Article January 18, 1947 ISSUE

"Thou shalt rule over him"

FRANCES M. LAYZELL-APPS

In Genesis (4:3—8) we read that Cain and Abel brought their offerings to God. Cain bringing of the "fruit of the ground." and Abel of the "firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect." Cain, the record continues, was angry because his offering was not found acceptable, and the Lord said to him: "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."

These last words, "sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." stood out to the writer and took on new meaning as she was studying this account, which appeared in the Lesson-Sermon entitled "Ancient and Modern Necromancy. alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced." in the Christian Science Quarterly. She saw that God. Truth, was uncovering the error in Cain's thinking, showing it to be an erroneous suggestion of selfishness, resentment towards God and jealousy of Abel, his brother, all because of a misunderstanding of the true nature and spiritual value of offering. Although these sinful thoughts and suggestions presented themselves at the door of Cain's thinking, yet he had the power to deny them and refuse them entrance.

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