THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 7, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 39.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

WHENCE but from heav'n could men unskill'd in arts, In several ages born, in several parts, Weave such agreeing truths? or how or why Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie? Unask'd their pains, ungrateful their advice, Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price. Then for the style—majestic and divine, It speaks no less than GOD in ev'ry line: Commanding words, whose force are still the same As the first fiat that produced our frame, All faiths beside, or did by arms ascend, Or sense indulged has made mankind their friend. This only doctrine does our lusts oppose; Unfed by nature's soil on which it grows, Cross to our int'rests, curbing sense and sin, Oppress'd without, and undermined within, It thrives through pain, its own tormentors tires, And with a stubborn patience still aspires. To what can reason such effects assign, Transcending nature, but to laws divine, Which in that Sacred Volume are contained, Sufficient, clear, and for that use ordain'd?

—Selected.