Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-05-06
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THE BIBLE.


ted. A few hurried snatches in the morn
ing, the shortest psalm in the evening, to
very great extent, comprise the Bible read
ing of many who profess and call themselves
Christians. The prolific press is daily pour
ing forth issues of aids to Scripture reading,
the most gifted intellects both of this and
other lands are using all their power to make
the Bible the text book Of the age, but in
vain. There seems to have arisen in the
mind of the rising generation an Unsuitable
desire for something new-something STIR
ring-something calculated to arouse their
stupe6ed faculties. Persons will pore hour
after hour over the soporifc pages of some
silly novel, whose author has mistaken bonn.
bast for brains, and vagueness for, depth,'
while the Bible-God's code of laws to sin.
ful, rebellious man-lies unopened for weeks,
yea months. The young man will nestle in
his bosom the sin-stained pages of Byron,
not knowing that his slime is polluting and
his poison injecting every affection Of his
heart, while stream of living water is gush-
ing from this ever full and ever flowing foun-
tain of truth. In the one he finds only wa
ters of Marah; in the other sweet, soul.iu-
spring, soul.oheering streams whose fresh
ness never departs, whose supply never is
wanting
You cannot inaict greater punishment on
some persons than to force them to read
daily portion of Gods Word. To them it
is as 'ta root out of dry ground; having no
form or comeliness" Why are these things
so? We find in the Bible everything that
is attractive and lovely: we find its pages
glittering with golden truths, its chapters
glowing with saviors love. The statesman
finds in the Pentateuch the ablest code of
laws in the world; the scholar never grows
weary in exploring this mine of hidden treas.
ure and immeasurable wealth; the poet
catches from the "sweet singer Of Israeli
inspiration which kindles anew his Pickering
flame; the most gifted minds the world has
ever produced unite in pronouncing it to be
far superior to any thing of mans produc-
ton which has ever appeared in literature.
Says Milton, "There are no songs compar.
able to the songs of Zion; no orations equal
to these of the Prophets, and no politics like
those which the Scriptures teach" Sir
Matthew Hale, "There is no book like the
Bible for excellent wisdom, learning and
use." Hon. Robert Boyle, 'lt is match.
less volume; it is impossible We can studyit
too much, or esteem, it too highly" We
could extend this list to much greater ex-
tent, but deem it unnecessary. Has the
character of Israels great law.giver lost any
of its lovely meekness, or lofty nobility p
Has the fire of Jeremiah been quenehed2-
Has the wisdom of Solomon been surpassed
by that of any other mani? Has the poetry
of David found its equal in ancient classics
or modern epic?
Has Galilean Peter lost hisimpetuous zeal
or his fearful repentance Has loving John
!. ceased to win your admiration and enlist
j.. your affection? Have you grown weary in
listening to the warbling angelic choirs as
they hymn that majestic strain Of "Peace
on earth, and good will to men?" Has the
!, lustre of the golden streets of the New Je.
rusalem been dimmed by the glare of earth
; ly riches? And, We ask in conclusion, has
the voice of Jesus of Nazareth lost its sweet
ness, Is BE less able, or less willing to for
: give you now than when he forgave poor
weeping Mary? Have you forgotten His
suffering on Calvary? Have you forgotten
that He died for sinners such as you are?
Why, Oh! why is it, then, that Gods
Word is SO little thought Of? Is it not to
it, that we as nation owe our prosperity,
our happiness
There is a radical defect somewhere.-
sThese things ought not soto be-" We too
well know that to the unregenerate heart
the Bible, as revelation of Gods will, has
but little beauty. Yetits literary attractions,
and they are great, very great, still remains
Its characters are the finest models in the
world. Its style cannot be surpassed by any
writer, ancient or modern.
1t is suited for all classes and conditions
of life The rich and the poor, the young
and the old, the learned and the unlearned,
the pastor and his people can find in its pages
something to suit their situations.
Sinner, to you it comes as special bles-
sing to you it points out one who came in
to this world to die that you might hue.-
Will you not read it then? Will you not
ask the aid of Gods spirit to enable you to
J embrace those rich offers of salvation, and
clasp that precious Saviour to your bosom?
Parent, will you not endeavor to point out
the beauties of this Book to your children
more in the future than you have done in
the past? Perhaps no little of this distaste
of Gods Word lies at your door. Perhaps,
had your children been taught its truths bet
ter when they were young, they would not
now neglect them when grown up. This is
solemn thought, ponder it, think over it.
We would not have you forget that "the
Spirit of God maketh the reading of the
Word an effectual means Of convincing and
converting sinners, and building them up in
holiness and comfort through faith unto sal
vation. - Central Presbyterian.
EDITORIAL L1FE.-But few ever think of
the labor devolvingupon an editor-one who
is faithful to his Ugh calling-it is not so
much what is printed as what is not printed,
that makes o paper valuable. Captain Ma.