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The Bible

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 15, 1879

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 20.

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The Bible.

Who composed the following description of the Bible we may never know. It was found in Westminster Abbey nameless and dateless, but nevertheless it contains counsel to the Jews and wholesome laws for the erring sons of Adam.
A nation would be truly happy if it were governed by no other laws than those contained in this blessed book. It contains everything needful to be known or done. It gives instruction to a senate, authority and directness to a magistrate.
It cautions a witness, requires an impartial verdict from a jury, and supplies the judge with his sentence.
It sets the husband as the lord of the household, and the wife as the mistress of the table, tells him how to rule and her as well how to manage.
It entails honor to parents and enjoins obedience in children.
It prescribes and limits the sway of the sovereign, the rule of the authority of the master, commands the subjects to honor, and the servant to obey, and promises the blessing and protection of the Almighty to all that walk by its rule.
It gives directions for weddings and burials. It promises food and raiment and limits the use of both.
It points out a faithful and eternal guardian to the departing husband and father; tells him in whom his widow is to trust, and promises a father to the fatherless, a husband to the widow.
It teaches a man to set his house in order, and how to make his will; it appoints a dowry for his wife and entails the right of the first-born, and shows how the young branches be left.
It defends the rights of all, and reveals vengeance to every defaulter, overreacher, and trespasser.
It is the first, best book.
It contains the choicest matter—gives the best instruction—affords the greatest degree of pleasure we have enjoyed.
It contains the best laws and most profound mysteries that were ever penned; and it brings the very best of comforts to the inquiring disconsolate.
It is a brief recital of all that is to come.
It exhibits life and immortality from the everlasting, and shows the way to glory.
It settles all matters in debate, relieves all doubts, and eases the mind and conscience of all scruples.—Sel.