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


ur@ - ELL was holding
! ] !: !. !
,Mjlln high carnival. Not
MI WI since it had opened
M its gates Of dark
III EI-i ness to receive
IRA n &yZv Satan and his an
ikI&l&3@ gels as they fell
kl q &G1V& headlong fro m
KIN III WA heaven had there
Il ~ iZr/W been such rejoic-
n = ing. The awful
III gloom and bitter
Al 4 ~ anguish and sullen
Ia - passion which had
marked the place
since the coming
of these apostate angels had given way
to mad glee and fiendish expectancy.
Evil rejoices always at the prospect of
evil; it is never SO happy as when its
Internal ingenuity is exercised to propa-
gate evil; it is never SO hopeful as when
its baleful eyes see the opportunity of
striking its poison fangs into sweet in
nocency. and making it slave of Satan
This is the reason there was rejoicing
In hell.
Satan had just returned with tidings
from the earth. But 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
fiict 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
to the earth. which the Son had but so
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,
with its lurid sulphur flames. which
made the darkness more awful. and its
fetid air. As he wandered hither and
thither and noted that all that the Son
had created was good, indeed, and that
next to Heaven this place was much
to be desired, he resolved that he would
make it his abode.
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 en- 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 could
be none other than the man and the
woman who had been the browning tri-
nmph of the Sons creative power. for
be beheld in them the likeness of the
Father and the Son, and knew that it |
was of these the angels had spoken in |
Heaven.
Voices broke the spell which held him.
md he heard the woman say:
See, Adam, there stands the tree az |
which God said we should not partake.
How often We come thither without /
ealizing it."
Yes" responded Adam, Il have noted
hat each path from our dwelling leads
lither, for the tree stands in the midst
L the garden"
1T is as though God would have MS
ealize that every step we take leads
the direction where we must choose
lis will rather than our own" spoke
lp Eve. with woman's quick intuition.
Thou art ready with thy thoughts.
ny love. exclaimed her husband, appre-
iatively. Il verify believe thou hast
poken q wonderful truth. But thou
asst not yet offered explanation of the
arkness which suddenly rolled in ypon
5 three days ago and Of the vivid fash
light which sped through space" he
hallenged, halt playfully. half ear
estly.
mo. neither can l even venture =
uess." slowly and thoughtfully Eve re-
lied. Yet cannot dispel the feeling
hat some new danger turks about us, .
nd drawing closer to the side OF her
usband she stood in silence, while be
gentle response clasped his arm more
losely about her.
"Aha!" chuckled Satan. in aendish
lee, Is he withdrew and sped hack 70
e regions where his legions OF demon
ngels awaited his coming. Revenge
sweet. and verify shall haye NV
Il, for man shall feel my power and the
nth shall become my dwelling place
nus musing he entered In high spirits
le gates Of hell, and quickly related
the marvellous story OF the earth and !
inhabitants. and the opportunities I
'esented for warning against God and
'oiling His treasure<. .
The blood-curdling cheers and cries
Aich filled the dismal place when satan
q ceased speaking had scarcely died !.
~ before the conference had begun
70 the best methods to pursue n a. i.
mpltshing their purposes. Some vere :
instant invasion cf the earth and.
gault n force upon the Inhabitants
ereof. but Satan reminded them u the .
estsdbIe power Of God which sur !.
lnded III Who abode N HIS win. - :