perfect in knowledge” (Job 37:16)—afforded them an exhaustless source of
instruction and delight. The laws and operations of nature, which have engaged men’s
study for six thousand years, were opened to their minds by the infinite Framer and
Upholder of all. They held converse with leaf and flower and tree, gathering from
each the secrets of its life. With every living creature, from the mighty leviathan that
playeth among the waters to the insect mote that floats in the sunbeam, Adam was
familiar. He had given to each its name, and he was acquainted with the nature and
habits of all. God’s glory in the heavens, the innumerable worlds in their orderly
revolutions, “the balancings of the clouds,” the mysteries of light and sound, of day
and night—all were open to the study of our first parents. On every leaf of the forest
or stone of the mountains, in every shining star, in earth and air and sky, God’s name
was written. The order and harmony of creation spoke to them of infinite wisdom and
power. They were ever discovering some attraction that filled their hearts with deeper
love and called forth fresh expressions of gratitude.
So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, their capacity to know, to
enjoy, and to love would continually increase. They would be constantly gaining new
treasures of knowledge, discovering fresh springs of happiness, and obtaining
