The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-01-14

power of Christ. thus breaking the
sway of Satan, are serving their
world in the most practical manner
possible. A friend who has recentix
been in a. certain western city, Wnere
sin has long held shameless sway,
told me that thousands Of the best
people are moving from the com
n.unity, and that real estate and oth-
or values have suffered terrifically,
simply because the forces of evil on
troll the town. Goodness is always
profitable in the long run; sin never
Is.
eye Shall BE as Gods"
Caesars slave whispered III his
car. Remember that thou art q
man." The old Roman ruler was
tempted to believe himself more n
mortal, and took this rather ostenta-
tious means Of keeping himself hum
company exaltation. Man was made
sovereign in the garden, ruler OF the
world and all hat it held: but he
was made subject to God. The
temptation suggested to Eve by the
serpent was tina she should become
equal with God, by eating OF the
fruit Of "the tree Of knowledge" The
interesting Implication Is that the
lengths Of dedication Of man to which
our times seem inclined to go is more
than impiOus: it is a profound sin.
As one sin always follows another,
| so this sin Of dislOyalty to the Crea-
tor. and his mac ambition to usurp
| His place, or to equality with
Him, followed logically after the
first temptation. which was to doubt
God. The tempter subtly intimated
that God did not tell the truth. and
that His word was not to be taken
at face value. That is still his
master temptation. If fnen really
believed that God means what He
says in His Book. there would be a
profound alteration OF conduct. But
the tempter has led them astray upon
this point. They fall by failing to
covenant-keeping, pre-eminent Lord.
The Spelling OF the Idyl.
Written arge in all teachings
should be the great truth that Gods
program for man was n Of perfect
bliss. He designed and desired that
mar should walk with Him in fell
lowship and friendship. But the
woman ate of the forbidden fruit,
repudiated Gods law, and incurred
the divine displeasure. Then fell the
great black curtain between man and
God. In a newness Of self-conscious-
ness which betokened the loss OF
their innocence, Adam and Eve found
that the company Of God was not
c~ongenial. lust as the wilfully sin.
full do not enjoy the society Of sin
cere Christians, so Adam and Eve
Stunned the society Of Jehovah. anG
hid themselves amid the trees Of the
garden.
Challenged by Jehovah. Adam un
CALAMITY laid the blame upon hi!
wife. AS one old saint used to say
Adam was no gentleman" He fail
$ ed to accept responsibility for him
t self and for his family, for doubles
r Eve had thought that she was shar
I ing with him a good thing whel
she proffered him the fruit that tn
e tempter had made appear desirabl
e in her eyes.
r For their sin. Adam and Eve wer
driven forth from the garden. an
from their pristine state Of purit
G and bliss. They had incurred tn
a worst Of fates. separation from ia
miliar fellowship with God. 1
d err statue Of Adam and Eve heal
a ing h voice that spelled their fat
They are afraid and co-nsciencc-snait
lie ten. but withal-and the sculptor hs
is c%unningly caught the redeeming ira
= in the experience Of the first parent
lie they have their arms about eac
r. other, and their attitude says, Cor
to Is the garden. gone Is God, gone
all our bliss; but still we have eac
other"
ip In the very ordeal Of the eXpulsic
he from Eden, man and woman WEI
I'd drawn closer together. 1t doubtle
I'd has been true in general that ma
In has acquitted himself more creditab
is than Adams first response would II
dictate, for he has been the defend,
~ m the protector and the provid
of the wOman God gave him to
on his help meet.
ch |
1T SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
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