Untitled article by C. Cotton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

ADAM'S SIN:

By C. Cotton

THERE is a sentiment abroad That each man's soul is from the Lord, But not through Adam, not at all; Then how affected by the fall? If every soul in every nation, Be a distinct and new creation, A fact you see must then appear, From Adam's sins they must be clear; For Adam's sin could do no more Than to affect the fruit he bore. Now any part of us not there, In Adam's sin can never share. As Levi tithes in Abr'am paid, So Adam's act is on us laid. By one man, sin came on the world, And death all round by it is hurled. By one transgression death doth reign, And by one act his race are slain. There are no means to be employ'd By which this death we can avoid. Repentance can no one relieve; The Saviour's death gives no reprieve. It seems the Saviour was not sent That temporal death he might prevent, But that from it he might restore All that should die or had before, And give eternal life to those Who die in faith, but not his foes, Eternal life they do not gain, O'er them the second death will reign. To save some death the Saviour died, Is Scripture plain, or so implied; Eternal life puts death away, From all who do the Lord obey. What use to promise it at all If naturally possessed by all? The promise Christ gave unto Peter, Looks somewhat like a strong defeater, If to the wicked not applied, The second death can't be denied, A truth more plain cannot be penned, Life not eternal hath an end.

C. COTTON.

Friendship, Alleghany Co., N. Y.