daguerreotypes itself, indelibly, upon eternal duration. Not one thought perishes or fails to infix its character upon the pages of eternal records. This principle is sealed to the actors until they pass certain fixed degrees in the scale of existence. Thou art impressed with the realities of scenes long since closed in their active manifestations; but whose image still lives. Duration in its unfoldings, unrolls itself, a scroll whereon is inscribed whatever is. It is a book of records, a transcription of events. Each fluttering leaf, crawling insect, thought or deed of man or angel, is written in that Book of everlasting ages. Whoever reads nature from this Book, arrives at truth. Dost thou understand?

"This is a page revealing the past; the memorable scene when the existence of Adam and Eve, the innocent and pure possessors of Earth's Eden, was announced to this world. What thou hast previously beheld of this realm, is connected with that event; hence this assemblage explains why at thy former visit here the inhabitants were not in their usual occupation upon the land or seas. He who is now represented as addressing those assembled is an Angelic Messenger from superior heavens. The anxious expression of his countenance, and which was also revealed by his audience, was because of a vile deceiver, who was seeking the ruin of the

blissful pair on earth, who though then innocent and unsuspecting, by reason of a constitution heretofore explained, were capable of neglecting the counsels of Heaven, and of becoming the prey of carnal desires. Let us depart."

* * *

CHAPTER VIII.

ORIGINAL EDEN OF EARTH.

THUS saying, we descended from that Paradis. iacal world to the earth, and paused above ancient Eden. Before us appeared Adam and Eve in their native loveliness. But how little they compared with man as he now is! And nature, too, how superior to what earth now presents. Alas! for the consequences of sin. Eden was a model of perfection. The aerial and faunal kingdoms, manifested divine order, and vegetation unfolded earth's unalloyed virtues. The foliage upon the trees gently moved under the influence of the balmy zephyrs. Fruit rich and golden, hung upon the pendant boughs, and Earth's surface was clothed in Flora's choicest garb. Above, the heavens smiled and reflected their glory from a cloudless sky.

"Behold," said my counselor, "Eden as it was! But in the distance observe that orb of night, dark and dreary. It is the habitation of rebellious souls. They seek to tempt this lovely and innocent pair, and pollute them with the spirit of their unhallowed natures. The law of being has been revealed. Each soul must choose the right and reject the wrong. Upon

this ability depends intelligence.

Without it

there could not be man or angel. Between the laws of mind and matter there is no analogy.'

A dark cloud now drew near, which disclosed a clan of fallen spirits most malicious. Dreadful was that sight. Their purpose was obvious, and although Adam and Eve had been formally instructed in the philosophy of their natures, the chemistry of matter, the vegetation suited to their present condition, and that which would prove exceedingly deleterious if indulged prematurely; and the exercise of their own functions, also relative to the existence and character of the rebel beings; still they must accept or reject, obey or disobey. And the fate of earth seemed to rest upon their decision. Thus was their primitive state revealed. To seduce them the arch fiend resorted to unnumbered machinations. He sought sympathy with them by secret influence, breathed upon them his vile magnetic life, but as he approached was careful to infold himself in a kind of deceptive light; hence they did not perceive him. Finally, after many futile efforts to possess them, he resorted to the animal races for one suited to his purposes.

In the rear of the garden, and under the shadow of a grove, he approached a creature in appearance much like man, but whose head was

serpent-form. This creature, having a heavy base or sub-brain, was readily possessed, and thence inspired at will.

THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.

"In the midst of the garden," said my instructor, "behold a tree whose fruit is immature. This is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.' Herein consists a mystery never revealed to fallen man. When mature, if eaten, it was calculated to unfold and confirm the faculties of generation. If eaten before ripe would unavoidably induce premature development, and engender disease. Of this fruit the Lord forbade Adam and Eve to partake until the fullness of time. This constituted the principle requirement. Now, it came to pass, that he who first rebelled, having possessed the creature, as already shown, sought to effect his purpose by enticing them to pluck and eat of that fruit before the time. By so doing, he was assured the baser propensions would prevail, and they inevitably be perverted, hence become sympathizers with evil. Man denies this, because of its apparent (as they affirm) reflection upon the knowledge and power of God. But the law of mental ability awards a power of choice. That renders the being a moral agent, and moral agency gives ability to determine the mode of