Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-08-13
[OrisiIlal...
SAFEST.

There are some men who theoretically re
ject the religion taught in the Bible. LII
practice, it may be said, the multitude of mel
reject it. Those who reject it from theory
do so because they say its teachings are not
true. The multitude is, all men-ir
practice, reject the Bible, because the Bible
aajoins holiness of life, and the inclinations
of mans heart are evil, and only evil.
1t is very easy to test whether the principles
taught in the Bible are true or false If they
are false, no one should believe them; if they
are true, every one should believe and prac'
tice them They should be believed for the
reason that the doctrines of the Bible relate
to the most important practical questions res
pecting man, both for time and eternity
The Bible always contemplates man both as
mortal and immortal-as a creature of but
a few years duration, and as being destined
to outlive time itself If the Bible ignored
the present life of man, there would then be
no means of testing its teachings, whether
they are true or false This is, however, not
the case. In the Bible there is laid down a
rule of conduct In the proper sense Of the
word, the Bible is law to man. 1t com
mands US to do some things, and it forbids us
to do the opposite of those things commanded
For obedience it promises a reward, and fol
disobedience it threatens punishment II
is tue that the obedent are not promised tc
be fully rewarded in this world, and the
wages due the disobedient is not all paid him
until he passes beyond the grave. Still God
in the Bible, promises to reward in this life
the righteous, and punish the wicked. Now
the question is, does he do it? This question
can be answered either negatively or affirma
lively by an appeal to facts. Is it true, or is
it not true, that the way Of the transgressor i:
hard? Does God, in his providence, punish
in this world men for cruelty, injustice, and
an over-reaching policy? Numberless eS
amples might be selected, both from ancient
and modern history, which would give de
cisive affirmative answer to these questions
History, however, need not be consulted
Every mans observation affords enough o.
examples to settle the question forever. There
is not sane man in the world who know:
anything, either theoretically or practically
about the Bible, who will say that it is ar
unsafe guide. No man will dare say tha
by obeying its preccpts, men are involved II
difficulties, and by disobeyng it, they art
blessed. The Bible is epitomizcd in the com
mandments. Every man instinctively fcel
that as a code of laws, by which men are tt
be governed in their intercourse with each
other, here is no code like the ten command
ments. They are perfect. No man dare say
that the way to be happy and safe, is to
every one to disobey these precepts. Disobe
dience to the precepts of the moral law con
stitutes a man a worshiper of stocks ane
stones, profane swearer, Sabbath-breaker
a parent dishonorer, a murderer, an adulte
rer, a thief, liar, and covetous extortioner
Surely no one will say that it is safe, eithe
for society or for the individual, to be viola
tor of the ten commandments. The safes
and easiest way to secure happiness, is tt
make the Bible our rule Of conduct. LII
deprives us of few carnal and grovelinE
pleasures, it secures to us many soul-eleva
ting joys.