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Happiness to Be Found in Natural Surroundings, August 1
And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters
He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:10
, NKJV.
The father and the Son engaged in the mighty, wondrous work they had con-
templated, of creating the world. The earth came forth from the hand of the Creator
exceedingly beautiful. There were mountains and hills and plains; and interspersed
among them were rivers and other bodies of water. The earth was not one extensive
plain. Its surface was diversified with hills and mountains. These, however, were
not high and ragged as they now are, but regular and beautiful in shape. The bare,
high rocks were never seen upon them, but lay beneath the surface, answering as
bones to the earth.
The waters were regularly dispersed. The hills, mountains, and very beautiful
plains were adorned with plants and flowers, and tall, majestic trees of every
description, which were many times larger, and much more beautiful, than trees
now are. The air was pure and healthful, and the earth seemed like a noble palace.
Angels beheld and rejoiced at the wonderful and beautiful works of God.
After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried
out their purpose, which was designed, before the fall of Satan, to make human
beings in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth
and every living thing upon it. And now God says to His Son, “Let us make man
in our image.” As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of noble
height and of beautiful symmetry. He was more than twice as tall as men now living
upon the earth, and was well proportioned. His features were perfect and beautiful.
His complexion was neither white nor sallow, but ruddy, glowing with the rich tint
of health. Eve was not quite as tall as Adam. Her head reached a little above his
shoulders. She, too, was noble—perfect in symmetry, and very beautiful.
This sinless pair wore no artificial garments. They were clothed with a covering
of light and glory, such as the angels wear. While they lived in obedience to God,
this circle of light enshrouded them. Although everything God had made was in
the perfection of beauty, and there seemed nothing wanting upon the earth which
God had created to make Adam and Eve happy, yet He manifested His great love to
them by planting a garden especially for them.... This beautiful garden was to be
their home, their special residence.—
The Signs of the Times, January 9, 1897
.
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