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mankind never sinned, they would, in all probability, have never known suffering or sorrow. The stream of life would have flowed gently on, as it does in heaven, winding through a perpetual paradise, with flowers adorning and fruit-trees enriching its banks—the flowers of beautiful thoughts,—the fruits, good deeds; with sportive lambs (sweet and innocent affections) frisking in joy by the side of its sparkling waters; healthful breezes would have fanned the landscape, bringing with them pleasantness, freshness, and vigor,—and disease and pain would have been things unknown. And when the allotted period of existence on earth had come to its peaceful end, man would have passed gently away, to enter on a still brighter and unending life in heaven.

That such was the original plan and purpose of the good Creator, in regard to the being He had made, is shown in the revealed Word, which alone can give us information concerning the original state of man. We there learn, that he was placed, at birth or at his creation, in a charming paradise, full of all things beautiful and delightful. Whether that account be taken in a literal or in an allegorical sense, the same general