p. 178 | The Bible

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1859

The Bible.

It has always been a mystery to us that the Bible is so little read, so poorly appreciated. A few hurried snatches in the morning, the shortest psalm in the evening, to a very great extent, comprise the Bible reading of many who profess and call themselves Christians. The prolific press is daily pouring forth issues of aids to Scripture reading, the most gifted intellects both of this and other lands are using all their power to make the Bible the text book of the age, but in vain. There seems to have arisen in the mind of the rising generation an insatiable desire for something new—something stirring, something calculated to arouse their stupified faculties. Persons will pore hour after hour over the soporific pages of some silly novel, whose author has mistaken bombast for brains, and vagueness for depth, while the Bible—God's code of laws to sinful, rebellious man—lies unopened for weeks, yea months. The young man will nestle in his bosom the sin-stained pages of Byron, not knowing that his slime is polluting and his poison infecting every affection of his heart, while a stream of living water is gushing from the full and ever flowing fountain of truth. In the one he finds only waters of Marah; in the other sweet, soul-inspiring, soul-cheering streams whose freshness never departs, whose supply never is wanting.

You cannot inflict greater punishment on some persons than to force them to read daily a portion of God's word. To them it is as a "root out of dry ground, having no form or comliness." Why are these things so? We find in the Bible everything that is attractive and lovely; we find its pages glittering with golden truths, its chapters glowing with a Saviour's love. The statesman finds in the Pentateuch the ablest code of laws in the world; the scholar never grows weary in exploring this mine of hidden treasure and immeasurable wealth; the poet catches from the "sweet singer of Israel" inspiration which kindles anew his flickering flame; the most gifted minds the world has ever produced unite in pronouncing it to be far superior to anything of man's production which has ever appeared in literature.

Says Milton, "There are no songs comparable to the songs of Zion; no orations equal to those of the Prophets, and no politics like those which the Scriptures teach." Sir Matthew Hale, "There is no book like the Bible for excellent wisdom, learning and use." Hon. Robert Boyle, "It is a matchless volume; it is impossible we can study it too much or esteem it too highly." We could extend this list to a much greater extent, but deem it unnecessary. Has the character of Israel's great law-giver lost any of its lovely meekness, or lofty nobility? Has the fire of Jeremiah been quenched? Has the wisdom of Solomon been surpassed by that of any other man? Has the poetry of David found its equal in ancient classics or modern epic?

Has Galilean Peter lost his impetuous zeal or his tearful repentance? Has loving John ceased to win your admiration and enlist your affection? Have you grown weary in listening to the warbling angelic choirs as they hymn that majestic strain of "Peace on earth, and good will to men?" Has the lustre of the golden streets of the New Jerusalem been dimmed by the glare of earthly riches? And, we ask in conclusion, has the voice of Jesus of Nazareth lost its sweetness; is he less able, or less willing to forgive now than when he forgave poor weeping Mary? Have you forgotten his suffering on Calvary? Have you forgotten that he died for sinners such as you are?

Why Oh! why is it then, that God's word is so little thought of? Is it not to it, that we as a nation owe our prosperity, our happiness?

There is a radical defect somewhere. "These things ought not to be so." We too well know that to the unregenerate heart the Bible as a revelation of God's will, has but little beauty; yet its literary attractions, and they are great, very great, still remain. Its characters are the finest models in the world. Its style cannot be surpassed by any writer ancient or modern.

It is suited for all classes and conditions of life. The rich and the poor, the old and the young, the learned and the unlearned, the pastor and his people can find in its pages something to suit their situations.

Sinner, to you it comes as a special blessing; to you it points out one who came into the world to die that you might live. Will you not read it then? Will you not ask the aid of God's Spirit to enable you to embrace those rich offers of salvation and clasp that precious Saviour to your bosom?

Parent, will you not endeavor to point out the beauties of this Book to your children more in the future than you have done in the past? Perhaps no little of this distaste of God's word lies at your door. Perhaps had your children been taught its truths better when they were young, they would not now neglect them when grown up. This is a solemn thought; ponder it, think over it. We would not have you forget that "the Spirit of God" maketh the reading of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation."—Sel.