THE BIBLE by E. Hilliard

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 13.

THE BIBLE.

By E. Hilliard

BY E. HILLIARD.

No BOOK has ever been published that has exerted such a strong influence for good, against such a mighty tide of opposition. Thousands of orations have been made against it, and volumes have been written, denouncing it in the strongest terms. It has been defamed, ridiculed, mocked, blasphemed, and children have been taught in thousands of families that the Book is poisonous literature, unfit to be studied or perused. But for all this it lives, and is operating as heavenly leaven in changing the hearts of many from sin to holiness.

As we study its sacred pages, we wonder how any can ridicule or denounce it. It is a beacon light that safely guides the helpless mariner through the rocks and shoals of a treacherous sea into the harbor of heavenly rest. Its celestial rays gleam beyond the dark prison-house of the dead, and it speaks words of comfort to the mourner. Listen to its heart-cheering promise: “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

It bids the ruined, sin-wrecked soul look away from the darkness of despair and bitterness of death, to the compassionate Saviour, with arms extended wide to receive, and give an unending life.

The blessed Book has called together more people, erected more costly buildings, than any other book extant. It contains greater promises, offers greater compensation (if its principles are followed), than any production of man can offer and fulfil. How many aching hearts it has relieved! how many homeless ones it has cheered with the promise: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. Blessed promise! blessed Bible! beautiful place for the homeless wanderer!

Nature’s great Architect will spare no pains in the preparation of the place for those he is to receive unto himself. The touch of heavenly beauty will be upon everything that constitutes that eternal home; and yet men curse the Maker and ridicule the promise. The promises of freedom from sin, the peaceful rest of a sin-pardoned soul in this world, and the free gift of mansions in glory, are written in the blood-drop sweat of Gethsemane and Calvary’s cross. May God pity and bring to repentance the poor, deluded, spiritually blind individual that sets at naught the promises of the Bible, and thereby ignores the pains of Gethsemane and the blood of the cross.

Tonga, Friendly Islands, South Pacific.