his return to the tree of life, which stood in the midst of the garden. The apostle John in his revelations beheld this sad scene. He saw the book of life--tree of life--to be sealed with seven seals, and he saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon," and he wept much. Rev. 5:1-4. How sad the scene! Man was created in holiness and happiness. He dwelt in the garden of Eden and had access to the tree of life, the very source of peace. But sin entered his heart. He was driven away to be in sorrow all his days. No man in heaven nor earth could secure his return. God saw his wretchedness and that his "wickedness was great in the earth" and "it grieved him at his heart." Gen. 6:5, 6. Sin swayed its scepter over the heart of man and he groaned beneath its tyrannical power, but God's mercy was not "clean gone forever." They cried unto
