The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-01-19
The Bible.

The Bible.
Who composed the following description
of the Bible, we may never know. 1t was
found in Westminster Abbey, nameless and
dateless; but, nevertheless, it is invaluable
for its wise and wholesome counsels to the
erring race of Adam:
A nation would be truly happy, if it were
governed by no other laws than those of this
blessed book.
1t contains every thing needful to be
known or done.
1t gives instructions to Senate, author
ity and direction to magistrate.
1t cautions witness, requires an impartial
verdict of jury, and furnishes the judge
with his sentence.
1t sets the husband as the lord of the
household, and the wife as the mistress of
the table; tells him how to rule, and her, as
well, how to manage
1t entails honor on parents, and enjoins
obedience on children.
1t prescribes and limits the sway of the
sovereign, the rule of the ruler, and the
authority Of the master; commands the sub.
jects to honor, and the servants to obey; and
the blessing and protection of the Almighty
to all that walk by its rule.
1t gives directions for weddings and burals.
1t promises food and raiment, end limits
the use Of both.
1t points out faithful and eternal guar
dian to the departing husband and father;
tells him with whom to leave his fatherless
children, and whom his widow is to trust;
and promises to be father to the former, and
husband to the latter.
1t teaches nan to get his house in order,
and how to make his will; it appoints a
dowry for his wife; entails the right of the
first born; and shows how the young branch.
es shall be left.
1t defends the rights of all, and reveals
vengeance to every defaulter, over-reacher,
and trespasser.
1t is the first book, the best book.
1t contains the choicest matter; gives the
best instruction; and affords the greatest
degree of pleasure and satisfaction that we
have ever enjoyed
1t contains the best laws and most pro-
found mysteries that were ever penned; and
it brings the very best of comforts to the
inquiring and disconsolate.
1t exhibits life and Immortality from time
everlasting, and shows the way to glory.
1t is brief recital of all that is to come
1t settles all matters in debate; resolves
all doubts; and eases the mind and con-
science of all their scruples
1t reveals the only living and true God,
and shows the way to him; it sets aside all
other gods, and describes the vanity of them,
and all that trust in such in short, it is a
book of laws to show right and wrong; of
wisdom that condemns all folly and makes
the foolish wise; book of truth that detects
all lies, and confronts all errors; and it is a
book of life, that shows the way from ever
lasting death
1t contains the most ancient antiquities
and strange events, wonderful occurrences,
heroic deeds, and unparalleled wars.
1t describes the celestial, terrestrial, and
internal worlds; and the origin of the angelic
myrads, the human tribes, and the deyilish
legions.
1t will instruct the accomplished mechanic
and most profound critic.
E 1t teaches the best rhetorician, and exer:
ciseS every power of the most Skillful arithme-
tician, puzzles the wisest anatomist, and ex-
ercises the wisest critic.
1t is the best covenant that ever was
agreed on; the best deed that ever was
sealed the best evidence that ever was pro-
duced; the best that will ever be signed.
To understand it, is to be wise indeed to
be ignorant of it, is to be destitute of true
wisdom.
1t Is the KING best copy, the magistrate
best rule, the housekeeper's best guide, the
servants best directory, aud the young mans
best companion; it is the schoolbOy's spell
ling book, and the great and learned mans
masterpiece.
1t contains choice grammar for novice,
and profound mystery for the sage.
1t is the ignorant mans dictionary and
the wise mans directory.
1t affords knowledge of witty inventions
for the humorous, and dark sayings for the
grave; it is also its own interpreter, and that
which crowns all is, that the author is with
out partiality and without hypocrisy, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow OF
t turning"