The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-05-01
OUTSIDE EDEN.

Pastor Browu had just conducted
evening worship in the midst of his
family.
Tell US a Bible story, father!" ex- |
claimed little Annie, his bright and !
winsome daughter Of eight summers.
Ned, who had but few days be-
fore celebrated his twelfth birthday,
promptly sat down beside his sister
and announced by the expectant look
On his face that he, too, would join
in the request for story.
Mr.. Brown turned to his eldest
son, young man of twenty, junior
in Cornell, who had just returned
homo that day for his summer vaca-
ton.
perhaps Rufus has grown so big
and wise that he no longer likes to
hear Bible stories," said Mr.. Brown,
as he turned with smile and looked
straight into the eyes of his hand
some eldest son. 1--WE owe 1t to Ru-
fus as our guest this evening to make
him have a pleasant time"
Rufus promptly replied: Il have
always enjoyed a story from you,
father, and none more than your BIZ
bic stories; for you tell them so
charmingly that one cannot fail to be
entertained. Moreover. our English
professor has recently led us in
fresh study of the literary treasures
of the Bible, and he speaks in the
highest terms of the indescribable
charm of the stories in the historical
books of the Old Testament. l re-
greet to say that he is not Christian,
but he could not have spoken of the
literary beauty Of the stories more
warmly had he been an active mem
Der of the church"
As Mrs. Brown added an encour-
aging word, Mr.. Brown inquired:
How would you like to hear about
the experiences Of Adam and Eve on
the day in which they were driven
out of Eden?"
That will be sad story. will it
not, father" said Annie.
Yes, but it will make your hair
stand up straight, too" said Ned en-
couragingly, "for we may hear about
the flaming sword and brier patches
and snakes, and it may be the ole
devil will show his red eyes in the
darkness"
Hold, Ned" said Mr.. Brown, sol
you will take my story out of m!
mouth You all remember how Coo
planted a garden in Eden, and pu
in it the man whom he had made gu
of the dust of the ground"
lis that the reason why boys am
girls like to play in the dust AM
sand?" asked Ned.
Hold, Ned said Rufus, "yo'
have more curiosity than a woman
and you are in danger of spoilin
fathers story"
+ Mr.. Br.wn continued: Adam wa
given work to keep him busy an
make him happy; he was to dress tn
garden and to keep it. But he wa
lonely; for the lower animals coul
not enter into the highest social fe
lowship with him. They could nc
hold converse with him about til
things which stirred his mind an
heart. So God made a woman to
his companion and helper. We a
know how she disobeyed the con
mand of God and led her husband
do likewise. Hence they were dri
en- out of Eden into the cold ar
cherries outside world. Now com
my story as it came to me the 9TH
night as lay awake.
Hand in hand Adam and E
stood outside the gate of EIDE
looking back at the flaming swo
that barred their return to the ga
den of God. AS night began to
scend upon the earth, they turned
seek a place where they might
down in safety. The ground abo
them was rough, and briers al
thorns threatened them on eve
hand. At last they chose as rel
ing place for the night level sp
at the foot of a great oak tree.
Here let us rest said the ms
Strange things have happened to
to-day, and the morrow may have
store other experiences equally d
tressing. Hitherto we have kno'
nothing but peace and safety.