The Book of Books by J. B. Macduff, D. D.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1863

The Book of Books.

By J. B. Macduff, D. D.

Amid the duties and difficulties, the cares and perplexities of life, how many a pang and tear would it save us, if we went with chastened and inquiring spirits to the sacred oracles! How many trials would be mitigated, how many sorrows soothed, and temptations avoided, if we proceeded every step in life with the inquiry, "What saith the Scriptures?" How few, it is to be feared, make (as they should do) the Bible a final court of appeal, an arbiter for the settlement of all the vexed questions in the consistory of the soul? God keep us from that saddest phase and dogma of modern infidelity—the sacred volume classed among the worn and effete books of the past. God keep us from regarding his lively oracles with only that misnamed "veneration," which the antiquary bestows on some piece of mediaeval armor, a relic and memorial of bygone days, but unsuitable for an age which has superseded the cruder views of these old "chroniclers," and inaugurated a new era of religious development. Vain dreamers! "Forever, O God, thy word is settled in heaven." "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." "The word of the Lord is tried." "Thy word is very sure, therefore thy servant loveth it." What a cloud of witnesses could be summoned to give personal evidence of its preciousness and value! How many aching heads would raise themselves from their pillows, and tell of their obligations to its soothing messages of love and power! How many deathbeds could send their occupants with pallid lips to tell of the staff which upheld them in the dark valley! How many, in the hour of bereavement, could lay their finger on the promise that first dried the tear from their eye, and brought back the smile to their saddened countenances!—J. B. Macduff, D. D.