Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-03-27
MDRAL. AND RILIGlDUs
THE BIBL


Why is this repository Of ancient his.
tory and literature, written by tho great.
est minds which have ever visited the
earth, and inspired with tho loltiesl
strains OF eloquence and trulh-why is
the vast mine Of intel )ectunl and spirit.
ual wealth so poorly appreciated, and
so little studied ? This is q question of
no little importance. Here is book
which Independent Of its sacred asso.
Citations, stands alone, unrivalled, un.
approached, as tho masterpiece of the
worlds Literature. and yet few out of
the pale Of the priesthood are at oil &C.
quainted with its beauties. Rich be.
yond all comparison in bold and glow.
ing imagery; breathing, throughout, the
most stirring eloquence; betra ling in
every line a thorough mastery of the hu.
man soul its poetry Of such dazzling
brillIancc as 10 astonish and over a we
the most gigantic minds which the world
has produced; il is looked on by the
great majority Of readers as a book fit
only for spiritual enthusiasts and bigot.
ted fanatics. 1t is read as n task, and
not as delight. 1t is approached with
an undeGnable awe which beclouds its
beauty and renlers its light dull and
uncertain. How shall we account for
this strange state oflhings7 How shall
We brush tho dust from the neglected
leaves of tke Bible, scatter the mist
which envelops its pages, and induce
rejecting and intelligent people to search
alter its hidden treasures, aud explore
its un(athomable mines?
In answer TO the first question. we
would reply, it has too long been look
Ell upon with unnatural reverence and
superstitious fear. The shadow OF the
Church has fallen upon it and obscured
its brightness. 1t has beon buried be-.
meath uncounted volumes of stupid cont.
mentary, and barrel upon barrel oil din.
gy sermons. Sectarians have placed false
slsn.boafds over every chapter, puzzling
the mind with foolish directions and
indices. Verse after verse has been
wrenched from its proper connection
and perverted 10 all manner of base uses.
In this way, the pure stream Of living
waters, gushing fresh from the great
fountain oflruth, has been darkened and
polluted, until it seems 10 have lost all
its healing and invigoraling power. To
drop all smile, and speak the naked
truth, tho Bible has been so outrageous
ly abused, that men lay it carelessly up
on the shelf, where it has become moth
eaten and dust.worn, for want Of use
In answer to the next question, how
shall we brush the dust from its leaves
and induce intelligent and rejecting
people to search for its hidden treasures
we answer, let them read it for them
setves. Cast aside all commentaries
disrobe the mind Of all prejudces, ant
enter upon its perusal with candid heart
and tcachable minds. You will ther
wonder, as you peruse its brillian
pages, that you have been SO long igno
rant Of their intrinsic beauty. Every
chapter will inspire you with the mobiles
enthusiasm. lmperceptibly, but surel,
and permanently, its noble spirit vii
steal over your soul, and give tone ant
character to your whole life. The cob
webs of modern religion will be swep
away, and thenceforth your heart vii
feel absolved from all priestworshi
and creed. worship, and devoted to tn
service Of TRuTu. Thus it is that lh'
Bible will be redeemed from daily neg
lect and PROCLAMATION, and many TO whom
it is a sealed book, will pant for its pur
gospel "as the heart panteth after tn
ter.brook. ."-Isaac Clapp.