Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-02-13
Rradiug fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED by
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
Original. ]
THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURE!

REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
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Original.l
THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.
The Bible is the most remarkable book in
existence. 1t the oldest, as we'll as the most
interesting book in the world. 1t is varied in
its style and comprehensive in the subjects of
which it treats 1t consists Of history, law
and poetry. The historical details are the
most interesting, the laws the most important,
and the poetry the most sublime. No one at
all conversant with the Bible, will, for mo-
ment, call these statements in question. No
one has ever denied that the historical parts
of the Bible are intensely interesting nor has
any one ever called in question the justness
of the legal principles which are stated in the
Bible; neither has any one, capable ofjudg-
ing, had any doubts respecting the poetic SUBJ
Unity of many parts of the Bible
Such being the case, the origin Of the Bible
cannot fail to be question of interest to men
of letters. No man can read the Bible and
not feel the question, "Who is the author of
this book?" rise in his mind. TO the Jews
and Christians this is all important inquiry.
The Bible was first found in possession of the
Jews, and has ever, from the very beginning,
been regarded by them as a revelation from
God. The same views respecting the Bible
have been adopted by Christians. Both Jews
and Christians hold that God is the author
of the Bible. 1t is claimed for the Bible that
it is not simply book of facts and precepts !;
but of facts and precepts which cannot be
discovered without supernatural aid: Both
Jews and Christians claim that there are
many facts made known in the Bible which
reason cannot discover. Hence, it is not a
book of science or scientific facts but it is
claimed that the facts, or at least many of the
facts and principles contained in the Bible
are of higher order than simply scientific
facts and principles. In other words, it is
confidently asserted by both Jews and Chris.
tians that the Bible is an extraordinary rev.
elation of God to man. 1t will not be denied
that this is claiming great deal for the Bi-
ble If there is not good ground for it, moth
ing can be more arrogant 1t might be asked,
is it possible for God to give to man such a
revelation as that which it is claimed the
Bible is. 1t is difficult to conceive how any
one who believes in the existence Of God, and
that he is omnipotent, can for moment
doubt the possibility of such a revelation.
The only ground of doubt would be that it
involves contradiction. But the possibility
of God making such a revelation of himself,
as it is asserted is contained in the Bible, in
wolves no contradiction whatever. If God is
omnipotent, he can do anything that is not
derogatory to his own glory, or hurtful to his
creatures. On the contrary, the revelation
contained in the Bible, reflects great glory
upon God, and is most beneficial to his crea-
lures. God appears more glorious as he is
revealed in the Bible, than he does as reveal
ed either in creation or providence. God
gloriously manifests himself in creation and
providence; but he appears infinitely glorious
as revealed in the Bible. AS seen in his
works and providence, he is good but as seen
in the Bible, he is incomprehensibly good.
Some persons admit that it is possible for
God to give man revelation such as is con-
tanned in the Bible; but that it is impossible
for man to know the fact This simply
amounts to this: tits possible for God 10 give
man a revelation of Himself other than that
contained in creation and providence; but it
is impossible for God to convince man that
He is the author of such revelation. 1t
seems strange that any sane man would ever
come to so foolish conclusion. Men who
are, it is acknowledged, infinitely less in pow
er than God, find no difficulty in convincing
each other that they are the communications
of certain items of news No one in the
whole world is so absolutely ignorant that he
believes that it is possible for him to tell his
neighbor something, and yet that it is impos-
sibe to convince his neighbor that he did tell
him something. The idea is too ridiculous
to deserve serious refutation.
The possibility of revelation being ad-
mitted, it might be asked, is it probable that
God would make such revelation of himself
as it is claimed is contained in the Bible?
That he would, appears from the fact that
amongst all nations who had any idea of the
existence of God, and any notion of his attri-
butes, it was extensively believed and conf
dently asserted, that there existed some kind
of communion or commerce or intercourse be-
tween God and man. The devotees Of false
religions denied that the rites and ceremonies
which they practiced were devised by men
but boldly asserted that these rites and cere-
monies were given to them by their gods.
All the ancient law-givers claimed heaven
ly origin for their laws. If it is improbable
that God would make an extraordinary reve-
lation of himself, no one could be induced to
believe it. The human mind is so consti-
tuted as to give credence to probabilities; but
nevor to imnrohabilities There is but q