remain for discussion is, which is the true principle, that which tempted Eve into sin, or that which taught obedience to divine requirement?

Again: The Lord counseled Adam to control his inclinations, and admonished him against gratifications which might expose him to unfavorable consequences; advised him to a habit of self-government. This is in harmony with divine law. Every organism in the universe is dependent for health, use and development, upon the competency and judicious exercise of some supreme controlling power. Without this, the members of the physical universe would wander confusedly until their order and existence would cease to be. Even so with the mind: there must be government or the most fatal consequences will attend its movement. Nations, circles and families require governmental policy; the exercise of correct determination. In like manner every separate intelligence requires fixedness of purpose-self-control. The Bible informs us that the Lord revealed to Adam the character and tendency of this first and supreme principle. As, therefore, the prohibition harmonized with eternal law, and was adapted to Adam's condition, it follows that the doctrine of its divine origin is a truth. But without this manifest adaptation, the consequences that followed the violation prove the wisdom and righteousTM

ness of the command. The Tempter's position was the opposite. He urged self-gratification, and therefore had no respect for the first principle, the great criterion of Adam's being. No government could exist under such an adminis tration. The law of equity, purpose, justice, and of mental, spiritual and moral government was set aside by him; and impulse, passion and appetite instituted in their stead. Consequently, his counsel savored of discord and death, and was opposed to life, harmony and peace. Such was the character of that spirit, which, according to the Scriptures set at naught the counsels of heaven, has made perpetual war upon the servants of God and the Divine Law. Facts prove it the principal actor in the present effort against the Bible-that it is now feeling for the pillars of the House of God. Its magic hands are seeking the candlesticks of the holy Temple, and its spiritual messengers are stealing into the domestic circle and most sacred places. The power, like an invisible cloud, overhangs the earth, and distills its God-opposing spirit into the human soul. It comes as angel whispers, spiritual melody, ghostly visages, and the multitudinous forms of Magnetism, Biology and Necromancy-by clairvoyance, spirit-seeing, writing, rapping, and the disturbance of material bodies. It speaks of heaven and harmony, and

while charming with circean song, with its death fingers clutches at the Bible. Its infuriated heart, surcharged, is impatient for the period to arrive when it can belch its venom like a flood, upon those who adhere to the doctrine of the Inspired Word and have faith in the Lord Je

sus.

The manifestation has varied according to the sense of the device. At times it has, as nearly as possible, imitated the character of divine Inspiration, and in some instances it has been difficult for benighted man to distinguish it from the true, until the effect removed the veil and exposed its perverse and wicked nature.

CHAPTER II.

BIBLE HISTORY OF THE OPPOSING SPIRIT.

IMMEDIATELY succeeding the first transgression, the evil, malicious, and God opposing spirit assumed especial form in the murder of Abel, whose pious soul offered acceptable sacrifice before God. This the evil spirit could not endure, and therefore meted out its hate for holy things upon the meek victim.

Abel was the first of unnumbered martyrs to the Cause of Heaven. And his blood issued first from the fountain thus opened because of the spirit of opposition to the religion known as the religion of the Bible.

However varied the form of manifestation, it has been the humble believer in the doctrine of divine Inspiration, sacrifice, and devout worship of the Lord of heaven and earth, the I AM, who has suffered. And it has been a proud tyranizing spirit which has inflicted pain and death upon those who would serve the invisible God, though earth and hell oppose.

Deep-designing, the evil genus sought, by cutting off Joseph, to prevent the salvation of Israel through whose lineage the Messiah, the Conqueror should come. It therefore inspired

his brethren with revenge because of his prophetic spirit. And they finally sold the innocent lad a slave into Egypt. But the very means employed to defeat the Spirit of Life was overruled to the greatest and most glorious ends. For a season Joseph suffered. And because his trusty and upright soul could not be tempted into sin, but resisted, by false accusation he was cast into prison. In this also, God defeated the enemy, and by means originating in that affliction, exalted Joseph to a position wisely adapted to the purpose of his Mission-the salvation of the house of Jacob. Gen., 37.

The same evil inspiration at the time of the birth of Moses, the servant of the Most High, caused Pharaoh to purpose the sacrifice of all the males born to the Hebrews. By so doing, the agent of Heaven would have been cut off. This God also overruled to his own glory. For by the inspiration of Wisdom, Moses was saved. And when, after three months, the mother could no longer conceal him, "she took for him an ark made of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch, and put the child therein; and laid it in the flags by the river's brink. And the sister stood afar off to wit what would be done with him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river side; and when she saw the ark