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CHAPTER IX.

Mamma.-I see you are all in perfect readiness, my dear children; so, without delay, I will continue the story :-Michael was commanded by the Almighty to select flaming warriors from among the Cherubim to drive the sinful pair from Paradise. He was commissioned to send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace, if they obeyed patiently. As soon as his approach was discovered from the garden, Eve retired, though not out of hearing, and Adam met him with reverence. Michael leaving the other angels at a distance, went forward alone to repeat the command of God. When they understood it was necessary for them to quit Eden, Eve sorrowed greatly at leaving her bower and the beautiful flowers, which would never grow in another climate. Adam was most afflicted by the fear of not again beholding the blessed countenance of his Maker; and in Paradise, he told Michael, he could have pointed out to his children the various spots in which he had been favoured with the

divine presence, and have raised monuments which would have perpetuated the memory of those visits to future ages :

So many grateful altars I would rear
Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone
Of lustre from the brook, in memory,
Or monument to ages, and thereon

Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers.
In yonder nether world where shall I seek
His bright appearances, or footsteps trace?

The angel benignly answered, that God is every where, and He will, in all places, be found alike present. Michael then caused Eve to sleep, while he took Adam to the top of a mountain, where, in a kind of vision, he showed him a field, in one part of which were sheaves newly reaped. Sheep-walks and folds were on the other side. In the midst stood an altar, on which a reaper presented the green ear and the yellow sheaf, as a bare acknowledgment that God is the giver of the earth; then a meek shepherd sacrificed the best firstlings of his flock, and his offering was accepted by the Lord, for fire descended from heaven and consumed it. The reaper was enraged and killed the shepherd.

Emily.-Ah, Mamma, they must be Cain and Abel. I wish you would explain to me

how Cain sinned in presenting the fruits of the earth. I do not perfectly understand it. Mamma.-There are many people in the world, my dear Emily, who believe there is one God, the Creator of all things, and the Giver of our enjoyments. To Him they offer a kind of worship, but it is not through Jesus Christ, because they have no faith in his atonement. Milton says, Cain was not sincere, therefore, the fire consumed not his offering; but I believe it was rejected on account of its having no reference to the death of Jesus Christ.

The sacrifice of animals was a type of our Saviour's death; and the offering of Abel proved a consciousness of his own sins which needed pardon, and his faith in the atonement that Christ would, by his death, make for sin.

William.-Can you tell me, Mamma, how they knew any thing about sacrifices? In the Bible story of Adam, I do not think there is a word about God's teaching them what to offer.

Mamma.-There is a paragraph in Mr. Bradburn's Sermon, entitled, "God Shining forth from between the Cherubim," much to the purpose ;-I will read it to you :

"We have no ground to suppose that our Lord said nothing to our sinful parents but what is mentioned in the Bible. He doubtless explained to them at large the death which they and their posterity were to undergo, and also his own death, by which they were to be redeemed: And this not only in clear and simple language, but likewise, by the slaying of the beasts, with the skins of which he clothed them. Thus, from the beginning, man was taught the difference between clean and unclean animals, that he might know which were proper for sacrifices, as typical of the Lamb of God, that was to take away the sin of the world.”

William.-Thank you, Mamma. Now will you be so good as to go on with the story? -Did that angel show Adam any thing else that was to happen?

Mamma.

Immediately a place

Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark ;—
A lazar-house it seem'd, wherein were laid

Numbers of all diseas'd, all maladies.

After a list of terrible disorders, the poet proceeds :

H

Despair

Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch;
And over them triumphant Death his dart
Shook.

Adam wept, overcome by compassion at so sudden a view of the consequences of sin. After some conversation, the angel bade him prepare for another sight. He looked, and saw a spacious plain, whereon were tents of various colours. Near some of them herds of cattle were grazing: From others proceeded the melodious sound of harp and organ. On one side of this plain, stood a man, labouring at a forge: He melted iron, drained the liquid ore into fit moulds, and then formed his tools, with which he wrought whatever could be made of metals. As Adam continued to gaze, he perceived a different race of men descend from the neighbouring mountains:

Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent
To worship God aright, and know his works.

They had not walked long on the plain, before a company of fair women, richly dressed, came out of the tents: They sang to the harp, and danced immodestly before

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