substance, working everywhere in nature. But this brief story lets at
rest all this inquiry. It informs us that matter was not eternal nor
did it come into existence by chance, but it was created out of
nothing by our eternal God. The story incidentally sets forth the
majesty and glory of God and man's dependence upon and his obligation
to God. It also explains the origin of sin and of all man's ills and
death.

Creation of Man. The Story of the preparation of a residence for
man is told in five brief paragraphs. For concision, picturesqueness
and concreteness, this narrative is not excelled in all literature. It
shows how God acting as a creating Spirit through six successive
periods of light and darkness prepared the world and put man in it. In
the matter of the creation of man the presence and activity of Jehovah
is especially emphasized. He shaped the body out of the dust of the
earth and breathed into the nostrils of that human form that which
made him become a living soul. It was the breath of God that gave life
to man and hence he will return again to dust when that breath is
withdrawn. Concerning the creation of woman it is better to admit
that her creation was supernatural just as was man's. Her creation was
to provide for man a helpful companionship so that his development and
happiness might be complete. Her creation out of a part of man's body
and to meet an inborn need provides the eternal grounds of marriage
and the basis upon which they are in marriage to become one flesh and
by reason of which man must "love his wife as his own flesh." Man is
created in the image of God and like the Creator has intelligence and
will and is given authority to rule over the earth.

Man's Home and Occupation. No sooner was man created than was planted
in the far distant east a garden that should be to him a home and