New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-22
VOL. vBsI. NO. ~.

language is in many parts inexpcabIy obscure
II has BEEN and It is to this day, among the foles
and vices Of many sects of Christians 10 attempt
explanations Of them adapted to sectarian purposes
and opinions The style Of of the books either
Of the Old or New Testsm snt affords general
model for imitation to a writer of the present age
the principles and rules for composition derived
four Greek and Roman schools, aad the example of
their principal writers, have been so generally
adopted in modern literature that the Scriptures
differing so essentially from them-could not be
initiated without great sfectation but for psthos
Of narrative for the selections Of incidents that
go directly 10 the heart for the picturesque Of
character and manner the selection Of circup.
stances that mark the individuality Of persons for
copiousness, grandeur and sublimity Of imagery
for unanswersble cogency aud closeness of reason.
ing and for irresistible force Of persuasion, 10
book in the world deserves 10 be so increasingly
studied and 50 profoundly meditated upon ss the
Bible.
shall conclude here the series Of letters,
which / proposed about two years ego TO write
you for the purpose Of exborting you 10 search the
Scriptures aud Of pointing out TO your consideration
the general points Of application with view TO
which, thought this study might be made prOhta
bic to the Improvement and usefulness Of your iu-
ture life. There are other and particular points TO
which may hereafter occasionally invite your at.
tenton. | am sensible how feeble and superficial
what have written has been, and every letter has
convinced me more and more OF my own lncompe-
tency 10 the adequate performance Of the task l
had assumed but my great object was to show
you the importance Of devoting your own faculties
10 this pursuit 10 read The Bible is Of itself lauda
bic occupation aad can scarcely ia Of being a use
iu employment of time but the habit oi rehectiSg
upon what you have read is equally essential as
that Of reading itself to give it az the efficacy OF
which it is susceptible. / therefore recommend TO
you to set apart a small portion OF every day ~
read one or more chapters of the Bible, and always
read it with reference tO some particular train o
observation or reflection. In these letters have
suggested to you four general ones. Considering
the Scriptures as Divine Revelations ms historical
records as a system OF morals; and as literary
compositions There are many other points OF view
| nwhchthey may besubjects oiuseiu investigation.
| AS an expedent for fixing your attention, make
| il also practice for some time 10 minute down IN
writing your reflections upon what you read from
day TO day: you may perhaps at first find this ink
some and your reflections scanty and unmportant'
but they will soon become both easy and coPious
Be careful of all not to let your reading make you
pedant, a bigot let it never puff you up with
pride, or conceited opinion Of your own knovl-
edge, nor make you intolerant oithe opinions which
Others draw from the same source however dlfior
eut from your own. And may the merciiul Greater,
who gave the Scriptures for our instruction bless
your study of them and make them to you fruitful
OF good works %
From your atocuonate f@her
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.