Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-01-10

THE BIBLE.-A late number Of the Balti-
moro Chronicle contains letter from John
Quincy Adams 10 literary society in Balti-
more, in answer to one in which he was re-
qucstcd to point out the anihors most worthy
of their attention, The following extract
from this letter, bearing testimony to the
value of the Scriptures, is well worthy Of a
pcrusal:
"The first, and almost the only book de-
serving such universal recommendation, is
the Bible-and in recommending that, fear
that some OF you will think am performing
-Iperhuous, and otherwise very unneces-
sary ofice-yet such is my deliberate opinion.
The Bible is the book Of all others 10 be read
ut all ages and in all conditions Of human
life mot 10 be read once or twice or thrice
through, and then TO be laid aside but to be
read in small portions of one or two chapters,
every day, and never to be intermitted unless
by some overruling necessity.
This attentive and repeated reading Of the
Bible, in small PORTIONS every day, leads the
mind TO habitual meditation upon subjects of
the highest interest TO the welfare of the
indivi1ua! in this world, as well as to pre-
pare him for that hereafter to which we are
all destined. Ii furnishes rules Of conduct
for our conduct towards others in our social
relations. In the commandments delivered
from Sinai, in the inimitable sublimity Of the
Psalms ard of the Prophets, in the profound
and concentrated observations upon human
life and manners embodied in The Proverbs
of Solomon, in the philosophical allegory so
beautifully set forth in the narrative Of facts,
whether real or imaginary, Of the Book of
Job, an active mind cannot peruse a single
chapter and lay the book aside to think, and
take it up again tomorrow, without finding
in it advice for our own conduct, which we
may turn TO useful account in the progress
of our daily pilgrimage upon Earth-and
when we pass from the Old Testament to the
New, we meet at once a system of universal
application, pointing us to peace and good
will towards the whole roce of man for this
life, and to peace with God, and an ever
blessed existence hereafter.
My friends, if all or any Of you have spiri-
tual pastors to guide you in the paths of sal
valion, do not imagine that am encroaching
upon the field oftheir appropriate services
speak as man Of the world to the men Of
the world, and say to you Search The Scrip
fures! IL ever you tire Of them in seeking
tor rule of faith and standard of morals,
search them as records Of History. General
and compendious history is one Of the foun-
tai1s OF human knowledge TO which you
should all resort with steady and persever-
ing pursuit The Bible contains the only
authentic introduction to the history Of the
world and in storing your minds with the
facts Of this history, you will Immediately
perceive the need of assistance from Geo
giaphy and Chronology. These assistances
you may find in many of the Bibles published
with commentaries, and you can have no diff
hculty in procuring them. Acquaint your
selves with the Chronology and Geography
Of the Bible-tbat will lead you to general
knowledge OF Chronology and Of Geography.
ancient and modern, and these will open to
you an inexbaustibe fountain Of knowledge,
respecting the globe which you inhabit, aud
respecting't the race Of man. its inhabitants,
to which you yourselves belong.
You may pursue these inquiries just so far
ne your time and inclination will permit
Give one hour Of mental application (for you
must not read without thinking, or you will
read to little purpose,) give an nour of joint
reading and thought TO the chronology, and
one to the geography of the Bible, and u It
introduces you to too hare a study, stop here.
Even for those two hours, you will ever after
read the Bible, and any history, with more
iruit-more intelligence more satisfaction.
But, if those two hours excite your curiosity.
and temTr you TO devote part Of an hour
every day for year or years. 10 study
thoroughly the Chronology and Geography
OF the Bible, il will not only lead you far
deeper than you will otherwise ever pene.
ualc into the knowledge Of the book, but il
WI she'd floods OF light upon every step you
shall ever Afterwards take in acquiring the
knowledge oi proianc history. and upon the
local 'hah'atlon Of every tribe &C man, aud
upon NC name OF every nation into which
the Children oi Adam have been divided,