Louisville messenger. (Louisville, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-05-20
TIlIi lIlDl.Ii.

TIE BIBLE.
There IL, perhaps, no book rene
more than the bible, and II appear
as though no book generally read
was less understood. This, TO doubt
has arisen from u combination Of eau.
SEES which exists III relation 10 no Other
book In the world. lfany other book
in the English language had rs maDy
commentaries written upon IL, had rs
many systems based upon IL, or upon
particular constructions Of IL; ii any
other book Were exhibited in the
same dislocated and distracted light,
had as many debates about It's mean
ing, and as many different senses at
trlbuted to lis words; if any other
book were read as the scriptures are
commonly read, in the same broken,
disconnected and careless manner;
with the same stock Of prcjudices and
preconceivcd opinions, there is every
reason TO believe that it would be as
uninlelligible and us little understood
as the bible appears to be. We often
wonder at the stupidity of the Jews
in our Savior's time in relation to his
pretensions and claims, and no doubt
pssterity will wonder at our stupidity
and ignorance Of book which we
read 80 often and profess to venerate
SO highly. There is greater SINH
larIty in the causes and reasons of
their and our indocility than we are
aware. The evil one has the same
interest in obscuring this volume
which he had in obscuring the evil
deaces of his mission, and the vitios-
ity OF man, both natural and acquired,
exhibits itself in the same aspect
towards the bible as it did in refer.
ence to the person concerning whom
il was all written.
But among the myriads who reli-
giously read the bible, why is it that
SO little Of the spirit Of it, seems to be
caught, possessed, and exhibited? |
will give one reason, and those more
wise may add to it others. Many
read the bible to have general idea
of what it contains, as a necessary
part of polite education; many read
it 10 attain the means ofproving the
dogmas which they already profess;
many read it with the design of being
extremely wise in its consentsS many
read it that they may be able to ex-
plain it to others; and alas! but few
appear to read it supremacy and ex-
clusively that they may practice it;
that they may be conformed to'it, not
only in their outward department.
but in the spirit and temper of their
minds. This is the only reading Of
it which is really profitable to men,
which rewards US for our pains, which
consoles US Row, and which will be
remembered for ages to come, with
inexpressible delight. In this way,
and in this way only, the spirit of it
is cought, retained and exhibited
Some such readers seem TO be cnrapt
or enspired with its contents. Every
sentiment and feeling which it inn
parts seem to be the sentiments and
feeling of their hearts; and the bible
is to their religion what their spirit is
to their body-the life and activity
thereof. The bible to such a person
is the medium of conversation with
the Lord of Life. He speaks TO
Heaven in the language of Heaven,
when he prays in the belief of its
truth, and the Great God speaks to
him in the same language; and thus
the true and intelligent christian
walks with God and converses with
him every day. One hour Of such
company is more to be desired than a
thousand years spent In intimate
converse with the wisest philosophers
and most august potentates that earth
ever saw.-ChyiStiun RGDtiSt.