The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1905-02-02

Satan's counsel, and declared that OF al
the hosts he, as their chief, should pro-
coed with the business in hand. This
being determined on, Satan at once pre-
pared to carry out his plans.
Now OF all the beasts of the field the
serpent was the most beautiful and
wise. Ere God had pronounced his
curse upon him he stood erect like man
and was the favorite companion Of Adam
and the gentle Eve, and they taught him
to speak their language and to con-
verse with them. The keen eycof Satan
noted all this as he cast about for some
| medium by which he might approach
Adam and Eve and gain their confidence
and their ear.
Flattery, that base imp Of hell, has
wrought untold wee alG sin throughout
the ages, and first in the garden he cap
tivated the graceful, beautiful serpent
and made him the instrument of Satan S
wiles. Thus came it to pass that day,
as Eve strolled through the garden, she
came again to that forbidden tree, and
would have turned away as on former
occasions. when she spied the serpent,
and as he called to her, she came near
and stood under the shade of the for
hidden tree.
Yea. hath God said, We shall not eat
Of every tree of the garden?" said the
serpent, SO graciously that she did not
sense the unholy taunt. although it
pierced her heart like a poison dart.
We may eat of the fruit of the trees
Of the garden" Eve quickly replied, a
note of apology sounding in her voice.
But of the fruit of the tree which is in
the midst of the garden. God hath said,
We shall not eat of it, neither shall We
touch it, lest We die"
All, soul. why linger in debate over
the command which God has given you.
Here was where the downfall of man
began, and 1t has ever proved the begin
ming of trsnsgression of Gods laws.
With incredulous smile, the serpent
spoke in confident and positive tones:
I'VE shall not surely die"
And Eve recalled her uuestionings as
to what death meant. But why had
God spoken of death if there was no
death? In reply to her questioning look,
the serpent continued: For God doth
know that in the day We eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened; and We shall
be as gods. knowing good and evil
With downcast eyes Eve listened to
the words of the serpent, which brought
to her heart the first doubts she had had
of God, and the desire to examine more
closely the fruit of this tree took pos
session of her. Never before had she
come SO near to the tree; never before
had she allowed her eyes to rest in ques-
tioning or longing upon its fruit, but
now with it hanging so temptingly near
she looked, and as she looked she saw
that 1t was good for food" How true
it is, as James says. that man is tempted
when he is drawn away by his own lust
and enticed." How pleasant the fruit
appeared to hef eyes now. Surely it was
ito be desired to make one wise" How
foolish and ubreasona BILE the prohibition
of God appeared. Reaching up, she took
a great, luscious cluster of the fruit
in her hand and did eat, and gave also
to her husband. who had joined her
whileshe was yet talking with the serpent.
And the eyes of them both were
opened. What an awakening that was!
IN fear and confusion they fed from the
place, and hid in that part of the garden
where the trees were the thickest and
the shadows the darkest, for sin loveth |
darkness. and the evil doer cometh not |
to the light. The covering of Gods |
had been torn from them.
and they realized that they were naked. |
Naked before God! Fearing His appear
ance! With feverish haste and trem-
bling hands they sewed fig leaves to-
gether and made them aprons, and hard
" had they completed their task before
hey heard the voice of the Lord God |
walking in the garden.
Where art thou, Adam ?" God called.
The call which heretofore had been
'uch sweet music to the souls of Adam
ind Eve, and been listened for with
'uch joyful longing. now came with
piercing conviction to their hearts, and
hey were filled with an awful dread.
With trembling voice Adam replied:
I heard Thy voice in the garden, and
was afraid, because / was naked: and
hid myself"
Who told thee that thou vast naked?
last thou eaten of the tree, whereof
commanded thee that thou shouldest
lot eat?" the voice otGod asked.
Oh, the anguish of that moment, as the
ouls OF this guilty pair were brought
ace to face with their sin and realized
heir first separation from God, and felt
lis sore displeasure The tragedy or
be garden has rung down through the
ges, and in Its train has stalked hid
Gus sin and grim death. The Divine
judgments were spoken, and lest the
IAN and the woman should partake of
he tree of life and live forever, there
ore the Lord God sent them forth from
be Garden of Eden" But ere they GO
lie must clothe their nakedness, for no
overing which man may provide for
imself will suffice to make him present. .
bic to God. From Adams gentle flock
sheep, the Lord selects two precious
lmbs, type Of the lamb from Heaven
'hich God in the fullness of time was to
rovide for sinful man, that man might
cleansed from sin and clothed upon ,
18th the righteousness of God. T.
Who can know the feelings of that .
nful pair. as they beheld the hand Of :
Cd STAY the lambs and take from them