this belief general. The
great obstacle in the way of Christian
people and may add, of all unthink-
ing ones whether christians or not, is
found in the false interpretations that
have clustered around the edemic
scene as described in the Sd chapter
of Genesis. 1t only requires little
deeper study, a little sharper intellect
ual practice, a free'r textual examin-
alton to determine the fact that the old
theological Interpretation of this chap
ter is very lar estray, that the descrip-
tion is literal and only little event,
that is accurately described in the life
of the first man and first woman who
ever lived on this earth. No intel
ligent person who gives this subject
one hours serious thought can give
an unqualified assent to this interpre-
tation. Well, but my faith gives as.
sent to it and faith is accounted for
righteousness. Nay, friend, your faith
can never give assent to anything OF
the kind, it must be reason that ap.
proves and gives assent here. 1t is
possible that credu)ity may consent to
this foolish story and in such q case
it can only be viewed as supersticioue
folly. What then is the meaning that
is conveyed to us in this Sd chapter Of
Genesis, how are we to interprate it:
Only in accordance with the eternal
theory of evolution. Viewing this
chapter as a beautiful Mosaic allego.
ry, for which the Hebrews were ia
nous. Indeed no writings either anci'
ent or modern, can compare with the
Hebrew, both in extent and beauty oi
allegory therein contained. Thus 9
new meaning has yet to be found fol
this old text. When first written its
meaning was known as Jewish writer's
inform us, but uthe explanation has
been lost. We venture to submit thai
the first human life dawned on this
1