The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
Beginning of Sin and Redemption
(Gen. III, 1-15).

prepared for The Republic by ]. E Gilbert. D.
D.. Secretary Of American Society Of Religious
Education)
CONTEXT.-The story OF the creation is
evidently twice told in Genesis. Last les
son covered the first account. The second
record condenses into four verses Gen.
II, 40, what was given in greater detail
in twenty-eight verses. Gen. !. 2S, but
with a new view of the origin Of man. Then
follows a brief description of mans home
in Eden and the command not TO eat OF
the fruit Of a certain tree, and somewhat
extended reference to the creation OF wom-
an, as the companion Of man. Gen II.
425) How long Adam and Eve remained
In Paradise we are not informed. 1t Is
generally supposed that the time was short.
as their story was terminated by the
events to be studied to-day. Our present
lesson is one Of very great and universal
interest. 1t has been interpreted In many
ways. The greater number approach It as
history. believing that on no other grouna
could it find such prominence IN the sacred
volume few scholars are disposed 10
regard the narrative as fiction, illustrative
OF the relation between material and spirit
ual things and OF the laws OF spiritual lie.
teross bene had access 10 Eden He is
called the serpent. Some think he was an
animal at first erect in form. Afterwards
degraded Others claim tm mat, ne f MAS an 'n of
whom he was Jealous because Of mans
dignity and authority. The Scriptures aP-
pear to teach that he was the great al
inhabiiant Of heaven. from which he was
cast out with others on account OF SIN.
dude. 81 entering for the present purpose
Is said to have been exceedingly cunning.
SEEKING favorable opportunity. he ap-
| preached the woman when she was alone
with an insinuating question. Hath God
| said We shall not eat Of every tree Of the
| Earden?'' The evident purpose was to sug-
| gest to her that this was an unreasonable
| prohibition that God had given this home
| to the happy pair. and he would certainly
| not deny them any OF the good things
| therein contained. A question was greater
temptation than an assertion would nave
RESPONSE Oversees and 9-The wem.
ans reply was prompt empnatic ana appfo
ample provision had been made for theil
bodily wants by the wise and good Creator
The fruit Of the trees of the garden hat
been given for their food .oa.a Gen ir e.
!! ent kinds Of fruit trees 80 that there woult
be no lack. Therein was displayed the low
there was no occasion for distrust on thei
part. She then added that one tree hat
been interdicted. tree standing in yer!
den. She also gave the reason for with
holding the fruit of that tree-tt was TO
their good. II they should eat they woul,
9le. IN tneSe Two repIeS ~ nay euScuve
ly repealed the tempter. she had vindicate'
the wisdom and goodness OF God. and sh
had showed that She and her husband wer
| restrained. not for any purely arbitrar.
reason. but to protect their lives So ia
she was safe.
4 ASSERTION Oversees 4 and 5GEvar
temptation appeals to ones desire for gain
Human nature Is SO constituted thht IN 1t
!: normal state II seeks continually to ad
4 vance to that which IL higher and better
lPhi1., Ill, by This disposition towar
" progress mtist have been very strong Il