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


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 eye OF Satan
noted ali 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 woe ana 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 II 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, ye 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,
ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye
touch it. lest ye die"
All, soul, why linger in debate over
the command which God has given you.
Here was where the downfall of man
began, and it has ever proved the begin
ming of transgression of Gods laws
|, With incredulous smile, the serpent
spoke in confident and positive tones:
} "Ye shall not surely die"
And Eve recalled her questionings as
10 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 ye eat thereof, then
, your eyes shall be opened; and ye shall
I be as gods, knowing good and evil"
With downcast eyes Eve listened 10
the words of the serpent which brought
7 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
7 session Of her. Never before had she
D come so near 90 the tree; never before
e had she allowed her eyes to rest in ques-
( tioning or longing upon its fruit, but
r now with it hanging so temptingly near
. she looked, and as she looked she saw
e that it was good for food" How true
4 II is, as James says, that man is tempted
S when he is drawn away by his own lust
r and enticed." How pleasant the fruit
appeared TO her eyes now. Surely ii was
e Ito be desired to make one wise" How
S foolish and unreasonable the prohibition
d of God appeared. Reaching up, she tool
e a great. luscious cluster of the frui
j. in her hand and did eat, and gave also
II TO her husband, who had joined he
e whileshe was yet talking with the serpent
Il And the eyes of them both were
n opened What an awakening that was
In fear and confusion they flea from thu
D, place, and hid in that part of the garder
where the trees were the thickest ant
II the shadows the darkest, for sin lovetl
e. darkness, and the evil doer cometh no
1t TO the light. The covering Of God
righteousness had been torn from them
d and they realized that they were naked
Is Naked before God, Fearing His appear
ST ance! With feverish haste and trem
bling hands they sewed fig leaves to
is gether and made them aprons, and hard
Is ly had they completed their task befor
Sc they heard the voice of the Lord Go
re walking in the garden.
Where art thou, Adam" God called
s, The call which heretofore had bee
e. such sweet music to the souls Of Adar
st and Eve, and been listened for wit
~ such joyful longing, now came wit
ne piercing conviction to their hearts, an
IN they were filled with an awful dread.
sh With trembling voice Adam replied
no Il heard Thy voice in the garden, an
r was afraid because | was naked; an
| hid myself"
a who told thee that thou vast naked
e. Hast thou eaten OF the tree, whereC
ng ! commanded thee that thou shouldeS
j." not eat?" the voice OF God asked.
be souls OF this guilty pair were brougt
re face to face with their sin and realize
their first separation from God, and fe
SD His sore displeasure. The tragedy
to the garden has rung down through III
on ages, and in its train has stalked hiC
&c eous sin and grim death. The Divir
ny judgments were spoken, and lest III
he man and the woman should partake
D." the tree OF life and live forever, "ther
It's fore the Lord God sent them forth frol
ed the Garden OF Eden" Rut ere they {
He must clothe their nakedness, for 4
les covering which man may provide Il
an himself will suffice to make him presen
ed able to God. From Adams gentle foe
I'm of sheep, the Lord selects two preciol
&c lambs, a type OF the lamb from Heave
ire which God in the fullness of time was
nd provide for sinful man, that man migl
its be cleansed from sin and clothed upo
he with the righteousness of God.
IT. Who can know the feelings OF TIL
II l.. 4.