The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-01-03
GOD THE
|CREATOR
Sunday School Lesson Tor Ian. 9, teoI
Specially Prepared for Thls Paper.

1tn~,cON iSNls-SeneslS LILO, Aem-
GOLDEN TENTH the beginning
God created the heavens and the earth"
GENEsIs.-The title of the book means
origin creation, beginnings Ii belongs
70 what Is known as the Penteteuch. or
nve BOOKS supposed to have been writ
sCRIPTURE REFERENCES. - John
iIoS; Psalm ls1-6 Acts. h:17; Romans.
THE CREATION THE story OF crea-
ton is told in the simplest and briefest
and most orderly way, II to write II
indelibly on the mind and memory of
man; as, indeed, II has. II gives the inn
preston of an Inscription on a monu-
ment, as some one has suggested, like
the Ten Commandments on the Tables
Of Stone. Its poetic form aids the mem
ory. The more science reveals of Gods
works, the more poetic do we find the
acts and facts OF God.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
All are agreed that the Scriptures
were not given to teach science. and
do not teach science. They do not
use scientific language, they do not
teach science but state facts in every
literary form, in the common Ian
guage OF daily life Hence, the vary.
Ing theories Of science do not affect
its truth. A good example Is the diff
ference between the plain statement
that the sun sets" and the scientific
statement about the sun standing still
and the earth revolving. Most of the
objections made to the accuracy OF
the Genesis account arise from the
disregard OF this principle, either in
regard to geology or language. Rus
kin well says (Naodsrn Painters, Vol.
w.. "F1rmament''), with respect to
this whole chapter. we must remem.
Der always that It is intended for
the instruction Of all mankind, not
for the learned reader only: and that.
therefore. the most simple and natur-
al Interpretation is likoliest In general
to be the true ono"
Professor Rios, IN hin latest re-
vision Of Dana's school geology. re-
peatedly gives the general order OF
dcvelopmsat. Plants. rhisopods (the
eariiee1 animal mel. molushs, fishes.
reptiles. hrds. mammals. man. A
biologist toll ne that vhils plant life
and animal lifs be0sa at nearly tho
same tDo. yet ~ piant lffS wss the
sum of fewer Qualities than animal
life. plant life vas lower IN the scale
thaa aainal life. and before animal
life IN the sense that animal life d.
rectiy or Indirectly depended on piant
life Professor Rice calls these periods
~ths reign" o. 'ths era" the king
don,- the group" Of fishes. Of rep
tiles. stc.: and adds this note: these
expresstoas sare not to be under.
stood ~ implying that the several
groups of animals mentioned were
confined to the era named In oonnec.
ton with them. but only that they
were the most Characteristic species
Of the ora" That note should be
understood as belonging to the de-
scription Of each day" in the Genesis
record. and the word day" should be
interpreted as freely, as are reign"
and kin gdom- without any king. in
the common language Of a great geo
logist
Tho opening sentence Of the Bible
is, perhaps, the most weighty sen
tencs ever uttered. II is a declara-
ton on nearly all the great problems
now exercising scientists and philoso-
phers-God. creation. the whole. ster-
nifty. cause. time. space. infinity. force,
design, intelligence. win. destiuy."-
Austin Biesbower.
The uAity Of God. There h one
God. auA only one. In the earlier
theological treatises, up to . very late
date. one q the first things was to
prove bT all known arguments tho
unity Of Gsd. In our dsy science has
settled the question. The unity Of
creation proclaims tho unity Of God
So far - geology has revealed the
past, 90 far as the telescope and
spectrum analysis. which have marv-
elousiy widened our knowledge Of late
years, can tell us-all parts OF the
universe are constructed on one plan
and Of the same materials.
The everlasting God Is q personal
God, with all the characteristics
which make our souls personal, and
how many more we know not. He
has will. and wisdom. and affections,
and power He is infinite, eternal.
and Interchangeable In his being. wis
dom. power. holiness, justice, good
ness. and truth"
This Creator God is our Creator
and our Father. II we sum up In
one ideal all that has been written
or imagined. or found In all history,
of the best that belongs to earthly
fatberhood. we can get some idea of
what the fatherhood Of God means to
US.
The fact that we have God and
Father brings with 1t certain duties
obedience, love, worship, prayer. Com
pare the first four commandments.
1t also brings great privileges. Com.
munion with such God, the constant
presence Of such an ideal. has a
mighty characterforming power.
There is comfort, hope, strength, life,
all good, in the consciousness that
the infinite God Is our Father, guide,
and friend