The Blessed Bible

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 7, 1871

The Blessed Bible.

In Scotland, during the times of bloody persecution, when Claverhouse was marching about the country, driving people from their homes, burning their houses, and putting many godly people to death, a pious father told his family that there were soldiers near, and they must hasten to the next village, where there was a strong, old church the fugitives could use for a fort. So he told Jeanie to take the big Bible for her load, and that she must be very careful not to let it get wet or lose it by the way. “For we could not live,” said he, “without the good book.”

So she wrapped a gown around the Bible and started with her father and mother, each of whom carried a child.

They had to cross a brook; but they did not dare to go by the bridges lest they should be captured by the enemy. There was a place where they thought they could cross on some stepping stones, but on reaching the place, it had become quite dark. So Jeanie’s father waded across, and carried the others one by one, until she was left quite alone.

Jeanie was much afraid to be left there by herself, so she started to cross after her father, stepping carefully from stone to stone. But presently her foot slipped, and down she went to the bottom. At the same time, up went her arms, holding the precious burden over her head. The water came up to her waist; but bracing herself firmly against the rapid current, she walked bravely on across the stream, and had nearly reached the shore, with the dear old book lifted as high as she could raise it, when she met her father returning to bring her.

“Father,” she cried, “you told me to take care of the dear old Bible, and I have done so.”

Just as she said this, they heard several pistol shots and the sound of approaching horsemen. They soon hid themselves in a little cleft of the rocks, and were not discovered.

Jeanie married in after years, and now has great great grandchildren living in this country. The old Bible became hers after her father’s death, and in it were written the names of her seven children. It is still in very good condition, in the possession of her descendants.

Jeanie never forgot that dreadful night when she carried the old Bible through the deep waters, and when she was dying, she seemed to be dreaming of it, and said, “I am in the deep river—in the deep river; but I’ll hold up the dear old Bible! There, take the book! take the book!” and she soon ceased to breathe.

The brave girl wading through the waters and holding up the Bible is like the Christian church marching through rivers of persecution and streams of blood, ever holding up the word of God, that it might be safely kept and handed down to the generations following.—S. S. Visitor.