Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-24

f0l w - ~ ing. Inc awful
N z - gloom and bitter
IL / - anguish and sullen
70 49, passion which had
" marked the place
since the coming
Of these apostate angels had given way
to a mad glee and fiendish expectancy
Satan had just returned with tidings
from the earth But a short time before
this he had gone forth in response to
the advice and counsel of his followers.
Though defeated and cast out of Heaven
they were not subdued, but, like the
conquered foe that plots secret revenge
and waits but for the favored moment
TO strike, they with one voice and one
purpose counseled war against high
Heaven. That open conflict was folly
/ they had but too recently learned. But
/ if they could not successfully measure
arms with Michael and his hosts they
determined that by strategy and subter-
fuge and trickery, which have come TO
be the favorite methods Of warfare Of
Satan and his angels. they would in
flict sore disaster upon their enemies,
and perchance regain the paradise they
had lost
In pursuance of this plan Satan had
gone forth and at last found his way
10 the earth, which the Son had but so
recently formed. Fair indeed was the
place, as We know, and TO the eyes OF
Satan how beautiful and refreshing after
the blackness and foulness OF the pit.
While he stood thus thrilled by the
new hope and purpose that had taken
root within his black heart, two objects
drew near and stopped on the other
side of the clump of bushes behind which
Satan stood concealed. No sight since
coming to earth had so stirred him as
did these two fair creatures. They coulC
be none other than the man and the
woman who had been the browning tri-
umph of the Sons creative power, fol
he beheld in them the likeness of the
Father and the Son and knew that II
was Of these the angels had spoken il
Heaven.
Voices broke the spell which held him
, and he heard the woman say:
See. Adam. there STANDS the tree O
which God said We should not partake
How often we come thither withou
realizing it,"
Yes" responded Adam Il have notet
that each path from our dwelling lead
hither, for the tree stands in the mids
D OF the garden"
1T is as though God would have u
realize that every step We take lead
a in the direction where we must choos
His will rather than our own" spok
up Eve, with woman's quick intuition.
Thou art ready with thy thoughts
my love-" exclaimed her hus band, appre
ciatively. Il verify believe thou has
spoken a wonderful truth. But tho
!, hast not yet offered explanation Of tn
d darkness which suddenly rolled in upo
! us three days ago and OF the vivid fias
It OF light which sped through space" h
challenged, half playfully, half ear
nestly.
mo, neither can | even venture
:. guess" slowly and thoughtfully Eve rt
il piled. "Yet cannot dispel the feelin
e that some new danger turks about US.
e And drawing closer to the side OF he
husband she stood in silence, while b
in gentle response clasped his arm NOR
closely about her.
"Aha!" chuckled Satan, in fendis
glee, as he withdrew and sped back {
the regions where his legions OF demo
ri angels awaited his coming. "Revenf
lie is sweet, and verify shall have m
ar fill, for man shall feel my power and II
III earth shall become my dwelling place
- Thus musing he entered in high spirit
=, =, the gates OF hell, and quickly relate
ii all his marvellous story.
pr The blood-curdling cheers and cri,
is which filled the dismal place when Sata
TO had ceased speaking had scarcely die
AT away before the conference had begu
% as to the best methods to pursue in a
complishing their purposes. Some we
for instant invasion OF the earth ar
! assault in force upon the inhabitan
thereof, but Satan reminded them Of Il
irresistible power OF God which su
rounded all who abode in His will. r
!, calling 10 their minds the futile assault
upon the Palace and the attempt TO &
at the person OF the Son.
/ ct were folly TO attempt to pass q
boundaries which God has set, and
4 would but reveal TO man our true pu
:. pose and intent Neither must we a
i pear numerous company, else "
we alright our prey and lose our QUAR-
Man is wholly given up to the will
God, and his heart is towards Hi
Should we inadvisedly proceed, there
- danger that our true character may
revealed, and man be put upon
" guard. In all deceit and guile we mu
q handle this matter. AS an angel OF Zig
}. must we appear unto them"
Silence reigned for a moment aft
Satan had ceased speaking and tn
with unanimous cry they endors
Satan's counsel, and declared that OF {
Il the hosts he, a. their chief, should pr