The L'Anse sentinel., 1905-02-04


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 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 ana sin throughout
the ages, and first In the garden he cap
tlvated 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, al. c
would have turned away as on former
occasions, when she spied the serpent,
and as he called to her. she came nehr
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 n.t
sense the unholy taunt, although It
pierced her heart like poison dart.
I'VE 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
IN m III Of of tho oordop God hath col 4
ye shall not eat of 1t, neither shall ye
touch 1t. lest ye die"
Ah, 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 transgression of Gods laws.
With incredulous smile, the serpent
spoke in confident and positive tones:
"Ye shall not surely die"
And Eve recalled her cuestionings as
to what death meant. But why had
God spoken OF death II there was no
death? In reply to her questioning Il ok,
the serpent continued: For God doth
know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened; and ye shall
| w 40 ScuS, hhoWih6 SlOu duu cNii
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 sho
come so near to the tree; never be fore
had she allowed her eyes to rest In ques-
nr In n tte h,tt
now with 1t hanging SO temptingly near
she looked, and as she looked she saw
that II was good for food" How true
1t 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 II vas
ito be desired to make one WISE" Flow
foolish and unreasonab BILE the prohibition
OF God appeared. Reaching up, she took
great, luscious cluster of the fruU
In her hand and did eat. and gave slst
to her husband, who had Joined her
while she was yet talking with the serpent.
And the eyes of them both were
opened. What an awakening that wasi
In fear and confusion they fed from the
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
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-
bling hands they sewed fig leaves to-
gether and made them aprons. and hard
ly had they completed their task before
they heard the voice of the Lord God
walking In the garden.
Where art thou, Adam?" God called.
The 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:
T heard Thy voice in the garden, and
I was afraid, because l was naked; and
I hid myself"
who told thee that thou vast naked?
Hast thou eaten OF the tree, whereof
ouniudHucu luce tndt tHOu snOulOebt
not eat?" the voice OF God asked.
Oh, the anguish of fthat moment, as the
souls Of this guilty pair were brought
face to face with their sin and realized
their first separation from God, and felt
His sore displeasure. The tragedy OF
the garden has rung down through the
ages, and in It's train has stalked hid
eous sin and grim death. The Divine
judgments were spoken, and lest the
man and the woman should partake OF
the tree OF life and live forever, there
fore the Lord God sent them forth from
the Garden Of Eden" But ere they go
lie must clothe their nakedness, for no
covering which man may provide for
himself will suffice to make him present.
able to God. From Adams gentle flock
Of sheep, the Lord selects two precious
lambs. a type Of the lamb from Heaven
which Cod In the fullness of time was tc
provide for sinful man, that man might
be cleansed from sin and clothed upon
with the Righteousness of God.
Who can know the feelings of that
sinful pair, as they beheld the hand OF
God slay the lambs and take from them
their skins! A life given up for each
that each might have covering for his
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