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140 and thus excite new views and new feelings? Which is the more probable? When we consider how frequently, and in what various ways, He has graciously condescended to reveal His will to the children of men, does not the latter mode appear the more probable?

We know inspired teachers were not wanting in the first ages of the world. Such were Adam, Enoch, and Noah; and probably others of whom we have not heard. Adam, our great progenitor, had, at his creation, a perfect knowledge of moral duty; for he was created in the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. He had also a vast extent of intellect, as appears from his intuitive view of the nature of marriage, and from his ability to give appropriate names to all cattle, and fowls, and beasts, as they were brought before him by the Creator. Gen. 2:19, 20. His intellect was indeed darkened by his mournful apostasy (Gen. 3:10); yet we have reason to believe, he retained much of the knowledge imparted to him at his creation, and was competent to instruct his posterity on subjects of moral duty, as well as to preserve among them the great promise of a coming