The first introduction of man into this world, was made by God in a state of innocence. Adam was created pure and undefiled from all sin, without either spot or blemish, as our Saviour was represented at his first coming upon the earth. And in many respects he may be considered as symbolical of Christ. Like unto him, he was blessed, and a promise was given, that in his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. Every living thing was placed under his dominion and he was the head and representative of the human church, as Christ is the head and representative of the covenant of grace. But in Adam the free will depravity of the heart was first made susceptible, by his disobedience to the divine will of God. He was cast forth from paradise, in which he was placed, and too soon tasted the bitter dregs of human woe.

Thus man fell from a state of innocence, and the thoughts of his heart became evil continually. Yet the Lord in his great mercy has given a holy promise, that "as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive." God has blessed us with an immortal soul, a living spirit, which will never cease to endure, and when our clay bodies shall be laid in the silent tomb, our spirits will then ascend to the great Judge of the Universe, and though we die in Adam, yet if we seek an interest in the Holy One of Israel, forsaking disobedience, and walking uprightly in the holy commandments of God, we shall hereafter be made alive in Christ. "For as by man, came death into the world," so by man shall come the resurrection of the dead and our final destiny will be according to the "deeds done here in the body." How important then that we "walk not on slippery places, and be not high minded, but fear."

Margarette B. Lerned