Lessons.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 8, 1 February 1916, Page 102

Lessons.

(In accordance with the Diocesan Syllabus,) March sth. (Quinquag esima. ) Subject — HAPPINESS ' IN GOD'S PRESENCE. Main Scripture Reference : Genesis ii., 8 - end. The Scripture appointed contains one of the beautiful old stories of the " origins " or " generations," Genesis ii. 4. The teacher should tell the stofv simply — the older children may be shown the traditional sites of Edtn on the map. Emphasise ver<*e 9, two special trees : 15, the duty of work — work itself is not a punishment ; 17, eatino- of tree of life is NOT forbidden. The Hiddekel is the Tigris ; bdellium is a transparent wax-like gum, fragrant and soothing : onyx, probably turquoise or emerald ; "m front of " means " westward of " ; Cush means Ethiopia ; " help meet for him " means a help suitable for him, able to help him and be a companion. None of the animals satisfy his needs — their natures do not correspond with his, so God makes a woman of Adam's own substance and nature. The true relation of man and woman is typified by the allegory of woman's creation. " This is NOW," at last, a suitable companion has been found. " Eve " means " life." Note as follows : — (1) Everything is done to make Adam happy if he will only observe the conditions. (2) No man is fulfilling the purpose of his creation, or is truly happy, unless he is do'ng- some work. An idle life is unhealthy both for the body and for the soul. Work trains a man's faculties and limbs and makes him truly manly. God has put us m His garden — the world — it is our duty to " dress it and to keep it," that is, to till it and protect it against wild animals. I,a*.y people fnd life " boredom," and are constantly inventing new fnd extravagant pleasures to relieve its monotony. (3) The knowledge of good is- natural to a man made m God's image ; good is to be Inown by practising it, — you know warmth by being warm, you know good by being g^ood. But man w^s

not meant to know evil m this way. We should not tnow evil by tasting it and practising it, but only as something that is foreign to us, as we know a deadly poison. (4) The power to choose between obedience and disobedience, of doing this or that, is called free-will. Animals are moved simply toy their inclinations. , A cat may be trained not to steal meat for fear of punishment, but man must deliberately choose between actions not according as they are pleasant or unpleasant m their results, but as they are right or wrong. To have control over one's will m this way is to be like God. To be the slaves of passion or desire is to put ourselves beneath the rest of creation which we have been told to rule. Happiness m Eden depended upon obeying God's command. Sin blots out the presence of God —hides God from vs — Illustrate by the words on the: Cross : " Eli, EH, lama s&bacthani." 'I he cleansed man enjoys God's presence, feels it and knows it. There is no happiness so great as that of the faithful communicant, who knows the prestnce of Jesus m the Blessed Sacrament, and eats then of the tree of life ; that brings us back all the blessings of Edtn. The man who practices " the presence of God " by frequent meditation' and by constant communion with God m prayer, and, above all, by regularly and frequently attending the Blessed Sacrament to worship Jesus, really present m a heavenly manner, lives the eternal life here on earth. He is m a paradise and walks with God every day.