Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-08-26

- 49, report. was more
lASI0R RUSSIlll for Bible Students.
The Pastor took
for his text Gods message TO Adam.
after the latter had become transgres-
sor IN Eden. when he hid from his
Maker: "where Art Thou, AdamT
Genesis iii. 81. The speaker said In
part:
BE sure your sin will find you out"
Adam learned this lesson early in his
career. Highly favored by his Maker.
crowned with the glory and honor Of
human perfection and the lordship OF
earth, Adam had the offer of everlast-
ing life. under Edcnic conditions. But
while condemning his disobedience we
cannot help sympathizing with him
when we realize that the act Of dis
loyalty which brought the Divine sen
tcncc upon Adam. and, by heredity
upon NIL Of his race. was caused by
love for his wife.
The unvarnishcd narrative Is that
Mother Eve thirsted for knowledge,
and was not content TO await the Al
mightys time for giving them knowl-
edge She hearkencd TO the Serpents
plea that the Almighty was seeking
to keep herself and her husband in
ignorance by forbidding them TO par
take of the fruit of the tree Of knowl-
edge She had not come to know the
hcncvolencc of her Maker. and that no
good thing would lie withhold from
His obedieut creatures. She had not
yet learned that the fruit of that tree
was forbidden for a time only. and
that the premature eating Of II could
bring no blessing. but Divine disfavor.
The Apostle shows this when lie de-
clarcs that Mother Eve was deceived:
hut with equal positiveness he de-
clarcs that Father Adam was not,
himself. deceived; that he partook Of
the fruit knowingly. Intentionally, will
fully. and with a full realization of
the disobcdient act which brought
upon him death-"The wages OF sin Is
death" Thou shalt surely die" Qso-
mans vi. -: Genesis II. Ia.
But while Adams act was one OF
chivalry- was really suicide because
Of love for his wife. who had trans
crossed nevertheless. II was an act
Of disobedience. He should have had
loyalty to his Creator first. above his
loyalty to his wife. Indeed, we have
reason to believe that Mother Ewes
iransgression might have been can
celled IN some manner. since II was
committed under deception Father
Adams course should have been 10
remain loyal to God at all hazards.
and to have trusted TO Divine love
aud wisdom in respect TO the results.
Everywhere the Scriptures lay stress
upon Adams disobedience. which was
"A wilful sin against light and knowl-
edge.
The sinners hid themselves in the
Garden. The inference Is that. pre-
yiously. they had enjoyed fellowship
and communion with their Creator.
but as soon rs they sinned they real
lied their unworthiness Of Divine fell
lowshlp-sln turned them away from
God Instead of the happiness OF His
fellowship. they had discomfort and
evil forebodings Of enlargement. They
had lost their God, and. by virtue Of
their very nature. they would. In conse-
quence. he measurably unhappy one
OF the principal elements OF their ma
turc. thenoeforth. was hunger and
thirst for God. which was not graft
fed. 4 barrier had come between the
Creator and His creatures
Estransed From Birth.
The arrangement which our first
parents experienced, dating from the
time of their sin. Is one which all
mankind has inherited from them. The
Prophet David speaks Of this. saying
that the world Is estranged from birth:
and. speaking OF himself declares. II
was shapcn in lnlquity, in sin did my
mother conceive me" psalm II. ~.
God Is hot 10 be charged with the
responsibilities OF this estrangcment.
II comes 20 all as the result or out
working Of sin. All are sinners and
all feel themselves unworthy Of the
fellowship ~ their Creator, and real
lie themselves undeserving OF His
blessing The fear which drove our
first parents 20 hide has since then
driven many still further from God
ms they have dclved yet more deeply
into sin. not only because OF hercdity,
Dut also through taking perverse
course themselves. The fear has In
creased. and today one Of the most
terrible maladles on earth Is fear
dread. II Is not surprising that we
End the heather. thousands OF mill
Ions. fearing. dreadlng. not with that
fear which Is the beginning OF wisdom.