CREATION AND REDEMPTION.
By W. C. Mathewson
Inexpressibly lovely was the face of nature when earth came in absolute perfection from the hand of the great Creator. In the lofty mountain summits; in the valleys of living green; in the towering trees of the forest; in the tiny flowers of the field; in the broad expanse of ocean waters; in the winding, rippling brooks; in the blue skies of the vaulted heaven, and in the gently rolling surface of the earth, beauty reigned supreme. Serpents often venomous now and revolting to the sight, were beautiful flying creatures, perfectly harmless. The wild beasts of the forest, of lamb-like gentleness, were the companions of man. Birds of divers colors warbled their sweet songs. The wind murmured in refreshing breezes, rustling the leaves of Eden, and wafting the sweetness of many a fragrant flower. What a pleasant home was this for earth's new sovereign! How befitting a kingdom for a king enthroned by Divine Majesty! Who can fail to take delight in gazing at a scene so extremely pleasing? Alas! that picture has become obliterated. A long dark night of woe was ushered in at the departure of that bygone day of Edenic brightness. The entrance of one sin, followed by an innumerable host of malicious intruders, spreading destruction and desolation to earth's remotest bounds, has disfigured the face of nature, until old Mother Earth, in her present sin-cursed state, bears but faint traces of her primitive fertility and beauty. How terrible and far-reaching are the results of sin! Altho no more than six literal days were employed in the creation of sinless nature, her restoration must be preceded by a long, dismal period of 7,000 years. About six thousand years ago only one sin, apparently small and insignificant, was committed by the mother of our race. That sin, in its innumerable posterity exists on the earth to-day, to live on for another thousand years, until destroyed with its original progenitor, “that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan.” Rev. 20:2. O, if man had not tampered with sin, if he had not by his own hand destroyed his perfect manhood, then would he have realized that— “No slightest touch of pain,
Nor sorrow’s least alloy,
Can violate our rest, or stain
Our purity of joy.”
The world’s night of sin is growing darker. Suffering of every form—disease, idiocy, insanity—is increasing at an alarming rate. By natural law alone the human race within a few centuries would become extinct, but the God of tender pity will most mercifully deliver humanity from such a protracted state of suffering. He will soon appear to impart rest to all. The wicked rest in death, while the righteous enter into the endless rest of a glorious immortal life. We are soon to be redeemed; soon to be re-beautified; soon to enter unutterable joys; soon again to be a “royal priesthood.” 1 Peter 2:9. Redemption has already begun, and is continuing with amazing success. Now dying man is receiving “everlasting life,” pure “divine nature,” and the mind “which was also in Christ Jesus.” John 5:24; 2 Peter 1:4; Phil. 2:5. Glorious prospects are before us. Unsurpassing possibilities are within the reach of every human soul. Who will not grasp the proffered gifts of the all-benevolent Giver? “Every one that asketh, receiveth.” Matt. 7:8.