Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-05
NO. 236.
MIscELLANE0Us READING.

THERE Is BUT ONE Book"-A few days before
the death of Sir Walter Scott, there was lucid
interval of that distressing malady which had for
some time afflicted him, and to remove which no
had travelled in vain to London, to Italy, and TO
Malta. He was again in his own home. In one
OF these calm moments Of reason, gentle as an in
fant." says his bographer, when the distressing
alterations of his mind had for a time ceased, he
desired 10 be drawn into his library and placed by
the window, that he might look down upon the
Tweed. To his son. in law he expressed wish
that hr should read 10 him. From what book
shall read said he. "And you ask" Scott re
Piled THERE i prr oSE." Il chose" says his
biographcr, John xiv. He listened with mild
devotion, and said. when had done, well. this
l. great comfort; have followed you distinctly,
and feel NJ If were yet to be myself again -
Lii; Df Scor, -: 5SS.
| need not enlarge on the dying testimony
of this eminent man in favor OF the Bible
On the bed of death, there is but one" book
that can meet the case. Not his own beautl
tul poems. nor his own enchanting works
Of fiction, were his comfurters there. lie had
come to point where fiction gave way TO
reality: and we can conceive OF scarcely any
scene Of higher sublimity than was thus evin-
ccd. when i mind than had charmed 50 many
others minds. the most popular writer OF his
age. if not Of any age, in the solemn hour
when life was about to close, gave this vol
untary tribute to the solitary eminence OF
the Bible above all other books. Would
that his dying declaration could be imprin-
ted on the title page of all his works, that
wherever they shall be read his solemn tes-
timony might 60 with them, that time is
coming when but one book can have claims
on the attention ofmcn, and but one book will
be adapted to guide their steps and to conf
fort their hearts May suggest TO the read
ers of novels and romances that the time IS
coming when, one after another, these books
will be laid aside: when the romance OF life
will be exchanged for the sober reality OF
death: and when the most gorgeous and
splendid illusions Of this world will give
place to the contemplation Of the realities OF
that everlasting scene which opens beyond
the grave. Then you will need, not fiction,
but truth; not gorgeous descriptions, not the
enchanting narrative, not the wizard illu-
sions Of the master mind that can play upon
the feelings and entrance the heart; but tho
Word-thc eternal Word of that God who can
not lie, and the sweet consultations OF that
"onc book )" whose beauties, after all, as much
transcend the highest creation of genius as
its truths are more valuable thun fctlon.-
We may lire amidst gorgeous scenes.
amidst splendid illusions, amidst changeless
clouds, amidst vapors that float on the air,
and then vanish but when we die we shall
wish to plant our feet, not on evanescent
vapors and changing though brilliant clouds,
but on the eternal Rock-a position which
shall be firm when the rains descend, and
the floods come, and the winds blow
Matt. vii 25.) And in reference to that
dark valley which we must all soon tread
that valley which appears 80 chilly and dis,
nal to man, along which no one has returned
to be our conductor and guide-whatever
may be said of the Bible in regard to the
past history of our race, or our own history
in particular, or the various inquiries which
have come before the human mind; it is IN
dupitaby then TO be the only certain lamp
unto our feet, and light to our path. ."-Reo
dibert Ba,aes