knowledge of language, as a medium of communication with each other. We must come to the conclusion, therefore, that God is the Author of language. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field." GEN. 2:20. In graceful homage, at their Maker's word, THE FALL. The Fall of Man-What mean these words of woe? Whence did he fall, and to what depth below? A few words will tell the whole sad tale. He fell from holiness and happiness to sin and misery. How long Adam and Eve, in a state of innocence, inhabited the garden of Eden, we know not. Tempted by Satan, they ate of the fruit which God had forbidden. Thus they became sinners, and consequently subject to remorse, fear, pain, sorrow, disease, and death. They were no longer children of God, and heirs of heaven, but wilful rebels, entangled in the snares of Satan. God came down to pronounce sentence on the guilty pair. He said to the woman, Thy husband shall rule over thee, and thine offspring shall bring thee sorrow; and to the man, Thou shalt eat bread by the sweat of thy brow. He then expelled them from the garden, and lest they should return, set an angel to guard it with a fiery sword. But "in the midst of wrath, God remembered mercy," and cheered them with the promise that "the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head." That is, a Saviour should be born of woman, who would destroy the power of Satan, and save his people from their sins. Adam and Eve believed God, and looking forward to the coming of Christ, were comforted. in their hearts. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." ROM. 5:12. "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." ROM. 5:19. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 COR. 15:22. LOOK WITHIN. Had I been Adam, says proud man, How many present joys obtain A distant mansion in the skies Then why hurl back thy soul's disgrace Lament their fall, but look within, Leave their deep guilt at mercy's throne, PUBLIC WORSHIP. In all ages of the world people have met together for the worship of God. Behold this mound of earth and stone. Adam has raised it for an altar. An altar is an elevated place where religious of ferings are made. The public worship of God is no new thing: it is the most ancient way, the way of the first family on earth. "Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest The first offerings to God mentioned in Scripture, are those of Cain and Abel; but we may infer from the sacred narrative, that it was a customary observance of Adam and his family. What offering did Abel bring? A lamb, or kid. It was slain, the blood poured upon the ground, and the whole animal, or the greater part of it, laid upon the altar and burnt. God was pleased with this offering, and accepted it. |