Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1905-02-01


Now of all the beasts of the field m.
seipeht was the most beautiful and
wise. Ere God had pronounced his
curse upon him he stood erect like man.
anu was the fayorite companion OF Adam.
and the gentle Eve. and they taught him
10 speak their language and TO con-
verse with them. The keen eye of 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 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
wlles. 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 unhoy taunt, although it
pierced her heart like 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 We
touch it, lest we die"
An, 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:
fe shall not surely die
AND Eve recalled her questionings 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"
win downcast eyes Eve listened to
the words OF the serpent, which brought
10 her heart the first doubts she had had
OF God, and the desire to examine more
closely the fruit of this tree took DOS
session of her. Never before had she
come so near to the tree: never before
had she allowed her eyes to rest i'm ones
tlonlng or longing upon its fruit. but
now win 1t hanging so temptingly near
she looked, and as she looked she saw
that IL was good for food" How true
IL 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 her eyes now. Surely il was
TO be desired to make one wise" How
1oollsh and unreasonable the prohibition
OF GOD appeared. Reaching I'D. she tool,
great. luscious cluster of the fruit
IN her hand and did eat, and gave also
10 her husband who had Joined her
"hl!e she was yet talking with the serpent
ana the eyes of them both were
opened. What an awakening that was,
In fear and confusion they fled from the
place, and hid in that part of the garden
"here the trees were the thickest and
the shadows the darkest. for sin loyeth
darkness. and the evil doer cemeth not
10 Ihe llsnt The covering of Gods
righteousness had been torn from them
and they realized that they were naked
Naked before God. Fearing His appear
ance! With feverish haste and trem-
ping hands they sewed fig leaves to-
gether and made them aprons. and hard
~ had they completed their task before
they heard the voice Of the Lord God
walking in the garden.
Where art thou. Adam?" God called
Inc call which heretofore had been
such sweet music to the souls of Adam
and Eve, and been listened for with
such joyful longing, now came with
piercing conviction TO their hearts. and
they were filled with an awful dread
with trembling voice Adam replied:
heard Thy voice in the garden. and
was afraid. because | vas naked: and
| hid myself"
VINO told thee that thou vast nakedp
Hast thou eaten of the tree. WHEREOF
commanded thee that thou shouldest
not eat?' the voice of God asked
On. the anguish of that moment. as tho
souls OF this guilty pair were brought
race TO face with their sin and realized
lhelr hrst separation from God. and felt
his sore displcasure. The tragedy of
the garden has rung down through tho
ages, and in its train has stalked hid
eous sin and grim death. The Divine
judgments were spoken. and lest tho
man and the woman should partako -,
the Tree OF lie and live forever. there
iore the Lord God sent them forth from
tne 'araen OF Eden But ere they 20
re must cIothe their nakedness. for NO
covering which man may provide for
himself will suffice to make him present.
ape 10 God. From Adams gentle Aock
OF sheep. the Lord selects two precious
lambs a type Of the lamb from Heaver
winch God in the fu1lness Of time was 70
provide for sinful man that man mipbt
be cieansed from sin and clothed upon
with the righteousness of God