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they should not surely die。 She reasoned that this must be true； for she
felt no evidence of God's displeasure； but on the contrary realized a
delicious； exhilarating influence； thrilling every faculty with new life；
such； she imagined； as inspired the heavenly messengers。
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God；
disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity
and love。 There was a terrible struggle in his mind。 He mourned that he had
permitted Eve to wander from his side。 But now the deed was done； he must be
separated from her whose society had been his joy。 How could he have it
thus？ Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels。 He had
looked upon the glory of the Creator。 He understood the high destiny opened
to the human race should they remain faithful to God。 Yet all these
blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in
his eyes outvalued every other。 Love； gratitude； loyalty to the Creatorall
were overborne by love to Eve。 She was a part of himself； and he could not
endure the thought of separation。 He did not realize that the same Infinite
Power who had from the dust of the earth created him； a living； beautiful
form； and had in love given him a companion； could supply her place。 He
resolved to share her fate； if she must die； he would die with her。 After
all； he
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reasoned； might not the words of the wise serpent be true？ Eve was before
him； as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of
disobedience。 She expressed greater love for him than before。 No sign of
death appeared in her； and he decided to brave the consequences。 He seized
the fruit and quickly ate。
After his transgression Adam at first imagined himself entering upon a
higher state of existence。 But soon the thought of his sin filled him with
terror。 The air； which had hitherto been of a mild and uniform temperature；
seemed to chill the guilty pair。 The love and peace which had been theirs
was gone； and in its place they felt a sense of sin； a dread of the future；
a nakedness of soul。 The robe of light which had enshrouded them； now
disappeared； and to supply its place they endeavored to fashion for
themselves a covering； for they could not； while unclothed； meet the eye of
God and holy angels。
They now began to see the true character of their sin。 Adam reproached his
companion for her folly in leaving his side and permitting herself to be
deceived by the serpent； but they both flattered themselves that He who had
given them so many evidences of His love； would pardon this one
transgression； or that they would not be subjected to so dire a punishment
as they had feared。
Satan exulted in his success。 He had tempted the woman to distrust God's
love； to doubt His wisdom； and to transgress His law； and through her he had
caused the overthrow of Adam。
But the great Lawgiver was about to make known to Adam and Eve the
consequences of their transgression。 The divine presence was manifested in
the garden。 In their innocence and holiness they had joyfully welcomed the
approach of their Creator； but now they fled in terror； and sought to hide
in the deepest recesses of the garden。 But 〃the Lord God called unto Adam；
and said unto him； Where art thou？ And he said； I heard Thy voice in the
garden； and I was afraid； because I was naked； and I hid myself。 And He
said； Who told thee that thou wast naked？ Hast thou eaten of the tree；
whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat？〃
Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin； but instead of manifesting
penitence； he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife； and thus upon God
Himself： 〃The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me； she gave me of the tree；
and I did eat。〃 He who； from love to Eve； had deliberately chosen to forfeit
the
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approval of God； his home in Paradise； and an eternal life of joy； could
now； after his fall； endeavor to make his companion； and even the Creator
Himself； responsible for the transgression。 So terrible is the power of sin。
When the woman was asked； 〃What is this that thou hast done？〃 she answered；
〃The serpent beguiled me； and I did eat。〃 〃Why didst Thou create the
serpent？ Why didst Thou suffer him to enter Eden？〃these were the questions
implied in her excuse for her sin。 Thus； like Adam； she charged God with the
responsibility of their fall。 The spirit of self…justification originated in
the father of lies； it was indulged by our first parents as soon as they
yielded to the influence of Satan； and has been exhibited by all the sons
and daughters of Adam。 Instead of humbly confessing their sins； they try to
shield themselves by casting the blame upon others； upon circumstances； or
upon Godmaking even His blessings an occasion of murmuring against Him。
The Lord then passed sentence upon the serpent： 〃Because thou hast done
this； thou art cursed above all cattle； and above every beast of the field；
upon thy belly shalt thou go； and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy
life。〃 Since it had been employed as Satan's medium； the serpent was to
share the visitation of divine judgment。 From the most beautiful and admired
of the creatures of the field； it was to become the most groveling and
detested of them all； feared and hated by both man and beast。 The words next
addressed to the serpent applied directly to Satan himself； pointing forward
to his ultimate defeat and destruction： 〃I will put enmity between thee and
the woman； and between thy seed and her seed； it shall bruise thy head； and
thou shalt bruise his heel。〃
Eve was told of the sorrow and pain that must henceforth be her portion。 And
the Lord said； 〃Thy desire shall be to thy husband； and he shall rule over
thee。〃 In the creation God had made her the equal of Adam。 Had they remained
obedient to Godin harmony with His great law of lovethey would ever have
been in harmony with each other； but sin had brought discord； and now their
union could be maintained and harmony preserved only by submission on the
part of the one or the other。 Eve had been the first in transgression； and
she had fallen into temptation by separating from her companion； contrary to
the divine direction。 It was by her solicitation that Adam sinned； and she
was now placed in subjection to her husband。 Had the principles
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joined in the law of God been cherished by the fallen race； this sentence；
though growing out of the results of sin； would have proved a blessing to
them； but man's abuse of the supremacy thus given him has too often rendered
the lot of woman very bitter and made her life a burden。
Eve had been perfectly happy by her husband's side in her Eden home； but；
like restless modern Eves； she was flattered with the hope of entering a
higher sphere than that which God had assigned her。 In attempting to rise
above her original position； she fell far below it。 A similar result will be
reached by all who are unwilling to take up cheerfully their life duties in
accordance with