Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-26

this world. most desired by him, would not
be obtained Matt. vi:33). Gains prosperity
ended and adversely began.
HARDSHIP oversees IS and ~
This malediction brought the man to
realisation OF his worldly condition,
though apparently he remained Indifferent
cused or evaded his deed. Indirectly he
confessed the justice Of the punishment
AND. ana pleaded that 1t was too heavy-more
recited in detail the things that he deemed
TO be especially af'lictive-driven from the
inhabited portion of the earth. and so
ans Hs fa an aS0 from
highest privilege granted to mortal: be-
coming fugitive. seeking to escape from
Just retrtbution which his own conscience
the other children of Adam. finding him
and knowing who he was. would kill him.
This was. indeed. a dark prospect, enough
that under these forebodings Cain cried
PROTECTION verse 11.-The mercy
OF God now appears toward the muir
The penalty already pronounced was not
removed-its execution had been deter
mined as a wise provision Of instruction
ways But IN
be taken by fellow. A decree to that
effect was issued and enforced. involving
the life Of the offender. Whoever Stays
II
the purpose Of God to put an end to
murder, which did not appear again until
the fifth generation in Gains line. Genesis,
iv:23). AS a security against death God
of which has been the subject of much
fruitless speculation. It was merely some
sort of mark by which all should might
him and be prepared on that account to
obey the mandate of God concerning him.
None could plead ignorance in taking this
AAe' p,,r,I rr~r1on,o Irro No.. eor,, .r,,+h.
OF great value to be derived from this
passage: 1. In any attempt to lead q re-
ligious life confession of sin should pre-
cede every other act Il john f:0, because
e The most comforting experience granted
to man Is that which comes from the Di-
vine favor, and nothing Is more distressing
than to know Of Gods displeasure; 3. Sin
has a progressive history-impenitence,
pride, anger, jealousy, hatred, murder-so
the evil grows; 4. Sin cannot be concealed.
1t is always known to God. who will bring
the sinner to judgment, and who will deal
with men according to their deserts; 8. The
way Of the transgressor Is hard. He must
carry a heavy burden out into life, and
the fear of it will fill his heart with dread;
6. God is gracious to every sinner. grant
ing favors even in the midst Of his judg-
ments. Those favors are for the sinners
good Z. The death of the righteous is to
be preferred to the life of the wicked.
Questions Answered.
Any person may send any biblical ques-
ton to DR.. Gilbert, 1903 street northwest,
and receive an answer in The Star.
204. What proof have we that Sunday is
the Sabbath, and who changed the day?
Answer. This question has been an
swered several times in The Star. See Nos.
9S 101, 116, 100, 1913, IA.
2O5 Why did God tempt man in the Gar
den of Eden?
Answer He did not tempt man in the
sense of soliciting to evil (James i:13) 1t
that. C. IT'LL But God did tempt man
In TIE sense of testing him. That was es-
sential to his virtue and growth. Games
1:12)
2os: Did not God warn man that if he
ate the forbidden fruit he would die? Why
was not the punishment inflicted?
Answer. The penalty was inflicted or
rather the consequence followed the act.
1t was not divine imposition, further than
a result according to the constitution OF
man. That death was spiritual Rom.
viii:6), such an impairment and perversion
of mans higher nature, that it came under
the domination of the lower nature
207 Under what dispensation are we
living, and when did that dispensation be-
gin?
The usual answer is the Christian dis
pensation. which began with the advent of
Christ. While that is correct, 1t is better
to say that we under the dspensation
OF the Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send
to complete His work. John xiv:16-17)
That began at Pentecost {Acts. i!:4), and
is more glorious than any preceding min
istration. e Cor, iii:S)
POS Why did Jesus select twelve apostles?
Answer. An apostle is a man appointed
to lay the foundations of religious move
ment Such men were needed because
Christ did not remain in the flesh. and it
was better that men should be appointed,
thereby making the human element PROM
nent The number of apostles doubtless
had reference TO the sons of Jacob, the
Christian church being the new Israel of
twelve tribes. Matt XiX:2S.) Besides,
there was great variety of character in the
apostles. of Jesus, arranged under three
heads of four each. There was undoubtedly
a motive in selecting these types of men.