Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-12

leSSoH, CioSfhS
with the twenty-fifth verse. gave account of
Gods work in the creation of the universe
and setting this world in order. That &C
count was exceedingly brief, mere out
line of the more important events in the
progress of slowly developing plan. From
first to last it is evident that the Almighty
had an ultimate purpose toward Whlcn all
His doings tended. In that admiraoie vol
ume, 1.-The Earth and Man, 1t Is clearly
shown that the production OF the human
species was the goal of creation. The sci
ences Of geology and of zoology confirm TINS
view. Whatever was done IN the PRIOR
ages was with reference to being OF SUI
perior mold who should appear at a later
time so wrote an eminent scientist Of the
last century In today's lesson we shall see
how the final act of God was wrought and
His noblest creature produced
DELIBERATION Verse 26)-There
appears to have been a brief pause after the
creation of the beasts, as mentioned In verse
25. Time was taken for consideration OF
what was to follow, with the decision, Let
us make man." also with an expression con-
corning his mission. 1t has been thought by
trinitarians that this elaboration was con-
Quoted by the three persons-the rather, the
Son and the Holy Spirit, each having part in
the stupendous work There is probably no
better explanation of that pronoun, US,
used in the conference 1t was decided 10
make a man God-like, the only being In this
world who should bear the Divine image.
That likeness might consist in his holiness
Col. iii1W or in his nature as trlune pc
ing having endowments by which he would
be related to two realms of being, the ma
terial and the spiritual q Thess, v:G3),
standing, therefore. very close to God.
PERFORMANCE Verse 2O.-What
God purposed to do He did. His plan did
not lie a dream in His own mind-it was ex-
ecuted How He produced man is told fur
Their on Genesis, ii:D, but not here. dual
nature was given Him-a body made of the
dust. an immaterial part breathed into him
by the Almighty, an earthly and Divine
combining. The omission of this process
from the first chapter and its insertion In
the section chapter has raised some foolish
questions which may be passed in silence.
1t is related here also that male and female
were created, the manner of making the
woman being left to later account. Genesis
ii.21-22) Thus it appears that Gods plan,
the result of elaboration, was not to pro-
duce individuals by fiat after the first, but
a race by process Of generation. The item
of sex enters here to occupy large place
in all after history
DOMINION Verse 2s)-To what mis-
sion did God appoint his new crea ture, the
noblest of his handiwork? What place shall
he fill, and what service shall he render?
This question must have been raised by any
intelligent being, not of the earth. who be-
was in the Divine mind before man was
formed and was duly announced to Him
when he came. Two commands were given,
multiply" and have dominion These
sary In order to the exercise Of authority.
See what multftudes have sprung from that
first pair to "replenish the earth. Oevitcus,
xxvi:9o The dominion was to be over the
entire globe. psalm vii:6) The deed of
conveyance covers the jewellers In the sea,
in the air and on the land. Man was APP
pointed the vice regent Of God. All made
before his advent was subjected to his rule
1t was his estate.
SUSTENANCE VERSES % and 9o)
What shall man eat? How shall he sup
port life? 1t seems at first little singular
that the narrative should abruptly change
to provide food. but in the primitive time
1t was matter of much Importance. More
or less 1T has engaged the thoughts Of men
ever since, causing anxiety with some.
Matt, vi:31.) What kind of diet is best?
What does God deem to be best for man
and beast in the days prior to sin? Nothing
was allowed but herb-bearing seed and the
fruit of the trees This was prescribed for
man and beast, and fowl and insect No
animal might devour another animal none
live by the death of another. psalm civl4D
This regulation was for that time. A larger
lii erty was given afterward. The clean and
u1clean animals taken into the ark was
press instruction was given to Noah Gene
sis, ix:3) on this subject designed for the
poSt-diluvian world. Flesh eating has ever
since been practiced.
APPRECIATION Verse 31)-It is in
teresting to know what the AlmigE V thinks
of His own plan and doings. Is His after
thought in accord with His forethought?
This question casts light on the Divine ma
ture and character. Men who are limited
In their judgment frequently admit that
they make mistakes. Acting for the time
according to what they deem to be best
they afterward discover that some other
course would have been better He is a
rare man who has not had many such ex-
periences. Here in our lesson after all is
done, from the beginning to the formation
of man. the statement is made that God
surveys it all and pronounces it very good
He has made no mistake. What He under
took has been accomplished. and that is in
harmony with the original design, we'll suit
ed to work out His pleasure. Write the
words very good over all the varied
works of God in all the universe. 1t stands
to attest His wisdom. psalm xix:1)
COMPLETION Verse D.-Creation's