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patriarchs and prophets-第9章

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were buried beneath the fruitful soil; which everywhere produced a luxuriant
growth of verdure。 There were no loathsome swamps or barren deserts。
Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye at every turn。 The
heights were crowned with trees more majestic than any that now exist。 The
air; untainted by foul miasma; was clear and healthful。 The entire landscape
outvied in beauty the decorated grounds of the proudest palace。 The angelic
host viewed the scene with delight; and rejoiced at the wonderful works of
God。

After the earth with its teeming animal and vegetable life had been called
into existence; man; the crowning work of the Creator; and the one for whom
the beautiful earth had been fitted up; was brought upon the stage of
action。 To him was given dominion over all that his eye could behold; for
〃God said; Let Us make man in Our image; after Our likeness: and let them
have dominion over 。 。 。 all the earth。 。 。 。 So God created man in His own
image; 。 。 。 male and female created He them。〃 Here is clearly set forth the
origin of the human race; and the divine record is so plainly stated that
there is no occasion for erroneous

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conclusions。 God created man in His own image。 Here is no mystery。 There is
no ground for the supposition that man was evolved by slow degrees of
development from the lower forms of animal or vegetable life。 Such teaching
lowers the great work of the Creator to the level of man's narrow; earthly
conceptions。 Men are so intent upon excluding God from the sovereignty of
the universe that they degrade man and defraud him of the dignity of his
origin。 He who set the starry worlds on high and tinted with delicate skill
the flowers of the field; who filled the earth and the heavens with the
wonders of His power; when He came to crown His glorious work; to place one
in the midst to stand as ruler of the fair earth; did not fail to create a
being worthy of the hand that gave him life。 The genealogy of our race; as
given by inspiration; traces back its origin; not to a line of developing
germs; mollusks; and quadrupeds; but to the great Creator。 Though formed
from the dust; Adam was 〃the son of God。〃

He was placed; as God's representative; over the lower orders of being。 They
cannot understand or acknowledge the sovereignty of God; yet they were made
capable of loving and serving man。 The psalmist says; 〃Thou madest him to
have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under
his feet: 。 。 。 the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air; 。 。 。 and
whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas。〃 Psalm 8:6…8。

Man was to bear God's image; both in outward resemblance and in character。
Christ alone is 〃the express image〃 (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was
formed in the likeness of God。 His nature was in harmony with the will of
God。 His mind was capable of comprehending divine things。 His affections
were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason。 He
was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to
His will。

As man came forth from the hand of his Creator; he was of lofty stature and
perfect symmetry。 His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health and glowed
with the light of life and joy。 Adam's height was much greater than that of
men who now inhabit the earth。 Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her
form was noble; and full of beauty。 The sinless pair wore no artificial
garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory; such as the
angels wear。 So long as they lived in obedience to God; this robe of light
continued to enshroud them。

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After the creation of Adam every living creature was brought before him to
receive its name; he saw that to each had been given a companion; but among
them 〃there was not found an help meet for him。〃 Among all the creatures
that God had made on the earth; there was not one equal to man。 And God
said; 〃It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help
meet for him。〃 Man was not made to dwell in solitude; he was to be a social
being。 Without companionship the beautiful scenes and delightful employments
of Eden would have failed to yield perfect happiness。 Even communion with
angels could not have satisfied his desire for sympathy and companionship。
There was none of the same nature to love and to be loved。

God Himself gave Adam a companion。 He provided 〃an help meet for him〃a
helper corresponding to him…one who was fitted to be his companion; and who
could be one with him in love and sympathy。 Eve was created from a rib taken
from the side of Adam; signifying that she was not to control him as the
head; nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior; but to stand by his
side as an equal; to be loved and protected by him。 A part of man; bone of
his bone; and flesh of his flesh; she was his second self; showing the close
union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation。
〃For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it。〃
Ephesians 5:29。 〃Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother; and
shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one。〃

God celebrated the first marriage。 Thus the institution has for its
originator the Creator of the universe。 〃Marriage is honorable〃 (Hebrews
13:4); it was one of the first gifts of God to man; and it is one of the two
institutions that; after the Fall; Adam brought with him beyond the gates of
Paradise。 When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this
relation; marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the
race; it provides for man's social needs; it elevates the physical; the
intellectual; and the moral nature。

〃And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the
man whom He had formed。〃 Everything that God had made was the perfection of
beauty; and nothing seemed wanting that could contribute to the happiness of
the holy pair;

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yet the Creator gave them still another token of His love; by preparing a
garden especially for their home。 In this garden were trees of every
variety; many of them laden with fragrant and delicious fruit。 There were
lovely vines; growing upright; yet presenting a most graceful appearance;
with their branches drooping under their load of tempting fruit of the
richest and most varied hues。 It was the work of Adam and Eve to train the
branches of the vine to form bowers; thus making for themselves a dwelling
from living trees covered with foliage and fruit。 There were fragrant
flowers of every hue in rich profusion。 In the midst of the garden stood the
tree of life; surpassing in glory all other trees。 Its fruit appeared like
apples of gold and silver; and had the power to perpetuate life。

The creation was now complete。 〃The heavens and the earth were finished; and
all the host of them。〃 〃And God saw everything that He had made; and;
behold; it was very good。〃 Eden bloomed on earth。 Adam and Eve had free
access to the tree of life。 N
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