The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-02-27

tronomy, Geology, and the other scienc-
es? How is it Divine Book, when being
written it bears so much Of the resem-
blance and respective style of the human
writers? If the Bible is Divine, why is it
not a perfect model Of composition, as to
language and style2 If David and Isaiah
were inspired, how can we believe that
Homer and Shakespeare were not writing
under Divine inspiration, when in the
opinion of some, their language and il
lustratlons are equally as sublime?
These are some of the principal argu-
ments of the age. and they all emanate
| from the disposition to appreciate intel
lectual and physical greatness, instead of
moral greatness. On the same premises
it could be assumed that the devil is Di-
vinely inspired inasmuch as he is more
sagacious than any Of the sons of men.
But many of the ancient heathens pos.
sessed more correct sentiment, especi-
ally Plato. In their conception, nothing
but the good was wor .hy of respect and
it was for the good, to the utmost of
| oOAiey, IASy SAOpSu, Hhil0 tAOy
were compelled, however, to acknowledge
that they failed to obtain it. This is
what the Bible has accomplished. 1t has
brought to light the perfect good, and
indicates how men may attain it. 1t has
not been given. to teach Geology or AS
tronomy; it has not bsen given to in
struct in Philology or Poetry; it has not
been intended as a perfect model of com
position.
This would not have been worthy oil
God, or equal to the exigencies of man
1t would at once be realized, that con
templating such a precision as this, in
human laws, or in ordinary writings
would be out of place. How much more
in manual from God to mani 1t is true
if the reality is beheld through the yes
ture, that it contains more mental great
ness than any other volume. This, how
ever, is not its prime object. All other
greatness is but the natural result of its
moral greatness. This is the greatness
that verifes its Divinity, which no other
greatness could have established. Nei
ther book nor a person can resemble
God, except in morality, and this simili
tude has never been seen perfect in any
book but the Bible. nor in any person
save in the man Christ Jesus. Tha
which is to be expected in book having
come from heaven, is light upon the
cause of man, as being accountable t.
Cod; as transgressor of the moral law
and as one to live forever in happiness
or in woe. Among men we find that in
significant events command local atten
tion, and perhaps occupy large space il
local newspapers; but if the newspaper
of the metropolis are examined, there i
no mention of them there, or if ther
should be, it will have been abbreviated
and condensed to a small corner, so tha
space may be!had for more general ant
important matters. So the composition
of the earth, and the solar system, Phi
: lology and Rhetoric, are but local mat
ters in the empire of God. That whicl
is of general Importance throughout th
scope of the empire, are the honor of tn
moral law. and the dignity of the Divin
Government; and these are what shoul
/ be expected in the book of God. Tha
) which is great in the presence of God,
moral good or moral evil and when Co.
is visible, everything but this vanishe
= away.