The Neglected Bible

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 7, 1862

The Neglected Bible.

It lay upon the mantle-shelf, Mid dust profusely spread— Mid wreaths of smoke and clouds of steam, Festooned with webs o'er head. And even so its owner's heart, Alike unsearched, unknown, Defiled by sin, and vailed by doubts, Immovable as stone.

That holy word,—unheard,—unread, Breaks not the flinty heart; That Lamp of Life, whose light is hid, No blessing can impart,— No clouds dispel—no darkness quell— No sin no guilt display,— Directs not to the Lamb of God, The Life, the Truth, the Way.

Like some rich mine hid 'neath the soil, Unnoticed and unwrought, Through years of poverty and toil, It yields its owner naught. Oh! 'tis a fearful thing to hold The Word of God unread,— Eternal life within one's reach, And yet forever dead.