The Way of Life from Paradise Lost to Paradise Restored.
By M. G. Kellogg
THE above is the title of an allegorical picture designed to illustrate the fall of man into sin, and his redemption therefrom. It presents to the eye, at a single glance, the object of the forms and ceremonies of the Patriarchal, Jewish, and Christian systems of religion, and illustrates the fact that the law of God and the gospel of Christ run parallel from the fall of man to the end of probation. It also shows the contrast between the ritual law of the Jews, and the moral law as expressed in the ten commandments, illustrating the manner in which the former ended at the death of Christ; while the latter remains as eternal and unchangeable as the throne of Heaven, being the basis of God's government over all intelligent beings. The crucified Christ is made the central figure in the picture. At the left of this figure is a striking representation of the Jewish and Patriarchal ages, and the sacrificial offerings which shadowed forth the coming Saviour. These are represented by altars of burnt-offering, standing in the shadow of the cross, which extend to the margin of the picture. At the extreme left of the picture is seen a representation of the garden of Eden, and the expulsion of Adam and Eve therefrom; also the angel that kept the way of the tree of life. The shadow of the cross extends to the garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve are represented as walking in the shadow, toward Christ. This illustrates the fact that they had faith in the promise of a coming Saviour. Abel's offering is shown, also his death at the hand of Cain. He lies dead in the shadow of the cross, showing that he died in the faith. Near the center of the picture is a graphic illustration of the saying of Christ in Matt. 22: 36-40. The all-seeing eye of God is represented as looking through his law to behold the children of men and compare their actions with the requirements of his law, and thus detect every sin. At the right of the cross, is seen a representation of the Lord's supper and of baptism, ordinances to be observed in this age in remembrance of Christ, and to point the believer back to his death, just as the sacrificial offerings of past ages pointed the penitent sinner forward to the death of Christ. The picture contains a representation of the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven; and represents the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven. It also gives a representation of the peace and harmony that is to exist in the animal creation after the earth shall have been made new, and the Paradise of God shall have been restored to it. There the wolf and the lamb shall feed together; there the lion shall eat straw like the bullock. There the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. Appropriate figures are introduced, illustrating every point of our faith. Several weeks of careful thought and labor were spent in designing and arranging this picture, so that while it should serve as an ornament, it might also serve to call attention to the great subjects which it illustrates, and assist the student of the Bible in obtaining a correct understanding of those subjects. The work was executed in Philadelphia, in the best style of lithography. It is printed in two tints; on plate paper, suitable for framing; also on map paper, mounted on cloth and rollers, and varnished. The cost of drawing this beautiful and interesting picture on stone, preparatory to printing, was two hundred dollars. It is 19x24 inches in size. It is for sale at this Office. Price, post paid, by mail, on plate paper, $1.00; on rollers, backed and varnished, $2.00. Address Review and Herald.