Measuring the Treasure by F. D. STARR

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

Measuring the Treasure

By F. D. STARR

THE man in the parable (Luke 14:18), who bought a piece of ground, was very eager to see it, that he might have a better idea of his newly acquired possession. Undoubtedly he walked around and through it, and across it in every direction, examining carefully every feature of his farm.

The great treasure committed to the Bible student is worthy of being carefully examined and explored as a whole, that the possessor may better comprehend its nature and construction. It is interesting to notice the component parts of this wonderful volume. Of its sixty-six books, some are very short and some are quite long. There are five books of one chapter each, one book of two chapters, seven of three chapters, six of four chapters, five of five chapters, three of six chapters, one of seven chapters, one of eight, one of nine, two of ten, two of twelve, three of thirteen, two of fourteen, three of sixteen, two of twenty-one, two of twenty-two, three of twenty-four, one of twenty-five, one of twenty-seven, two of twenty-eight, one of twenty-nine, two of thirty-one, one of thirty-four, two of thirty-six, one of forty, one of forty-two, one of forty-eight, one of fifty, one of fifty-two, one of sixty-six, and one of one hundred and fifty chapters.

For the sake of brevity, we will not here name the books of these various lengths, but suggest that it will be profitable for every one to get these fixed in his memory, so they may be thus indexed in the mind. Eleven of these sixty-six books, or one fifth of the whole, contain very nearly one half of the 1,189 chapters that make up the Bible. Two of these larger books contain together two hundred chapters, four others contain another two hundred, and five more contain a little less than another two hundred chapters. To verify this, will furnish a little Scriptural arithmetic for those who like mathematics.

It is very desirable to know not only the order of the books of the Bible, but also their length, and the leading subjects treated in the various books. Their value does not depend altogether on their length. While the larger ones, such as Isaiah and Psalms, are of incalculable merit, yet what a serious loss would be the omission of such brief ones as Jude and Philemon! To some readers some of the books seem to be rather dry, but even these contain instruction of the most beneficial nature.

Some wonder that there should be any variation of expression in the different translations of the Bible. The writer would like to depose his humble testimony, that reading the sacred Book through in Greek, German, French, and Spanish, and partly in Latin and Dutch, has produced gratitude and admiration that there is such a general agreement in meaning. The blessed Book stands the test, from whatever point of view it is examined. F. D. STARR.