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that very labor； although widely different from his pleasant occupation in
the garden； was a safeguard against temptation and a source of happiness。
Those who regard work as a curse； attended though it be with weariness and
pain； are cherishing an error。 The rich often look down with contempt upon
the working classes； but this is wholly at variance with God's purpose in
creating man。 What are the possessions of even the most wealthy in
comparison with the heritage given to the lordly Adam？ Yet Adam was not to
be idle。 Our Creator； who understands what is for man's happiness； appointed
Adam his work。 The true joy of life is found only by the working men and
women。 The angels are diligent workers； they are the ministers of God to the
children of men。 The Creator has prepared no place for the stagnating
practice of indolence。
While they remained true to God； Adam and his companion were to bear rule
over the earth。 Unlimited control was given them over every living thing。
The lion and the lamb sported peacefully around them or lay down together at
their feet。 The happy birds flitted about them without fear； and as their
glad songs ascended to the praise of their Creator； Adam and Eve united with
them in thanksgiving to the Father and the Son。
The holy pair were not only children under the fatherly care of God but
students receiving instruction from the all…wise Creator。 They were visited
by angels； and were granted communion with their Maker； with no obscuring
veil between。 They were full of the vigor imparted by the tree of life； and
their intellectual power was but little less than that of the angels。 The
mysteries of the visible universe〃the wondrous works of Him which is
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perfect in knowledge〃 （Job 37：16）afforded them an exhaustless source of
instruction and delight。 The laws and operations of nature； which have
engaged men's study for six thousand years； were opened to their minds by
the infinite Framer and Upholder of all。 They held converse with leaf and
flower and tree； gathering from each the secrets of its life。 With every
living creature； from the mighty leviathan that playeth among the waters to
the insect mote that floats in the sunbeam； Adam was familiar。 He had given
to each its name； and he was acquainted with the nature and habits of all。
God's glory in the heavens； the innumerable worlds in their orderly
revolutions； 〃the balancings of the clouds；〃 the mysteries of light and
sound； of day and nightall were open to the study of our first parents。 On
every leaf of the forest or stone of the mountains； in every shining star；
in earth and air and sky； God's name was written。 The order and harmony of
creation spoke to them of infinite wisdom and power。 They were ever
discovering some attraction that filled their hearts with deeper love and
called forth fresh expressions of gratitude。
So long as they remained loyal to the divine law； their capacity to know； to
enjoy； and to love would continually increase。 They would be constantly
gaining new treasures of knowledge； discovering fresh springs of happiness；
and obtaining clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the immeasurable；
unfailing love of God。
（52）
Chapter 3
The Temptation and Fall
No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven； Satan's enmity against God
found a new field in plotting the ruin of the human race。 In the happiness
and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to
him was forever lost。 Moved by envy； he determined to incite them to
disobedience； and bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin。 He would
change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to reproaches
against their Maker。 Thus he would not only plunge these innocent beings
into the same misery which he was himself enduring； but would cast dishonor
upon God； and cause grief in heaven。
Our first parents were not left without a warning of the danger that
threatened them。 Heavenly messengers opened to them the history of Satan's
fall and his plots for their destruction； unfolding more fully the nature of
the divine government； which the prince of evil was trying to overthrow。 It
was by disobedience to the just commands of God that Satan and his host had
fallen。 How important； then； that Adam and Eve should honor that law by
which alone it was possible for order and equity to be maintained。
The law of God is as sacred as God Himself。 It is a revelation of His will；
a transcript of His character； the expression of divine love and wisdom。 The
harmony of creation depends upon the perfect conformity of all beings； of
everything； animate and inanimate； to the law of the Creator。 God has
ordained laws for the government； not only of living beings； but of all the
operations of nature。 Everything is under fixed laws； which cannot be
disregarded。 But while everything in nature is governed by natural laws； man
alone； of all that inhabits the earth； is amenable to moral law。 To man； the
crowning work of creation； God has given power to understand His
requirements； to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law； and its
sacred claims upon him； and of man unswerving obedience is required。
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Like the angels； the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation； their
happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the
Creator's law。 They could obey and live； or disobey and perish。 God had made
them the recipients of rich blessings； but should they disregard His will；
He who spared not the angels that sinned； could not spare them；
transgression would forfeit His gifts and bring upon them misery and ruin。
The angels warned them to be on their guard against the devices of Satan；
for his efforts to ensnare them would be unwearied。 While they were obedient
to God the evil one could not harm them； for； if need be； every angel in
heaven would be sent to their help。 If they steadfastly repelled his first
insinuations； they would be as secure as the heavenly messengers。 But should
they once yield to temptation； their nature would become so depraved that in
themselves they would have no power and no disposition to resist Satan。
The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their obedience and their love
to God。 The Lord had seen fit to lay upon them but one prohibition as to the
use of all that was in the garden； but if they should disregard His will in
this particular； they would incur the guilt of transgression。 Satan was not
to follow them with continual temptations； he could have access to them only
at the forbidden tree。 Should they attempt to investigate its nature； they
would be exposed to his wiles。 They were admonished to give careful heed to
the warning which God had sent them and to be content with the instruction
which He had seen fit to impart。
In order to accomplish his work unperceived； Satan chose to employ as his
medium the serpenta disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception。
The serpent was then one of