THE BIBLE IN THE HOME by Mary Alice Hare Loper, M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 3, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 43.

THE BIBLE IN THE HOME

By Mary Alice Hare Loper, M. S.

It Should Be Daily Studied by the Family — Its Stories Never Grow Old to the Children — Bible Characters Have Molding and Uplifting Influence

By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M. S.

“From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.”

IN closing His memorable Sermon on the Mount, Christ gives the impressive story of the house built upon the rock and the house built upon the sand. The former withstood the severe storm in which the latter became a heap of ruins.

The story fittingly illustrates the home founded upon the word of God and the home founded upon the sliding sands of unbelief. The former has for its foundation stones "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." These stones withstand all the storms of life, and the lapse of ages never causes them to crack or crumble to decay. They are as lasting as eternity, and are found only in the quarry of truth. But they are easily available, and the supply is ample to meet every demand. They may be had without money and without price. Therefore the poor as well as the rich may avail themselves of this sure foundation.

GLEAMS OF LIGHT SHINE OUT

From the home where God's word is revered, gleams of light penetrate the darkness of the world around, revealing smooth-running domestic machinery, and cheerfulness in the performance of the menial duties of life. There is the family altar, where, morning and evening, are offered prayers of faith, which reach the throne of the Infinite. The atmosphere of such a home is laden with the perfume of loving service to needy humanity; and when the evening shadows gather, after the toils and cares of the day are done, He sweetly "giveth His beloved sleep."

The old custom of having a "family Bible" as an object familiar to childhood, was uplifting in its tendency; and the children who were reared under its hallowed influence, received impressions for good which time can never obliterate. But the Bible is so easily obtained in these days, that every child should possess a copy of his own as soon as he is old enough to appreciate its worth, and should be taught to form the habit of reading it daily. No companionship can take its place for the growing child in the home, or for the youth who is about to bid adieu to familiar scenes and pass out into the great needy world.

A POWERFUL INFLUENCE GOES WITH IT

In some way a silent but powerful influence always goes with the Bible, so that one can not help feeling that it is not like any other book. Its stories are different from all other stories. They never become stale. Its history antedates every other authentic history. Its prophecies are not visionary. They always come true. Its biographies are true to life — are not colored to suit the occasion. Its poetry touches the very soul of the reader, and appeals to him with a fervor unknown to the most classic lore of men. The culmination of divine love for lost humanity is seen in its great tragedy; and to comprehend its length, its breadth, its depth, its height, is beyond the capabilities of men.

The Bible is the only book that retains its place in the hearts of men from age to age — the only book that can not be destroyed. Although many copies have been committed to the flames in an effort to annihilate it, the blessed ashes have proved but living seeds of a greater harvest. The earth is thickly strewn with dead books — books that lived a brief life, and passed away. Mere books, like their authors, are transient, and soon forgotten; but the word of God is living, is eternal, and abides forever.

The Bible is the only source of real consolation in times of war and trouble, in times of sorrow and bereavement, when earthly ties are rudely severed, and the weight of grief seems almost too great to bear.

"One of the sweet old chapters After a day like this! The day brought tears and trouble, The evening brings no kiss, No rest in the arms I long for— Rest and refuge and home; But, weary and heavy-laden, Unto Thy Book I come. "One of the sweet old chapters The loving thought blossoms through — The care of birds and lilies Out in the meadow dew. This evening lies softly round them, Their faith is simply to be. O, hushed be the tender lesson! My God, let me trust in Thee."

FOR EVERY DOMESTIC DIFFERENCE

The Bible is an unfailing remedy for every domestic difference, for every family grievance, for every wrong feeling of the human heart. The family that will persistently devote a reasonable length of time every day to the unprejudiced study of the Bible and to prayer, will find real joy in walking in the light that comes to them. They will be saved from making mistakes, will have wisdom to act aright.

That soul who refuses to study the Bible, for fear he may find something therein with which his daily life does not harmonize, is in a sad condition spiritually, and is rejecting the only means of his salvation. The Bible is a personal letter from heaven to every individual, and each one should study it prayerfully for himself, and not merely depend upon others to tell him what it contains. God is just as ready to help the poor peasant to understand His word, as He is to help the king upon the throne. But conscientious study and earnest prayer are required on the part of the learner.

ITS INSPIRING ASTRONOMY

Fathers and mothers may be learned in the wisdom of this world — may be acquainted with Copernicus, with Kepler, with Galileo, with Newton, with the whole list of astronomers given in the popular text-books; but unless they study Job — unless they are acquainted with the great divine Text-book — they are not prepared to instruct properly the little child who queries: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star! How I wonder what you are!"

Parents may have studied the theories of creation — may have wearied themselves with a laborious investigation of ages and eons of time; but unless they study the beginning of things as recorded by Moses, they will never be able to answer intelligently many of the inquiries of little children.

KINDERGARTEN TEXT-BOOK

The Bible is the only text-book needed in the home kindergarten. No other book can possibly take its place. Little children listen eagerly to the simple stories of the Bible. They are glad to take as their favorite heroes such characters as Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Daniel, and the child Jesus. It requires little time for children to learn Bible stories, which are of highest worth in character building; and the child whose mind is thus stored, has a mine of truth in which he may delve through time and eternity, and never exhaust his resources.

In teaching Bible stories to children, one should be careful to know that the child learns the facts exactly as they are. A small boy had just been telling the thrilling story of how Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, when an interested listener inquired, "Where is he now?" "O," said the little fellow confidently, "he died long ago!" Children should be requested to tell the stories over and over, until they learn them correctly.