Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-07-31
VOL. XI. NO. As.

Il is also believed to be striking fact.
showing that the Bible is but little read,
that almost everywhere, even IN the
church, there is a lamentable ignorance
prevailing IN regard 10 the true meaning
oil It's sacred contents. As the result of
such want of understanding the scrip
lures when read, how many Family Bibles
have been worn oaI as it were. in the de-
cay OF the New Testament part of il first.
as If the study OF The Old Testament
could not profit its readers, from its not
being understood at ali, or from its SUM-
posed almost exclusive connection with
the secular interests of the ancient Jews
and the Jewish dispensaiion And vet
Paul, in his continual preaching of the
great things of the coming of Christ 10
Judgment, the resurrection, end of all
things, and other events herewith con-
nected, afirms that he continued saying
none other things than those which the
prophets and Moses did say should come
And as further proof of this general want
OF understanding the great mass of the
Bible, and especially the Old Testament
when read, may not appeal to the expe-
I
cle2 And may / not ask many of yo1.
as individuals, if you have not many
times experienced severe regret when Sc
riously rejecting on the subject, that in
reading the Bible, you have found so
much that you could neither pro6tably
nor comfortably understand The an
swer need not be given for all the church
know that such has been the case In their
own experience, and under their own OBJ
servation. And from what can be learn
ed from every source, it seems as an I'M
questionable fact. that it is so, to a grea
extent, in all parts of Christendom; show
| ing with clearness that, for some cause,
the Bible is not searched as it should be,
fnor as military, political, mercantile, pro-
fesslonal, and other men of the world, in
GLIDING those pursuing the sciences, study
the books and writings of worldly authors,
designed to give them knowledge in their
several pursuits, all of which terminates
with their existence in the present world.
Ii the Bible were thus searched, GER
tainly one OF two things would be found
different from what they now are !; either
the Bible would be better understood and
more proftably enjoyed, when read by
Christians or else the wisdom, power
and gooeness OF God in writing it have
failed In making it so plain, profitable and
comfortable as might be desired, or so
plain as the prophet was required of the
Lord 10 write his vision or book so plain
that hemay run that readeth' it,
Instead then of virtually impeaching
the Almig hly, by maintaining that he has
not made the requirements, motives and
instructions of his pure and spiritual
preaching, or revelation from heaven to
mankind in this dark world, plain enough
for all to understand it joyfully, If they
will receive his Spirit and do his will
let US rather all acknowledge at once that
the fault is on our own part wholly; that
we have turned away from God and the
Bible; that from the days of our fathers
we have gone away from his ordinances
and have not kept them that our words
have been stout against him. and that we
t have said practically, it is vain to serve
; God, and what profit is it that we have
kept his ordinances.
: And thus have we not, to very griev-
i, Gus extent, suffered our minds to be blind
: ed by the god of this world concerning
: the power and spirituality of the Bible, in
= connection with our not having studied it
: according to the requirement Of our bless
: ed Lord, saying unto US as unto others
q when he was upon earth,-' Search the
e scriptures, for in them We think We have
e eternal life. and they are they which tes-
: tify of me- HI.