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Spiritual and material

Cain is the type of mortal and material man, conceived in sin and "shapen in iniquity;" he is not the type of Truth and Love. Material in origin and sense, he brings a material offering to God. Abel

takes his offering from the firstlings of the flock. A lamb is a more animate form of existence, and more nearly re- sembles a mind-offering than does Cain's fruit. Jealous of his brother's gift, Cain seeks Abel's life, instead of mak- ing his own gift a higher tribute to the Most High.

Genesis iv. 4, 5. And the Lord [Jehovah] had respect unto Abel, and to his offering: but unto Cain, and to his offering, He had not respect. Had God more respect for the homage bestowed through a gentle animal than for the worship expressed by Cain's fruit? No; but the lamb was a more spiritual type of even the human concept of Love than the herbs of the ground could be.

Genesis iv. 8. Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. The erroneous belief that life, substance, and intelli- gence can be material ruptures the life and brotherhood of man at the very outset.

Genesis iv. 9. And the Lord [Jehovah] said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?