The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-11-22

Reading the Bible in Course.

MORE of this was done formerly than
now. 1t was the practice of many FAM
ilies-itis of some still-to read the Bible
in family worship. in course. the year
through, a chapter or more daily, and
when the whole was finished to begin
again, and so pursue it from year to
year. There are some objections to
this plan, which has also much to COM
mend it. There are many portions of
Holy Scripture not strictly devotional,
and other parts are more useful for
reading in the midst of the family as
sembled for prayers. History. geneal-
ogies and records of vice, having their
uses, and, profitable in their place, may
not inspire the deyotions of the house
hold 1t is better to choose for such a
service those portions of the Book OF
Books that more directly lead the mind
to the contemplation of the adorable at
tributes of Him in whom we live.
But the systematic perusal of the
Bible, in its connection, book BY book,
is an essential part of religious educa-
ton. Without such study, no one
viii come to appreciate its wonderful
adaptation to the human soul, its divine
consistency, harmony and power. and
the internal evidence of its supernatural
origin. Beside, the Book itself is the
most important OF allhistorical records,
and no man. either Christian or not, is
educated who is not well read in this
work. In the early history of the human
family it is the only book that exists
from which to learn the facts. And to
be ignorant of what is here written is
TO be unfurnished The ignorance is
the more inexcusale because the knowl-
edge is so easily obtained, and is so in
! tensely interesting to every person of
thoughtful intelligence.
But this reason touches only those
who do not read the Bible for religious
instruction. The believer is very apt to
read certain parts OF it to the neglect of
others. The New Testament is read
far more than the Old. A Psalm or a
chapter in the Prophecies of ISAIAH is
read much more frequently in the fam
lily, and in private, than any part of the
Pentateuch or the historical books.
This is not to be censured as bad prac-
tice. But it shows how and why some
portions of Holy Scripture fall into dis
use, and their Importance is lost sight
of. One who will take copy of the
Bible printed without divisions into
chapters and verses, and will read it in
books or parts, and observe the relation
of one part to another, and the contin-
uity of the whole, will (even without
the learning of suddenly perceive a
meaning and purpose that he fails to
apprebend If he reads only in spots.
This is still more clearly perceived
when Bible is used that has been
chronologically arranged. Such ar
rangement is not to be received as abb
solutely correct. But it is very help
full to read the prophecies in the reign
OF the Kings under whom they were
written; to peruse the Psalms in con-
nection with the events which sug-
sested them, and many of these associ-
atoms are matters of record. SO that
we can receive them with certainty.
Our suggestion is, and it is with a
view to practical results we are now
speaking, that the systematic reading
of the Bible in course should be pur-
sued from day to day, year in and year
out, over and over again. 1t is the
only book in the world that is more in
teresting the more it is read. 1t will
not become tiresome, or common, by
being made familiar. New beauties
and harmonies and relations will be
discovered with every perusal. 1t is
well to have q commentary at hand,
but it is not wei Ito read the text in the
commentary That too often leads to
the critical study OF vcxed passages,
when the grand purpose is to get the
spirit and intent of the whole. The
busiest of men may readily go over the
whole Bible twice every year by giving
an hour or two every day to its system
attic perusal.-N. Z. Observer.